"Mori Chie forward!"
The girl stepped up. Her eyes stared in wonder at the shiny head protector that has been held in front of her.
"Congratulation, from now on, you are a ninja."
Her face smile, obviously pleased with the result of her hard work. 'Chie' took that headband with care, and then beamed at her homeroom teacher.
"Thank you, sensei."
I am sorry Sensei.
I still couldn't remember your name.
The girl pocketed the head protector and returned to her seat. She felt a jealousy from the tiniest boy in the class that was oddly quiet today. However, she didn't really care. Chie brushed passed him and sat in her seat, watching the ceremony quietly.
By the end of the ceremony, there was only one name that never been called.
'Uzumaki Naruto'
The children flushed out of the classroom, boosting happily to their parent about their achievement, while the blond watched with loneliness. The girl, out of nowhere, talk to him.
"I hope you will do well next time."
There was no emotion in her words. Almost empty, even.
Loneliness in his eyes turned to surprise then it flashed anger.
"I hate you."
Maybe he thought that he was being pitied, or even belittled, Chie didn't correct him. She just crooked her head sideways in curiosity as he took an anger on her. She knew behind a mask of anger was hurt.
Chie knew his pattern of thought.
Chie watched as the boys run away. She glanced up at a clear blue sky and smile.
Oh, a mutual feeling.
I hate you too, Uzumaki.