In the afternoon, after lunch—
Aoba took Sara back to Konoha.
"Is this where teacher grew up?", Sara looked at the streets, which were completely different from Roran's style, her eyes full of curiosity.
Aoba patted her head and said with a smile, "If you want to see more, there'll be plenty of time later. For now, let's go meet your kouhai."
"Oh," Sara obediently nodded.
This time Aoba hadn't just dropped by unannounced; Hinata's father Hiashi had specially asked Hinata to invite him. It looked like Hinata had told Hiashi about the Tenseigan situation a while back and he couldn't sit still.
So when Aoba arrived at the Hyuga clan estate, Hiashi was already at the gate waiting with Hinata.
"Hiashi-san, long time no see," Aoba smiled.
"It really has been a long time," Hiashi's face also bore a rare smile. The enthusiasm he showed wasn't only because of the Tenseigan; Aoba was three years older now, which meant he was one step closer to the Hokage position. After decades, the Hyuga clan might finally have a relative in line for Hokage.
"Who's this?", Hiashi noticed the girl beside Aoba.
Sara looked a little scared and hid behind Aoba. The Hyuga guards all kept straight faces and their Byakugan eyes stared from above; being watched by so many Byakugan made her a bit nervous.
"You're usually braver than this," Aoba found her behavior amusing, then said to Hiashi, "This is my new disciple. Her name is Sara, brought her to meet Hanabi."
"I see. Welcome to the Hyuga clan," Hiashi showed no displeasure and remained warm.
"Sara, welcome to my home," Hinata also noticed Sara's nervousness and stepped forward to greet her.
"Mistress Hinata!", Sara greeted very politely. [T/N: Mistress because she is Aoba's girlfriend and Aoba is her teacher.]
Crack!
At that address, Aoba could clearly see Hiashi's expression stiffen for a moment, though he quickly recovered.
"Come in first. Tea is already prepared," Hiashi hurriedly led the way.
They all followed behind; Hinata lagged a step and walked beside Aoba. From her flushed face, Aoba guessed she was a bit embarrassed by Sara's greeting, but she didn't correct it.
"Hinata, why haven't we seen Hanabi?", Aoba quietly asked. Normally, knowing he was coming, Hanabi would have come out to wait; now she must be sulking about him.
Hinata answered honestly, "A few days ago I told her about Sara and she seemed a little unhappy."
"I see—", Aoba listened and felt a bit both amused and exasperated.
"Looks like that junior Hanabi isn't obedient. She's not like me, who listens to sensei," Sara teased from the side and then, expectantly, looked to Aoba, "Teacher, do you like Sara more?"
Hinata looked at Sara in surprise; she hadn't noticed back in Roran that Sara would be such a rival to Hanabi.
Aoba tapped Sara's head with some helplessness, "Don't say stuff like that in the future. You and Hanabi are both my favorite disciples."
"Oh!", Sara could only pout in dissatisfaction.
Hiashi, walking ahead, pretended not to hear but quickened his pace a bit.
After entering the courtyard, Aoba still didn't see Hanabi. Before he could ask again, Hiashi eagerly led him into the reception room. Although he knew how important the Tenseigan matter was to the Hyuga, there was no need to be this impatient. Still, after giving Sara a few instructions, Aoba followed them in.
It was mainly because Hanabi kept hiding from him, so it might be better to let her interact with Sara first.
———
At the same time, in the living room—
"You guys don't know, when teacher was fighting the Dragon Vein, he summoned a giant—", Sara was eating Hyuga clan pastries while gesticulating, chatting excitedly with Ayako, Hinata, and Natsu.
The three were gentle and thoughtful, which quickly put Sara's earlier nervousness to rest. What she was telling now was exactly Aoba's final, great battle with the Dragon Vein.
They all listened with rapt attention. Hinata had never heard Aoba's account, so she was amazed such a thrilling thing had happened.
"At that time teacher was swallowed by the Dragon Vein, and I was the one who rescued him," Sara puffed up her chest proudly when she reached this part.
"Sara, you're amazing," Ayako praised, stroking Sara's hair.
Sara looked even prouder.
At that moment, she noticed a small figure hiding behind a doorframe in one of the rooms.
Pale face, black hair, a lock of hair drifting across her forehead. She steadied herself on the frame and peeked out, tilting her head to spy on them. The girl was quite delicate, skin very white, her eyes half hostile and half wary, as if she recognized Sara.
Sara looked back curiously.
"Hanabi, since you're awake, come out and say hello," Ayako noticed Hanabi peeking and smiled.
When Hanabi found out she had a new senpai and that Aoba would come this afternoon, she'd eaten lunch and then pretended to sleep in her room. Probably waiting for Aoba to take the initiative and comfort her. She hadn't expected Sara to come along.
Hanabi pouted and shot her mother an annoyed look for calling her out, but she still stepped out from behind the frame.
"You must be Hanabi. I'm Sara, your senpai," Sara brightened and stood up when Hanabi appeared.
Hanabi was stunned for a moment, then her eyes flashed like flames and she retorted, "Why are you my senpai? I became Aoba-nii's disciple earlier than you did. I should be the senpai!"
"That's not up to you. Sensei said it himself, my age is higher and my strength is greater. I'm the senpai!"
"Can't you even listen to sensei, kouhai?", Sara crossed her arms and lifted her chin slightly, wielding Aoba's words as a huge advantage.
Hanabi's cheeks puffed in anger the most at this, she came earlier but had to call this later-arriver 'senpai'. The lousy teacher was outrageous.
"So call me senpai. senpai even prepared a gift for you," Sara patted her small bag, full of pride.
"I'll duel you!", Hanabi, unable to stand it any longer, took up a gentle-fist stance.