PS: Second update! Please send flowers, bookmarks, and tips!
A new day at the Ninja Academy began.
On the podium, Nakamura Hino was still lecturing passionately.
But today, something felt different.
Several boys gathered from time to time, whispering and pointing at a girl with red hair.
Kushina sat quietly, occasionally glancing to her left, as if afraid of being noticed.
"Um… Kushina?"
Just as she stole another glance at Yoru, a gentle voice reached her ears.
"Can I call you that?"
Kushina turned to the left.
A beautiful girl with long black hair sat there, her gentle expression almost like that of an older sister.
"That's what she feels like…" Kushina thought subconsciously.
"Ah—of course!"
Kushina replied a little flustered.
"My name is Mikoto. Uchiha Mikoto. Nice to meet you."
Seeing that warm smile, Kushina felt as if she had found a small harbor in an unfamiliar place.
"Mm! Mikoto-chan!"
"Ow!"
Tap!
A piece of chalk hit Kushina squarely on the forehead.
"Uzumaki Kushina! Pay attention in class!"
Nakamura Hino stood there with a dark expression.
"Y-Yes, sensei…"
Kushina covered her forehead, looking wronged.
Pfft—haha!
Kushina turned toward the laughter—
It was that boy.
"Sorry, sorry," Yoru said with a grin. "You're actually quite cute."
Whoosh!
A bright blush instantly spread across Kushina's cheeks. Her round face looked like a ripe apple.
"B-Baka! Hentai! Urusai!"
Triple combo!
"Well now, Yoru-kun, you shouldn't say things like that so casually to girls," Mikoto said with a narrowed smile, glancing at him.
Ah… even when she's jealous, Mikoto is still so gentle. ( Yoru)
"Haha, sorry, sorry. I'm Yoru," he said, scratching his head before turning back to Kushina. "Nice to meet you!"
"Hmph… I don't even want to know your name!"
Kushina puffed up her cheeks and turned away.
Yoru… huh…
"Let's have lunch together at noon, Kushina," Mikoto said.
For some reason, from the moment she saw Kushina, she felt something strange—
Almost like she had gained a younger sister.
…
Crunch! Crunch!
Kushina stared blankly as Yoru tore into chunks of meat—
And there was still an entire basin in front of him.
"Hehe, you'll get used to it," Mikoto said with a gentle smile.
Minato and Anko looked completely unfazed.
"Here, have some, Kushina."
Yoru picked up another piece and handed it to her while eating.
"Idiot, Yoru-kun. Girls aren't like you," Mikoto said.
"Yeah, Yoru, aren't you usually good with girls?" Minato teased from the side.
Kushina stared at the meat for a moment—
Then suddenly grabbed it and started eating the same way Yoru did.
As she ate, tears quietly welled up in her eyes.
This… this is the life I wanted…
No war… no suffering…
"It must have been hard, Kushina…"
Mikoto gently pulled Kushina into her arms, letting her rest her head on her shoulder.
"From now on… we're friends, okay?"
"Mm…"
Kushina closed her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks.
…
By the afternoon practical class, Kushina had already returned to her lively self.
"Alright, free training! Be careful!"
As Nakamura Hino gave the signal, the training ground became lively.
"Hey, hey—you with the red hair!"
Just as Kushina was about to head toward Mikoto, five boys blocked her path.
"Your hair looks so weird!"
"Yeah, and your face is so round!"
"Look, look—she's getting mad. Her face is turning red, just like a tomato!"
"Let's just call you Tomato from now on!"
…
"That's too much!"
Mikoto, who had just arrived nearby, showed a rare trace of anger on her gentle face.
Beside her, Yoru narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within.
Thud!
Just as Yoru was about to step in—
Kushina, who had been lowering her head, suddenly exploded into action!
Her foot struck the leader squarely in the abdomen!
"Ugh!"
The boy doubled over and dropped to the ground, unable to get back up.
"Kenjiro!"
"Damn it!"
The other boys shouted and rushed at her.
Moments later—
Kushina stood with her foot planted on Kenjiro, looking down at him.
"I'm not a tomato! Got it, you idiots?!"
After dealing with them, Kushina turned and walked toward Mikoto and Yoru with a bright smile.
"You… just wait!"
Behind her, Kenjiro's voice trembled with anger.
From that day on, at the Ninja Academy—
Uzumaki Kushina gained a nickname: