School life

Genya looked at Hinata, who sat beside him looking a little uneasy.

"Hinata, we meet again."

He spoke first, the gentle smile on his face easing some of her nervousness.

"Ah... G-Genya-kun!"

Hinata hadn't expected Genya to speak to her first. She almost jumped out of her chair in a panic, her cheeks instantly flushing as her fingers instinctively reached for the handkerchief she carried with her.

"H-hello..."

"No need to be so nervous."

Genya's voice was as gentle as it had been that snowy night.

"We'll be classmates from now on. I look forward to getting along with you."

"Y-yes! Me too!"

Hinata nodded vigorously, her heart pounding like a drum.

I get to see Genya-kun again, and we're even in the same class...

A secret joy welled up in her heart.

Genya didn't rush to deepen their conversation.

He casually chatted with Hinata about school, classes, and other harmless topics, keeping his manner friendly.

That way, he could steadily grow closer to her without making her feel pressured.

He could see Hinata gradually relax. Though she still blushed, she could at least respond to him in halting sentences now.

Every so often, her pure white eyes would lift to steal a quick glance at him, then dart away like a startled fawn.

[Ding! Hinata Hyuga's affection +5!]

[Current affection: 80]

Hearing the notification in his mind, Genya felt a little reassured.

His gaze passed over the blond boy sitting alone near the front of the classroom, looking somewhat out of place.

Then it swept over Sasuke, who sat nearby surrounded by several girls with an impatient look on his face, before returning to the shy, clear-eyed Hinata beside him.

The gears of fate have begun to turn...

The morning classes passed quickly with Iruka-sensei's patient explanations.

As soon as the lunch bell rang,

Genya took out the lunchbox his mother had prepared. He was just about to open it when a clear, familiar voice came from the classroom doorway.

"Genya-kun!"

A stir immediately ran through the boys in the classroom.

Uchiha Nami stood gracefully in the doorway, her medium-length black hair falling over her shoulders. A bright smile adorned her delicate features, and she held a lunchbox in her hand.

She was growing prettier by the day.

Nami's gaze, however, went straight to Genya.

"Remember our promise? We're having lunch on the rooftop today, right?"

They had arranged this long ago.

Once Genya started school, Nami would show him around campus, and the rooftop was a quiet spot she had discovered.

"Yes, of course."

Genya stood and picked up his lunchbox, then turned to Hinata, who was watching them furtively from beside him, looking rather lost. He gently invited her along.

"Hinata, would you like to join us? The rooftop has a nice view, and it's quiet."

"Huh? M-me?"

Hinata hadn't expected Genya to invite her. Flustered, she looked at him, then at the beautiful, radiant Nami standing by the door.

"I-is that all right? Won't I be intruding?"

"Of course you wouldn't."

Nami had already walked over and smiled warmly at Hinata.

"Genya-kun mentions you all the time. He says you're a very earnest, sweet classmate. Come with us. The more, the merrier."

Her manner was warm and natural, though she did feel a slight pang over how much attention Genya paid to another girl.

Still, she trusted Genya and was willing to welcome his friends.

Hearing Nami say that Genya had mentioned her made Hinata blush again, sweetness spreading through her heart.

"Th-then, if you don't mind..."

She agreed softly, fumbling as she picked up her lunchbox.

And so, under the envious gazes of quite a few classmates, especially the boys,

Especially one particular little blond!

Genya left the classroom with a shy Hinata and a brightly smiling Nami, heading for the school building's rooftop.

The rooftop did indeed offer a sweeping view, with a breeze brushing their faces.

The three found a clean spot and sat down.

"Here, Genya-kun. I made this rolled omelet. Give it a try!"

Nami opened her lunchbox and placed a piece of rolled omelet in Genya's.

"Thanks."

Genya took a bite and nodded in approval.

"It's delicious. Your cooking has gotten even better, Nami."

Nami smiled happily, her eyes curving into crescents.

Watching their easy familiarity, Hinata felt a little envious, along with an inexplicable ache.

She quietly opened her own lunchbox and ate in small bites.

"Your lunch looks quite lavish, Hinata."

Noticing her silence, Genya took the initiative to speak to her.

"Did your family prepare it?"

"Y-yes..."

Hinata hurriedly nodded.

"The Hyuga Clan really eats well."

Nami leaned over to take a look and sighed in admiration, then smiled again.

"But Genya-kun's mother makes delicious food too. I've tried it when I've visited."

"Yes, Mother's a very good cook."

Genya smiled and casually placed a piece of fried chicken from his lunchbox into Hinata's.

"Want to try this? It's my mother's special fried chicken. It should be pretty good."

Hinata froze at the piece of fried chicken that had suddenly appeared in her lunchbox, her cheeks turning scarlet.

"Th-thank you, Genya-kun..."

She thanked him softly, her heart fluttering wildly like a little rabbit.

The three ate and chatted like that, with Genya and Nami doing most of the talking while Hinata occasionally chimed in softly.

The atmosphere was warm and friendly.

Although Hinata didn't say much, listening to their conversation and watching Genya's profile and Nami's cheerful smile helped her relax considerably. Every so often, a faint smile appeared on her own face.

[Ding! Uchiha Nami's affection +2! (82)]

[Ding! Hinata Hyuga's affection +3! (83)]

Lunch break passed quickly.

The afternoon consisted mainly of theory and general education classes.

When school let out, students streamed through the gates. Most had family members there to pick them up or headed home with friends.

Hinata stood by the school gates, looking around uncertainly.

The Hyuga Clan hadn't sent anyone to pick her up.

"Hinata, is no one coming to get you?"

Genya asked as he walked out, with Nami beside him.

"Um... I-it's all right. I can go home by myself..."

Hinata hurriedly waved her hands.

"We can't have that. It's not safe to go alone."

Nami linked arms with Hinata. A little taller than her, she looked like an older sister.

"We're going the same way for part of the trip anyway, so let's walk together! What do you think, Genya-kun?"

"Yes, let's go together."

Genya nodded.

And so, the three walked home side by side.

Nami chatted animatedly, Hinata answered softly, and Genya walked a little closer to the outside of the road, listening to them.

As they rounded a corner, Genya's gaze met two figures a short distance ahead.

They were Uchiha Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha.

Itachi wore an ANBU uniform, his expression gentle but a little weary.

When Sasuke saw Genya, especially with two girls accompanying him, his scowl deepened. He gave a loud "Hmph!" and turned his head away.

Uchiha Itachi's gaze lingered briefly on Genya, Nami, and Hinata, particularly Hinata's eyes, before he gave Genya a slight nod in greeting.

His eyes were deep and unreadable.

Genya calmly nodded back at Itachi in acknowledgment.

He had complicated feelings about this future "clan massacre executioner," but this was far from the time to approach him.

As for Sasuke's little sulk, he ignored it entirely.

After that brief encounter, the two groups passed each other.

"That was Itachi-senpai and Sasuke-kun."

Nami spoke softly.

"Mm."

Genya acknowledged her without saying more.

They continued escorting Hinata to the vicinity of the Hyuga Clan Compound. Only after watching her safely enter its gates did Genya and Nami turn toward the Uchiha Grounds.

"Are you close with Itachi-senpai, Genya-kun?"

Nami asked curiously.

"Not really. We just know each other."

Genya answered, then changed the subject.

"Thanks for today, Nami."

"There's nothing to thank me for."

Nami laughed.

"I had a wonderful time with you and Hinata, Genya-kun."

And with that, an ordinary day at school drew to a close.