My Deskmate, Want Some Candy?

Konoha.

It was the start of another school year.

The newly enrolled students chirped and chattered like ten thousand ducks, capable of generating a wave of noise at the slightest disturbance.

Yet the Ninja Teachers were remarkably patient, coaxing the endlessly noisy children into different classrooms in batches.

Next came another surge of noise powerful enough to blow off the roof, all over the scramble for their favorite seats.

Chishima Chiba frowned as she was squeezed aside by a group of overly energetic Half-grown Children, somehow ending up at the very back of the line.

Only after most of them had entered the classroom did Chishima Chiba stroll in leisurely, her laziness carrying a maturity far beyond her age.

After glancing around the classroom, Chishima Chiba realized that nearly all the seats had been taken.

The Half-grown Children who had secured their desired seats wore smiles that were both innocent and foolish, whispering to their nearby classmates about their joy.

At the same time, some of them glanced at the late-arriving Chishima Chiba, the Showing Off in their eyes impossible to conceal.

In the world of Half-grown Children, grabbing a seat they liked was something well worth bragging about.

Ignoring the foolish stares of the Half-grown Children, Chishima Chiba acted as though nothing had happened and fixed her eyes on a desk in the very center of the middle row.

A cool-looking girl with a high ponytail sat there.

Her dark golden hair was tied into a ponytail that curled high behind her head. She wore a dark green, fitted long shirt with a black collar, making her skin appear even fairer.

She was a beauty in the making!

But at second glance, Chishima Chiba nearly laughed out loud.

"One Thousand Ways to Win Every Bet"

On her first day of school, she was already this studious. This girl truly was no ordinary person.

Perhaps Tsunade sensed someone watching her. She raised her brow and swept her gaze over, meeting Chishima Chiba's eyes.

The instant she made Eye Contact with Chishima Chiba, her long Eyelashes Trembled slightly. She blinked her beautiful Bright Brown eyes, then swiftly refocused on the book in her hands.

She was indeed aloof, but she was also indeed a gambler.

Chishima Chiba gave her a fair assessment, then walked over and sat directly beside Tsunade, becoming her deskmate.

The moment she settled down, the classroom fell silent for an instant before erupting again.

"How could that latecomer sit next to that girl?!"

"I got here early and didn't even dare go over there. Why does he get to..."

"Ah!!! I want to trade seats with him so badly! She's so pretty..."

It was chaotic, but Chishima Chiba could still make out a thing or two. Her irritation at the noise suddenly improved considerably.

"Ha." Chishima Chiba Curled her lips slightly, feeling rather pleased with herself.

Being Tsunade's deskmate during her time at the Ninja Academy was something worth boasting about for a long time. And seeing the envious looks from the Half-grown Children around her made her feel wonderful all over.

Perhaps this was where the competitive instincts of men—or boys—showed themselves. A beautiful member of the opposite sex, regardless of age, was always the best way to display one's strength and charm.

It was shallow, but undeniably true.

Calming down, Chishima Chiba ignored the endless discussions around her, reached into her pocket, pulled out a handful of candy, and casually placed it in the middle of the desk.

Chishima Chiba had never been able to resist sweets in her previous life, and naturally followed her heart in this one.

She carefully unwrapped a piece of candy and slowly placed it in her mouth. Closing her eyes to savor the sweetness bursting across her tongue, Chishima Chiba felt as though her whole being had ascended.

After savoring it for a while, Chishima Chiba opened her eyes and happened to meet Tsunade's slightly puzzled gaze. Was candy really that delicious?

The next instant, Tsunade's delicate brows lifted faintly again. Her cool face turned away once more, and her eyes returned to the book.

But Chishima Chiba's gaze followed her, generously taking another look at Tsunade's exquisite profile.

She was truly beautiful, the flawless kind.

But the next second, Chishima Chiba's view was blocked by the book as it shifted slightly. More than half of the profile that had been exposed was covered.

Her beautiful brows and eyes disappeared, leaving only a smooth forehead visible.

Chishima Chiba pursed her lips and withdrew her gaze, unable to stop herself from raising a brow.

She wouldn't even let me look at her profile?

If only the book she was reading were something philosophical, Tsunade would have been a proper cold little princess.

Shaking her head, Chishima Chiba did not care. The sweetness in her mouth quickly drew her attention back.

The two remained silent. Some of the Half-grown Boys around them wore relieved expressions, as if things had turned out exactly as expected.

How could such a beautiful girl give Chishima Chiba special treatment just because they were deskmates?

But... he was still dangerous!

The Half-grown Boys around them tensed up again. Comparing their looks to Chishima Chiba's over and over, they discovered that not a single one of their features could compete with hers.

They could not beat her in any individual feature, much less when everything was put together. They had been utterly crushed!

If they ignored the facts, Tsunade and Chishima Chiba really were a Golden Boy and Jade Girl...

In an instant, the Half-grown Children, having been dealt another blow by Chishima Chiba, once again unleashed waves of chatter, disrupting Chishima Chiba's enjoyment of her candy and Tsunade's interest in studying.

Tsunade slammed the book in her hand onto the desk. Her Little Face twisted slightly, her delicate fists clenched tight, and her anger rose rapidly. She had clearly reached her limit.

"Here, have one." Chishima Chiba held out a piece of candy.

The gentle voice that abruptly reached Tsunade's ears made her freeze. Her nearly full anger abruptly stalled, and for a moment, she did not know what to do.

"Sweetness can brighten your mood, and it can also help you calm down." Chishima Chiba offered it closer. "Eat candy while you read, and your learning efficiency will double. The path to becoming the God of Gamblers is right before you. Keep it up!"

Her long Eyelashes Trembled, and Tsunade came to her senses. She looked Chishima Chiba up and down as she smiled at her, her eyes suddenly becoming a little evasive and her exquisite Little Face turning slightly unnatural.

After hesitating, Tsunade finally unclenched her fist, raised her hand, and accepted the candy Chishima Chiba offered.

"Thank you."

Her voice was crisp as an oriole's song. Simply hearing it inexplicably brightened one's mood, and the smile on Chishima Chiba's face deepened.

"We're deskmates. Don't mention it."

Chishima Chiba's voice was steady, with gentleness beneath it. It did not sound abrupt or frivolous; instead, it made one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

Tsunade did not reply. Her attention returned to her Gambling Techniques "secret manual," but the upright book no longer blocked her profile. Instead, she openly displayed it before Chishima Chiba.

Chishima Chiba nodded and smiled lightly, then withdrew her gaze and continued savoring the sweetness in her mouth.

But...

Ding, Power-Up System binding successful

Power-Up System?

Chishima Chiba abruptly opened her eyes, and the candy in her mouth instantly seemed far less appealing.

Then Chishima Chiba secretly glanced at Tsunade beside her, feeling that this system had arrived at just the right time.

If she could gain another way to grow stronger, then when she interacted with Tsunade in the future, she should not have to worry about suddenly being sacrificed one day.

So... should she start raising Tsunade from now on?

New author, new book—please support it! Please vote, please keep reading, all kinds of support requested!