Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed since school began.
That day, when classes let out at noon...
Yemu Hyuga had yet to leave the classroom when a crowd of girls gathered around him again.
"Yemu Hyuga, do you have time to play ninja with us today?"
"Yeah, we're free today, too."
"Yemu, come play with me. I can do anything."
The first-year students didn't have Taijutsu matches. They couldn't even be called ninja yet.
Only a month or so into the school year, quite a few students had already dropped out.
They had been forced to leave.
After all, becoming a ninja wasn't easy, even if it was just a Genin.
There were far fewer ninja than civilians.
Even Genin were beyond the reach of many ordinary people.
"Sorry, I already have plans today, too."
Yemu Hyuga shook his head slightly, declining with a soft chuckle.
He hadn't expected to become one of the most popular people in class after showing just a little of his ability in gym class.
"What a show-off! Such a show-off!"
Sasuke Uchiha, sitting near the hallway, gripped his pen tightly and stared at Yemu Hyuga with open resentment.
Yemu Hyuga was used to Uchiha Sasuke's hostility.
The kid simply couldn't stand anyone being better than him.
After leaving the classroom...
Yemu Hyuga found his usual little follower behind him.
"How long are you going to keep following me?"
Yemu Hyuga sounded exasperated.
At his words, Qingxue Uchiha skipped up beside him. "I... I still haven't replaced your pot. Let me take care of your meals for now."
"Is... is that not okay?"
Qingxue Uchiha deftly caught Yemu Hyuga's sleeve and gently rocked her hands, blinking up at him. Her soft voice was sweet enough to melt hearts, as though she had a special-effects halo around her.
Thump!!
Watching Qingxue Uchiha act cute, Yemu swung his hand back and bonked her on the head.
"Ow~"
Qingxue Uchiha clutched her aching little head and looked at Yemu with a hint of reproach.
And so...
Qingxue Uchiha happily trailed behind Yemu all the way back to his home.
As Yemu stepped into the entryway, Qingxue neatly straightened his scattered shoes and took a pink slipper out of the cabinet.
"We're having curry rice today."
"Is that okay, Yemu?"
Once inside, Qingxue Uchiha headed straight for the kitchen.
Yemu Hyuga slumped onto the sofa. As the Shadow Clone training on the mountain behind his home disappeared, a wave of fatigue, memories, and experience flowed into his mind.
That was right.
To improve his strength as quickly as possible...
Yemu Hyuga had been secretly using Shadow Clones to train.
No one in the entire first year could outwork him.
"I've actually been wondering. How do you cook when there's no pot in the house?"
Yemu Hyuga tilted his head back toward the kitchen, curiosity in his voice.
After spending a month together...
Yemu Hyuga had gradually grown used to Qingxue Uchiha cooking for him every day.
He hadn't expected Qingxue Uchiha, who had seemed like a pampered young lady in their previous life, to be such a good cook.
"Hehe~ It's a secret."
Qingxue Uchiha poked her head out of the kitchen doorway. "Oh, and no peeking."
After that reminder, Qingxue returned to the kitchen counter and got back to work.
She rummaged briefly through the backpack behind her.
Then she poured the two servings of curry rice she'd bought beforehand onto their plates.
Next, she set down a cutting board and chopped at thin air with a kitchen knife, pretending to cut vegetables.
Tap, tap, tap~
The sounds of cooking drifted out of the kitchen.
That made Yemu Hyuga all the more curious, and he couldn't resist sneaking over.
After all, cooking without a pot really was a miracle.
Qingxue Uchiha hummed, her long black hair swaying gently, an inexplicable charm radiating from her. But there was clearly something she hadn't noticed.
When she turned around...
She discovered Yemu Hyuga standing behind her, looking utterly baffled.
"Ahem... I... didn't I tell you not to come in?" The kitchen knife in Qingxue Uchiha's hand trembled slightly.
Her face betrayed a little panic.
"So this is how you've been cooking all month?" Yemu Hyuga looked speechless.
As he eyed the kitchen knife in Qingxue Uchiha's hand, his heart quickened in a rare surge of unease.
Even if she swings that at me, I should be able to block it with my current strength, right?
That was what Yemu thought.
"I... Yemu..."
Qingxue Uchiha stumbled over her words, too anxious to know what to say.
Would he hate a girl who lied?
Would he dislike a girl who couldn't cook?
"Let's eat. You don't need to do this anymore." Yemu Hyuga shook his head helplessly and carried both servings of curry rice out.
Qingxue Uchiha followed behind Yemu Hyuga with her head lowered, murmuring, "Yemu, am I useless because I can't cook?"
If she'd known this would happen...
She really should have learned to cook properly in her previous life.
"It's fine. Just eat here."
Yemu Hyuga watched Qingxue Uchiha pick up her little plate, intending to go somewhere else.
He spoke up to stop her.
He had no choice. Previously, to drive Qingxue Uchiha away, Yemu Hyuga had specifically insisted that they not sit together for meals.
After all, whenever they ate together...
That crazy woman's hands would start wandering.
As for why he'd agreed to let Qingxue Uchiha come over and cook...
Why turn down free food? Why do it myself when I can get it for free? Besides, the pot and rice are both gone.
Originally, Yemu Hyuga had no intention of rekindling his relationship with Qingxue Uchiha.
But for some reason...
When he'd seen Qingxue Uchiha from behind as she cooked earlier, Yemu Hyuga's heart had suddenly sped up.
"Oh."
A flash of delighted surprise passed through Qingxue Uchiha's eyes.
She immediately moved to sit beside Yemu Hyuga.
But considering that he might still be uncomfortable with her...
Qingxue Uchiha chose the seat opposite Yemu Hyuga instead.
Yemu Hyuga looked at Qingxue Uchiha's noticeably smaller serving of curry rice and asked curiously, "I've noticed you've been eating pretty little this whole month. Are you not used to the food in this world?"
After all, their customs were different.
The food here was very different from what they'd eaten in their previous life.
"I... yes, I'm not really used to it." Qingxue Uchiha smiled faintly, looking utterly delighted.
That look on her face...
Left Yemu Hyuga thoroughly puzzled.
She was only eating at the same table as him.
Was that really worth being so happy about?
Neither of them spoke. They simply ate in silence.
Qingxue Uchiha didn't quite dare to strike up a conversation with Yemu Hyuga.
Over the past month, Yemu Hyuga had shown little interest in her, and had even seemed somewhat annoyed.
He'd simply treated her as someone useful for cooking.
"Why did you agree to go out with me back then?"
"I shouldn't have had enough charm in my previous life to drive a mob heiress crazy, right?"
As they were finishing their meal...
Yemu Hyuga voiced the biggest question on his mind.
"Because... you're special, Yemu."
Qingxue Uchiha answered offhandedly, then reached out to clear the plates from the table.
"I'll wash the dishes from now on."
Yemu Hyuga caught Qingxue Uchiha's hand, then took the plates himself and headed for the kitchen.
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