The next day at the Academy, Hoshiyomi and Sakumo used the midday break to bring up the idea of early graduation with Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
Both Orochimaru and Jiraiya looked surprised at first, but neither rejected the idea—in fact, they seemed rather intrigued.
They both had their own quiet pride. Despite never having received formal shinobi training before entering the Academy, they had managed to surpass most of their classmates in just two months. It gave them a clear sense of their potential.
Deep down, they were beginning to realize that spending too much time at the Academy might actually hold back their growth.
After discussing it briefly, the four of them decided they would apply for graduation in six months. Jiraiya and Orochimaru both believed they could master the Academy's full curriculum by then and gain enough strength to pass the graduation exam.
Hoshiyomi and Sakumo agreed. By that time, it wouldn't seem as abrupt to bring up the idea of graduating.
With their plan in place, the four of them went off together to grab lunch. They picked a dango shop near the Academy, filled their bellies, and returned to class earlier than most.
At their age, few students liked staying cooped up in the classroom over lunch. Most preferred running around outdoors, even if it meant eating cold food in the wind.
After waiting in the classroom for a little while, Tsunade walked in with Yako at her side.
The two girls had just taken their seats and were getting ready to chat about the latest school gossip when Hoshiyomi suddenly turned to Tsunade and said:
"Hey, I talked to Jiraiya and the others. We're planning to apply for graduation in about six months. Could you let Lady Mito know after school?"
Tsunade nodded blankly at first, not really understanding why Hoshiyomi needed her to tell Mito about it. But when she turned and saw Yako's stunned expression—like she'd been turned to stone—she finally processed what he meant.
"Wait, what did you say? You're going to gra—"
Before she could finish, Hoshiyomi panicked and quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Don't yell! We're trying to keep this low-key. We don't want everyone knowing yet."
Tsunade's outburst had already drawn the attention of the few remaining students in the classroom. Several heads turned in their direction, eyes widening when they saw Hoshiyomi covering Tsunade's mouth.
Realizing the awkwardness of the scene, Hoshiyomi slowly removed his hand and gave the onlookers a sheepish smile.
"Haha, don't mind us—we're just playing around, really!"
The students turned back, murmuring to themselves. Some were skeptical, some amused, and others looked like their hearts had just been shattered.
The boys' reactions:
"Hoshiyomi's making a move on Tsunade again. Man, I'm so jealous…"
"Tch. He's all bark and no bite. No clue why Tsunade even likes a guy like him."
Meanwhile, the girls whispered among themselves:
"Did you see that?! He touched her face! I knew something was going on between them!"
"Totally! I'm telling xxx as soon as lunch is over. She didn't believe me before!"
"Waaah! Hoshiyomi-senpai is so handsome… Why'd he have to fall for a scary girl like Tsunade? What does she have that I don't?!"
"If he already likes someone, I guess I don't have a chance anymore… Maybe I should join Orochimaru's fan club instead."
[+10001 gossip points for Gekkō Hoshiyomi.
−1 −1 −1 fangirls.]
All the chatter reached Tsunade's ears, making her face burn with embarrassment. Furious, she stomped on Hoshiyomi's foot, grabbed Yako by the arm, and stormed out of the classroom.
"Owww!"
The pain made Hoshiyomi suck in a sharp breath, nearly jumping from his seat. Gritting his teeth, he leaned toward Jiraiya and muttered:
"What's going on in her head? I just asked her to pass a message to Lady Mito. Why did she get so worked up?"
Jiraiya looked at Hoshiyomi, still wincing, and nodded sympathetically. The expression reminded him of all the times he'd been whacked by Tsunade.
"You're right. Girls are way too complicated. There's no figuring them out with logic."
Meanwhile, out on the training field…
Tsunade angrily snapped a branch off a tree and vented her frustration:
"Ugh! That jerk Hoshiyomi. So what if he's graduating? Why does he have to tell me? And then act like it's no big deal? And why should I have to tell Grandma Mito? It's so weird!"
Yako, who didn't know about Hoshiyomi's previous interactions with Mito, looked at the flustered Tsunade, hesitated for a moment, then said carefully:
"Princess… I think Gekkō Hoshiyomi might have a crush on you."
Tsunade's face flushed red. She instinctively reached over and pinched Yako's cheek.
"It's bad enough when other people spout nonsense. Now you're joining in?!"
But Yako didn't back down. Wincing from the pinch, she mumbled through squished cheeks:
"Owww… Princess…"
Once Tsunade let go, Yako rubbed her cheek and continued with all the dramatic insight of someone who'd read too many romance novels:
"Think about it—he didn't want to tell everyone, but he had to tell you. That means you're special to him.
And the first thing he asked was for you to pass the message to Lady Mito. That means he wants your family to know about his talents—like he's trying to earn approval.
Plus, have you seen how many girls in class like him? Any one of them would've jumped at the chance to be with him, but he's never said yes to any of them.
If he wasn't into someone already, why would he turn them all down?"
"Come on, Princess, am I wrong?"
Tsunade stared at Yako, completely speechless, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. She opened her mouth several times to speak but couldn't form a rebuttal.
"No way… That can't be… That annoying guy… Why would he—?"
Yako wasn't done. Her eyes sparkled with smug confidence, as if she were a seasoned matchmaker.
"You know, some boys show affection by teasing the girls they like. And isn't that exactly how Hoshiyomi treats you?
Honestly, I think he's not that bad. He's handsome, strong, kind when he talks to others… He'd actually make a great boyfriend."
Yako had clearly started imagining scenes of Hoshiyomi and Tsunade dating. A dreamy smile crept across her face.
Tsunade, red-faced and exasperated, grabbed Yako's cheeks and squished them into an "O" shape.
"Sounds more like you're the one who likes him! Why else would you keep saying good things about him?!"
Yako tried to protest but could only let out muffled "Mmph! Mmph!" sounds.
Letting go, Tsunade turned away and declared:
"Enough! There's no way Hoshiyomi likes me. Even if he did, I wouldn't be interested!
I, Tsunade, will live a long, single life! No boyfriends! No sappy romances! And definitely nothing romantic with Gekkō Hoshiyomi!"
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin