"Going to school is such a drag."
Shikamaru Nara stared out the window, his mind drifting far beyond the confines of the classroom. He had long since stopped paying attention to the Chunin instructor at the front of the room.
For a prodigy with an IQ over 200, the lessons taught at the Academy were child's play. Everything the teacher covered had already been absorbed from books, analyzed, and stored away for later use. He could spend his time doing far more productive things—like cloud-watching.
To Shikamaru, school felt like a prison. The Chunin up front wasn't a teacher but a warden, and the students around him weren't classmates, but inmates serving their time.
He wasn't alone in his disinterest. The trio known as the Ino-Shika-Cho formation had its own unspoken agreement. Ino Yamanaka busied herself with chatting and passing notes, while Choji Akimichi munched on his ever-present bag of chips, completely oblivious to the lesson. They were all in this together, bound by their shared apathy.
A few seats away, Kiba Inuzuka was preoccupied with Akamaru, the small white puppy nestled in his hood. The Inuzuka clan had a deep bond with their ninken partners, and Kiba was more interested in playing with his companion than anything the instructor had to say.
Shino Aburame, on the other hand, was far more discreet. With his face partially obscured by his high-collared jacket and dark glasses, no one could tell if he was actually paying attention or simply lost in thought. His control over his kikaichu made it easy for him to appear still while his mind was elsewhere.
At the back of the room, Sasuke Uchiha sat with an air of quiet determination. His goal was clear—he had to surpass everyone, especially that "freak" Night Fight and the Hyuga prodigy sitting near him. His elder brother, Itachi, had set an impossibly high standard, and Sasuke was determined to prove himself, both in practical and theoretical lessons.
"I won't lose to them. Just watch me, nii-san. Uchiha is number one in the world!"
His dark eyes flicked briefly toward Night Fight, who sat nearby, unfazed by the classroom antics. Night Fight, unlike the others, wasn't here to prove anything. Whether in this life or the last, he had never been particularly gifted—his only option was relentless effort. Still, there was something nostalgic about being in a classroom again. School life, as frustrating as it was, had a certain charm that he had come to appreciate.
But, just like every other student in the Academy, he had his own set of problems.
Hyuga Hanabi, Hinata's younger sister, had taken to slipping him an endless stream of notes.
[Want to eat lunch together?]
[I brought too much food this morning. Help me finish it!]
[Look at Kiba's puppy—it just peed on his desk! Hahaha!]
One after another, the notes kept coming.
Night Fight sighed in irritation. Half the class period hadn't even passed, and he was already exasperated. His brows furrowed as he turned to glare at Hanabi, hoping to warn her off. But every time he did, she simply grinned, resting her head on her desk like an innocent bystander. Her expression was so carefree, so utterly unfazed, that it was impossible to stay mad.
With a cold expression, Night Fight tore the latest note into pieces and let them fall to the floor.
Hanabi's smile finally faltered. Pouting slightly, she grabbed her pen and scribbled furiously before tossing yet another note his way.
Hinata, watching from the side, was both amazed and horrified by her sister's audacity. She stole a glance at Naruto Uzumaki, who was doodling on his desk while sneaking glances at Sakura Haruno. The contrast between them was almost painful.
The teacher at the front of the room sighed inwardly.
"This class is impossible to handle..."
Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the morning lessons. Students eagerly poured out of the classroom, ready for their lunch break. In the Ninja Academy, students rarely left the school grounds during the day, so lunchtime was spent forming groups to eat together.
Most days, Night Fight would leave alone, escaping the chatter and stares of his classmates. He wasn't particularly fond of the attention, especially from the girls who seemed to view him as a curiosity. But today, before he could slip away, Hanabi was already calling after him.
"Wait for me, Night Fight! Slow down!"
Hinata had been about to invite her sister to eat with the other girls, but before she could say a word, Hanabi had already bolted after Night Fight.
The class erupted into hushed whispers.
Naruto scowled. He had spent years trying to get Sakura's attention and was usually met with a fist for his troubles. Yet Night Fight, who barely spoke, had girls chasing after him?
"This damn world where looks matter so much—it really breaks my heart!" Naruto lamented.
Meanwhile, Sakura and Ino watched Hanabi with admiration.
"She's so bold…" Ino whispered in awe.
Sakura nodded. "Yeah, I could never do that."
The boys, meanwhile, had no clue what was so impressive about it. Romance and social cues weren't exactly their strong suits.
The Academy was filled with rivalries, friendships, and youthful ambitions, but for some students, surviving the chaos of school life was its own battle.