Really Just Deskmates and Neighbors

Time passed quickly.

Before they knew it, Chishima Chiba and Tsunade had grown another half year older. Even Senju Chengshui, who loved running around bare-bottomed, had developed a sense of shame. He kept his little teapot tightly covered as he ran happily through the Senju Compound.

At the crack of dawn, Chishima Chiba unfailingly went to wake Tsunade.

This was also one of the few times Chishima Chiba and Tsunade got to be alone together.

Perhaps it was a bit like taking advantage of someone, but Chishima Chiba always liked to knead and squish Tsunade's cheeks while she was still groggy from waking up, claiming it was to help her wake up faster.

Habit was a powerful thing. Three months ago, Tsunade had still tried every possible way to torment Chishima Chiba, but over the past few months, she seemed to have resigned herself to it and had even grown accustomed to it.

Unfortunately, Tsunade had yet to reach the age where romantic feelings began to bloom. Her relationship with Chishima Chiba had remained steady, with no sign of going any further.

But Chishima Chiba was in no hurry. There was still a long road ahead, and they could take things slowly.

"Brother Chiba!"

Early in the morning, the energetic Senju Chengshui came running into the little courtyard where Chishima Chiba and Tsunade were, making a noisy fuss without the slightest bit of composure.

"Here for candy again?" Chishima Chiba smiled and casually tossed him a piece. "This is the only one for today. Eat too much and you'll get cavities."

"Got it, Brother Chiba!"

Senju Chengshui was quite optimistic. As long as he got candy, who cared whether there was a limit?

"Chiba!"

At that moment, the neatly dressed Tsunade emerged from her room. Her exquisite little face was impossible to look away from, though the expression on it somewhat spoiled that beauty.

Tsunade's fiery temperament had begun to take shape. Other than when she was alone with Chishima Chiba, when she would restrain herself somewhat, she was quite the fighter whenever a third person was around.

"You gave Chengshui candy behind everyone's back again. Grandpa Tobirama has come after you plenty of times over this, hasn't he?"

Chishima Chiba froze at that, then scratched his head awkwardly.

Tsunade was telling the truth.

Senju Tobirama had sought Chishima Chiba out several times. It had not been because of Senju Chengshui eating candy, but Senju Tobirama could not resist using that as an excuse.

Over time, Tsunade had come to believe it. Perhaps because she feared Senju Tobirama, she naturally assumed Chishima Chiba had been harshly reprimanded, so she reacted rather strongly whenever he gave Senju Chengshui candy.

Striding over, Tsunade grabbed Senju Chengshui by the ear. The pressure ingrained deep in his bloodline made him too afraid to resist.

Looking pitifully at Chishima Chiba, Senju Chengshui hoped Chishima Chiba would say something for him.

But...

Alas, Senju Chengshui had to bear it all in the end, while Chishima Chiba actually turned his head away.

Once Tsunade had snatched the hard candy from Senju Chengshui's hand and driven him away, Chishima Chiba walked over with a smile.

"Were you worried about me?"

"Who... who was worried about you?" Tsunade stammered, her little expression growing fiercer. "Don't give Chengshui candy anymore, or else... Grandpa Tobirama won't let you off."

Chishima Chiba saw through her but did not expose her. He merely offered a casual explanation. "Grandpa Tobirama came to see me about other matters, not because Chengshui ate candy."

"You're the best liar there is." Tsunade's temper gradually cooled. "Grandpa Tobirama has said it several times already. Did you think you could hide it from me?"

"Even if Chengshui likes you, don't stubbornly go against Grandpa Tobirama. Otherwise, you'll be the one who suffers in the end."

"I'll remember that."

Chishima Chiba smiled happily and reached out to pinch Tsunade's delicate nose. "The candy in my pocket will all be yours from now on."

"Hmph, as if I care!" Tsunade felt a little uncomfortable, realizing she was standing too close to Chishima Chiba and that his breath felt somewhat hot.

She took half a step back and fled as though escaping, but she did not return the candy she held in her hand.

Shaking his head with a smile as he watched Tsunade leave, Chishima Chiba packed up his things before following after her.

But Tsunade had already vanished without a trace.

"Chengshui, you're not allowed to ask Chiba for candy anymore." Tsunade found Senju Chengshui, still tugging on his ear.

Senju Chengshui repeatedly promised her, and only then did Tsunade let go. However, before leaving, she returned the confiscated candy to him.

"If you want candy later, come to me. Don't go looking for Chiba. You know what Grandpa Tobirama's temper is like."

"Got it, Sister."

Senju Chengshui agreed, but after breakfast, he promptly sold Tsunade out by pulling Chishima Chiba aside and telling him about it.

Holding his second piece of candy, Senju Chengshui grinned happily, while Chishima Chiba was even more delighted inside.

Tsunade's little gesture was rather heartwarming. It was just that her little brother, Senju Chengshui, was a real piece of work. Pah!

He dared sell Tsunade out?

Chishima Chiba immediately sold Senju Chengshui out in return.

After a burst of ghostly wails and wolfish howls, a world where only Senju Chengshui got hurt was achieved. Chishima Chiba then walked shoulder to shoulder out of the Senju Compound with Tsunade, who acted as though nothing had happened.

Today was the day the Ninja Academy held its grade examinations, so the two of them had to show up.

Along the way, Chishima Chiba searched for a long time before finally finding a stretch of road with few pedestrians, where he successfully caught Tsunade's soft hand.

His fingertips lightly brushed the back of Tsunade's hand, making her turn her head away, too embarrassed to look at him.

As they neared the Ninja Academy, the crowd gradually thickened. Tsunade hurriedly pulled her hand free from Chishima Chiba's, and even their shoulders, which had nearly been pressed together, now had the distance of two fists between them.

Chishima Chiba smiled without saying anything. He simply unwrapped a piece of candy and put it into his mouth, savoring the doubled sweetness.

"Wow, they look so good together!"

"They really do, but... why haven't I seen them before?"

"It's my first time seeing them too. I don't know."

"Do you think they're siblings? If they are, I want to go hug that little boy!"

Outside the Ninja Academy gates, a group of teenage senior female students chattered away as they stared intensely at Chishima Chiba's face, showing no restraint at all.

"Come on, let's go ask them and find out."

There were always a few bold ones in a small group. With someone taking the lead, the rest naturally did not lose their nerve, and they laughingly jostled their way over.

"Little sister, you two look so good together! Your relationship is..."

One of the senior female students spoke. Though she had only just begun developing, she was already taking shape, putting considerable pressure on Tsunade.

"He and I are just deskmates and neighbors!" Tsunade stressed with a red face. "We're not... what you think."

In that case, they could rest easy.

Tsunade was shoved to one side by the senior female students, staring blankly at Chishima Chiba as he was surrounded in the middle.

After three to five seconds, Tsunade's Little Face turned scarlet, and her anger rose as though buffs were stacking, shooting higher and higher.

"Let go of Chiba!"

Tsunade shouted, forcibly squeezed into the circle, grabbed Chishima Chiba's hand, and rushed out with him.

"Move! All of you, move! Don't just touch Chiba's face however you want! You're so annoying!"

Like a lioness, Tsunade instantly stunned the senior female students. Yet the scene only went quiet for a second or two before erupting again.

"Wow, she was jealous, wasn't she?"

"Definitely. Why else would she react so strongly?"

"Though we really did do something wrong... but that boy's face was so smooth!"

"Exactly! He's really adorable. I'm so jealous of that girl."

Amid the discussion behind them, Tsunade's face turned red enough to drip blood. She shot Chishima Chiba a vicious glare, but she never let go of his hand.