Chapter 67

The source of this killing intent comes from Ruri.

At this moment, Ruri has already recovered from her blushing state. After taking a deep breath, she looked at Shiraishi with a gaze that he couldn't fully understand.

For this truly inexplicable and peculiar gaze, Shiraishi felt a sense of oppression and burden on himself that he had never experienced before.

It must be because of the plan to buy a kimono for her, which made her emotions even more unpredictable than usual.

Indeed, even if he put himself in her shoes, he knew that his words would certainly make any girl very angry and embarrassed.

"Th-that... how to say, it's full of coincidences and surprises. If giving the kimono has such special meaning, then..."

For a moment, it felt like Ruri's killing intent became even stronger.

Although she has now turned her gaze away from Shiraishi, standing there calmly as if nothing happened, looking elsewhere.

But Shiraishi knew this was not an illusion.

At this moment, it's not just about making amends; even leaving the clothing store smoothly is a question worth considering.

Shiraishi turned his gaze to the teacher, Fujimura, seeking help.

Fujimura, however, said in a righteous tone, "Chiba-kun, when you encounter difficulties, don't always think of seeking help from adults. You are already a qualified ninja, and you need to learn to be self-sufficient."

Of course, this is not because he is afraid and unwilling to lend a hand.

After all, he is an excellent chunin, repeatedly selected as an elite teacher at the ninja school. How could he abandon his students in such a situation?

This is entirely because he wants to train the students' ability to save themselves.

Yes, this is training.

"I like the color of this kimono, and the size fits well. What do you think?"

At this moment, Ruri suddenly said this, her expression completely normal, her gaze still on the kimono, as if it were just a routine opinion.

"Yes, yes... I think so too, it suits you, Ruri."

"..."

"..."

... Uh? What?

This silence, it's like an important hidden hint in a game plot.

If you don't trigger it, the plot won't progress to the next step.

Therefore, it's impossible to just brush it off.

But is this really good?

He couldn't explain the strange feeling that arose in his heart.

A proposal?

No, he didn't know the kimono had such implications, so he just needs to maintain a normal attitude.

This is just a witness between friends.

But there is still... a sense of guilt.

He shouldn't have said that.

The one who made him lose face is himself.

Shiraishi cleared his throat and pointed to the kimono, "Teacher Fujimura, please bring that kimono over, I want to buy it."

Fujimura smiled and, following Shiraishi's request, took down the kimono Ruri had her eye on and packaged it.

"Chiba-kun, a man only makes such a gift truly meaningful when he hands it to a woman himself."

Shiraishi, annoyed, silently retorted, "Shut up, you talk too much!"

Ruri's gaze towards the chunin teacher Fujimura softened, with a hint of satisfaction.

Finally, they watched as Shiraishi and Ruri, holding the kimono, left the clothing store.

"The young people nowadays are truly remarkable, but if they are to get married, does Chiba-kun plan to join the Uchiha clan?"

Fujimura sighed. Ruri is not only a genius of the Uchiha clan but also comes from a very wealthy family, so the possibility of the man joining the family is higher.

But it's still early, isn't it, marriage?

◎

The next day arrived.

Shiraishi woke up in a daze.

Due to yesterday's events, he tossed and turned all night, feeling extremely embarrassed.

Just thinking about how he delivered the kimono with special meaning to Ruri after they returned, he felt a strong sense of guilt.

Although he kept telling himself that it had no special meaning and was just a pure friendship.

But is that really the case?

Because after placing the item in Ruri's hands, he didn't even look at her expression and fled back to the lab in a panic.

Even last night's experiment became distracted, with mistakes piling up.

This strange feeling is truly complex and hard to describe.

Shaking off the random thoughts in his head, the most important thing now is work, not dwelling on irrelevant matters.

But the more he tried, the more he thought about yesterday's events.

What does Ruri think?

Does she think it was a proposal?

That's strange, they are only twelve years old...

Does she think he is frivolous?

Will she dislike him? Or like him? Or have no feelings at all?

"Ah..."

One thought after another flooded his mind, making his head almost explode.

Shiraishi opened his mouth and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

Thus, the morning passed in a daze.

It was truly frustrating.

Just as Shiraishi was in distress—

Outside in the courtyard.

A maid walked up to Ruri, who was leisurely feeding the fish by the pond, and whispered a few words in her ear.

Ruri nodded after listening.

The maid left, and soon returned with a girl in a white outfit.

This girl had pure white eyes and was curiously examining the abnormally large mansion. It was Ayame.

"Go ahead."

Ruri glanced at the maid.

"Yes."

The maid bowed slightly and left, leaving Ruri and Ayame alone.

"This is your home, Ruri? Although I've heard about it from Shiraishi-kun, seeing it in person is even more impressive than I imagined."

Ayame walked over and said with a smile.

"It's nothing, just a normal size. I don't think it would surprise you."

Ruri continued to sprinkle some food for the fish in the pond, watching them quickly swim to compete for the food, splashing water.

"Also, put away that fake smile. Don't pretend in front of me. You know I don't buy it."

After that, Ruri said bluntly, her sharp gaze fixed on Ayame.

"What are you talking about, Ruri? I don't really understand..."

Before she could finish, Ruri disappeared from in front of her, cutting off her words.

Ruri stood with her hand around Ayame's throat but couldn't continue her next move.

Ayame's right index and middle fingers lightly pressed against Ruri's heart.

"Is this what you rely on? The Gentle Fist technique enhanced by natural energy?"

Ruri asked Ayame with interest.

In the past month in Konoha, Ayame had also grown.

Although it was impossible to precisely measure how much the Gentle Fist technique's power increased after integrating natural energy, the previous Ayame, even with her Byakugan activated, could capture her movements but wouldn't be able to react so quickly.

"Indeed, you are the type I least want to deal with. Not just in strength, but also in personality, we don't get along."

Ayame's smile disappeared, and she sighed in a helpless tone.

"Same here."

Ruri removed her hand from Ayame's throat.

Ayame also withdrew her fingers.

It looked like an evenly matched battle, but Ayame still didn't dare to be careless. This is someone who grows faster than herself.

If she becomes complacent because of this achievement, she will end up suffering.

"By the way..."

Seeing that Ruri had no intention of attacking, Ayame let out a sigh of relief and looked at Ruri with a strange expression.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with me?"

"It's not that. I was just wondering, is today a special day for the Uchiha?"

As one of the two current noble clans in Konoha with bloodline limits, Ayame couldn't claim to know everything about the Uchiha, but if it were a special holiday, she should know something.

But she didn't remember today being a special day for the Uchiha.

"Why do you ask?"

Ayame, hearing Ruri's counter-question, pointed to the light blue, well-fitting kimono she was wearing. Her hair was down, but this appearance was already quite formal.

"Your clothes..."

"What about them? What's the problem?"

"Generally, wouldn't you only wear such clothes on important festivals or holidays?"

Ayame asked, voicing her confusion.

No matter how you look at it, suddenly wearing a kimono on such a day feels out of place.

"This is none of your business, don't meddle. Besides, why should I explain to you?"

Ruri sat by the pond, frowned, and stopped feeding the fish.

"Indeed, we don't get along."

Ayame wasn't surprised by Ruri's cold response; it was expected. She knew this was Ruri's true nature.

During missions, the calm and cooperative demeanor was just a duty to the team.

But now, during the break, the conflicts surfaced.

"What brings you here?"

Ruri asked Ayame about her purpose.

It was obvious that Ayame didn't come here to find her.

So, the purpose was clear.

"I just came to check on a classmate and to strengthen our bond."

"Boring. He's in the lab, go find him yourself."

"Can I use my Byakugan?"

Ayame asked with a smile.

"You can try."

Seeing Ruri's suspicious expression, Ayame was also troubled.

But Ruri enjoyed Ayame's helpless look, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

"Alright, if you have nothing else, you can leave. Recently, my family has a shortage of food, so I can't prepare lunch for you. I'm sorry."

Ruri started to shoo her away, her tone not at all polite.

"..."

Ayame scratched her head and smiled wryly.

"Still not leaving? I already said I won't prepare lunch for you."

"It's not that. Shiraishi-kun gave me an important observation task. He's supposed to meet me at the usual place at 2 PM to receive the important observation data."

"You can give it to me, and I'll pass it on to him. There's no need to meet outside."

"I left the data elsewhere and didn't bring it with me. Besides, I must personally hand it to Shiraishi-kun to feel at ease."

Ayame said calmly.

Ruri frowned in dissatisfaction.

"You should know how important my Byakugan is to Shiraishi-kun's research. Please pass this message to him, Ruri. I'm asking you."

Ayame smiled slightly and left without hesitation.

Watching Ayame leave until her figure disappeared from sight, Ruri finally relaxed and sighed.

There's no need to get angry over such a trivial matter.

Yes, it's just a trivial matter, completely unnecessary to worry about...

But what is this sudden annoyance in her heart?

No matter how you look at it, it's that guy's fault.

—At noon.

While having lunch with Ruri, Shiraishi heard that Ayame had come to see him earlier, saying she had important observation data to give him.

"Is that so? I did ask her to do this. I didn't expect such quick results. The Byakugan really helped a lot."

Shiraishi sighed.

But noticing Ruri's increasingly terrifying gaze, his face darkening, Shiraishi quickly changed his tone:

"That's not the main point. The most important thing is the research funds and materials you provided. The Byakugan's role isn't as significant as I thought."

After Shiraishi's flustered explanation, Ruri's gaze finally softened.

Then, Shiraishi noticed the light blue kimono Ruri was wearing, the one he had bought for her yesterday.

His expression became a bit awkward.

During the meal, he intentionally avoided it, pretending as if nothing was wrong.

"This isn't for you."

Ruri, seeing Shiraishi notice her kimono, feared he might misunderstand and explained.

"Huh?"

Stopping his meal, Shiraishi looked at her in surprise.

"Don't get carried away. I just happen to like the style and color of this kimono."

"..."

"Besides, I'm only wearing it now. I won't wear it during New Year's. Sorry to disappoint you."

"..."

I didn't say anything.

But hearing that she won't wear it during New Year's, he felt a sense of emptiness.

Seeing Ruri slightly turn her head, not looking directly at him, was she... embarrassed?

He thought he was already embarrassed when he handed the kimono to her yesterday, but Ruri was probably the same.

Thinking about this, his frustration from last night and this morning lessened.

"Okay, I understand."

"Good to know. I'm full."

Under Shiraishi's strange gaze, Ruri put down her bowl and chopsticks and walked out of the room with a graceful, even pace.

After closing the door, Ruri leaned against it, lowered her head, and her hair only partially covered her face.

Her ears were already red.