The noisy classroom fell silent. Seiki stepped forward, observed for a moment, then formed hand seals. His glowing hands gently pressed against Hana's forehead.
Everyone watched in silent awe, hardly daring to breathe at the sight.
Soon, the furrow in Hana's brows eased, just as they had when she fainted. Then, under everyone's expectant gazes, she slowly opened her eyes.
"Wow! Hana's alive!"
"Thank goodness. I knew our class president could do it!"
"Is that Calm? He just learned Medical Ninjutsu not long ago!" Nearby, Asuma's wide eyes were filled with confusion. "I thought Medical Ninjutsu and Genjutsu were the hardest techniques to master!"
Seiki didn't stay to enjoy the cheers. Instead, he turned toward Yui and Kaoru, casting [Calm] on both girls, causing them to beam gratefully at him.
"Asuma, Ibiki, come help me take them all to the hospital." Though uncertain whether Asuma would follow his original path, Seiki decided to involve him anyway, to prevent interference with his plans.
"Alright, alright," Asuma replied, unaware of Seiki's ulterior motives. Shaking off his surprise, he rushed forward in big strides, muttering angrily, "You sneaky bastard! You've learned another jutsu behind my back! Dammit! If I don't work harder soon, you'll surpass me in number of techniques!"
Before Seiki could reply, Ibiki's voice drifted from nearby, cold and aloof. "Don't bother resisting. It's only a matter of time."
"Tch! Even you think so little of me..." Before Asuma could finish venting his frustration, something even more irritating happened.
Yui eyed him warily as she backed away. "No thanks. I can walk myself."
Seeing her retreat, Asuma looked completely flustered.
"Hmph, did you come here just to mock me..." Ibiki was beginning to sneer, when he heard Kaoru whisper softly from where he supported her. "Hmm... I wish I'd fainted instead... How enviable Hana is..."
Ibiki stiffened. He exchanged a look with Asuma, and in an instant, they understood each other completely — two wounded souls sharing the same pain.
...
By the time everything settled at the hospital, it was already late afternoon.
Seiki returned to the classroom, finding everyone swarming around him immediately, asking questions.
"Don't worry, everything's fine now," he assured them with a smile.
"If Seiki says so, then I feel relieved."
"Haha, today actually felt like stepping into a real ninja's world!"
Everyone laughed happily amid the cheerful noise and laughter. Amid the commotion, a lone figure slept slumped over at her desk.
Approaching the girl, Seiki asked gently, "Kurenai, are you okay?"
Kurenai didn't answer, only giving a slight shake of her head buried in her elbows.
"I know, you're blaming yourself, aren't you?"
She remained silent, locked inside her private refuge.
This reaction didn't surprise Seiki. Speaking softly, he reassured her further. "Actually, you did nothing wrong. I would've made the same choice if I were you."
"
Hearing Seiki's words that differed from everyone else, Kurenai timidly raised her head. "But I almost killed Yui! I... I never want to use genjutsu again."
"Using genjutsu to protect yourself is certainly not wrong. The mistake was using it on your comrade."
"That's just who I am…" Hearing this, Kurenai lowered her head in disappointment once more.
"No, the real mistake was mine! As class president, I failed to carry out my duties properly. I didn't promptly notice and resolve your conflict, allowing you, who should've been comrades, to end up opposing each other. So, both you and Hana are not at fault. Only I am truly to blame!"
"Eh? No, no!" Kurenai shook her head vehemently. "How could you be at fault? Clearly..."
Before Kurenai could finish speaking, Seiki walked straight toward the podium. "Everyone, may I say something?"
Upon hearing Seiki's voice, the people in the classroom quieted down.
"Today, some unpleasant things happened in our class, but please don't blame Hana and Kurenai. It's my fault for failing to carry out my duties as class president. If I had paid attention to every person, such incidents wouldn't have occurred at all. I'm sorry for causing trouble for everyone!"
"Eh? That's not true at all!"
"Hmph! You're really underestimating us, class president!"
"Exactly, we didn't do anything. You were the one busily running around on your own."
Asuma, Ibiki: "???"
"I guess I was just being overly sensitive." Smiling brightly, Seiki's sincere gaze swept across everyone. "We're all Ninjas. The only ones we can rely on during future missions are the comrades at our side. Therefore, I hope each of us will always have the others' backs. I want each of us to become true bonds to one another! Will you allow that? I want to always be friends with all of you!"
"Of course! We'll always be friends!"
"It'll definitely work out!"
"Seiki, what about Hana and..." Pushing the classroom door open forcefully, Kei Yamakei entered, then shivered slightly from the intense atmosphere inside. He asked hesitantly, "Maybe I should come back later?"
...
After school, Seiki was organizing his small backpack when suddenly a tiny hand reached out from the front and tugged his hem.
Looking up, Seiki saw Kurenai, who had regained much of her vitality.
"Thank you, Seiki!" Kurenai said seriously while clenching her small fists.
Seiki sighed. "We're friends, right? Plus, this misunderstanding actually started because of me..."
Hearing this, Kurenai bristled with indignation and cut him off. "Why are you still talking like that? I'm not that fragile, you know."
"I didn't mean to... Well, never mind." Shaking his head with a smile, Seiki invited, "So… wanna walk together?"
"Eh?" Kurenai's eyes drifted uncertainly as she looked at the ceiling. "Seiki, you go ahead first. I want to stay in the classroom a little longer."
"Hmm?" Scrutinizing her closely, Seiki rested his chin in his small hand. "Come to think of it, you haven't stood up at all since the afternoon."
"Did your leg get injured?" His tone turned somewhat serious.
"No, no.
"Kurenai shook her hands repeatedly, but under Seiki's persistent gaze, she still couldn't help giving in, whispering softly, 'It was because those girls pushed me that I accidentally sprained my ankle.'"
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Seiki frowned a bit. "Let's go to the hospital right away."
"No way—absolutely not!" This time, Kurenai was unusually firm.
"Is it because of Hana?" Seiki quickly understood the root of the problem.
Kurenai puffed up her cheeks and remained silent.
"Okay okay, I get it." Sighing helplessly, Seiki crouched down to start treating her injury.
"Sorry again for the trouble," Kurenai said, trying to shake off any distracting thoughts—but she couldn't help noticing how warm Seiki's hand felt on her ankle… and just how handsome he looked while concentrating on healing her.
Soon after, Seiki completed the treatment. "Alright, stand up and walk a few steps to try it out."
Standing up, Kurenai took careful steps forward. "Hmm, really feels much better now."
"That's great. Come on, I'll walk you home." So saying, Seiki helped pack up Kurenai's schoolbag.
"I can carry it myself, you know."
"Injuries should listen to the doctor's orders."
"Fine. By the way, my dad will be home today—he's a top-level Genjutsu ninja!" Kurenai actively brought up a conversation topic.
"You mean Senior Yūhi? I've heard from people in Konoha that his Genjutsu is the strongest in Konoha!" Seiki replied with admiration.
"Hehe, right?"
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Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!