Ruri nodded to the maid after hearing.
The maid left, and before long, she returned with a girl dressed in white.
The girl had pure white pupils and was curiously observing the unusually large mansion. It was Ayane.
"You can leave now."
Ruri glanced at the maid.
"Yes."
The maid bowed slightly and left, leaving Ruri and Ayane alone.
"Is this your home, Ruri? Though Hakushi-kun mentioned it, seeing it in person is more shocking than I imagined."
Ayane walked over and said with a smile.
"It's nothing special, just an ordinary size. I didn't think it would surprise you."
Ruri continued scattering food, feeding the fish in the pond, watching them swiftly swim to grab the food, causing splashes.
"Also, put away your fake smile, don't pretend in front of me. You should know, I don't buy it."
After saying this, Ruri spoke bluntly, her sharp gaze directed at Ayane.
"Ruri, what are you talking about? I don't quite understand..."
Before Ayane could finish, Ruri vanished before her eyes, cutting her words short.
Ruri stood in a position gripping Ayane's throat, but could not continue with her movement.
Ayane's right middle and index fingers gently pressed against Ruri's heart.
"Is this what you rely on? Gentle Fist combined with Natural Energy?"
Ruri asked Ayane with interest.
During this month in Konoha, Ayane had not been without growth.
Although it was still unclear how much the power of Gentle Fist would increase after merging with Natural Energy, the previous Ayane, even with the Byakugan activated and able to capture her figure, would not have been able to respond so quickly.
"Indeed, you're the type I least want to deal with. It's not just strength; our personalities don't match either."
Ayane's smile vanished completely, and she sighed with helplessness.
"Likewise."
Ruri withdrew her hand from Ayane's throat.
Ayane also retracted her fingers.
It appeared to be an evenly matched battle, but Ayane still didn't dare to be careless; after all, she faced someone whose growth speed surpassed her own.
If she became complacent over such an achievement, she would ultimately suffer the consequences.
"Speaking of which..."
Seeing that Ruri no longer had the desire to make a move, Ayane sighed in relief inwardly and looked at Ruri with a strange gaze.
"What's wrong? Is there something odd about me?"
"No, I just wanted to ask, is today a special day for your Uchiha clan?"
As one of the only two prestigious ninja clans in Konoha with Kekkeigenkai abilities, Ayane didn't pretend to know everything about the Uchiha, but if it were a special occasion, she would know a bit.
Yet she couldn't remember today being any special day for the Uchiha.
"Why do you ask that?"
Ayane heard Ruri's retort and pointed to Ruri's light blue, well-fitting kimono, her hair let down but looking quite formal.
"Your clothes..."
"This? What's the matter?"
"Generally, isn't this the kind of clothing worn during important ceremonies or festivals?"
Ayane voiced her curiosity.
No matter how you look at it, suddenly wearing a kimono on a day like this felt inexplicably out of place.
"That's none of your business. Why should I explain it to you?"
Ruri sat by the pond, frowning, stopping her feeding of the fish.
"I really can't get along with you."
Ayane wasn't surprised by Ruri's cold response, finding it expected and feeling it was Ruri's true self.
During missions, her calm demeanor while interacting was solely due to the responsibilities of teamwork.
But now during their break, conflicts arose.
"Why did you come here?"
Ruri asked Ayane's purpose for visiting.
Actually, it was clear without thinking; Ayane couldn't possibly have come here just to see her.
Therefore, the purpose was obvious.
"I just came to check on a classmate and strengthen our camaraderie."
"Boring. He's in the lab, go find him yourself."
"Can I use the Byakugan?"
Ayane asked with a smile.
"You can try."
Seeing Ruri's protective expression, Ayane became troubled.
However, Ruri enjoyed Ayane's helplessness towards her, feeling satisfied.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can leave. Unfortunately, I couldn't prepare lunch for you because we're short on food at home."
Ruri started to drive her away, unreservedly.
"..."
Ayane scratched her head and chuckled wryly.
"Still not leaving? I already said lunch won't be prepared for you."
"No, because earlier, Hakushi-kun gave me an important observation task. Could you let him know to meet me at the usual place at two in the afternoon? I'll hand him the crucial observation data."
"You can give it to me, and I'll pass it on to him. No need to meet outside."
"The data is elsewhere, and I didn't bring it with me. Besides, I can only be at ease if I hand it to Hakushi-kun myself."
Ayane said in a slow, steady tone.
Ruri frowned in dissatisfaction.
"You should know how important my Byakugan is to Hakushi-kun's research. So, please convey this to him for me, Ruri."
Ayane smiled slightly, turned around, and left without hesitation.
Watching Ayane leave, Ruri retracted her gaze only after her figure disappeared from sight, exhaling calmly.
No need to get angry over such trivial matters.
Yes, these were insignificant issues, not worth dwelling on…
But what was this sudden surge of annoyance in her heart?
However one looked at it, it was that person's fault.
——Noon.
While having lunch with Ruri, Hakushi heard that Ayane had come by earlier, saying she had important observation data to give him.
"I see, I did ask her for this task before. I didn't expect results so soon. As expected of the Byakugan, it's been a great help."
Hakushi remarked with a sigh.
But noticing Ruri's increasingly off-putting gaze, almost darkening his expression, Hakushi quickly changed his tone:
"Uh, actually, this isn't the main point. The most crucial part is the research funding and materials you provide; that's the real key. The Byakugan's role isn't as significant as imagined."
Upon hearing Hakushi's hastily explained correction, Ruri's gaze finally softened a bit.
Then Hakushi noticed Ruri wearing the light blue kimono he bought and gave her yesterday.
Therefore, Hakushi's expression became subtly nuanced.
At mealtime, he deliberately avoided looking directly, pretending to be nonchalant.
"This isn't for you,"
Seeing Hakushi notice the kimono she wore, Ruri explained, fearing he might misunderstand.
"Huh?"
Stopping his meal, Hakushi looked over in surprise.
"Don't flatter yourself; I just happened to like the style and color of this clothing."
"..."
"Besides, I'm only wearing it now; I won't wear it for New Year's. Sorry, but your expectations might be dashed."
"..."
I didn't say anything.
However, hearing that she wouldn't wear it for New Year's did leave a certain emptiness.
Seeing Ruri slightly turn her head, avoiding direct eye contact, was she... embarrassed?
I thought by hand-delivering the kimono to her yesterday, I was embarrassed enough, but Ruri was probably similar.
Thinking this way, the frustration from last night and this morning eased significantly.
"Yeah, okay, I understand."
"Good. I'm finished eating."
Under Hakushi's peculiar gaze, Ruri placed down her utensils and elegantly stepped out of the room.
After closing the door, Ruri leaned against it, lowered her head, and her hair covered only a portion of her facial expressions, unable to completely conceal them.
Her ears were already completely red.