Chapter 32
"Hehe, how about it? Wanna grab lunch together at noon?"
Ling Yu paid no mind to Kushina's tsundere remark and smiled as he extended the invitation.
"You said you like ramen, right? I know a really good ramen shop."
Knowing her love for ramen, Ling Yu deliberately played to her interests to make his move.
Kushina's eyes flashed with caution. She stared at him warily without answering.
Not long ago, she had personally experienced the destruction of her clan. Though more mature than others her age, she had only been in Konoha for a little over half a month. The only people she knew were Tsunade and Granny Mito.
That's why Kushina tried to act tough—to hide her soft heart, scare others away, and keep them from approaching her.
Now in this unfamiliar classroom, aside from Rina, she trusted no one. So when Ling Yu invited her, she stayed on guard and didn't dare accept easily.
She couldn't shake the feeling that he had some ulterior motive.
"My sister's coming too. She specifically told me to bring you along—said we should celebrate your first day at school properly."
Seeing Kushina's guarded look, Ling Yu knew she still didn't fully trust him. So he brought up Tsunade—someone she knew and liked. He was confident that would convince her.
"Big Sis Tsunade…? Since you're inviting me so sincerely… I guess I'll reluctantly go with you."
Hearing a familiar name, Kushina's wariness eased significantly. After a slight nod, she agreed.
"Trust me—you're gonna love the ramen at that place."
Ling Yu patted his chest, brimming with confidence.
"Hmph. If you're lying to me, I'll beat you senseless."
Ling Yu's smug expression annoyed her. She raised a small fist and threatened him fiercely.
At the same time, Kushina silently thought to herself: I'll see if this ramen shop is really as good as he says. If he's lying—even if he's Tsunade's little brother—I'm still beating him up.
"Do whatever you want. But… has no one ever told you how cute you are when you act like that?"
Watching Kushina's adorably fierce expression, Ling Yu couldn't help but blurt out what he was thinking.
"Huh?!"
Kushina shot to her feet with a shout, instantly drawing the entire class's attention. Some of the students Ling Yu had scolded earlier watched with gleeful anticipation.
But Kushina didn't care. Right now, her mind was completely filled with Ling Yu's words.
He says I'm cute even when I'm trying to act tough? He must be provoking me.
"Uzumaki Kushina, why are you standing up?"
Teacher Yamano, in the middle of his lesson, narrowed his eyes at the suddenly standing girl, voice stern.
He had noticed Kushina and Ling Yu whispering earlier and had let it slide since she was new—but disrupting class was another matter.
"Uh… n-nothing…"
Kushina trembled slightly. Only then did she remember she was in class. She quickly apologized and sat back down in a panic.
"If there's nothing, then listen properly. No more off-topic behavior."
With a subtle warning, Yamano resumed the lesson.
After sitting down, Kushina lay her head on the desk and glared fiercely at Ling Yu—as if silently saying: You dared make me embarrass myself? Just wait till class ends.
"What's wrong, Kushina? Did you say something?"
Ling Yu pretended not to hear clearly, leaned over the desk, and slowly moved closer to her.
"I said—you're dead! How dare you provoke me? Wait till class ends—I'm beating you up!"
Kushina gritted her teeth, eyes blazing with anger.
"Huh? But I wasn't provoking you."
Ling Yu put on an innocent, wronged expression.
"You're the only one who said I'm cute. Everyone else says I'm fierce and scary. If that's not provocation, what is?"
Kushina frowned, convinced Ling Yu had been mocking her.
And she wasn't entirely wrong. On her way to school, everyone had stared and whispered about her rare red hair. Misinterpreting their curiosity as insults due to her wariness, she had shouted back—and received responses like "so fierce" and "freak."
"But I was being serious. You really are cute. And your red hair is beautiful too."
Ling Yu's eyes were clear and sincere—no trace of mockery.
Kushina stared at him for several seconds. Seeing he still looked completely earnest, she wavered.
Did I… misunderstand him?
"Do you believe me now?"
Ling Yu smiled at her.
"Hmph."
Kushina huffed and turned her head away, refusing to look at him. But the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her inner turmoil.
Hmph. Fine. Since you said I'm cute, I won't beat you up.
Ding! Uzumaki Kushina's affection has reached 70 – Friend stage. Reward: Ordinary Chest ×1.
Sure enough, sincerity is the ultimate weapon. Hearing the system prompt, Ling Yu smiled slyly where Kushina couldn't see.
"By the way, Kushina—since we're friends now, right?"
Ling Yu pressed his advantage.
"Hmph. Since you want to be friends so badly, I guess I'll allow it."
After confirming their friendship, Kushina—unsure how to interact with friends—didn't speak to him again. Ling Yu, bored, laid his head on the desk and soon fell asleep.
Ding-ding-ding-ding!
The end-of-class bell rang. As soon as Yamano left, the classroom burst back into noise.
Because Rina sat next to Minato, she quickly drew attention from many girls. Her gentle personality made her easy to approach, and soon she had several new friends.
Kushina's situation was the opposite. Thanks to Ling Yu's earlier defense and her own fierce introduction, no one dared come near her.
"Hmph. I don't need friends anyway."
Feeling a little sour, Kushina laid her head on the desk and stared out the window, muttering defiantly.
"She just called me cute, and now he's sleeping like a dead pig. Big liar."
Turning to look at Ling Yu sleeping on the desk, she grew even more indignant. Pouting, she gave him a light kick under the table, then turned back to the window in a daze.
But that mood didn't last long. A gentle voice suddenly spoke beside her, drawing her attention.
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