The next day—
"Mikoto, do you have any money?"
Yoru asked with a bright smile.
"Huh? Money?"
Mikoto, who had never worried about such things growing up, was momentarily stunned.
"Idiot Yoru, are you broke?"
Kushina, sitting nearby, immediately perked up with excitement.
Thwack!
"I told you—stop calling me that!"
Yoru flicked her forehead lightly.
Ever since this morning, the red-haired girl had been calling him "Idiot Yoru" nonstop.
Hey, get this straight—
I'm a genius!
"Hmph!"
Kushina rubbed her forehead, glaring at him.
"Well… if you beg me sincerely, I might consider helping…"
She suddenly smirked, clearly pleased with herself.
"I do have money."
Kushina turned—
Only to see Mikoto already looking at Yoru with a gentle smile.
"How much do you need, Yoru-kun?"
…Why does this feel like I'm being supported? Yoru thought.
At a moment like this—
As a man—
Of course…
"Around 300,000 ryo."
"…300,000?!"
Before Mikoto could respond, Kushina slammed the desk and shot to her feet in shock.
"Kushina! Do you have a problem with my class?"
Nakamura Hino snapped, his face dark.
"Ah! N-No, not at all! Sorry, sensei!"
Kushina's face turned bright red as she waved her hands and quickly sat down.
Hahaha!
The class burst into laughter.
"Alright! Back to the lesson!"
Once seated, Kushina leaned closer and whispered:
" Yoru… why do you need so much money?"
"Well…"
Yoru spoke calmly.
"My parents died on a mission. They left some money, but it's almost gone now."
"I need to buy training weights for my practice… so I'm short on funds."
…He's just like me.
Kushina stared at him silently.
"That's fine, Yoru-kun."
Mikoto smiled softly.
"I'll bring you the money tomorrow."
"Ah! You're a lifesaver, Mikoto!"
Yoru grabbed her soft hand excitedly.
"I knew you treated me best."
"E-Eh…!"
Although they often held hands while walking home—
This was in class!
Mikoto's face flushed red as dizziness hit her.
"I-It's nothing… Yoru-kun… b-but can you let go…?"
"Haha, don't worry about the details."
Kushina watched the two quietly, lightly biting her lip.
…
"Alright! That's it for this morning's lesson!"
Nakamura Hino closed the textbook.
"Next, I have an announcement."
"The selection for the Top Student begins tomorrow!"
"Each class will first choose its own representative. Then, the top students from each class will compete to determine the overall top student of the grade!"
"The overall top student will receive valuable training resources!"
"And every year—the title has always belonged to Class A!"
"I believe this year will be no exception!"
His voice rang with confidence.
"Eh?! The selection is starting already?"
"Haha! Finally, I've been waiting!"
"I wonder who will win this time."
"Obviously Yoru-kun! He's so handsome!"
"What are you talking about? Minato should win!"
The classroom buzzed with excitement.
"Sensei, does the top student get meat?"
Yoru suddenly stood up and asked.
"…Huh?"
Nakamura Hino froze for a moment.
"Ah—yes, if that's what you want."
(One year later—
Nakamura Hino: "I'm sorry, principal! I didn't know he ate this much!")
As Yoru slowly sat back down—
A cold, hidden gaze lingered on him from somewhere in the room.
" Yoru, do you think sensei will get scared by your appetite?" Kushina whispered with a grin.
"No matter what," Yoru said calmly, his eyes firm—
"The top student this time… will be me."
After his first physical breakthrough—
He had realized something tragic.
His appetite had skyrocketed.
From about five times that of a normal adult—
To ten times.
If he had to support himself like this—
Before long, he'd be hunting in the mountains just to survive.
"Alright! Any questions?"
Nakamura Hino raised his voice.
"If not—class dismissed early today!"