Chapter 4 : Pheromones

"I'm back," Maki announced upon entering the house. The pristine condition of the home was not a result of her mother's meticulous cleaning, but rather a reflection of the Aburame clan's standard. The fundamental practice of using parasites for cleaning maintained this impeccable order.

Maki's mother, Yumi, in her mid-twenties, was her sole relative. Tragedy struck her family during the Warring States Period, claiming the lives of her grandparents. Maki's father fell in the first ninja war in the twelfth year of Konoha. Yumi, an ordinary chunin, had retired many years ago to run a small hotel on weekdays and raise Maki.

As darkness enveloped the house, Yumi, accustomed to Maki's late returns, greeted her daughter with warmth, "Welcome back; I'll heat the food."

"Um," Maki responded with a nod, her demeanor slightly reserved. While she respected Yumi as a mother, Maki, despite her youthful appearance, was not a child. A lack of emotional openness created a distance between them.

Yumi, a first-time mother with an autistic personality common in the Aburame clan, struggled to connect with Maki. At the dinner table, silence prevailed, with Yumi observing Maki with quiet tenderness.

After the meal, Maki retreated to her room, closing the door to attend to her own affairs. Nighttime belonged to Yumi's reading, and the solitary ninjutsu scroll at home was perused repeatedly.

Since her early days of speaking, Maki diligently learned to read and write, overcoming any obstacles. The inheritance left by her father was meager – a few family secret arts and the basic three-body technique, typical of a village jonin. The family's versatile secret skills rendered additional ninjutsu unnecessary, yet Maki longed to acquire the shadow clone technique.

Learning ninjutsu seemed an insurmountable challenge until Maki pondered the value of her father's investment. The experience gained from using her father's parasites provided valuable insights, allowing her to avoid unnecessary detours. Summing up the secret message, Maki understood the importance of silent, discreet actions, akin to the virtue of the Konohagakure clan.

Her father's demise on the frontal battlefield haunted Maki's reflections. Settling the scroll, she picked up a book on mathematics, physics, chemistry, geography, and local customs. Biology captivated her, and she often observed insect swarms during her reading time.

As the night unfolded, Maki continued to nurture her cultivated bugs, witnessing some progress as nests began to take shape. Despite the inclination to prioritize marriage, the journey presented its own challenges.

Reading persisted until her mother's alarm clock signaled bedtime. Maki's nocturnal activities concluded, and the routine of attending classes at the ninja school resumed the next day.

Despite a visibly tired expression, Maki navigated her commute to school. Arriving late, her entrance into the originally noisy classroom induced a momentary hush before normalcy resumed.

Maki's presence invoked a subtle repulsion among her classmates due to the emotions of fear and disgust emanating from the parasites on her body. The ability to detect pheromones released by the human body added to her social challenges.

As Maki worked towards completing her pheromone information database, she planned to announce it to the clan, establishing a unique communication channel. The school's cultural classes, although focused on basic education, highlighted the disparities among the students.

The school's intense curriculum, and cramming culture without expectation of excellence from every child, made it challenging for some to keep up. Maki observed the dynamics, including the dominance asserted by Tsunade in taijutsu.

Jiraiya, a mischievous classmate, continued to provoke Tsunade, earning admiration from Maki. While beauty assigned Tsunade the status of class beauty, Jiraiya's potential and ability to rank in the middle showcased unexpected promise.

As the elite class progressed through their studies, Maki continued to observe her classmates, discovering a resilient spirit in a bullied classmate. The complexities of social dynamics unfolded, drawing Maki's attention to several individuals within the class.