Konoha’s White Fang Shines

Chapter 7: A Harmonious Duo

Once things get started, there's no stopping them. Gradually, mealtime became an inseparable period for Kurenai and Genma.

As their relationship began to warm up, a brown-haired girl dressed in a black shirt and pink skirt observed them thoughtfully.

After gazing at the two for a while, her seatmate began to chat loudly.

"Hey, you know that Obito kid over there? He's from our back row."

"Mhm, yeah. I know he's from the Uchiha Clan. Is there something unusual about him?"

"Mhm, he is indeed from the Uchiha Clan, but he looks so weak and seems really poor."

The boy deliberately elongated the word "poor," surprising his conversation partner.

"Is that possible? The Uchiha Clan is one of Konoha's top families. How can there be poor members there?"

"Hmph, you don't know about this. Although the Uchiha Clan is affluent, unlike other large clans that have main and branch families, theirs are divided based on strength. From what I see, he's just too weak, almost like he's been abandoned by the family~"

"But that doesn't necessarily mean he's poor."

"Oh, you don't see it, do you? Take a close look at everyone during lunchtime. Everyone eats in the classroom, but he runs outside. I heard he even cries while eating outside~"

The Uchiha Clan was an unattainable existence for both of them. Now, hearing such remarks, their faces began to show unusual delight.

After all, there were fewer girls in the class, and even though kids knew less, they still paid special attention to cute girls.

Thus, their poor attempts at belittling others and elevating themselves found Obito to be one of their stepping stones.

Despite their fluctuating voices, the girl behind them was close enough to hear everything clearly.

However, she didn't gloat; instead, she looked worriedly at the empty seat beside her.

That seat belonged to Obito, her desk mate. After observing him for a few days, she realized he was truly kind and sunny, but he wasn't in the classroom now.

The girl took a deep breath, clenched her small fists, and closed her half-eaten lunchbox on her desk.

Carrying the lunchbox, she left her seat alone and exited the classroom.

It was mealtime, so the outside of the classroom building was particularly quiet.

Using a special family sensing ability, the girl quickly found the familiar sunny boy behind a tree.

Joyfully jogging over, she approached the big tree without being noticed and could clearly hear the sound of chewing.

"Crunch"

Absorbed in listening, the girl didn't notice the branch under her feet. Stepping on and breaking the branch, she naturally got noticed and felt a bit panicked.

"Who, who is it?"

Obito didn't appear, and the voice was very panicked, probably not wanting him to see her.

Thinking of this, Rin moved closer to Obito, softly saying,

"It's me, Obito. Come out, no need to hide~"

"Rin, why is it you?"

Obito wiped his face, feeling his tears were gone, and turned around.

"I came to see if you've eaten enough. Today's meals were a bit much, and I wanted to ask if you'd like to help me eat. If you don't eat them, I'll have to throw them away."

Rin was wholeheartedly wanting to help Obito, but the difference between genders still made her shy.

Seeing Rin so gentle and shy, Obito felt countless warm currents flowing through his heart. Seeing Rin's eyes, he couldn't help but let out tears.

"Rin, I thought, I thought, um, Rin, you're too good to me~"

It was the first time he saw a boy cry, so Rin was a bit at a loss.

"Obito, we're classmates, of course we have to help each other. Let's eat together in the classroom from now on. The weather is getting colder~"

"Oh, oh, I know. Do you really want to eat together? Actually, I'm only making rice balls myself. My grandma is sick, and I gave all the meals sent by neighbors to my grandma. We don't have much money at home, and I can't make them well, so…"

"Did you take your grandma to the hospital to see her? After school, I can go check on your grandma. I've learned some medical knowledge."

After finally wiping away his tears, Obito's eyes became moist again.

"Neighbors helped take grandma to see the doctor. Actually, grandma had an accident and fell, but the doctor seemed to say her injuries are serious, uh~"

When Obito was young, his parents both died in battle, leaving only his elderly grandma to take care of him.

The family lacked an economic source. Although Obito was considered a half-orphan, there was no Konoha subsidy. And as a member of the Uchiha Clan, dealing with orphaned elderly people like Obito wasn't a priority. Even with subsidies, they wouldn't take special care.

Thus, Obito lived dependently with his grandma. Once the money left by his parents ran out, naturally his grandma had to go out to seek opportunities to earn money.

His grandma was forward-thinking and wouldn't exhaust all resources before earning money. She had a leg ailment for a long time but endured it for the sake of her grandson.

But diseases couldn't be ignored; the longer they were left, the worse the consequences would be.

Thus, Obito's words were serious, indeed.

"Obito, don't cry. You're here at school now, so just study hard and eat well. Maybe we can graduate early, so you can have the ability to take care of your grandma~"

Rin squinted her eyes and looked warmly at Obito, like a spring breeze blowing, making Obito feel warm all over.

"Mhm, mhm. Obito here is going to be Hokage. I absolutely won't let difficulties defeat me."

"By the way, Obito, can I try some of your homemade lunch? I'm really curious."

Obito shivered all over. Thinking that he was eating his own meals with tears and snot, he extremely didn't want Rin to experience such pain.

Quickly shaking his head, he said: "No, no, I can't because I've already eaten everything, eaten it all, hehe."

After being with Rin for only a few days, she naturally couldn't detect that Obito was lying, so she didn't pursue it: "Alright, but you still seem hungry. Here, take some more~"

When Obito met Rin, she always kept her lunchbox behind her, hands behind her back, looking especially shy and cute.

Unexpectedly, Rin did this to give him a surprise. Moreover, the lunchbox was as delicate as a gift, making Obito very touched.

"Rin, thank you so much. I really don't know how to thank you~"

"Eh, why do you say that? We're classmates, and now we're desk mates. When you're hungry, I'll definitely come to help you, right~"

"Guh~"

Unexpectedly, after eating half-full, he got hungry so fast. Rin pouted her mouth and rubbed her stomach, while Obito widened his eyes.

"Hahaha, how about we eat together from now on?"

Obito couldn't see that Rin was coming out specifically to find him because she was still hungry, and his tears couldn't be stopped flowing down.

Walking alone to behind the big tree, Obito took out his packed lunchbox.

"Rin, I will eat your meal, but let me finish mine first."

"Ah, didn't you say you were done eating?"

Now, no matter how he tried to hide it, there was no way. How could he let such a cute girl go hungry?

Obito made a firm decision, opening his lunchbox. Inside were a few dark rice balls, still emitting a strong burnt smell.

Under Rin's surprised gaze, Obito shoved a few into his mouth.

"Hmm~ Cough, hic~ Actually, my cooking was too bad, so um, I'm afraid you'd get sick from eating it~"

Struggling to swallow a few more bites, he wanted to put another piece in his mouth, but Rin blocked him.

"You're so silly, you can't even cook, yet you stubbornly want to show off. You left the good food for your grandma, right? If you can't make it, can't you ask your neighbors how to make it?"

Rin frowned, angrily snatching Obito's lunchbox and dumping it into the trash.

"Although it's a bit wasteful, after school I'll come to your house to teach you how to cook. If you can't learn, I'll come every morning until you do."

A faint sweet taste spread over Obito's taste buds. Even though he had eaten the burnt rice balls before, he could now taste sweetness.

This must be the feeling of happiness~

Rin is truly a good girl. Meeting her every day should be very happy~

But troubling her every day is not good either~

It seemed like Obito had black and white angels around him constantly debating, but seeing Rin's clear eyes, he knew what to choose.

"I've decided, Rin. I will work hard to learn cooking from you, so my grandma can eat meals I've made soon."

Seeing Obito regain his fighting spirit, Rin smiled sweetly like she'd eaten honey.

"Mhm, then let's eat lunch together first. In the evening, come to your house for some more, hehe~"

"Mhm, mhm~"

Obito nodded enthusiastically, following Rin back to the classroom.

As the two were happily walking back to the classroom, they encountered Genma and Kurenai, who were also happy but ready to leave the classroom.

"Hey, Rin and Obito, what are you guys doing~"

"Brown hair, red eyes, you guys are"

"Really, Obito. This is Kurenai, and that's Genma. Both are our classmates. Obito, didn't you fall asleep during your self-introduction class?"

Seeing Obito was dazed, Rin whispered a few hints.

"Uh, yeah, it's Genma. Actually, Rin was worried I hadn't eaten enough, so she came out to find me."

In Genma's memory, Obito was someone who liked to show off and didn't really know about hunger.

"Obito, do you have a big appetite?"

Hearing Genma say that, Obito was a bit confused.

Seeing Obito being puzzled, Rin quickly took over the conversation: "Actually, Obito can't cook. The meals he makes are terrible, so—"

Before Rin could finish, Genma saw them being so friendly, his eyes lit up and said: "We're all classmates, so helping each other is natural. My parents always complain I'm too skinny, so they always prepare extra lunches for me. Now, Kurenai and I both can't finish them, planning to feed the cats. If you don't mind, come eat with us from now on."

Obito was utterly stunned, and Rin didn't expect someone to be so lavish, while Kurenai nodded and smiled.

Seeing Rin and Obito not talking for a long time, Genma realized something: "Eh, don't be polite. There are still a few dumplings left. Try some~"

Genma opened his lunchbox, inviting them to taste the dumplings. Driven by hunger, both took out their chopsticks to try one.

"Hmm~ Genma, treat me like a cat, it's really delicious~"

Facing Obito's sincere request, Genma initially refused, but seeing Rin's pitiful look, he reluctantly agreed.

End of Chapter 7