After Ruri heard this, she nodded at the maid.
The maid left, and not long after, she returned leading a young girl dressed in white inside.
This girl had pure white pupils and looked around the absurdly large mansion with curiosity—this was Ayane.
"You can go now."
Ruri glanced at the maid.
"Yes."
The maid bowed slightly and left, allowing Ruri and Ayane to be alone here.
"So this is your home, Ruri? I've heard Shiraishi talk about it, but seeing it in person is way more impressive than I imagined."
Ayane approached, smiling as she spoke.
"It's nothing special. Just a normal size. I don't think it's anything that would surprise you."
Ruri sprinkled some more feed into the pond, watching the fish dash and splash for food.
"Also, take off that fake smile. Don't put on that act in front of me. You know I'm not buying it."
Right after, Ruri cut in bluntly, her sharp gaze locking onto Ayane.
"Ruri, what are you talking about? I don't really understand..."
Midway through Ayane's sentence, Ruri vanished from sight, cutting her off.
Ruri stood gripping Ayane by the throat, but was unable to continue her attack.
Ayane's right middle and index fingers gently pressed against Ruri's chest—right at her heart.
"So this is your trump card? Gentle Fist powered by Natural Energy?"
Ruri asked Ayane with interest.
Over this month in Konoha, Ayane hadn't lacked for improvements herself.
Although it was still unclear exactly how much Gentle Fist's power increased when fused with Natural Energy, the old Ayane—even with Byakugan active—wouldn't have been able to respond this fast, even if she could keep track of Ruri's movements.
"As expected, you're the type I least want to deal with. Not just your strength, but your personality doesn't mesh with mine either."
The smile disappeared from Ayane's face, her tone helpless as she sighed.
"Likewise."
Ruri released her grip from Ayane's throat.
Ayane also withdrew her fingers.
It looked like an evenly matched standoff, but Ayane still didn't dare relax. This was someone whose rate of growth outpaced her own.
If she got cocky over such a small accomplishment, she'd be the one to suffer in the end.
"By the way..."
Seeing that Ruri had lost her urge to fight, Ayane breathed a bit easier, then looked at Ruri with a strange expression.
"What is it? Is something weird about me?"
"No, I just wanted to ask... Is today some kind of special Uchiha day?"
As one of the two great ninja clans in Konoha with Kekkeigenkai abilities, Ayane couldn't claim to fully understand the Uchiha, but if today were some sort of special festival, she'd at least have heard something.
But she couldn't recall any Uchiha festival today.
"Why do you ask?"
Hearing Ruri's question, Ayane pointed to her sky-blue, perfectly fitted kimono. Her hair, while loose, was styled far more formally than usual.
"Your clothes..."
"This? What about it?"
"Normally, isn't that the sort of thing you'd only wear for major festivals or holidays?"
Ayane finally voiced her confusion.
No matter how she looked at it, wearing a kimono on a random day like this felt strangely out of place.
"That's none of your business. Don't be nosy. Besides, why should I explain anything to you?"
Ruri sat down by the koi pond, frowning and pausing her fish-feeding.
"We really don't get along, huh."
Ayane didn't seem surprised at Ruri's frigid response—in fact, it felt exactly right for her.
On missions, the only reason they could peacefully get along was their shared sense of teamwork.
But now, with downtime, conflict naturally came bubbling to the surface.
"So, what are you here for?"
Ruri questioned Ayane's purpose in coming.
In reality, she didn't even need to ask—there's no way Ayane was here to see her.
Meaning her purpose was obvious.
"I just came to check in on a classmate—and, you know, socialize a little."
"Boring. He's at the lab. Go find him yourself."
"Can I use the Byakugan?"
Ayane asked with a smile.
"Go ahead and try."
Faced with Ruri's "like guarding against a thief" look, Ayane could only sigh inwardly.
But Ruri quite enjoyed seeing Ayane so helpless against her—it was pretty satisfying, honestly.
"All right, if there's nothing else, you can leave now. We're running short on rice lately—sorry, but I can't offer you lunch."
Ruri started seeing her out, her tone not the least bit polite.
"..."
Ayane scratched her head with a wry smile.
"Still not leaving? I told you, lunch's not happening."
"No, it's that Shiraishi gave me a very important observation assignment earlier. Tell him to meet me at the usual place at two this afternoon—I'll hand him the important data then."
"Just give it to me. I'll pass it on—no need for some secret rendezvous."
"That material is somewhere else. I don't have it on me, and I have to hand it to Shiraishi in person—I won't be at ease otherwise."
Ayane's tone was calm but firm.
Ruri frowned, clearly displeased.
"You know how important my Byakugan is to Shiraishi's research, right? Pass this message to him for me, please, Ruri."
Ayane smiled lightly, turned, and left without any hesitation.
Ruri watched Ayane until she'd vanished from sight before looking away, exhaling calmly.
No need to get angry over trivial things like this.
Right, it's just a trivial matter—there's no reason to dwell on it at all...
But then why the sudden wave of irritation welling up inside her?
No matter how she looked at it, it was that guy's fault.
——Noon.
While eating lunch with Ruri, Shiraishi heard that Ayane had come by earlier, apparently with important observational data to deliver to him.
"Oh, right, I did ask her to do that. Didn't expect results so soon. As expected of the Byakugan—she's been a huge help."
Shiraishi remarked with admiration.
But, catching sight of Ruri's increasingly ominous glare—her expression practically pitch black—Shiraishi hurried to correct himself:
"Actually, that's not the main thing. The most important part is still the research funding and materials you gave me, Ruri. That's what really matters. Byakugan's help honestly isn't as significant as you'd think."
Hearing Shiraishi's flustered explanation, Ruri's expression finally softened a little.
Then, Shiraishi noticed the light blue kimono Ruri was wearing—the same one he'd bought her just yesterday.
Seeing that, Shiraishi's expression turned a bit awkward.
During the meal, he started pointedly avoiding mentioning it, trying to act nonchalant.
"I didn't put this on for you."
Seeing Shiraishi's attention drawn to her kimono, Ruri was afraid he'd get the wrong idea and hurried to explain herself.
"Huh?"
Shiraishi paused in mid-bite, staring at her in surprise.
"Don't flatter yourself. I just happened to like the design and colors of this one, that's all."
"..."
"Besides, I was only planning to wear it today—I won't be wearing it at New Year's. Sorry if that disappoints you."
"..."
I didn't say anything, though.
But hearing that she wouldn't wear this kimono for New Year's, I have to admit—I did feel a bit let down inside.
Now that Ruri was turning her face slightly away, not meeting his eye... was she—embarrassed?
I'd assumed I was the only one awkward when I handed her the kimono yesterday, but maybe Ruri felt just as awkward?
Thinking that, all the irritation from last night and this morning faded quite a bit.
"Yeah... got it."
"Good. I'm done eating."
Under Shiraishi's odd gaze, Ruri put down her bowl and chopsticks, rose, and left the room with even, graceful steps.
After closing the door behind her, Ruri leaned back against it, bowing her head. Her hair only managed to cover up some of her expression—it couldn't hide it all.
Her ears were already bright red.