"Debayne?"
Hearing this peculiar catchphrase, the students in the audience chuckled.
"Look at the color of her hair! Unbelievable!"
"So red! How does it even get that red?"
"How strange..."
Kushina's cheeks flushed slightly at the whispers, and she awkwardly touched her hair.
Ugh, I hate this!
I didn't choose to have such bright red hair.
But it's a part of me. What choice do I have?
The momentary calm in her heart was shattered by renewed anxiety.
Just then, Minato's voice rang out beside her: "I think it's beautiful, like flames—full of vitality."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a steady power that reached everyone clearly.
Hearing Minato's words, Kushina suddenly felt calmer, staring blankly at him.
This was the first time anyone had ever complimented her hair.
"Yes, I think it's beautiful too," Nonou agreed softly.
The class quieted slightly, but Kota scoffed, looking provocatively at Minato. "She looks like a tomato. Minato, don't tell me you have a crush on her?"
"Huh?"
"Why are you defending her?"
Minato looked at Kota and smiled brightly. "What's wrong with that? I like optimistic, kind, and positive people. Likewise, I despise every scheming, malicious piece of trash."
"Damn it! Who are you calling trash?!" Kota roared, slamming his desk and jumping to his feet.
"Whoa, I didn't say you were trash. Why are you so worked up?" Minato tilted his head, his usual sunny smile in place, though the mocking tone in his voice was unmistakable. The class erupted in laughter.
"You little...!" Kota's face flushed crimson as he clenched his fists, itching to punch that infuriating grin off Minato's face.
"Quiet down, everyone!" Umino Ikkaku frowned and scolded Kota, then gently patted Kushina on the shoulder. "Kushina, tell us about your hobbies and dreams."
"I... I love ramen! And my dream is to become the first female Hokage of this village!"
Becoming Hokage was the dream of most Konoha children. Kushina wasn't particularly fixated on the position; she simply thought it would help her fit in better with the village.
The room fell silent for a moment, though no one dared to speak out again.
Minato clapped lightly, then raised his hand. "Teacher, I have a seat here."
Umino Ikkaku nodded. "Alright, then Kushina will sit next to Minato. Everyone, let's all get along nicely!"
Kushina nodded and quickly walked over to sit beside Minato, then let out a long sigh of relief.
"Being the center of so much attention must be nerve-wracking, right?"
"I was terrified!" Kushina pouted, suddenly relaxing and letting her true nature slip through. She clenched her teeth and whispered, "What's the name of that bastard who was laughing at me earlier?"
"His name is Kota."
Minato answered honestly. Truthfully, he liked this more genuine version of Kushina far more than the timid girl she'd been yesterday when she first arrived.
"Just making fun of me because of my hair color? What a disgusting jerk!"
Kushina snorted, then noticed Minato's amused smile. Only then did she realize she'd let her true nature slip.
"W-what are you laughing at?" Kushina asked, embarrassed, lowering her head. Her chubby cheeks flushed pink, making her look utterly adorable.
Minato replied gently, "Nothing. I just think this version of you feels more real."
Hearing this, Kushina remembered how he'd just complimented her hair earlier, and her face flushed even redder.
She timidly looked up. "Do you really think... my hair is beautiful?"
"Yes!" Minato nodded emphatically. "It suits you perfectly!"
"I see..."
Kushina felt her face burning so hot she could fry an egg on it.
She didn't know what was happening to her. Her head was spinning, her mind filled with images of Minato.
His calmness while cooking, his gentle tone when speaking, his resolute protectiveness.
In that moment, it felt as if a seed were quietly sprouting in her heart.
During the entire class, Kushina couldn't focus on a single word. The bell signaling the end of the lesson finally snapped her out of her thoughts.
"I... I need to use the restroom!"
Head lowered, she stood up and hurried out of the classroom.
From their seats in the front row, Kota and his two friends exchanged glances before silently following her.
Noticing their movements out of the corner of her eye, Minato's expression shifted subtly before returning to normal. He left the classroom at a leisurely pace.
In the restroom, Kushina leaned over the sink, her hands braced against the counter. She gazed at her flushed cheeks in the mirror, her eyes holding an indescribable emotion.
Gush.
She turned on the faucet, wet her hands, and gently patted her face, trying to cool it down.
Just then, a blonde girl approached and opened the adjacent faucet, washing her hands with delicate movements.
Kushina recognized the girl as the one who had spoken up for her earlier.
"Um... thank you for what you did," Kushina said politely. "My name is Kushina. What's yours?"
"Yakushi Nonou. Just call me Nonou." Nonou smiled warmly. "No need to thank me. Minato mentioned this morning that a friend would be transferring to our class. A friend of Minato's is naturally a friend of mine too."
Hearing this, Kushina was taken aback, a strange emotion welling up inside her.
"Um... are you and Minato very close?"
"Pretty close, I think." Nonou's eyes sparkled mischievously as she pretended to ponder. "We were desk partners when school started, and we sometimes sit together. But Minato is so kind to everyone, I'm not sure what he really thinks of me."
To everyone... so kind?
Nonou's words felt like a bucket of cold water drenching the warmth on Kushina's face.
So that's how it is...
Kushina's smile stiffened slightly. "Oh... I see. No wonder he's been so attentive to me. Haha..."
No, the one who received Minato's special attention...
You're the first!
Nonou didn't voice these words aloud, simply responding gently, "Right? He's truly such a kind person."
Watching Kushina's gaze gradually dim, Nonou suddenly felt a wave of disgust toward herself.
"Let's go back to class together," she said, pursing her lips. She gently took hold of Kushina's hand, and the two walked off toward the classroom.
They hadn't gotten far when three figures suddenly blocked their path.
Kota, Tetsuo, and Seo stood shoulder-to-shoulder, arms crossed as they barred their way.
"It's you..." Kushina frowned.
"Wow! A tomato that can talk~!" Seo exclaimed in a mock-surprised tone, drawing laughter from Kota and Tetsuo.
"What's so funny?" Kushina snapped, glancing at their numbers and quietly pulling Nonou behind her.
Noticing Kushina's protective gesture, a flicker of surprise crossed Nonou's eyes, which then darkened as she fell into thought.
Please Support me by becoming my patreon member and get 10+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon