Chapter 41: This Is Just the Right Age for School
Time flowed quietly like water, and in the blink of an eye, it was early summer.
That afternoon, Naruko came rushing into Sasuko's courtyard like a whirlwind, her golden twin tails bouncing cheerfully with her running steps.
"Sasuko! Sasuko!" She waved a brand-new paper scroll, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Look at this!"
Sasuko was sitting on the veranda reading an illustrated book when she looked up, curiosity flickering in her eyes: "What strange thing is it this time?"
"It's not strange at all!" Naruko ran up to her in three quick steps, unfolding the paper like presenting a treasure. "It's a recruitment brochure for the ninja academy! That ANBU sister specially gave it to me last night. Let's go register together!"
Sasuko's fingers unconsciously tightened on the book pages. She avoided Naruko's expectant gaze and said quietly: "...I'm not going."
"Eh? Why not?" Naruko crouched down, tilting her head to get closer to Sasuko. "I heard school is really fun! We could attend classes together, eat lunch together, and even..."
"I said I'm not going!" Sasuko suddenly raised her voice, the book snapping shut with a "smack." "Can't you understand?"
Naruko was startled by this sudden anger, her eyes immediately reddening: "S-sorry..."
In these past few months, this was the first time she'd seen Sasuko get so angry.
Just then, Yu came out of the house carrying refreshments, witnessing this scene.
He placed the tray on the small wooden table and gently ruffled Naruko's head: "What's wrong?"
"Yu..." Sasuko bit her lip, wanting to speak but stopping herself.
Naruko sniffled quietly: "I wanted to invite Sasuko to go to ninja academy together, but... wuu."
Yu nodded in understanding and sat down beside Sasuko: "Sasuko, you're already at the age for school."
"I don't want to!" Sasuko stood up abruptly, her small face full of anxiety and resistance. "I can study with you! I don't need to go to some school!"
Yu sighed and reached out to hold Sasuko's slightly trembling small hand: "Sasuko, ninja academy will let you make more friends and learn more systematic knowledge. And..." He paused, his voice carrying expectation, "didn't you say you'd protect me when you grow up? Staying at home all the time won't make you stronger."
Sasuko felt inexplicably wronged, her eyes gradually moistening. She turned her face away but couldn't shake off Yu's hand, choking out: "I... I just..."
Yu sensed Sasuko's inner dependence. He gently crouched down and pulled the little girl into his embrace. Sasuko's soft hair brushed against his neck, carrying her warm, sweet scent.
"Sasuko," he whispered in her ear, his warm breath brushing past, "I promise you, I'll be waiting at the school gate on time every day after school." His voice was gentle but every word clear.
Sasuko's tense little body trembled slightly, her fingers gripping Yu's clothes loosening and tightening again. Yu's warm palm gently stroked her back, over and over, like comforting a frightened kitten.
"No matter when," his voice was tender yet firm, "as long as you turn around, I'll be here."
Sasuko finally slowly relaxed, burying her small face in Yu's neck and giving a muffled "mm."
Naruko smiled through her tears nearby, carefully approaching: "Then... then can we go to school together?"
Only then did Sasuko realize she'd lost composure in front of Naruko, immediately turning away in embarrassment: "D-dummy! Even if we go to school together, we might not be in the same class!"
Yu watched the interaction between the two little girls and couldn't help but chuckle: "Don't worry about that." He winked mysteriously. "The principal and I are 'old acquaintances.'"
After all, the principal of Konoha's ninja academy was always the Hokage personally. Thinking of that Fifth Hokage, Yu's lips curved upward—it had indeed been a long time since he'd "visited" this "old friend." It would be perfect for "catching up."
"Great! I can attend classes with Sasuko!" Naruko spun around excitedly like a happy little spinning top.
Sasuko watched Naruko's silly appearance and muttered quietly: "Dummy..." yet quietly curved her lips upward.
She tugged at Yu's sleeve, signaling him to lean down.
"Yu," Sasuko stood on tiptoe, bringing her small mouth close to Yu's ear, "I can go to school... but you have to promise me one thing."
Yu raised an eyebrow slightly: "What request?"
Sasuko glanced at Naruko, who was still spinning in place, her small face flushing: "Tonight... I'll tell you tonight."
"I won't agree to unreasonable requests," Yu chuckled and pinched her reddened cheeks.
"I know!" Sasuko swatted away his hand, stamping her feet in embarrassment.
Just then Naruko curiously approached, her big blue eyes full of question marks: "Sasuko, what are you whispering about?"
"We're talking about..." Sasuko's face grew even redder as she pushed away Naruko who had gotten too close, "how you're a super big dummy!"
Naruko had long gotten used to Sasuko calling her "dummy"—over these months it had practically become her exclusive nickname.
Though she still couldn't understand why Sasuko's face had suddenly turned as red as a ripe apple, this version of Sasuko was very cute too.
"Hehe, dummy is fine~" Naruko didn't mind at all, scratching the back of her head. As long as she could go to school with her friend.
"Sasuko, you can't speak like that—it's rude." Yu gently tapped Sasuko's forehead, his tone gentle but carrying slight reproach.
"She asked for it..." Sasuko pouted, crossing her arms and turning away, though her voice was noticeably quieter.
But Naruko cheerfully waved her hand with a brilliant smile: "It's okay~ Sasuko is cute this way too!"
Looking at the two girls with completely different personalities, Yu's eyes flashed with amusement.
He clapped his hands, changing the subject: "By the way, to celebrate your upcoming enrollment, how about we visit the night market together tonight?"
Naruko's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this, her golden twin tails perking up with excitement: "Great! Going to the market with Yu and Sasuko!" She gestured animatedly, "I want candied apples! Takoyaki! And..."
Sasuko appeared disinterested on the surface, her small face stern, but her obsidian-like eyes quietly brightened. She pretended to casually adjust her clothes while actually listening intently to every word Yu said.
"Hmph, can't be helped. Since you both want to go so much..." Sasuko spoke with feigned reluctance, though her small fingers unconsciously twisted her dress hem, "then I'll reluctantly accompany you."
Seeing this, Naruko grinned and linked arms with her: "Sasuko is the best~"
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