"Father, what's wrong with Raj? Why does he look so down?" Rin asked, noticing the dejected Little Black Cat by the door as she returned home.
Her father glanced back.
"How would I know? He seemed fine just now. Did something happen on the way back?"
'On the way back? I was carried here by Guy. What could've possibly happened?'
Rin pondered for a moment before a possibility struck her.
"Could it be... you want to play with Guy again?"
Hearing this question, which sounded more like a self-directed musing, Raj immediately stood up.
He shook his head vigorously and let out a sharp cry to express his disapproval.
Rin paused, slightly surprised.
'So he doesn't like playing with Guy? I completely overlooked that.'
She stroked Raj's head, saying apologetically, "I won't let him take you home next time. I'm sorry I didn't realize you didn't like him."
Raj nodded immediately.
He had initially been upset about the devastating losses from his ten-consecutive gacha pulls, but when he realized Rin had mistakenly guessed he disliked being with Guy, his mood brightened considerably.
'Is this a stroke of good luck after the gacha disaster?'
He couldn't help but recall that wildly popular online game from his previous life, Drop-Out City...
A good mood meant a good appetite.
Though he had eaten well in the afternoon, Raj's newfound enthusiasm led him to devour even more food that evening.
After finishing his meal, he lay down and fell asleep almost immediately.
That night, the Little Black Cat slept soundly, even snoring adorably, which kept Rin squatting beside him for quite some time, watching him.
"Rin, how's your Medical Ninjutsu training coming along?"
"I've already mastered the Healing Technique and Blood-Stopping Technique. The ninja masters in the Medical Corps say I have a natural talent for it," Rin reported, her head bowed.
Her father rarely showed interest in her training.
Even when she skipped the Medical Corps sessions a few days ago, he hadn't asked about it.
His inquiry today clearly meant he had something on his mind.
He hesitated before continuing, "Rin, our war with the surrounding ninja villages is far from over. In fact, it's been escalating recently."
"Given your talent for Medical Ninjutsu, perhaps you should stay in school for a few more years and gradually learn medical techniques within the village."
"Father, this..." Rin stood up, her face showing surprise.
She understood her father's meaning: he didn't want her to graduate this year.
But wasn't that like deserting the battlefield?
"Rin, we don't care about fame or power. We just want you to live a peaceful and safe life," Tsume said, echoing her husband's words as she finished cleaning the house.
"But..." Rin didn't know how to respond.
She wanted to argue, but the words caught in her throat.
She understood her parents' intentions.
War was too dangerous.
More than being a "good student" or a "hero," they wanted her to be an ordinary person, living a safe and ordinary life.
To be honest, she wasn't entirely willing, but facing her father's words, Rin couldn't bring herself to say she wanted to graduate.
"If you don't quite agree with our views... then go ahead and do what you want. We'll support you no matter what," her father said, as if he could see through his daughter's thoughts.
His words carried no negative emotion, only a warm, encouraging smile, yet Rin's heart remained heavy.
'This girl is too gentle,' Raj thought.
Raj, who had been pretending to sleep nearby, had actually woken up during their conversation.
Though still groggy, it had heard every word.
Unable to change the minds of anyone in the Nohara family, it had simply listened for a while before drifting back to sleep.
It was late at night.
Raj could faintly hear rustling sounds from the little girl's room.
Clearly, she hadn't been able to fall asleep and had been tossing and turning in bed.
Raj quietly got up and peered through the gap in the windowsill.
'Hmm... I'm not doing this to peek at anything. I'm just worried about Rin.'
The room was dimly lit, but the cat's excellent night vision allowed it to clearly see the little girl lying in bed with her eyes wide open, as if grappling with a life-altering decision.
Raj couldn't comprehend such inner turmoil.
If he were human, he would've graduated as late as possible, especially in such chaotic times.
Why risk fighting on the battlefield when you could safely weather the war in the village?
Still, he suspected Rin would ultimately insist on graduating.
After all, she had persisted even without his presence as a wildcard-and now she had a Ninja Cat by her side.
Never underestimate the value of a Ninja Beast.
Even without the System, a fully grown Ninja Cat like Raj would possess combat capabilities comparable to a low- or mid-level ninja.
For a commoner like Rin, having such a powerful companion would significantly enhance her safety.
This was why Rin worked tirelessly to provide for Raj.
Of course, considering the dangers Rin might face in the future, the assistance a regular Ninja Cat could offer would be minimal.
But... Raj had the System!
After crouching for a while, watching the little girl gradually close her eyes and fall asleep, he quietly slipped away.
"Father, I've decided to graduate with everyone else. I'm studying Medical Ninjutsu, and my duty is to heal my injured comrades on the battlefield. If I let fear of death stop me from graduating, I'd lose all respect for myself."
The next morning, Rin rose before washing up and solemnly approached her father, who was about to eat breakfast in the main hall, to deliver these words.
This didn't surprise Raj.
The little girl was inherently kind-hearted, only hoping for some restraint on the battlefield.
Otherwise, managing her would become quite troublesome.
'I should teach her the survival tactics of the battlefield once I learn to speak,' it thought.
'Hmm, I'll start summarizing them now so I can explain them clearly later.'
The little black cat lay curled in its nest, watching the scene while secretly planning its future schemes.
School life was incredibly boring.
After provoking another class, Raj found himself under strict surveillance once again, practically glued to Rin's side with no free time whatsoever.