"Uchiha Izumi reporting for duty!"
With that clear declaration, Uchiha Izumi arrived at the Sarutobi clan compound.
Not long after, a household servant led her inside.
They passed through row after row of residences, each one meticulously maintained, until finally the two stopped before a particularly imposing building.
Izumi's eyes widened slightly.
This place…It was no worse than the residence of the Uchiha clan head.
"This is Young Master Yashiro Sarutobi's residence," the butler said calmly."From today onward, you will serve as his personal attendant."
"W-What? P-Personal—?!"
Before Izumi could object, the butler had already turned and left.
After all, everything that needed to be explained had already been explained.
Standing alone before the lavish residence—and before the Sarutobi heir she had yet to formally meet—Izumi felt a deep sense of helplessness rise in her chest.
In the end, she took a breath, gathered her courage, and stepped inside.
"Yo. You're here~"
The moment she entered, Izumi saw Yashiro Sarutobi.
He looked relaxed, almost casual, as if this were all entirely expected.
Caught off guard, Izumi stiffened instantly.
"Ah—! Y-Young Master Yashiro!""From today on, I'll be serving as your attendant!""Please… please take care of me!"
Her voice trembled slightly.
Seeing her nervous reaction, Yashiro's lips curved with amusement.
"…You're missing two words~"
Izumi froze.
Of course she knew exactly which two words he meant.
Her mind went blank.
Especially when she noticed his calm, composed expression—sharp features, effortless confidence. Everything about him felt overwhelmingly polished, as though he represented the pinnacle of what a shinobi heir should be.
Her face flushed crimson as she stood there, unable to respond.
Yashiro chuckled lightly.
"Relax. Go put your things away.""You'll be staying here from now on."
After teasing her just enough, he waved a hand and pointed toward a side room.
Izumi hurried inside, set down her belongings, and sat on the edge of the bed, her heart still pounding.
Originally, she had resisted this assignment.
But after meeting Yashiro…
She suddenly realized it wasn't as unbearable as she'd feared.
Once she finished settling in, Izumi returned.
Yashiro glanced up briefly, then gestured casually.
"Do what you're supposed to do.""And don't make me remind you about those two words again."
Izumi followed his gaze—and immediately understood.
Her face reddened once more.
After a moment of hesitation, she took a deep breath, as if steeling herself, and carried out her duties in silence.
The details faded into the night.
The next morning came quickly.
Izumi woke early.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw that Yashiro was already up and prepared, looking as composed as ever.
Startled, she sat up too quickly—then immediately realized her mistake.
"…!"
Her face turned bright red as she scrambled to cover herself and retreated under the blankets.
Yashiro looked away, clearing his throat lightly.
"…Get dressed. We have things to do."
The atmosphere in the room shifted—awkward, but undeniably lively.
…
Ninja Academy
At the school gates—
"Look! It's Sasuke!""So that's the Uchiha genius?""Hah. What genius? Young Master Yashiro wouldn't even bother lifting a finger.""Exactly! Always acting cool—what's he showing off for?"
Hearing the whispers around him, Sasuke's already-soured mood darkened further.
He entered the classroom with a scowl.
The first thing he saw was a certain blond idiot.
"Hahaha! Cool-guy Sasuke!""Got knocked down a peg, huh? Nyeh~!"
Naruto's mocking laughter grated on his nerves.
"You idiot," Sasuke snapped. "What right do you have to talk?"
But today, he had no interest in arguing.
His eyes swept across the classroom—
Yashiro wasn't there.
Clicking his tongue, Sasuke returned to his seat, irritation written all over his face.
Among the girls, many who once adored Sasuke had already shifted their loyalties after yesterday's match.
Only Sakura still hovered nearby, worry written across her face.
"Sasuke-kun…"
"You're annoying. Leave me alone."
Her face fell.
Sakura returned to her seat, quietly wiping away tears.
Ino, who had been about to comment, hesitated—and swallowed her words instead.
Then—
The classroom door opened.
Yashiro Sarutobi stepped inside.
Ino moved instantly.
"Yashiro-kun! You were amazing yesterday!"
Before she could say more, the other girls surged forward, pushing her aside.
"Yashiro-kun!!!""You're so cool!""Will you be my boyfriend?!"
Faced with the enthusiastic crowd, Yashiro raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained.
Seriously… these girls mature fast.
Thankfully, Iruka arrived just in time, restoring order to the room.
Under everyone's gaze, Yashiro walked toward the back—
And calmly took a seat beside Hinata Hyuga.
He smiled faintly.
"Long time no see, Hinata~"