"Lady Hinata, please slow down."
Watching Hinata Hyuga hurry outside, Tokuma Hyuga could not help calling out a reminder.
He quickly followed her.
Was she so excited because school was starting?
At the entrance, Hinata Hyuga hurriedly stopped.
Her heart trembled, and she immediately lowered her head.
That rude behavior just now must have disappointed Father again.
She had been confined for four days. At the thought that she might see Shihui Aburame at school, she had momentarily forgotten herself.
"Hinata."
Hyuga Hiashi frowned slightly.
How could she shoulder the responsibilities of the Hyuga Clan with such a timid attitude?
"F-Father."
Hinata Hyuga walked up to him, her voice barely audible.
"Once you get to school, do not disgrace the Hyuga Clan."
Hyuga Hiashi sighed as he spoke.
With her personality, she was bound to be bullied at school.
But if even such trivial matters required his intervention, he could not afford the embarrassment.
"Yes... I'll do my best."
Hearing his sigh, Hinata Hyuga grew even more flustered.
Hyuga Hiashi turned away and stopped in the courtyard.
His younger daughter, Hanabi Hyuga, was throwing punches beneath a tree.
Though unpracticed, her movements were taking shape.
As Hinata Hyuga walked down the street in the sunlight, the oppressive feeling in her heart eased a little.
She could not help thinking of Neji Hyuga.
If I could be like him, Father would definitely be satisfied.
But ever since that mark had appeared on his forehead, it was as though a sorrowful, thick barrier stood between her and Neji Hyuga.
"Lady Hinata."
At the school gates, Tokuma Hyuga handed her the schoolbag and said, "I'll come to pick you up after school."
"Thank you, Tokuma."
Carrying her schoolbag, Hinata Hyuga walked into the classroom.
Her white eyes suddenly lit up.
It's him!
The boy whose name she did not know.
But Hinata Hyuga soon hesitated.
She saw a pretty blonde girl chatting with him, looking very happy.
Hinata Hyuga was not good at socializing.
At that moment, she did not approach.
"Shiki."
Ino Yamanaka looked at Shihui Aburame with a smile and said, "What flowers do you like? My family sells flowers."
With her outgoing personality, she was well practiced at conversation.
Shihui Aburame played the listener.
He was very patient.
He really had developed that patience in the womb.
[Ino Yamanaka.] [Current achievement: Admiration is the emotion furthest from understanding.] [Passive achievement: Unknown.]
"Ino!"
Sakura Haruno's loud, energetic voice interrupted Shihui Aburame's thoughts.
Ino Yamanaka's expression instantly turned serious.
She entered battle mode.
She knew her best friend all too well: the sight of a handsome boy made her unable to keep her legs together.
But to Ino Yamanaka's relief, Sakura Haruno spotted Sasuke Uchiha first.
Only, she was rebuffed.
Undiscouraged, she walked toward Ino Yamanaka.
Suddenly, she perked up. She had noticed Shihui Aburame.
Two handsome boys in one tiny classroom?
Indecision appeared on Sakura Haruno's face.
Which one should I choose?
"Hello, I'm Sakura Haruno."
Looking every bit the young lady, Sakura Haruno extended her little hand.
But inside, she was already going wild.
Damn it! Ino got here first!
"Sakura."
Ino Yamanaka took her hand in Shihui Aburame's place, leaned closer, and asked quietly, "Don't you like Sasuke?"
"But before, you... mmph, mmph..."
Confusion appeared in Sakura Haruno's eyes as she spoke.
They had agreed to compete fairly over Sasuke Uchiha. But before she could finish, her mouth was covered.
"Shiki."
Ino Yamanaka flashed a brilliant smile and said, "Sakura and I have something to talk about."
She grabbed Sakura Haruno and hurried to the back row.
"Shiki, you're so popular."
Naruto Uzumaki spoke with an envious expression.
He was not envious of Shihui Aburame being surrounded by girls, but felt that he had a lot of friends.
In the front row, Hinata Hyuga cautiously glanced over.
She hesitated, her two little hands clutching the hem of her clothes.
After Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno left, a space had opened up beside Shihui Aburame.
She wanted to go over.
Just then, the door opened.
A young man walked in.
He wrote his name on the blackboard.
"I'm your teacher, Umino Iruka."
Umino Iruka smiled and clapped his hands. "Now, let's follow the usual procedure and introduce ourselves."
Hinata Hyuga raised her head slightly.
Although Umino Iruka had interrupted her, she would finally learn his name.
Shihui Aburame waited calmly for his classmates to introduce themselves.
The vast majority were cannon fodder.
Their names had never even appeared in the original story.
And they all wanted to become Hokage.
It had to be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi had truly put effort into teaching the Will of Fire.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I don't have any hobbies. I hope to become a ninja as outstanding as my older brother."
Sasuke Uchiha's introduction caused a stir in the classroom.
Because his brother was the renowned Uchiha Itachi.
He had graduated at the age of seven with the highest grades in the school.
Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the "strongest Hokage," had said he had the makings of a Hokage, able to think from a Hokage's perspective at such a young age.
At eleven, he had joined the Anbu, becoming its youngest member.
He was unquestionably the Uchiha Clan's genius and pride.
Three lines of text appeared before Shihui Aburame's eyes.
[Sasuke Uchiha.] [Current achievement: If you suck, practice more.] [Passive achievement: Unknown.]
Shihui Aburame thought for a moment.
If he remembered correctly, the night of the massacre would be next year.
When that time came, Sasuke Uchiha would probably regret what he had said today.
Row after row went by, and soon it was Shihui Aburame's turn.
Unhurriedly, he walked up to the podium.
Everyone's eyes fell on him.
Directly in front of him sat Hinata Hyuga.
The moment she met his gaze, she lowered her head in a hurry like a startled rabbit, her cheeks faintly red.
"My name is Shihui Aburame."
Shihui Aburame said casually, "I don't have any hobbies. I just want to live a quiet life."
Shikamaru Nara could not help perking up, surprised and delighted to have found a kindred spirit.
Someone actually feels the same way I do?
Something suddenly occurred to Ino Yamanaka, and her eyes filled with motivation.
To her, a quiet life meant the traditional Japanese ideal of supporting one's husband and raising children.
"I'm pretty confident about being a good wife and mother."
Ino Yamanaka felt she had this in the bag!
Shikamaru Nara glanced at her and shuddered.
Women really are scary.
Hinata Hyuga lightly bit her lip.
So his name is Shihui Aburame.
She gathered her courage and raised her head again.
Shihui Aburame gave her a slight nod, then returned to his seat.
After him, it was Naruto Uzumaki's turn.
Taking a deep breath, he began, "My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I like ramen, and my dream is to become Hokage!"
Toward the end, his tone grew increasingly impassioned.
The classroom fell silent for a few seconds, then filled with merriment.
Shihui Aburame casually slapped the desk, the loud sound drowning out their mocking laughter.
With everyone looking at him, he said flatly, "A bunch of flies were buzzing just now."
(End of chapter)