Chapter 12: UA Result

As Itachi stepped into the mansion, he was greeted by the sight of his mother, Yana, and his younger sister, Momo, both eagerly awaiting his return. A warm smile spread across Yana's face as she saw her son. "You're back," she said, her voice gentle.

Momo, however, couldn't contain her excitement. "Brother, you're finally here! What took you so long?" she asked, bouncing on her seat. "How was your test? Did you pass? Did your friend pass too? Did you meet Tsutsumi-san? Did you—"

Itachi, amused by her rapid-fire questions, gently tapped her on the forehead. "Momo, I'll answer everything. Give me a second," he said with a small smile.

Momo grinned, rubbing her forehead playfully, while Yana, laughing softly, spoke up. "Momo, dear, let him rest for a bit."

Momo nodded, though her enthusiasm hadn't diminished in the slightest, as they all moved to sit on the sofa. Yana turned her attention to her son. "So, Itachi, how did your test go?"

Itachi leaned back, feeling the familiar warmth of home, and began to explain. "The written exam was easy. Some of the questions were interesting, but overall, nothing too challenging. Then came the practical test, which was run by third-year students."

Momo's grin widened. "Did you meet Tsutsumi-san?"

Itachi sighed and nodded. "Yes, she was in charge of my group."

Momo smirked. "Destiny!" she teased.

Yana, chuckling at her daughter's antics, playfully pinched Momo's cheek. "Stop teasing your brother."

"Sorry," Momo replied with a mischievous smile, but her excitement didn't fade.

Yana then turned to Itachi, her tone softening as she asked, "So, she'll become a hero before you?"

Itachi nodded. "Yeah, she will."

Yana laughed lightly but soon noticed the faint bruises on Itachi's hands. Her laughter faded as she reached over, gently touching his hand. "What happened here?" she asked, concern filling her voice.

Itachi sighed. "It's nothing serious, Mother. Just a few scrapes."

Yana examined his hand carefully. "Nothing serious?" she repeated, a bit skeptical.

Momo, her curiosity piqued, asked, "Does it hurt?"

Itachi smiled and patted her head. "No, I went to the infirmary and got it checked. I'm fine."

Yana smiled, relieved. "That's good," she said softly. But then, she sighed, her expression turning more serious. "Still, now that you're on this path, I'll constantly be worrying about you."

Itachi met her eyes, his voice calm yet reassuring. "You don't have to worry, Mother. I'm strong enough to protect myself and all of you."

Yana gave a soft, bittersweet smile. "I know, dear. But no matter how strong you are… I'm still your mother. I'll always care for you."

Itachi returned her smile, understanding her concern. "I know," he replied gently.

Yana's smile widened, but then she teased, "I'm just glad Momo isn't exactly like you."

Itachi looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Momo, confused, tilted her head. "But I want to be just like my brother!"

Yana chuckled. "I'm sure you will, dear. But maybe don't take his advice on how to train."

Itachi, recalling old memories, started to chuckle quietly. Momo, curious, asked, "Why not?"

Yana laughed as she shared the story. "You know, when you were only a few months old, your brother came into my room one day and said, 'Mother, I want you to make a gun… and fire it at me.'"

Momo's eyes widened with awe. "Really? Brother is so cool!"

Yana sighed, shaking her head. "That's not cool, Momo," she said, trying to keep her voice stern but failing to hide her amusement.

Itachi chuckled at the memory while Momo stared at him with stars in her eyes. "Brother, you're amazing!" she exclaimed.

"Alright, alright," Itachi said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Enough stories for now. I'm going to take a shower."

Yana smiled and nodded. "Okay, dear. Take your time."

As Itachi returned to his room, he headed straight for the shower. The warm water cascaded over him, washing away the fatigue of the day. He closed his eyes and sighed, feeling the tension ease from his muscles. After drying off, he changed into more comfortable clothes and lay down on his bed, letting out another sigh as he stared up at the ceiling.

His thoughts drifted back to the exam, specifically the moment when Kaina had said with confidence, "I will get selected." He smiled faintly, remembering the certainty in her voice. But more than that, he thought about their conversation afterward.

Meanwhile, at Kaina's home, she was lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling much like Itachi. Her mind replayed their sparring session, the intensity of their fight, and the moment when Itachi had wished her luck. She smiled to herself, recalling the words, "Good luck to you, Kaina." The way he had said her name stuck with her.

She sighed softly, turning onto her side. "Some friends call me Kaina," she muttered to herself. "But when he says it... it feels different. There's a shyness in me, even when I called him by his name." The thought made her feel a little uneasy, her emotions swirling in a way that felt unfamiliar to her.

With a deep breath, Kaina tried to push those thoughts aside. "No time for thinking about this," she murmured. "I'm too tired." Closing her eyes, she let the exhaustion of the day take over, drifting into sleep as her thoughts of Itachi slowly faded into the background.

The next day was peaceful. As usual, Itachi woke up at 5 a.m., beginning his day with his exercise routine. After finishing, he headed back to his room to freshen up before making his way downstairs. This time, however, the house was unusually quiet. He sighed softly, walking into the kitchen and preparing himself a cup of coffee. He sat down on the sofa, scrolling through his phone, the peaceful morning giving him time to reflect.

He heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching. "Dear, you're up early," a familiar voice said. Itachi turned to see his mother, Yana, standing beside him with a warm smile. "Good morning, Mother," he greeted her, his voice calm and gentle.

"Good morning," she replied, still smiling.

"I just made some coffee for myself. Would you like some too?" Itachi asked, gesturing to his mug.

"Coffee from my son? Of course," Yana said playfully.

Itachi smiled, standing up and heading to the kitchen. He carefully prepared another cup and brought it over to her. "Here you go, Mother."

Yana accepted the cup, taking a sip. "Mmm, it's good," she said, her eyes showing a hint of pride.

Itachi smiled softly. "Thank you, Mother."

She took another sip before glancing over at him. "So, today is the day for your results, right?"

Itachi nodded. "Yes, they said they'd announce the results today. I'm not sure what to expect."

Yana nodded, her expression thoughtful as she sat down beside him. The air was calm, and for a few moments, they enjoyed the quiet together.

After a few minutes, the sound of soft, sleepy footsteps broke the silence. Momo appeared at the top of the stairs, rubbing her eyes, her voice groggy as she greeted them. "Good morning, brother... Good morning, Mother…"

Both Yana and Itachi smiled warmly at her. "Good morning, Momo," they said in unison.

Momo shuffled her way to the living room, her hair a bit messy from sleep. Not long after, their father entered the room, adjusting his suit jacket. He spotted Momo and smiled, picking her up briefly. "Good morning, Momo."

She grinned sleepily, resting her head on his shoulder. "Good morning, Father. Did you sleep well?" she asked, her voice soft.

He nodded, smiling down at her. "I did. And you?"

Momo nodded, her small smile growing as he set her back down gently. He then made his way over to Yana, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Good morning, Yana."

"Good morning," she replied with a warm smile as they all gathered in the living room.

However, Itachi noticed something familiar in his father's behavior—a subtle but deliberate avoidance. His father didn't acknowledge him, not even a glance. Itachi's smile faded slightly as he sipped his coffee, keeping his expression neutral. This was nothing new, but it still stung in a way he'd never admit out loud.

Yana, sensing the tension, placed her hand on Itachi's, offering him a small, reassuring squeeze. She didn't say anything, but her presence was comforting. Itachi gave her a grateful nod, taking another sip of his coffee as the peaceful morning continued.

Itachi sighed as his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was a video call from Keigo and Fuyumi. He accepted the call, and immediately, a loud voice boomed from the phone.

"Itachi!" Keigo shouted enthusiastically.

Itachi winced, pulling the phone away from his ear. "Why do you always have to shout?" he said, his tone exasperated.

"Sorry," Keigo replied sheepishly, while Fuyumi, clearly irritated, added, "You idiot! My eardrums! Next time, give a warning before you scream like that."

Keigo scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, yeah, never mind," he said, brushing it off. "So, bro, did you get the letter from UA?"

Itachi was about to respond when one of the maids approached, holding an envelope. "Young master, your letter has arrived," she said, bowing slightly as she handed it over.

Keigo overheard through the phone and groaned, "This bastard lives the high life."

Itachi sighed again, shaking his head. "Thank you," he said to the maid, before taking the letter and sitting back down on the sofa. "Have you opened yours?" he asked Keigo.

"Nah," Keigo said, sounding casual. "I couldn't open it with my friends around. So, we decided to meet somewhere and do it together."

Itachi thought for a moment. "How about we meet at my place?"

Fuyumi and Keigo both looked surprised. "Is that okay?" Fuyumi asked.

"Yeah, of course," Itachi replied, nodding. "It's no problem."

"Alright then, we'll be there in a bit," Keigo agreed, and Fuyumi nodded as well.

As the call ended, Itachi's father, Takashi, who had been quietly sitting nearby, spoke up with a displeased tone. "So, you're going to bring your friends here and ruin the family's reputation, huh?"

Yana immediately turned to her husband, her voice firm but calm. "Takashi, if you don't want to be a part of this, you can leave."

Takashi raised his hands defensively. "No, no, I'm staying. I just want to see if he really got into UA High or not."

Itachi, remaining composed despite his father's remarks, sat back down, his face expressionless but his eyes cold. He didn't respond, choosing instead to keep his emotions in check, though the tension in the room was palpable.

After some time, Keigo and Fuyumi arrived at the mansion. Keigo, with his usual enthusiasm, held up his letter and smirked proudly, while Fuyumi's eyes widened at the grandeur of Itachi's home.

Keigo noticed her expression and chuckled. "I know what you're thinking. Pretty fancy, huh?"

Itachi smiled at the two of them. "Come on, get inside."

As they stepped into the living room, they noticed everyone already seated on the sofa, including Itachi's father. Keigo leaned over to Itachi and whispered, "Why is your dad here?"

Itachi sighed, keeping his voice low. "He wants to know the result."

Keigo grinned. "I bet he's gonna fall right on his face when he hears it."

Fuyumi interjected with a smirk, "Exactly."

Both Itachi and Keigo turned to her, confused. She rolled her eyes and said, "Did you forget I'm here to support you both?"

Keigo and Itachi chuckled, and Keigo responded, "How could we forget?"

Yana, noticing the trio standing, warmly gestured to them. "Why are you all just standing there? Come, sit down."

They nodded and took their seats. Yana turned her attention to Fuyumi. "You're Fuyumi Todoroki, right?"

Fuyumi smiled and nodded. "Yes, that's me."

Yana beamed. "You're such a lovely young lady."

Blushing slightly, Fuyumi replied, "Thank you, Aunty."

Takashi cleared his throat, impatience creeping into his voice. "Shall we see the results now?"

Keigo and Itachi exchanged glances before Momo chimed in confidently, "I know both of you passed."

Itachi said with a small smirk, "Keigo, ladies first."

Keigo grinned at the teasing tone before realizing what Itachi had said. "Wait, what? Hey, you bas—uh, I mean—bro!" Keigo stammered, trying to cover up his slip.

Yana raised an eyebrow. "What did you call my boy?"

Keigo paled, then quickly corrected himself. "My bro! I called him my bro!"

Yana gave a satisfied nod. "That's what I thought."

Keigo sighed in relief before quickly tearing open his letter. Inside, he found a small chip. As he inserted it into a reader, a holographic screen popped up in front of them.

Keigo blinked in surprise. "Hey, look! It's a mouse!"

The hologram activated, revealing Nezu, the principal of UA High. "Hello, Keigo Takami. I am Principal Nezu, and I'm pleased to congratulate you on being selected for UA High!"

Keigo jumped out of his seat with joy. "Yes! I did it!" He gave Itachi a firm tug on the shoulder, his excitement contagious.

Fuyumi clapped her hands. "Congratulations, Keigo!"

Yana smiled warmly. "Congratulations, Keigo!"

Momo added with a grin, "Congo!"

Takashi, however, remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Nezu continued, "You scored 180 points, with 100 marks in the written exam and 80 in the practical. Excellent work. The highest score this year was 220."

Itachi nodded approvingly. "That's impressive."

Nezu finished, "You've been placed in Class 1-A. Welcome to UA High, Keigo. Go Beyond! Plus Ultra!" The hologram flickered and disappeared.

Keigo beamed, still riding high on his victory. "180 points in the Exam, not bad, huh? Your turn, Itachi!"

Itachi gave a small nod before carefully opening his envelope. Inside was a similar chip.

As the hologram flickered to life, Principal Nezu's cheerful voice rang out. "Hello, Itachi Yaoyorozu! I'm Principal Nezu of UA High, and I'm pleased to congratulate you on being selected for UA High!"

As soon as Nezu's message ended, the room buzzed with excitement. Momo was the first to react, practically bouncing with joy.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed, rushing over to Itachi. "You did it, brother! I'm so proud of you!" She beamed, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

Keigo grinned, sitting beside him , he gave Itachi a playful nudge. "Congrats, man. Knew you'd make it." His grin widened.

Fuyumi, with her calm demeanor, Said with a soft smile. "Well done, Itachi. You deserve this." Her eyes were full of warmth as she spoke.

Yana watching her son with pride. "Congratulations, Itachi," she said softly, stepping forward to place a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You've worked so hard for this moment."

But amidst the celebration, Takashi sat silently, his expression hardening. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw tightened. His grip on the armrest of the sofa grew tighter as he processed the news.

Nezu's hologram continued. "Itachi, you've achieved the highest score in UA High's entrance exam. A perfect score! You earned 120 points on the written exam and 100 on the practical. I'm incredibly excited to meet you and hear your ideas. Welcome to Class 1-A!"

There was a brief pause as everyone absorbed the weight of Itachi's achievement. The perfect score. Itachi had not only passed but surpassed everyone. Fuyumi's eyes were wide in admiration, and Keigo's grin grew even wider, if that was possible.

. Keigo was the first to react, throwing his arms around Itachi's shoulders. "Dude, you nailed it! Top score? Are you serious?" He grinned, shaking him playfully. "You didn't just pass, you crushed it!"

Momo, beaming with pride, clapped her hands together. "I knew it! You're the best, brother!"

Yana placed a gentle hand on her son's shoulder, her eyes gleaming with maternal pride. "I'm so proud of you, Itachi," she whispered, her voice full of warmth.

Yet Takashi remained silent. His quiet disapproval hung in the air like a storm cloud, growing heavier by the second. As Nezu's hologram faded, leaving only the echoes of his congratulatory words, Takashi abruptly stood up from the sofa. His face was tight with suppressed anger.

Without a word, he stormed out of the room, his heavy footsteps echoing as he left. The door slammed behind him, the sharp sound cutting through the cheerful atmosphere and leaving a palpable tension in its wake.

Yana's smile faltered as her gaze followed her husband's retreat. The joyful energy in the room seemed to dim, and Fuyumi and Keigo exchanged uncomfortable glances, unsure of how to break the silence. Momo, sensing the sudden shift, looked up at Itachi with worried eyes.

Itachi remained composed, his expression unreadable, but deep down, he felt the sting of his father's rejection, the familiar ache settling in his chest. He took a slow, steady breath before glancing at his mother. Yana gave him a soft, supportive nod, her eyes full of understanding.

Keigo, ever the one to lift the mood, clapped his hands together. "Bro, I think we should celebrate! Party time!" He grinned, trying to dispel the tension in the room.

Fuyumi, catching on, smiled gently. "That's a great idea. Let's celebrate your achievement properly."

Momo's eyes lit up with excitement. "A party! Yes! Let's do it!"

Itachi smiled, grateful for their enthusiasm. "Sure, a party sounds good."

Yana, watching the scene unfold, couldn't help but smile. "My boy has such good friends." She turned toward the chef and said warmly, "Prepare something special for tonight." The chef nodded and quickly disappeared into the kitchen.

As they continued discussing party plans, Itachi's phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen, and instantly, both Keigo and Momo's eyes widened with knowing smirks.

"Pick it up, bro! We want to hear what she has to say!" Keigo teased, nudging Itachi's arm.

Momo nodded eagerly, her grin growing. "Yes, pick it up!"

Fuyumi sighed, shaking her head. "Give him some space, you two," she said, trying to maintain some decorum.

She looked at Yana for support, expecting her to agree, but Yana, smirking mischievously, surprised her. "I kind of want to hear too," she said with a playful glint in her eyes.

Fuyumi sweatdropped, muttering under her breath. "Why am I the only one being reasonable here..."

Itachi sighed, caught between his eager friends and family, and slipped outside for some privacy. As he stepped into the cool evening air, he picked up the call.

"Hello?" he said, his voice calm but curious.

"Hey… congratulations on getting into UA," Kaina's voice came through, soft and a little shy.

Itachi smiled, his expression softening. "Thank you, Kaina."

There was a brief pause before she responded, her voice tinged with a bit of nervousness. "Y-You're welcome… So, um, I guess we'll be seeing each other again in a few days."

"Yes," Itachi replied, his tone gentle.

Suddenly, from inside the house, Yana's playful voice echoed out. "Itachi, dear, if you want, you can invite your friend over!"

Itachi rubbed his temple, letting out a soft sigh. "Did you hear that?" he asked, his tone slightly exasperated but amused.

Kaina giggled, her voice warmer now. "Yeah, I heard."

Itachi smiled again, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. "You don't have to force yourself, but if you're free, you're welcome to come to the mansion."

There was a brief silence on the other end, and then Kaina replied, her voice shy but sincere. "I-I have some time today… I'd love to."

"Alright," Itachi said, his smile growing. "I'll text you the address."

"Okay," Kaina answered softly before hanging up.

Itachi pocketed his phone, standing outside for a brief moment. Inside, Keigo and Momo were already exchanging smirks. Keigo couldn't help himself and began mimicking their earlier conversation, switching between exaggerated voices.

At Kaina's home, she sat at her desk, letting out a heavy sigh, her mind racing. Why am I panicking? she thought, shaking her head as she replayed her last conversation with Itachi. His words lingered in her mind. His mother called me…

She sighed again, but this time with a mix of frustration and confusion. "He's just my junior," she muttered to herself, rubbing her temples. "I shouldn't be thinking like this… should I?"

Glancing over at her wardrobe, her eyes fell on a neatly pressed outfit. She hesitated for a moment before standing up and walking over to it. Why am I even dressing up? she wondered, but something in her urged her to pick out something nice.

She changed into the clothes, smoothing the fabric as she stood in front of the mirror. Taking a deep breath, she looked at her reflection, trying to calm the flurry of emotions building up inside her. "I look… good, right?" she asked herself, her hands fidgeting slightly. Right?

Before she could continue her self-reflection, her mother entered the room, breaking her train of thought. "Kaina, dear," her mother called softly.

Startled, Kaina spun around, her heart skipping a beat. "Oh! Mom…" she trailed off, feeling a bit flustered.

Her mother's eyes lit up with surprise. "Oh my, where are you going all dressed up?" she asked with a teasing smile, eyeing her daughter's choice of attire.

Kaina's cheeks flushed slightly. "Ah, just… going to a friend's house," she said quickly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Her mother gave her a knowing smile, but didn't press further. "Alright, dear. Have fun," she said, still smiling as she walked out of the room.

As Kaina watched her mother leave, she caught her reflection again in the mirror. Why am I even doing this? she wondered. But deep down, she already knew. It wasn't just any friend she was thinking about—it was Itachi. She bit her lip, trying to push away the nervous excitement that fluttered in her chest.

Itachi pocketed his phone, stepping outside to join Keigo and Momo, who both had mischievous smirks on their faces. Keigo, unable to resist the opportunity to tease, began mimicking an exaggerated version of the earlier conversation.

"Congratulations, Yaoyorozu-kun!" Keigo said in a playful, higher-pitched voice, pretending to be Kaina. He then switched to a more serious, stoic expression, imitating Itachi's calm demeanor. "Thank you, Tsutsumi-san," he responded in a monotone voice.

Itachi stared at him with a sweatdrop forming, while Yana chuckled from the side. "He's actually quite good at that, Itachi," she said with a teasing smile.

Itachi turned to his mother, surprised. "No, he's not," he replied, shaking his head.

Fuyumi chimed in with a grin. "Sorry, Itachi, but you do have that 'serious guy' vibe all the time. Keigo's not completely wrong."

Sighing in mild exasperation, Itachi couldn't help but smile, the gentle teasing from his friends and family easing the tension from earlier.

After 15-20 mins, the doorbell rang, interrupting the moment. Yana's face lit up with happiness as she stood and moved quickly to the door. When she opened it, her smile grew even wider. "Welcome!" she greeted warmly.

Standing there was Kaina, dressed casually in a white top, blue jeans, and carrying a matching blue bag. Her long hair flowed loosely around her shoulders, and she offered a shy but genuine smile. "Thanks for having me," she said, her voice soft but pleasant.

As she stepped inside, Itachi's eyes met hers, and he smiled at her gently. "Welcome, Tsutsumi-san," he said, his voice carrying its usual calm warmth.

Kaina, feeling a flutter in her chest at the sight of him, blushed slightly and lowered her gaze. "Thank you, and congratulations," she replied, her voice a little quieter than usual.

Yana, sensing the small shift in Kaina's demeanor, gestured towards the living room. "Please, have a seat," she offered kindly.

Kaina nodded, her eyes scanning the room. The only available seat was beside Itachi, and her heart raced for a brief moment. She hesitated, but then quickly composed herself and moved toward the empty spot. Sitting beside him, she could feel the subtle warmth of his presence, which only made her blush deepen slightly.

Keigo, never one to miss an opportunity to stir the pot, grinned at Kaina. "So, hello, Tsutsumi-san," he teased with a knowing smirk, before waving dramatically. "Welcome to our little gathering."

Fuyumi followed up more politely. "Hello! It's nice to see you again, Tsutsumi-san."

Kaina smiled back at both of them, though her attention seemed to drift slightly toward Itachi. "Hey, Takami-san. Hey, Todoroki-san," she greeted before noticing Momo sitting nearby. "And hi to you too, Momo."

Momo, smiling brightly, waved back. "Hi, Tsutsumi-san!" she said cheerfully, clearly happy to see her as well.

As the conversation began to flow again, Kaina couldn't help but sneak glances at Itachi. His composed demeanor, calm confidence, and quiet strength intrigued her more than she cared to admit. There was something about being near him that made her heart race, yet she felt oddly comforted by his presence. Though she remained silent for now, her thoughts were filled with the growing realization that she was undeniably drawn to him.

As the celebration continued, the lively atmosphere in the Yaoyorozu household was filled with laughter, chatter, and excitement. Keigo, in his usual energetic fashion, was recounting his acceptance to UA High with dramatic flair, making Momo and Fuyumi giggle at his exaggerated storytelling.

Yana, ever the gracious hostess, had laid out a beautiful spread of food and drinks for everyone, making sure no one went hungry. She occasionally glanced toward Itachi and Kaina, a knowing smile on her face as she watched them interact.

Itachi, typically reserved, found himself standing with Kaina in a quieter corner of the room, away from the hustle of the group. The two of them were engaged in conversation, but it had a different feel—softer, more personal.

"How do you feel about being accepted into UA?" Kaina asked, her tone gentle but curious. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she looked up at him.

Itachi sipped his drink thoughtfully before replying, "I suppose it's a good opportunity. I'll be able to continue improving my skills. But honestly… I'm more focused on what comes next." He paused for a moment, his eyes searching hers before he added quietly, "I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead, though."

Kaina smiled, her gaze softening as she saw the determination in his eyes. "I know you'll do well.

"So, Tsutsumi-san," Itachi began, his tone calm and thoughtful as always. "What kind of hero do you want to be?"

Kaina, who had been quietly observing the others, turned her attention fully to him. Her eyes softened at the question, and she took a moment to think before answering. "I want to be a hero who stands for those who can't defend themselves. Someone who brings justice where it's needed." She paused and smiled softly. "I guess... a hero who gives people hope."

Itachi nodded, clearly appreciating her sentiment. "That's admirable. You've always had a strong sense of justice."

Kaina blushed lightly at his words, feeling her heart flutter slightly. "What about you, Itachi?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "What kind of hero do you want to be?"

Itachi's gaze grew distant for a moment as he considered the question. He looked out the window, as if searching for something beyond the horizon, before answering quietly, "A hero for peace." His voice carried a weight of experience and calm resolve. "I want to be the kind of hero who prevents unnecessary conflict. If I can protect people without them ever needing to fight... then that's the kind of hero I want to be."

Kaina studied him closely, feeling the depth behind his words. She admired his sense of purpose, but there was something about his calmness that made her feel safe. "That sounds like you," she said with a gentle smile. "You've always been someone who thinks ahead, who wants to protect others."

Itachi glanced at her, his usual stoic expression softening slightly. "Thank you, Kaina."

As he called her by her first name, Kaina felt her cheeks warm. It was subtle, but hearing her name from Itachi like that made something stir within her. It wasn't just his words but the way he said them—like he valued her more than she realized. Before she could respond, they both noticed the quiet attention from the others.

Their conversation was briefly interrupted by Keigo, who bounded over with Fuyumi and Momo in tow. "Hey, you two! What's with all the serious talk?" Keigo said, his grin wide as he clapped a hand on Itachi's shoulder. "Come on, lighten up. We're supposed to be celebrating!"

Fuyumi nodded, a playful smile on her lips. "Yeah, you guys are making us jealous with your deep conversation over here."

Momo giggled from beside Yana, who was watching the whole exchange with a motherly smile. "I think they're cute together," Momo whispered to her mother.

Yana nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling. "They complement each other well, don't they?" she replied with a whisper, her voice warm.

Back in the corner, Kaina blushed slightly at the attention, her fingers nervously brushing the hem of her shirt. "It wasn't that serious," she said with a small laugh, trying to brush off the teasing.

Keigo, however, wasn't about to let it go that easily. "Oh, really? It looked pretty intense from over there," he teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

Itachi, always calm under pressure, gave Keigo a sidelong glance. "Not everyone has to be as loud as you, Keigo," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Fuyumi laughed. "Itachi's right. You're the loudest one here."

Keigo held up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, I get it."

The group continued talking and laughing, enjoying the lighthearted mood. As the evening went on, Itachi found himself more relaxed than he had been in a long time. Surrounded by people who cared about him, he felt a sense of belonging and contentment that was rare for him.

At one point, as the night started to wind down, Yana approached Itachi and Kaina. "I'm so happy you could join us today, Kaina," she said with a smile. "You're always welcome here."

Kaina smiled back warmly, feeling truly welcomed. "Thank you, Mrs. Yaoyorozu. I've really enjoyed spending time with everyone."

Itachi, standing beside Kaina, nodded in agreement. "It was a good day," he said quietly, his gaze meeting hers for a brief moment.

As the celebration came to a close, the group slowly began to disperse. Keigo and Fuyumi said their goodbyes, full of excitement for the future, while Yana and Momo tidied up.

Before Kaina left, she and Itachi shared one last exchange by the door. "Take care, I-Itachi. I'll see you at UA," Kaina said with a little blush, her voice soft but sincere.

Itachi nodded, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips. "I'll see you there," he replied.

As Kaina walked away, Itachi watched her go, feeling a quiet sense of contentment. The path ahead was uncertain, but with friends like Kaina, Keigo, and Fuyumi by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges awaited him at UA High.