"They, they are Commander Nishikawa's women!"
In the crowd, someone shouted. Those students who worshipped Makoto like a god immediately recognized Reze, Utaha, and the others, and instantly erupted in even more enthusiastic cheers and applause.
"Just as expected of Commander Nishikawa! He's invincible himself, and every woman by his side is this strong!"
"That flat girl from earlier can't compare at all. The wives are much more powerful!"
"The wives have defeated the Anomaly! The wives are second in the world! Second only to the Commander!"
Overwhelming cheers came. Ran's cheeks instantly turned red, and she looked down, a bit flustered. She and Makoto were clearly not in that kind of relationship yet, so being called that made her at a loss.
Utaha, arms crossed, looked at Ran's blushing face and curled her lips.
Although there was no relationship now, she bet that this unicorn would definitely become their sister in the future.
"Th-thank you, Mouri-san."
Yukino straightened her clothes, walked forward, and sincerely thanked Ran.
But before Ran could respond, Utaha glanced sideways at Yukino and said, "No need for thanks. If you don't have the strength, don't be reckless. Why do you have to rush in to die and make others save you?"
Yukino's face darkened.
Perhaps because both had long black hair, among Makoto's companions, she and Utaha got along the worst.
Yukino couldn't help but retort: "You only have your current status because of him!"
As soon as she said this, the faces of the surrounding students turned pale with fear.
Daring to say such a thing to one of Makoto's women was really bold!
Kaguya silently gave Yukino a thumbs-up in her heart.
She certainly wouldn't dare to do that.
But Megumi, Airi, and the others nearby just watched calmly without trying to stop her. They were long accustomed to Yukino's proud and stubborn personality.
Upon hearing this, Utaha didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled, her eyes filled with even more mockery, "So what? At least Makoto likes me and is willing to touch me. A woman of your caliber, even if you stripped bare and lay on his bed, he wouldn't give you a second glance."
Hearing this, the surrounding students' faces instantly turned crimson, and they lowered their heads, quickly running towards the school.
'Was this something extras like us should be hearing?'
Yukino trembled with anger, her fingers clenched tightly into fists, her cheeks flushed red, but she didn't know how to retort.
But Utaha's attack continued, her tone full of provocation: "Do you want to make a bet? Tonight, you lie down on Makoto's bed and see if he wants you."
"If he touches you, you win. I'll give you my life. If he doesn't want you, hehe, I won't ask for anything from you. Either way, you lose nothing. What do you say?"
"Utaha, don't be like this."
Megumi beside her gently tugged at Utaha's sleeve, softly meditating.
She felt that this was indeed a bit too insulting.
Megumi herself understood that if Yukino really agreed, Makoto most likely wouldn't touch her.
Utaha, who usually gave Megumi some respect, was unmoved this time. She continued staring at Yukino, pressing step by step: "So? Are we betting or not?"
Yukino trembled with rage. She had always been proud and never wanted to depend on any man. But if she refused, it would be admitting she had no charm in front of Makoto.
But if she agreed, she couldn't swallow her pride. For a moment, she was in a dilemma.
Just as the two were at a standoff, a graceful figure walked quickly over, stood directly between them, and bowed deeply to Utaha.
"I'm sorry, Kasumigaoka-san. We are inexperienced and immature. Please don't take it personally."
"Nee-san?"
Yukino was stunned, looking at the suddenly appearing Haruno with surprise.
Utaha looked at the humble and submissive Haruno before her, immediately lost interest, and clicked her tongue, "Tch, how boring."
With that, Utaha waved her hand and said to Megumi, Reze, and the others, "Let's go."
Watching Utaha and her group leave together, Haruno slowly straightened up, a hint of complex emotion flashing in her eyes as she let out a long sigh.
"Nee-san, why were you so polite to her? She's clearly bullying us!"
Yukino was full of discontent, pulling her sister's arm, her tone carrying grievance and confusion.
Haruno looked at her stubborn and innocent younger sister, sighed softly, a complex look in her eyes: "Yukino, after school, let's talk."
For some reason, at this moment, she suddenly understood her mother's choice.
In this world that had entered a new era, Yukino's pride and stubbornness were ultimately too fragile.
…
Time flew by. The day's classes quietly passed, and the school bell rang on campus.
In the all-girls Class 2-A classroom, Makoto's companions sat together.
"Let's go shopping! After shopping, we can go to karaoke, and then have dessert. I checked, this is what ordinary high school girls do after school!"
Reze's eyes sparkled, and she enthusiastically suggested. She had always wanted to experience the ordinary life of a high school girl, and finally, with school out, she couldn't hold back any longer.
Finally, she leaned in close to the others and lowered her voice, a bit playfully: "Oh, I also heard that some girls do compensated dating. Let's save that for tonight, dress up as compensated dating girls, and surprise Makoto, okay?"
Hearing this, the others blushed, but didn't object.
However, Ran shook her head and declined, "I'm sorry, everyone, I won't be going. I need to go to the hospital to take care of my father."
Sonoko, upon hearing this, showed a worried expression and asked, "How is Mouri-san doing?"
Ran lowered her head, her eyes slightly red, a tear falling onto the back of her hand, her voice choked: "Dr. Nakano said the situation is not optimistic. The radiation damage to my father is too severe. My mother usually takes care of him. Unless the medical community can immediately develop a specific drug for treating radiation damage, otherwise... my father probably only has two or three months left."
Upon hearing this, Reze, who had been in high spirits, instantly lost her mood for shopping.
Megumi, kind-hearted, looking at the sad Ran, softly suggested, "Then let's go to the hospital together to visit Mouri-san's father."
She and Ran had been classmates and teammates in the Naruto World, and now that Ran's family was facing such a situation, it was only right and proper to visit.
The others nodded in agreement one after another. Even the Aizono sisters, who weren't particularly close to Ran, didn't object.
After all, they all ate at the same table every day, so they had at least this much common sense.
"Uh, um... could I come along too? By chance, that hospital was opened by my father. Maybe I can be of some help!"
Just then, Yotsuba gathered her courage and approached, her hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes as she spoke softly.
Outside the classroom, Ichika, Nino, and the others who had just arrived to pick up their sister home, were stunned by these words.
'Which side are you on, girl?'