Fate has a funny way of working.
Sometimes, all it takes is a tiny twist in the paths of three different people, each living their own story, for them to meet at the exact same crossroads.
“Ino?!
Sakura?!”
“You two…”
Tenten froze when she spotted Ino and Sakura walking together, her face filled with shock and confusion.
“Tenten?!”
Ino and Sakura stood side by side, wearing the exact same expression as they spoke in perfect unison.
“You’re here to see Hayashi too?”
“Hmph.
I’m here to practice shuriken throwing with Hayashi !”
Tenten crossed her arms with a proud snort, tilting her chin upward in a classic tsundere pose.
Unlike them, she had a perfectly legitimate reason.
Besides, Hayashi used to spend all his time with her.
Back then, she had been his only close friend, and the two of them practiced together every day.
Then these two suddenly appeared and stole away all the time Hayashi Hayashi
Hayashi used to spend with her…
training.
Ino and Sakura both knew that Hayashi had spent most of his time with Tenten over the years.
After all, she’d started learning throwing techniques with him long before they had.
If anyone was the newcomer, it was the two of them.
Even so, neither of them believed Tenten was the person Hayashi most wanted to spend time with.
In their eyes, Tenten was simply taking advantage of her family’s ninja tool shop.
She’d practically tied Hayashi to her side with money.
After all, Hayashi still willingly played with them even when they didn’t spend a single coin on him.
“I’m going to practice throwing techniques with Hayashi later, so don’t get in our way.”
Tenten spoke proudly before turning and heading straight toward Hayashi ‘s house.
“That brat!” ×2
Ino and Sakura gritted their teeth at the same time.
Neither of them was discouraged.
Instead, they broke into a run, sprinting right past Tenten toward Hayashi ‘s house.
“Hey!
Don’t push your luck!”
Watching the two girls rush past her, Tenten’s face flushed with anger.
But seeing that they were almost there, she panicked and immediately sped up as well.
By the time she arrived, Ino was already knocking on the door.
” Hayashi !
Hayashi !
Sakura and I came to play with you!”
Being so short, neither girl could see inside the courtyard, but they could already hear movement from within.
“Huff…
huff…”
“You…
you two…”
Tenten was breathing heavily from the sprint.
“I got here first!”
She glared at the pair, looking as though she wanted nothing more than to throw a shuriken at each of them.
“Pfft.”
Ino stuck out her tongue and made a face at her.
“The first one to arrive is the first one here.”
“You—!”
Tenten was about to argue when the gate creaked open.
All three girls turned at once.
Standing there wasn’t Hayashi , but a woman in a white dress with long purple hair.
“So it’s you three little troublemakers.”
Uzuki Yugao wore the warm smile of a kind older sister next door.
Yet behind those slightly narrowed eyes, her true thoughts were impossible to read.
In reality, the moment she saw the three girls, an inexplicable irritation welled up inside her.
Ino.
Sakura.
Tenten.
It felt like watching the cabbage she’d carefully raised being eyed by outsiders.
Little Hayashi really was far too popular with girls.
While Yugao was lost in her thoughts, the three girls immediately bowed politely.
“Hello, Sister Yugao!” ×3
All three of them knew Yugao well.
Whenever they’d come to play with Hayashi in the past, they’d often run into her.
To them, she was practically Hayashi ‘s older sister and had always been looking after him.
Even so, although she looked gentle and kind…
For some reason, whenever she looked at them, all three girls felt an inexplicable chill and a strange sense of pressure.
Yugao quickly collected herself.
Smiling, she nodded.
“Come on in.”
She turned and walked toward the house.
Her flowing purple hair swayed behind her like blooming violets.
“Okay…” ×3
The three girls exchanged glances before obediently following after her.
Still, their excitement had faded considerably.
They had thought today would be a fun day spent playing together.
But with Sister Yugao around, it just wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable.
It was like trying to have fun with your friends while a parent stood beside you the whole time—you just couldn’t fully relax.
Fortunately, the gloomy mood lifted the moment they saw Hayashi .
Watching three little girls suddenly flood into the courtyard, Hayashi Hayashi
Hayashi , who had already heard the commotion, raised a hand to greet them.
“You gu—”
” Hayashi , why haven’t you come practice throwing techniques with me these past few days?”
” Hayashi , do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?”
Tenten and Ino spoke at exactly the same time.
Their overlapping voices instantly gave Hayashi a headache.
Even Yugao couldn’t help frowning, her irritation growing stronger.
Sakura, who had remained quiet ever since entering the courtyard, immediately noticed the change in Yugao’s expression.
A wave of relief washed over her.
Thankfully, I didn’t rush in making a fuss.
Otherwise, I would’ve left a terrible impression.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t wanted to ask why Hayashi hadn’t come to see them.
She simply knew that after Tenten and Ino had already asked, there was no point in repeating the same question.
Compared to the two of them, she had no advantage whatsoever.
Not in personality.
Not in talent.
Not even in appearance.
At this point in her life, Sakura was still plagued by insecurity.
Without the later fallout with Ino pushing her forward, she still lacked the courage to express her feelings openly.
Instead of confronting him like the other two…
It was better to be sweet and well-behaved.
That way, both Hayashi and Sister Yugao would have a favorable impression of her.
Once Tenten and Ino wore each other out…
She could quietly seize the opportunity.
That was the smartest strategy.
Though…
She felt a little guilty toward Ino.
When it came to best friends competing over the same boy, that was simply how things were.
So when Hayashi looked over, all he saw was Sakura standing quietly behind Tenten and Ino.
She gave him a sweet, innocent smile.
Her short pink hair and bright red ribbon made her look especially adorable.
Before Hayashi could answer, Yugao spoke first.
” Hayashi has been focusing on ninjutsu training these past few days, so he hasn’t had time to come play with you.”
“And right now, his training has reached a critical stage.
If you’re hoping to play together, I’m afraid this isn’t the best time.”
As she explained, Yugao rested her cheek against one hand, wearing a troubled expression.
“Huh?”
“Then…
how much longer will his training take?”
Tenten and Ino’s shoulders immediately slumped.
The smile on Sakura’s face disappeared as well, replaced by a disappointed pout.
A crafty glint flashed across Yugao’s eyes, and the corners of her lips curled into a faint, satisfied smile.
“That depends.”
“It’ll be over once Hayashi succeeds.”