Chapter | IX |

The class went as usual. Apart from curious glances from Shikamaru and Shino, it was relatively silent and mundane. The bell rang, indicating lunch break. Grabbing my lunch box, I headed off to the roof of the building. Similarly, many students grabbed their lunch too, few stayed inside the class.

Once on the roof, I sat on the edge. The subtle breeze grazed against my skin, my hair ruffled in the air. Opening my lunchbox, I grabbed two chopsticks and pulled a noodle of cold, thick ramen into my mouth. A bit hard, but edible... It's Not like I ate warm food every day.

Whilst enjoying my meal, a conversation perked up my ears.

"He's awfully silent today, Don't you think?"

"Yeah... I noticed it too, he's not acting like his usual self"

A wheat blonde and a spiky-haired kid conversed. I could feel their gazes peering into me.

"Why do you guys care about that loser? Let him do whatever he wants"

The familiar voice of Sakura rang inside my ears, my fingers slightly tightened their grip on the chopsticks, almost breaking them. But I calmed myself, trying to ignore her.

"Stil—"

"Will you shut up! Naruto that, Naruto this! Stop it already, I can't stand even hearing his name!"

My eyes fell on her, she was taking glances at Sasuke—who was on the other end—whilst being enraged at Shikamaru. I felt hollow. I was being hated just for the sake of another's attention. I shook my head. How pitiful, even though like me she had attempted several times to be acknowledged by her crush, she was still lingering on her delusions of being accepted one day or another.

Observing her, I was once again reminded of how stupid and embarrassing were my past actions. But I knew... I knew that for love, there were things a person would do even beyond their imagination. Yes, I was not capped at just a crush on her, I was truly, sincerely in love with her.

However, things had taken a turn I would have never expected, and my feelings for her, whether negative or positive, have diminished. Still, that desire for revenge lingered inside my heart, regardless that I felt any sort of desire to hate or love, it was something that I would deliver for the sake of playing with my emotions.

Having finished my meal, I drank a mouthful of water and sat there. Gazing aimlessly through the vast expanse of Konoha, from time to time, leaves would levitate through the air, adding a sort of tranquillity. The village lively, the civilians in the distance appeared like ants. But I soon discovered another 'upgrade'.

Focusing on a single person from even this reach, I was able to perceive their facial structures and features, not so detailed as to see acne or scars, but sure enough to recognize someone. It is a very useful ability, I thought with a smile.

The bell rang again, I cleaned my lunchbox near a small tap on the roof before heading to the class.

While I was about to take my seat, Sasuke walked toward me going to his seat. As he tried to go past me, my senses tingled. His shoulder was really close to mine, as if trying to bump into me.

Clenching my shoulder, I tightened my muscles, I could even feel my veins, my bloodstream, and all sorts of things I was unknown to before. As his shoulder collided against mine with force, I stood tall. Sasuke, instead, lost his footing by surprise and fell on his back with a spin.

Dismissing his dazed look, I bent on my knees to look into his eyes. From his furious snort and the slight giggles of the nearby classmates, it was evident that he was infuriated. He tried to get up, however, I stopped him by pulling his leg, again making him fall on the wooden surface.

"What the hell is your problem!?"

He yelled. Contrary to that, I calmly squeezed his leg further. His eyes slightly widened, then with anger flaring in his eyes, he tried to kick me using his free leg. His kick, which was intractable before the event, now approached me in slow motion. Tilting my head to the side, I dodged his kick and grabbed his limb. Clenching my muscles to the utmost degree, I threw him.

His back crashed against the desk—which was fixed to the ground—to spit a mouthful of saliva. With a grunt, he slowly got up, gritting his teeth as he glared daggers at me. Before he could do anything, Iruka entered the classroom with a frown.

"What are you doing on the ground, Sasuke? Go back to your seat!"

Sasuke, who was glaring at me, pointed his eyes to the teacher instead. He flinched, before regaining his posture to yell at Sasuke again. The young Uchiha grunted before going back to his seat.

"I'll make you pay for that"

"..."

He whispered walking past me. I sat on my bench, alone like always. The class started again, and I could feel two pairs of eyes watching me from behind as if trying to kill me with their glare.

Slightly gazing back, I saw the figures of two girls sitting near Sasuke. Sakura and Ino, looking at him concerned, and giving me threatening glances. I guess they got upset.