The gentle morning sunlight streamed through the classroom windows.
At the podium, the teacher spoke passionately, words flying like rain.
Below, a group of children sat pretending to listen seriously—
While their minds had already wandered far away.
"Mikoto, do you know what the happiest thing in life is?" Yoru spoke like a profound philosopher.
"W-What is it?"
"It's sitting beside you in class as your deskmate. I want to be your deskmate for a lifetime, Mikoto."
"D-Don't say things like that, Yoru-san…"
"P-Please pay attention in class…"
The gentle Mikoto had absolutely no defense against him.
"To me, nothing matters more than looking at you."
At that moment, Yoru was like the male lead of a romance novel, gazing at her softly—as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.
Mikoto felt her heart pounding uncontrollably.
In the Naruto world, children matured early.
So how did boys usually try to attract girls?
Mischief. Fighting. Showing off.
Trying to stand out in front of the person they liked, thinking they looked cool.
But in a girl's eyes?
What's wrong with him?
Mikoto had never seen a boy her age look at her with such warmth—
Or say things that stirred her heart like this.
A seed of affection quietly took root in her heart, waiting to grow.
…
"Alright, that's all for today's lesson. Be careful on your way home!"
Time passed quickly, and the day's classes came to an end.
At lunch, Yoru's appetite had shocked both Mikoto and Minato.
Who had ever seen a six-year-old devour chunks of meat like that?
" Yoru-kun, want to walk home together?"
" Yoru-san, let's go together!"
…
As soon as school ended, several enthusiastic girls gathered around Yoru, inviting him to walk home with them.
"Haha, I'm really honored—but I have something very important to do," Yoru replied with a smile.
"Ehhhh!!!"
The girls sighed in disappointment.
"Mikoto, let's go home together."
After that, Yoru walked up to her and smiled gently.
"You said it last week, right? I've remembered it the whole time."
"Eh?! Yoru-kun is inviting Mikoto?!"
"Ugh! She got there first!"
"Damn Uchiha!"
…
Uchiha Mikoto—
A girl from a prestigious clan.
Just her family name alone made her one of the most noticeable students in the class.
And her beauty was among the very best.
Many girls were jealous—
But no one dared cause her trouble because of the Uchiha name.
"You… remembered…?" Mikoto felt dizzy, as if she were floating.
The way Yoru turned down everyone else—
And treated walking home with her as something important—
Made her heart flutter uncontrollably.
"…Mm."
Her soft reply was almost inaudible.
…
Mikoto walked home with Yoru in a daze.
Minato?
Of course, he had long since tactfully slipped away.
If he stayed any longer, Yoru might really treat him to a "VIP magma bath."
Along the way, Yoru didn't continue teasing her—
He simply watched her quietly with a gentle gaze.
That soft look felt even more moving than all the sweet words before.
"X- Yoru-kun… I'm home."
Mikoto lowered her head, staring at her toes, not daring to meet his eyes.
"Ah, that was fast, Mikoto. Time really flies when I'm with you."
Yoru smiled.
"Time passes so quickly when you're with someone you like."
"L-Like…?!"
Her face instantly turned bright red, as if steam might rise from her head.
"See you tomorrow, Mikoto."
As he spoke, Yoru gently took her soft hand, gave it a light squeeze—
Then quickly turned and left.
"Mikoto, who was that boy?"
Just as Mikoto stood there, flushed and dazed, a graceful woman in a kimono walked over with a smile.
"My, our Mikoto is at that age already, huh?"
"M-Mother! Please don't say such strange things!"
Mikoto snapped back to reality, her face even redder, and hurriedly ran back toward the Uchiha compound.