Motoya Tako stood at the gate, still looking in the direction where Orion had disappeared, reluctant to leave.
Senju Mei noticed her daughter's expression and smiled.
"It seems this teammate of yours is… a little different. What kind of person is he?"
Tako's face immediately flushed red.
"It's not like that… Mom, what are you saying?"
Mei chuckled softly. "Really? You were staring at him just now. I've never seen you look at Jumoku like that."
Tako turned back toward the dimly lit road.
"I don't really know him… we just met today."
Mei was surprised. "You just met? Isn't he your classmate?"
She had assumed Orion was a transfer student. After all, students from smaller villages in the Land of Fire sometimes transferred to Konohagakure.
Tako shook her head. "No, he's been in our class all along. I just… never noticed him before. We didn't even know each other."
Mei stared at her in disbelief.
"You were in the same class for six years and never spoke? Not even once? Is he very withdrawn?"
Tako smiled faintly. "Not really. He just… had very little presence. Even less than me."
Mei was stunned.
It sounded unbelievable—how could someone's presence be so faint that no one noticed them for six whole years?
She frowned slightly. "Then… is he difficult to get along with?"
She was worried.
From her perspective, someone so unnoticed might be lonely—or even hard to approach.
But Tako shook her head firmly.
"No. Orion is actually easy to get along with. I don't know why he used to be like that, but his personality is really good."
As she spoke, her eyes shone brighter than usual.
Mei felt a headache coming on.
Don't tell me… she's already developing feelings?
Children in this world matured early. Even though Tako had just graduated, she already understood emotions.
And with her background—her father a wealthy magnate, her mother from the Senju Clan, and her own outstanding looks—it was natural that boys would be drawn to her.
Mei carefully asked, "Then how do you feel about him? Is it the same as with Jumoku?"
Tako hesitated.
She wasn't like Naruto Uzumaki—she understood exactly what her mother was asking.
After a moment, she answered honestly:
"It's… not the same. I see Jumoku as a good friend. But Orion… feels different."
"But we've only known each other for a day. I don't understand why I feel this way."
Mei frowned slightly.
Her concern had come true.
"Maybe it's just curiosity," she suggested gently. "You didn't notice him before, so now you're curious about him. That's all."
From a mother's perspective, her worry was natural.
Their family wasn't ordinary. Even among Konoha's elite, they were considered part of the upper class.
If Tako just wanted to make friends, Mei had no objections.
But if it involved deeper feelings, then the other person's background and intentions had to be carefully considered.
Tako looked at her mother and smiled knowingly.
"Mom… are you worried I might fall for him?"
Mei was slightly embarrassed but nodded.
"You know our situation. You're the only child. One day, you'll inherit the family. Your partner must be chosen carefully."
Tako sighed deeply.
"Then maybe you and Dad should just have another child. I want an easier life."
"Don't say such things," Mei replied, her face turning slightly red.
She truly loved Tako's father—their marriage had been one of genuine affection.
Tako smiled softly.
"I'm not sure if I like Orion yet. But he feels different from others."
"He's… mysterious. But when I'm with him, I feel very safe."
Mei caught onto that immediately.
"Mysterious? Do you mean he's quiet and withdrawn?"
Tako shook her head.
"No… it feels like he's not as simple as he appears."
Mei's expression turned serious.
"That's what concerns me the most. Do you think he's approaching you with some hidden motive?"
Tako blinked, then laughed lightly.
"If that were the case, do you think I'd feel this way about him?"
Though she had a gentle personality similar to Hinata Hyuga, she wasn't naive.
If someone approached her because of her background, she would feel disgusted—not affection.
Mei nodded. That, she believed.
Her daughter might seem soft and quiet, but she had her own judgment.
Still, Mei pressed further.
"Then why do you feel he's mysterious? He's just a newly graduated genin."
Tako shook her head again.
"I think… he's already much stronger than me—and most of my classmates."
Mei raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? He's that outstanding?"
"Then why haven't I heard the Third Hokage mention him?"
She had a good grasp of the top students in this year's class.
Yet she had no memory of anyone named Orion standing out.