Seeing Sasuke's unhappy expression and foul mood, Naruto didn't ask any more questions.
After all, he had no idea what had happened. Even if he wanted to offer some comfort, he wouldn't know what to say.
When Naruto and Sasuke reached the Ninja Academy together, the warning bell rang just in time.
The two had no choice but to make one final sprint.
Naruto rushed into the classroom first, never expecting Iruka-sensei to arrive early that afternoon.
The whole class stared at him in confusion, their gazes seeming to ask silently, Naruto, where's Sasuke?
But just then...
"May I come in?"
A cool girl's voice sounded at the door, right behind Naruto.
Faced with the questioning looks from Iruka and the entire class, Naruto simply ignored them and headed straight back to his seat.
As Naruto strolled into the classroom, everyone's attention shifted to the doorway.
Then a twin-tailed girl walked into the classroom with her head lowered.
The entire classroom instantly erupted.
Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno, and the other boys who admired Sasuke spotted his swollen little lips almost the instant he entered, despite his deliberate attempt to hide them by lowering his head.
At the sight, quite a few of the less strong-willed boys nearly blacked out on the spot.
By contrast, among the girls, Shikamaru, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino, Choji, and the others looked toward Naruto in astonishment, their expressions seeming to say, What kind of ride gets you there that fast?
It had barely been any time at all, and they'd already kissed?
If that were all, the girls wouldn't have thought much of it. The real issue was that Sasuke's swollen little lips as he entered the classroom left far too much room for imagination.
"Believe it..."
Naruto knew nothing about the strange mood in class.