Chapter 18: Hyuga Chiryo, Dinner Invitation
The classroom buzzed with energy, but at one desk, Hyuga Chiryo sat quietly, alone. Her father's recent death had cast a long shadow over her, and though she looked calm on the outside, her eyes were dull, fixed toward the door like she was waiting for someone.
A group of boys were messing around noisily in the back. Still, their gazes kept flicking in Chiryo's direction. The whispers and blushes made their intentions obvious—even if their crushes were more hidden than a Hidden Mist ambush.
To them, Chiryo was the picture of refined elegance: gentle, soft-spoken, the kind of girl who could activate your protective instincts faster than a Genin spots a D-rank mission board.
But right now, she looked lost—like a sparrow fallen from the nest. Even so, her eyes flickered toward the door every now and then, as if waiting for a certain someone.
"I heard Tonan-kun's parents also died on the battlefield… He's like me. An orphan… We're the same…"
BANG.
Two boys wrestling fell with a loud crash.
"Give up or not?!"
"No!"
"Give up or not?!"
"Chiryo! Asuma said he likes you!"
"I–I… No… I didn't say anything like—!"
Asuma shot up like he'd been hit by a Lightning Release jutsu. He turned to Chiryo, panic in his eyes. She gave him one glance before burying her face in her arms.
"…She's just shy…? Wait. Does she also like me?"
Asuma stood frozen, lost in his own Genjutsu of romance.
"When our son awakens the Byakugan… would he be part of the Sarutobi clan or the Hyuga?"
At that moment, the classroom door opened and in walked Tonan—with Mina at his side.
Silence swept through the class like Shino entering a conversation.
Then—
"WOOOOOOO!"
The room exploded like someone had set off a dozen explosive tags. Cheers and whistles followed them like they were returning from their honeymoon.
Mina just lowered her head shyly, not even trying to deny it. That was all the confirmation the gossip-nin needed. Even the casual teasers now looked convinced something real was going on.
Tonan gave his usual warm, unreadable smile and greeted everyone.
"Good morning, everyone."
But not everyone was caught up in the commotion.
Chiryo stared at them—silent, stiff. Her fists clenched under the desk as her internal chakra roiled.
No… Tonan-kun and I are the same. He's mine… He hasn't said anything. He doesn't like Mina. And as for you, Mina… if you dare steal Tonan-kun from me…
A flicker of fury glinted in her pale eyes—sharp enough to slice through Genjutsu. Asuma caught it.
"Chiryo…? Are you okay?" he asked, worried.
Could it be… she doesn't want our future son to be a Sarutobi?
The morning sped by faster than Rock Lee after removing his training weights. During every break, Mina would float over to Tonan's desk, all smiles and casual conversation. She wasn't even trying to hide it.
Chiryo sat in the back, watching, like a Byakugan user staring through walls—except she didn't need the technique. Every glance, every word between them felt like someone was taking what rightfully belonged to her.
Finally, during the break before the last period, Mina didn't come over.
Tonan stayed in his seat, nose deep in an advanced shinobi theory book. He looked peaceful—almost too peaceful for someone in the Academy.
That's when Chiryo appeared beside him, gripping her book like a mission scroll.
"Tonan-kun… I didn't quite understand the last lesson. Could you… explain it to me?"
Tonan smiled gently and patted the empty seat next to him.
"Of course. We're classmates. Helping each other is only natural."
Chiryo nodded quickly and sat down, trying to calm her heartbeat. When Tonan leaned over to open her book, the faint scent of soap from his clothes made her brain short-circuit.
Buzz… Buzz… System overload…
Tonan's voice brought her back.
"In the last lesson, sensei talked about how to place explosive tags and detonate them remotely. Which part didn't you understand?"
"I—I…"
She hadn't heard a single word he said. Her mind was off in another dimension.
"No need to be shy. You didn't get any of it, right?" Tonan leaned in closer and pointed at a passage. "It's fine. I'll explain from the beginning. If anything's unclear, just ask. I don't mind."
"…Mmm." Chiryo nodded, face glowing redder than Naruto after eating too much wasabi.
Tonan's voice flowed smoothly, talking about tag placement, moisture effects, and chakra threading.
Behind them, Mina stared with clenched fists. Her eyes weren't angry—they were dangerous.
You fake, two-faced paper crane… Always pretending to be gentle and innocent, and now you're trying to lure in Tonan-kun like this? He's too pure for your tricks. If I make a scene now, he'll think I'm the aggressive one. Calm down. Calm down. Tonan doesn't like hot-headed girls. That's what she wants.
Eventually, the bell rang.
Tonan turned slightly to Chiryo.
"Class is starting again. I'll help you more tomorrow, okay?"
Chiryo gazed into his bright, steady eyes like they were Genjutsu. Still half-dazed, she asked:
"Tonan-kun… may I treat you to dinner tonight? As thanks?"
Tonan paused, then gave a sunny smile.
"Actually, I'm heading to Kakashi's place to train after school. So I might be a bit late."
"No problem," she said instantly. "I'll wait."
"Well… alright then. But really, there's no need to feel indebted."
"I just want to thank you. What would you like to eat?"
"I'm not picky. How about ramen? Cheap, filling, and delicious. Believe it."
"Alright," she said, gathering her books and standing up.
But the moment she turned, Mina was there—right behind her.
No expression. But the look in her eyes said everything.
Chiryo froze, understanding instantly.
This was war.
They couldn't openly fight with Tonan nearby, but their eyes were already exchanging kunai.
Mina returned to her seat slowly, quietly, but she had already heard the invitation. Her next plan was forming faster than a Shadow Clone hand seal.
After school, Mina tried to intercept Tonan before he left. But fate—disguised as Kakashi—cut her off.
"You coming with me, or…?" Kakashi tilted his head, lazy as always.
He hadn't been watching too closely, but his instincts were sharp. He'd noticed enough.
These girls? Clingy. Loud. Annoying. He'd seen it all before.
That question he asked? 100% rhetorical.
"Of course I'm coming," Tonan replied innocently. "Where else would I go?"
Kakashi gave a nod, and the two left side-by-side, just as the classroom filled with unspoken tension behind them.