Since children in this world matured relatively early, all but a few understood what Shihui Aburame was implying.
For a moment, the way they looked at him changed.
Shihui Aburame showed no reaction, but Shino Aburame squirmed in his seat, felt eyes boring into his back, and had a lump in his throat.
Once again, he felt certain of his conclusion: his big brother would get beaten to death one day.
It seemed he had to get stronger to protect him-or at least leave him with an intact corpse.
The corner of Shikamaru Nara's mouth twitched.
You definitely have the wrong idea about a peaceful life.
"I'm definitely making friends with this guy!"
Kiba Inuzuka, who did not have a dog yet, clenched his fist as he spoke.
Something stirred in Sasuke Uchiha's heart.
He had caught the scent of a strong opponent.
For someone who wanted to follow his brother Uchiha Itachi's example and dominate the Ninja Academy, this was a silent challenge.
"He's so cool!"
Ino Yamanaka clasped her hands together, red hearts appearing in her eyes.
Hinata Hyuga felt her heart racing.
She unconsciously poked her index fingers together.
Shihui Aburame's behavior was exactly what she most longed to emulate.
"Quiet!"
Umino Iruka spoke up in time to stop things from going any further.
Still, he remembered Shihui Aburame, a student who had left a deep impression on him.
"You can go back to your seat."
Umino Iruka glanced at Naruto Uzumaki as he spoke.
His tone was ordinary, betraying neither liking nor dislike.
He had lost his parents during the Nine-Tails' Attack.
He did not care for Naruto Uzumaki.
The self-introductions continued.
"Thank you!"
Naruto Uzumaki spoke gratefully.
He had instinctively sensed that Shihui Aburame had been helping him out of a difficult situation.
It touched him deeply.
Apart from Grandpa Third and Uncle Teuchi, he was the first person to take the initiative to befriend and help him.
"There really were flies."
Shihui Aburame spoke calmly.
Shino Aburame and Shikamaru Nara turned their heads in perfect unison.
The former knew his brother, while the latter had a high IQ.
They shared the same thought: Like hell I believe you. You're rotten.
[Achievement earned with Shino Aburame: "Sweating bullets, little bro?" Reward obtained: Bookworm Gu.] [Bookworm Gu: A rank-one Gu. A Gu Master will automatically memorize the contents of any books it eats.]
The Bookworm Gu was equivalent to a photographic memory.
Shihui Aburame raised an eyebrow.
After all these years, his little brother had finally dropped some loot.
Once the self-introductions were over, lessons officially began.
The Ninja Academy actually had quite a large curriculum.
It covered not only the Three Basic Techniques, but also ninja tool throwing, the will of fire, astronomy, mathematics, and more.
Shihui Aburame listened for a while before turning his thoughts to serious business.
Which achievement should I tackle first?
In the end, Shihui Aburame decided to prioritize Hinata Hyuga and Sasuke Uchiha.
As he understood it, the former required gaining Hyuga Hiashi's approval, while the latter probably required a few more beatings.
The bell rang to signal the end of class.
It was noon.
"Shiki-kun."
Holding her lunch box, Ino Yamanaka braced herself against the desk and leaned forward. "Want to eat together?"
Shihui Aburame instinctively glanced at her.
She was not wearing her classic midriff-baring outfit yet.
What he remembered most about Ino Yamanaka were her waist and legs.
Shihui Aburame nodded.
Yes!
A smile immediately appeared on Ino Yamanaka's face.
She had held a friendly discussion with Sakura Haruno earlier.
From now on, Sasuke Uchiha would belong to Sakura, but she could not compete for Shihui Aburame.
Shino Aburame silently moved aside.
"Shiki-kun."
Ino Yamanaka picked up a rice ball with her chopsticks. "Try this. It's my family's special rose rice ball."
Shihui Aburame took it and bit into it, immediately tasting the delicate fragrance of roses.
"This is my mom's specialty. I'm learning to make it now."
Ino Yamanaka brushed aside the blond hair by her ear. "Once I learn, please do me the honor of trying it, Shiki-kun."
Do little girls these days know this much?
But he understood that this was not romantic affection, merely attraction to his looks. The name of her achievement had already hinted at that.
Shihui Aburame was just about to answer when a hand appeared in front of him.
"I'm Kiba Inuzuka."
Kiba Inuzuka grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. "You were seriously awesome back there!"
"Shihui Aburame."
Shihui Aburame shook his hand.
Kiba Inuzuka was very enthusiastic.
Or rather, children simply did not have such complicated thoughts.
If they thought someone was nice, they liked spending time and playing with them.
[Achievement earned: "Fox friends and dog pals." Reward obtained: Little Light Gu.] [Little Light Gu: A rank-one Gu. Using this Gu to support the Moonlight Gu will strengthen its moonblade attacks.]
Why are you suddenly insulting people?
Shihui Aburame could not suppress the urge to complain.
But then he froze for a moment.
This achievement had popped up only after he met Kiba Inuzuka.
So "dog pal" refers to him?
Then does "fox friend" mean Naruto Uzumaki?
Could it actually be a genius?
Hinata Hyuga quietly ate her lunch.
Only, a conflicted look appeared on her little face from time to time.
All the fun belongs to them. I have nothing.
She wanted to join them too.
But even by the time school ended that afternoon, she still had not worked up the courage.
"Shiki-kun, want to go home together?"
Ino Yamanaka stood in front of Shihui Aburame, carrying her schoolbag.
She stood straight, anticipation on her face.
"Next time for sure."
Shihui Aburame shook his head. "I have something else to do."
"Oh, okay."
Ino Yamanaka did not keep pestering him.
Although she was a sucker for good looks, she was not hopelessly lovestruck and knew her limits.
"See you tomorrow."
Ino Yamanaka left the classroom with light steps.
"Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura Haruno ran out after Sasuke Uchiha.
"Shino, go home with Naruto and the others."
After giving that instruction, Shihui Aburame left ahead of them.
"He's going to Konoha Hospital."
Meeting Naruto Uzumaki's puzzled gaze, Shino Aburame explained.
"I know about that."
Kiba Inuzuka cut in. "My sister told me. Shiki has an incredibly terrifying talent for medical ninjutsu."
His sister was Hana Inuzuka, a veterinarian on the medical team.
Hinata Hyuga walked through the school with her head hanging.
There had clearly been so many opportunities, but she had missed them all.
Apart from learning his name, she had not even managed to speak to him.
Hinata Hyuga suddenly stopped.
She instinctively looked up and saw Shihui Aburame a short distance away.
"Huh?"
Hinata Hyuga stared blankly for a moment, a hint of delight welling up inside her.
"Want to get something to eat?"
Shihui Aburame glanced at her as he asked.
Something to eat?
Hinata Hyuga felt a little dizzy, her cheeks inexplicably burning.
She pressed her lips together, unable to speak for a long while.
Today was not an unexpected situation like that other day.
The Hyuga Clan's rules were strict.
She had to go home for dinner.
At the very least, she had to get her father's permission.
"Tomorrow, then."
Shihui Aburame walked on, leaving her looking at his back. "Don't let anyone else know."
Being shy did not mean being weak.
In the original story, Hinata Hyuga was actually quite strong.
Her current timidity stemmed from the Hyuga Clan's rules and her fear of Hyuga Hiashi.
Shihui Aburame's plan was simple.
Break the rules and face her fears.
Just like climbing over the school wall in Shihui Aburame's previous life, there was only the first time and countless times afterward.
(End of chapter)