In Konoha Village, Kurenai Yuhi led Mabui out of the ninja academy and all the way to the Kurama clan's residence.
After ringing the doorbell, the two waited outside.
Before long, a gentle and beautiful woman opened the door. She was about to greet Kurenai when her gaze shifted to Mabui.
"Kurenai, this gentleman is…?"
"Let me introduce him. This is Kanzaki Mabui, a taijutsu instructor at the Konoha Ninja Academy," Kurenai explained. "I've invited him to take a look at Yakumo."
Mabui immediately bowed politely. "Hello, I'm Kanzaki Mabui. Please take care of me."
"Oh, hello. Please come in, please come in. Yakumo is resting upstairs." Yakumo's mother was briefly surprised but quickly composed herself and ushered them inside.
After thanking her, Mabui and Kurenai entered. Before long, a frail, pale-faced girl ran down from upstairs.
"Teacher Kurenai, wasn't it supposed to be tomor—"
She froze upon seeing Mabui. In an instant, her expression shifted into one of refined calmness, the transformation astonishingly swift.
Kurenai couldn't help but smile but didn't point it out. Instead, she said, "No need to come down. We were going upstairs anyway."
"Well…" Yakumo's mother hesitated.
Mabui spoke gently, "Madam, could you allow me to speak with Yakumo alone? Or Kurenai-senpai may stay as well."
"In that case… do as you see fit, but don't let Yakumo get too tired," her mother said softly.
Mabui nodded thoughtfully.
He and Kurenai went upstairs and sat in the second-floor sitting room.
Kurama Yakumo observed this unfamiliar yet handsome teacher, her eyes filled with curiosity, though a trace of unease lingered.
"Don't worry, he's not a genjutsu instructor," Kurenai said, having spent enough time with her to read her expressions.
Yakumo immediately relaxed, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I wasn't…"
"No need to be nervous. This is your home. I'm not here as a teacher, just a visitor—and your Teacher Kurenai's friend," Mabui said gently, maintaining a perfectly composed smile.
Seeing his face, Yakumo did indeed relax a bit more.
Kurenai noticed and understood. She stood up and said, "At the academy, I had a cup of your tea. Let me treat you to mine this time."
"Sounds good." Mabui agreed easily, fully taking on the role of a "friend."
Seeing how close they seemed, Yakumo grew more at ease, sitting less stiffly than before.
However, once Kurenai went to brew tea, leaving only the two of them by the table, Yakumo became tense again.
Mabui glanced around before his gaze settled on a painting.
It depicted wildflowers, green grass, white clouds, and a bird in flight. Yet the perspective felt strange, as if everything were distant.
"Did you paint that?"
"A… painting? It's not really anything special. Just something I doodled." Yakumo blushed deeply.
"Creative works often reflect a person's inner thoughts. This painting seems filled with yours," Mabui said, studying it before adding with genuine admiration, "It's really well done."
"It's not as good as you say." Yakumo lowered her head.
Mabui looked out the window. "You want to go outside and see the world, don't you?"
"Huh?" Yakumo's eyes widened in shock.
She realized then that Mabui wasn't offering empty praise—he had truly understood her painting.
In that moment, her emotions became complicated. There was joy at being understood, but it was quickly followed by the weight of reality, making her feel even more suffocated.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"In your painting, I see a free bird. You want to become that bird, don't you?" Mabui pointed at the artwork.
Yakumo's expression dimmed, but she still said nothing.
Mabui quietly exhaled. Yakumo's inner world wasn't too dark yet; there was still some distance before "Ido" would manifest.
However, the deeper he reached into her heart, the more silent she became.
"What do you want to do in the future?"
"Me?" Yakumo smiled faintly. "I want to become a strong ninja."
"No. That's your family's and clan's wish. When I was young, my parents also wanted me to become a powerful ninja, but my own dream…" Mabui let out a self-deprecating chuckle. "I wanted to become a teacher."
"Why?" Yakumo asked.
Mabui smiled. "Because when I was little, I thought teachers were impressive. They could discipline others, and even parents treated them politely."
"Pfft!" Yakumo couldn't help but laugh.
That thought…
It was too real.
"When I was still attending school, I had the same idea whenever I saw teachers scolding others!" she said softly.
"Right? So family expectations often shape our thoughts. But in the end, I still became a teacher," Mabui said with a smile.
Yakumo lowered her head, her expression dimming. "Being able to do what you want… that's really nice."
"So, what do you want? It's just us here. At most, Teacher Kurenai is around, and she's on your side. She won't secretly tell your parents," Mabui said quietly.
"I've never really thought about it. I've always grown up under my family's expectations, but…" Yakumo rested her head on one hand, not noticing how much more relaxed she had become, speaking her true thoughts openly.
After a pause, she sighed heavily. "If I had a healthy body, maybe I could fulfill my parents' and clan's wishes. But now…"
"This isn't your fault," Mabui said seriously.
Then, as if thinking of something, he smiled. "Since you haven't thought about it, your current wish must be to go out and have fun, right?"
"Huh?" Yakumo froze, then glanced at her painting, her face reddening as she nodded softly.
"Taking you outside might be beyond me for now, but do you want to return to the academy?"
"Yes!" Yakumo answered in a quiet but firm voice.
Mabui smiled. "If I can find a way to get you back to school, would you be willing to be friends with me?"
"Of course!" Yakumo's eyes lit up with joy. "You understood my painting. I already consider you a friend!"
"Then it's settled. Pinky promise."
Mabui extended his finger.
Yakumo burst into laughter, her expression a mix of embarrassment and delight, but she still reached out her finger.
"Pinky promise!"
Just as she finished speaking, Kurenai returned from downstairs, a curious look on her face. "What are you two talking about that's making you so happy?"
"About her painting." Mabui pointed to the corner.
Kurenai smiled. "She painted that yesterday. She kept revising it for a long time."
She handed them each a cup of tea. "Here, give it a try."
"Thank you." Mabui stood and accepted it.
After that, the three of them didn't talk about ninjutsu or lessons. They simply chatted casually upstairs.
However, Kurenai was quietly observing.
She keenly noticed that today, Kurama Yakumo seemed happier, more at ease, and in much better spirits than usual.
In such a short time, Mabui had earned her trust…
Truly professional.
No wonder even Naruto had been handled.
After a while, Mabui stood up. "I'll go downstairs for a moment…"
Then he gave Yakumo a subtle wink.
Yakumo suppressed a smile, but her eyes shone with anticipation.