"I-I'm not as amazing as Rasa-kun or Pakura-chan..."
Probably never having heard such direct "praise," Karura shrank back immediately, murmuring quietly.
She seemed the type to habitually elevate others. Otherwise, she probably wouldn't have approached Hii Kōri—who'd just "incurred public wrath."
"I say what I say. Your denial isn't modesty—it's C."
Filing those two names away, Hii Kōri retorted while smoothly standing to answer a question without changing expression, then continued: "You're doubting my perception."
"So confident, Hii-kun..."
His seamless volume switching and ability to answer calls left Karura dumbfounded. She blinked, staring blankly—then got caught daydreaming and called on for the next question.
"Eh..."
"B." "Oh... B."
Just as Karura panicked, Hii Kōri's voice drifted into her ear.
Crisis averted, Karura exhaled in relief—then another string of "instructions" arrived.
"Face forward. Lean down. Pretend you're thinking."
"Huh? Oh."
Instinctively following Hii Kōri's words, Karura only then realized—this was his technique for spacing out in class.
Her deskmate wasn't as cold as he initially appeared. Just lacked desire for active communication. See? She'd initiated conversation, and he was quite chatty.
Even if his expression never changed.
"You trust me that much? Not afraid I'm lying?"
Switching his finger dexterity tool to a pencil, Hii Kōri spun it more smoothly. A stress reliever from when stuck onLab report—here, he could claim it built foundation for hand seals.
"Because Hii-kun immediately spotted the two most talented classmates."
Drawn to Hii Kōri's movements yet afraid to openly stare, Karura continuously glanced sideways. Her hesitation resembled a curious hamster peeking from its tunnel—quite cute.
"That? I actually inquired before enrolling."
"Eh? R-Really?"
"Liar. I sensed it."
"Ugh... so mean..."
Karura's voice drew out long. Even without looking, Hii Kōri could imagine her pouting.
He retracted his earlier assessment. This Academy was incredibly entertaining.
Lessons were dull, but it compensated for never experiencing elementary school—teasing "same age" girls. (Even better: no lessons, he could tease all day.)
Different from returning to Sunagakure with Chiyo. He didn't engage her because their knowledge gap was too vast. Now he enjoyed chatting with Karura for the same reason—the knowledge gap.
Researchers operated like this: don't understand, shut up and listen. In one's own field, boldly judge.
Current topic—cursed energy, advanced sealing and barrier techniques—couldn't be solved through mental derivation alone in class. Needed entertainment.
"Besides, besides you three, barely anyone in this class can smoothly refine chakra. Saying you're the only ones worth noticing isn't wrong."
Flipping the textbook to a new page, Hii Kōri steered conversation back.
"Those without foundation, fine. But if your family has ninja elders and you still can't steadily refine chakra after two months? That's limited talent."
"Not that exaggeration... we've only been in school two months."
Karura didn't share his perspective. To her, everyone seemed impressive.
"Two months is plenty. How long from learning to successfully refining chakra?"
"Um... two days? No, maybe one day?"
The sandy-brown haired girl counted on her fingers. She'd learned chakra refinement from family at night, meant to practice—somehow fell asleep. Next day, played with friends, practiced in afternoon.
Calculating, not much time at all.
"See?"
Hii Kōri tilted his head slightly, giving Karura an "exactly" expression.
"For talented people, this doesn't take long."
"Mmm..."
Unable to retort, and seeing Hii Kōri hadn't continued, Karura didn't know how to extend conversation.
She puffed her cheeks, slowly blowing air out in bubble-popping sounds. Then, inspired, stealthily elbowed Hii Kōri's arm.
"Hii-kun, what did you mean by liking 'techniques'? Like powerful jutsu?"
Not forced conversation—Karura genuinely wondered.
Usually people said they liked activities or things. "Techniques" as preferences sounded strange.
"Exactly what it sounds like. Not just ninjutsu—mechanisms, cultivation, breeding, forging... I love all techniques."
"So... Hii-kun wants to be an artisan or pharmacist?"
Karura nodded uncertainly, asking with puzzled expression.
"Hmm... It's not about what techniques can do. I simply love 'technique' itself."
"Put differently... mastering these crystallized wisdoms, accumulated and passed down through generations, then innovating—that process itself is fascinating."
"Whoa... so profound..."
Despite his explanation, she seemed more confused.
But watching Hii Kōri's previously dull gray eyes noticeably light up, she sensed it must be something wonderful.
"How nice. I still don't know what I like..."
"Hm? No rush. We're still kids. Limited exposure—normal not to find your passion yet."
As the teacher dismissed class, Hii Kōri stood, stretched, and patted Karura's head.
Her soft hair felt remarkably pleasant. He suddenly understood why Chiyo constantly ruffled his.
"Mm!"
Cheeks flushed, the girl's eyes seemed lit up. Looking up at Hii Kōri, she nodded emphatically.
Though embarrassed by this sudden intimacy, beyond that simple emotion, Karura felt another indescribable impulse budding in her heart.
A premonition—as if she'd just encountered destiny.