There was no denying that beautiful people easily won others' favor.
Unless beneath that perfect exterior lay a filthy, despicable nature, and one happened to see through it, beautiful people and things were always pleasing to the eye. Mei Terumi was naturally no exception!
Though she was not even nine yet, she already fully embodied the grace of a beauty. Every smile and frown already held a budding charm. As far as Kei knew, most boys her age at this Ninja Academy had fallen for her one after another over the past three years. Mei Terumi's very presence naturally drew people's attention!
Even Kei could hardly claim that he paid Mei Terumi no attention at all.
Of course, Kei's interest stemmed more from Mei Terumi's status and strength when she appeared in the original story. She was a prodigy blessed with both beauty and strength.
Despite coming from only a small shinobi clan, Mei Terumi possessed two Kekkei Genkai, Lava Release and Boil Release. Through her own efforts, she had climbed all the way to the very peak of the Shinobi World's pyramid. It was impossible for Kei not to pay attention to her.
"Didn't you already submit your graduation application last week too, Terumi-kun?"
Kei smiled faintly, stopped, and replied softly.
"Hehe, so you're admitting it, Kei-kun. Good. I was worried you intended to keep hiding forever!"
Mei Terumi giggled, a trace of something different showing in her beautiful emerald eyes.
The obvious implication behind her words made Kei's brows knit involuntarily. With a calm expression, he looked at Mei Terumi and asked, "I don't understand what you mean by that, Terumi-kun!"
"Hmph, Kei-kun, don't you know girls have always been perceptive and sensitive? Once or twice would be one thing, but you deliberately hold back every single time. Did you think I wouldn't notice? Besides, there's no one else here, so why keep hiding, Kei-kun? I have no other intentions. I only want to have one fair and square match with you. I trust you won't refuse, Kei-kun?"
Mei Terumi gave a soft huff, casting him a sidelong glance. A trace of dissatisfaction appeared on her face as she spoke with mild indignation.
"Hold back? It seems you've misunderstood me, Terumi-kun. I've always given it my all, whether in theory classes or practical classes. I've never done any of the things you're talking about. Besides, Terumi-kun, you should know that someone with my background has no reason to do that, shouldn't you?"
In less than a single instant.
Kei gave his response immediately.
There was likewise not the slightest unnecessary flicker of emotion deep in his eyes.
"!?"
Mei Terumi's expression froze involuntarily. But upon seeing Kei's unruffled demeanor, she felt an inexplicable surge of irritation and secretly gritted her teeth as she looked at him standing opposite her.
She indeed had no evidence that Kei had ever "gone easy" over the past three years.
And looking strictly at the facts.
In every practical assessment, Kei had indeed appeared to be giving his all. Never mind Mei Terumi, who was not even nine yet-even the Ninja Academy's teachers, whose strength was at the Chunin level, had not seen through him.
Nor had Mei Terumi concluded that Kei was going easy based on any "actual facts."
Instead, she had decided that Kei was not giving his all based on a premonition akin to "a woman's intuition." Yes, it was precisely such a "bullshit reason" that made Mei Terumi utterly certain of her judgment!
And the reason she had formed this impression and judgment really was that, when they had first enrolled, Kei had given her one extra glance. That had made this future Fifth Mizukage from the original story take notice of him!
Had Kei known that was the reason, he probably would not have known whether to laugh or cry.
And it was because of this that, when Mei Terumi saw Kei still flatly denying it.
This future Fifth Mizukage from the original story revealed a thoroughly irritated expression.
A woman's intuition really could be remarkably accurate sometimes.
And a woman's temper really could be terrifying at many times, too!
Mei Terumi might have been a mere nine years old, but she could already be called an outstanding individual who possessed both "beauty" and "wisdom." And the more a woman was like that, the more "extreme" her personality tended to be!
Of course, "extreme" here did not carry a negative meaning.
It was a comparison.
"Are you still going to insist on these boring games, Kei-kun?"
At that moment.
A distinctly "dangerous" gleam appeared in Mei Terumi's eyes as she looked at Kei.
It made Kei's eyelid twitch involuntarily for an instant.
But it lasted only that instant.
An appropriately helpless expression appeared on Kei's face as he said, seemingly quite troubled, "Terumi-kun, I'm really not doing what you're saying. If I could take first place, why would I pretend otherwise? It would have no meaning or value for me, would it?"
It was a very simple principle.
And a very valid statement.
In fact, as mentioned before, Kei himself had realized that some of his earlier actions had been a little too much like "seeing enemies everywhere."
It was just that he had long since grown used to keeping a low profile, and, following the principle that one could never be too careful, Kei had not changed his pace or rhythm.
Besides, the same question remained: what was the point of taking first place at the Ninja Academy?
"Very well! Since you insist on this, Kei-kun, I'll see you at the graduation assessment! Kei-kun! I'm really looking forward to your performance then!"
Upon hearing Kei deny it once again, she did not look even angrier. Instead, she broke into a smile. The warmth that emerged seemed capable of melting ice and snow, yet it sent a chill down Kei's spine.
"Huh?"
His body shuddered slightly on instinct.
And before Kei could say anything.
"Hmph!"
With a soft huff, Mei Terumi turned and strode off into the distance.
After watching Mei Terumi's figure disappear from view.
"Sigh..."
Kei also looked deeply troubled and let out a quiet sigh.
"How did I end up getting targeted by that girl? Have I done anything worth her attention?"
Kei rubbed his chin, utterly unable to figure it out.
Over these past three years, he really had done everything at a "normal pace." Although he had deliberately held a little back, he had certainly not kept an excessively low profile. Kei did not believe Mei Terumi could truly see through him at her age.
So Kei could only consider other possibilities.
But no matter how hard he racked his brains, Kei would never have guessed that the reason really was just that one glance back then, along with so-called "women's intuition!"