"There are some things you simply can't say in front of them. I understand."
The older student from the Uchiha Clan spoke with a smile. His words were actually quite gentle, but the Uchiha Clan's characteristically cold, aloof looks made him seem oddly contradictory.
Jiraiya told himself he wasn't afraid.
But in truth, Jiraiya knew perfectly well that this simple conversation had already shattered his composure. A tide of emotion had swallowed him whole.
He... was afraid of this older student from the Uchiha Clan standing before him.
Suddenly, the Uchiha with the gloomy air spoke up. "Hey, what kinds of novels do you like reading?"
Jiraiya: "????"
What was this supposed to mean?
Was this slightly scary-looking upperclassman actually trying to strike up a conversation rather than pick a fight?
Hmm... the Uchiha Clan really does seem rather unfriendly on the surface.
People who are too talented tend to be lonely. They look at everyone as if they're looking at an idiot, when they might actually just be spacing out.
But nobody really likes the Uchiha Clan. People take a detour whenever they see them, which really is pretty unfriendly.
"I..." Jiraiya smiled foolishly, unsure how to respond.
Thinking back to his first day at school, he had also approached Orochimaru in a strange way, which had put Orochimaru off and made him refuse to be friends.
If he hadn't been sincere enough, Orochimaru would have stopped bothering with him long ago. Probably...
This Uchiha standing in front of me must be bad at socializing too, right?
Poor guy!
He's pretty good-looking, but people just hate the Uchiha Clan...
Just as Jiraiya stood there bewildered.
Suddenly...
Bang-!
A thunderous crash swept through the entire school cafeteria area, as though the earth itself had bucked.
Everyone looked over with wide