Konoha.
Yūhi Kurenai led Yagyu Masahiko away from the Ninja Academy, guiding him straight to the estate of the Kurama clan.
After ringing the doorbell, the two waited patiently outside. Moments later, the door opened to reveal a gentle, beautiful young woman. She was about to greet Kurenai familiarly when her eyes landed on Masahiko.
"Kurenai, who might this gentleman be?"
"Let me introduce you. This is the Ninja Academy's Taijutsu Instructor, Yagyu Masahiko," Kurenai explained smoothly. "I asked him to come and take a look at Yakumo."
Masahiko immediately offered a polite bow. "Greetings. I am Yagyu Masahiko. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Oh, hello. Please, come in. Yakumo is resting upstairs."
Yakumo's mother, quickly recovering from her initial surprise, ushered them inside. After exchanging pleasantries, the group entered the house. Almost immediately, a frail, pale girl came running down the stairs.
"Kurenai-sensei, I thought you weren't coming until tomorr—"
Her words cut off abruptly when she saw Masahiko. Her expression froze for a split second before she rapidly shifted into a demeanor of elegance and quiet demureness. The speed of the transformation was staggering.
Kurenai chuckled, shaking her head but choosing not to expose the girl's act. "No need to come down; we were just about to head up."
"Then..." Yakumo's mother looked hesitant.
Masahiko spoke up in a warm, gentle voice. "Madam, please allow me to speak with Yakumo alone. Or, if you prefer, Kurenai-senpai can remain present as well."
"Well, I'll leave it to your judgment. Just please, do not let Yakumo overexert herself," the mother whispered anxiously.
Masahiko nodded thoughtfully, accepting the condition. He followed Kurenai upstairs, and they settled into the sitting room on the second floor.
Kurama Yakumo sized up this strange, handsome teacher. Her eyes were filled with curiosity, though a shadow of worry lingered beneath.
"Don't worry," Kurenai said, reading the girl's expression after their long time together. "He isn't a Genjutsu teacher."
Yakumo instantly breathed a sigh of relief, then blushed slightly. "I wasn't..."
"There is no need to be nervous. This is your home. Here, I am not a teacher, just a visitor—and a friend of your Kurenai-sensei." Masahiko maintained a gentle attitude, wearing a flawless, comforting smile.
Seeing that face, Yakumo visibly relaxed.
Observing this, Kurenai had a sudden realization. She stood up and said, "I drank a cup of your tea at the school. Now that we're here, let me treat you to my tea-making skills."
"Sounds good," Masahiko accepted without hesitation, adopting the casual posture of a 'friend.'
Seeing the easy rapport between the two adults, Yakumo seemed to trust him more, sitting in her chair with far less restraint than before. However, as Kurenai left to prepare the tea, leaving the two alone by the coffee table, Yakumo grew stiff once again.
Masahiko scanned the room before letting his gaze settle on a painting.
It depicted a landscape filled with mountain flowers, green grass, white clouds, and a single flying bird. However, the perspective was strange, evoking a sense of immense distance and longing.
"Did you paint that?"
"Paint... painting? I wouldn't call it a work of art, just some casual doodling." Yakumo's face flushed red with embarrassment.
"Artistic creation often represents a person's inner thoughts. You poured a lot of emotion into this piece, didn't you?" Masahiko stared at the canvas, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "It's beautifully done."
"It... it isn't as good as you say." Yakumo lowered her head.
Masahiko looked toward the window. "You really want to go outside and see the world, don't you?"
"Huh?"
Kurama Yakumo looked up in astonishment. She realized that Masahiko wasn't just offering empty flattery; he had actually understood her painting. In that instant, her emotions became chaotic—the joy of being understood clashed with the crushing weight of her reality, making her feel even more repressed.
She opened her mouth, but in the end, said nothing.
"In that painting, I saw a free bird. You want to be that bird, right?" Masahiko pointed at the canvas.
Yakumo's expression darkened, and she remained silent.
Masahiko quietly let out a breath of relief. 'Good. The darkness in her heart hasn't fully consumed her yet. There is still some distance before the "Ido" monster is born.'
However, having his words pierce so deeply into her heart seemed to make her withdraw further into silence. He decided to pivot.
"What do you want to do in the future?"
"Me?" Yakumo blinked, then put on a practiced smile. "I want to become a powerful ninja!"
"No," Masahiko shook his head gently. "That is the wish of your family and your clan. Just like me—when I was a child, my parents always hoped I would become a powerful ninja. But my own wish..."
Masahiko gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I actually wanted to be a teacher."
"Why?" Yakumo asked, intrigued.
"Because when I was little, I thought teachers looked so cool and imposing. They could boss people around, and even the parents had to be polite to them."
"Pfft!"
Yakumo couldn't help but burst out laughing.
This thought process... it was too real!
She lowered her voice, conspiringly. "When I was still in school, seeing teachers catch students and lecture them... I actually had the same thought!"
"Right? So you see, the expectations of parents and clans often warp our true thoughts. Though, funny enough, I did end up becoming a teacher after I grew up," Masahiko laughed.
Yakumo lowered her head again, her smile fading into melancholy. "To be able to do what you want to do... that must be nice."
"So, what is it that you want to do? It's just us here. At most, Kurenai-sensei might hear, but she's on your side. She won't go tattle to your parents," Masahiko whispered conspiratorially.
"I... actually haven't really thought about it. I grew up carrying my family's expectations. But..." Yakumo propped her chin on one hand. She didn't notice that she had become much more casual than before, daring to voice her inner thoughts.
She finished with a heavy sigh. "If I had a healthy body, maybe I could fulfill the wishes of my parents and my clan. But now..."
"That is not your fault," Masahiko said with absolute seriousness.
He paused, as if a thought just occurred to him, and smiled. "Since you haven't thought about a career, your current wish... is just to go out and play, isn't it?"
"Hmm?"
Yakumo froze for a moment, then looked back at the painting. Her face turned red, but she nodded gently.
"Taking you out right now... I'm afraid I can't do that just yet. But, do you want to return to the Academy?"
"I do!" Yakumo whispered the desire she had buried deep in her heart.
Masahiko smiled. "If I have a way to get you back to school, will you be my friend?"
"Of course!" Yakumo's eyes shone brightly with joy. "You understood my painting; I already consider you a friend!"
"Then it's a deal. Pinky swear."
Masahiko extended his little finger.
Yakumo giggled, her face showing a mix of playful disdain for the childish gesture and genuine delight. Still, she reached out and hooked her finger around his.
"Pinky swear!"
Just as the promise was sealed, Kurenai came up from the tea room downstairs, curiosity written all over her face. "What are you two chatting about so happily?"
"Discussing art," Masahiko said, pointing to the painting in the corner.
Kurenai followed his gaze and smiled. "She painted that yesterday. She spent a long time erasing and repainting it." She handed the tea cups to them. "Here, have a taste."
"Thank you." Masahiko stood up to accept the cup.
After that, the three of them didn't discuss Ninjutsu or curriculum; they simply sat upstairs and chatted idly.
However, Kurenai was observing closely from the sidelines.
She keenly perceived a change—Kurama Yakumo was happier and more cheerful today than usual. Her entire mental state seemed vastly improved.
In such a short time, Masahiko had managed to gain her complete trust...
'He really is a professional!'
'No wonder he was able to handle Naruto.'
After chatting for a while longer, Masahiko stood up. "I need to head downstairs for a moment..."
Before leaving, he winked playfully at Yakumo.
Yakumo stifled a laugh, but her eyes held a glimmer of anticipation.