Chapter 0023 - Graduation Gift
I stammered, "S-Senpai, when did... you arrive?"
"Not long ago," Yui replied calmly. "Right when you made your move."
Hearing the first part, I felt a surge of relief, but the latter half hit me like a bolt of lightning. "S-So you heard everything?"
"If you're talking about how you declared me as 'your loli' to Nanakawa, then yes, I heard everything."
Ugh! She really heard it! And she's stating it so seriously! This is so embarrassing!
I clutched my head, squatting down in defeat. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!"
"It's fine," Yui shook her head, speaking softly. "If it's you, I don't mind."
"Huh? What did you say, Senpai?" Her voice was so soft that I didn't catch it.
"Nothing," Yui deflected seamlessly. "Earlier, the jutsu you used... it didn't seem like an ordinary lightning technique?"
"Um, that jutsu is called Chidori," I scratched my head. "It's more suited for close-range piercing rather than long-range attacks."
"Chidori? Did you come up with that?" Yui's eyes gleamed as she looked at me.
"Well, yeah, I guess," I responded awkwardly. Even though I borrowed the idea from the original anime, technically I invented it in this world before a certain white-haired ninja could.
Yui fell silent. Even she couldn't deny it—this boy was a natural genius.
…
Yui's POV:
A year ago, when we first met, we were evenly matched in strength. But as time passed, the gap between us grew wider and wider. I could feel it every time we sparred.
At first, both of us fought with everything we had. Then, Hiroto started holding back a little. Eventually, he was completely suppressing most of his strength. I noticed it all, but never called him out.
And today, after seeing him use that new jutsu, I realized that catching up to him was impossible.
There was an insurmountable gap between us! Me, the so-called strongest prodigy of the Uchiha clan's younger generation, looked like a joke in front of this boy.
…
I could briefly guess what she was thinking.
But knowing Yui's personality, there was no way she would just give up. Even if she couldn't catch up, she would at least try to close the gap as much as possible.
Of course, I had no idea that this long-haired senpai was silently feeling so much, but could guess only alittle. I could see was her cold, expressionless face, and that unnerved me. Cautiously, I asked, "Senpai, are we... still sparring today?"
Yui finally snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head. "Not today. I have a mission soon; my squad is gathering."
Oh.
I nodded, and after a moment, something came to mind. "By the way, Senpai, I know it's your family business, but I'm a little curious... Is that boy's brother really your fiancé?"
Yui didn't hide anything and calmly replied, "Nanakawa's brother, Uchiha Danzan, is the son of the Great Elder. My father, in order to become the clan head, would need the Great Elder's approval. So, the Great Elder used this as an opportunity to propose a condition—that his son and I marry before he would support my father's leadership."
"I see." I didn't really understand all these aristocratic family politics, so I didn't comment further. However, I could guess what kind of situation she was in.
"My father didn't agree, though," Yui added unexpectedly. "That guy is just wishfully thinking."
"Uh, you don't need to explain all that to me," I said, scratching my head.
Even though I said that, I couldn't help but feel a small sense of joy hearing her explain it.
Why am I happy? Am I really developing feelings for her?
As I mulled over this, I quickly shook my head. No way. I'm an adult inside—there's no way I'd fall for someone so young! I should like mature women, right?
But then why do I keep thinking about Miki too? She's definitely not my type, either!
While I was lost in thought, Yui suddenly spoke up again, "Your graduation exams are over, right?"
"Yeah," I nodded. "Tomorrow, we should be assigned to our teams."
"That's why I brought you a graduation gift." Saying this, Yui handed me a paper bag.
"A gift?" I blinked in surprise and smiled awkwardly. "Senpai, you really don't have to—wait... what is this?" I peeked inside the bag, and what I saw hit me like a lightning bolt.
A pink camisole and light blue panties lay neatly inside the bag, as if awaiting their inevitable fate.
"I just changed out of them this morning. They should still have my scent," Yui said with a slight frown, as if unsure.
Why... why would you give these to me as a gift?! Do you think I'm some kind of pervert who can't live without sniffing panties?!
My eye twitched uncontrollably as I tried to hand the bag back to her.
But of course, as fate would have it, the system's annoying prompt chimed in at that exact moment.
[New options generated!]
[Host, choose one of the following options:]
[-> Option one: Accept the gift and sincerely thank her for her kindness.
[-> Option two: Take out the panties and camisole, carefully store them in your pocket.]
[-> Option three: Put on the set immediately and run to Konoha's main street to show off your new outfit to everyone.']
"…?"
[Note: On failure, both your balls will undergo necrosis.]
"…"
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