One day, after finishing their training, Hitomi trailed behind Maki and Naori. She crept along awkwardly, clearly wanting to approach but unable to muster the courage.
"Hitomi's really scared of you, huh?" Naori smirked, her tone teasing.
Both she and Maki had already noticed Hitomi following them. She wasn't even trying to hide it—just lingering at a distance like a lost puppy.
"There aren't many our age who aren't scared of me," Maki said softly. "Tsunade's the only one with enough guts to talk to me after getting buried in bugs. That alone makes her worthy of being called Konoha's princess—she's bold."
"Tsunade's cute," Naori chimed in. "I wish I could live as freely as she does."
"Free?" Maki muttered. "She's in a cage too. All the adults can offer her is a happy childhood, nothing more."
Naori glanced at her. "A cage…? What about you, Maki? Are you in a cage too?"
"We all are," Maki replied. "Anyone who connects with others ends up locking themselves in their own mind. We're forced to do things we hate, walk paths we don't want to walk. That's why I don't like people."
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Naori asked. "You're smart, Maki. Don't you have an answer?"
"Unless you surpass people," Maki said with a small smile.
"???" Naori blinked, confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means I don't want to be human anymore," Maki said, her voice quiet but firm.
"Huh?" Naori tilted her head, baffled. "What does that even mean?"
Before Maki could respond, Maki suddenly stopped and turned to look behind them.
Naori followed her gaze and turned around too.
Hitomi froze where she was, looking startled. She glanced between them like a child caught stealing cookies, then hesitated, clearly thinking about running away.
"Come here," Maki said softly.
Naori's eyelid twitched. That phrase sounded oddly familiar—and ominous.
Hitomi didn't hesitate for long. She hurried over, eyes uncertain, steps unsure.
Naori watched her approach, feeling a strange pang in her chest. Like sympathy for a frightened animal. Weird… but kind of cute.
Hitomi opened her mouth, hesitated, then lowered her head. "…Thank you," she said at last, almost in a whisper. "For the gift…"
"Oh. You're welcome. You just happened to be there," Maki replied bluntly.
Hitomi's heart sank. Her words hit like a stone dropped in water. Her chest tightened, and a strange ringing filled his ears.
Right… Of course.
I knew it. This monster never even saw me.
Her body trembled slightly, and she nearly turned to run. Somehow, she held it in. That night, she raced home, buried herself in his warm bed, and cried quietly to herself.
The bed was the only place she allowed herself to cry.
But even so… even if it didn't matter to her…
"…Still," she whispered, voice trembling. "I wanted to say thanks, Maki."
"You're welcome," Maki said calmly. "Is there something else?"
She'd seen this kind of situation before—plenty of times. Children doing everything they could just to be part of a group. Just to make a friend.
She remembered a boy named Hikaru. He once stole 500 yen from his family just to treat his friends to food and snacks. When the truth came out, he had to repay the money—and got beaten for it.
Friendship could mean more to a child than their own parents.
Maki didn't think she could be that kind of friend.
It was too much.
Too heavy.
Emotionally exhausting in every way.
Naori already clung to her like a second skin—one was more than enough. She didn't want to carry another.
Too heavy! Dammit!
I never even passed the kindergarten teacher exam. Why am I the one dealing with all these little devils!?
So annoying.
And yet…
I hate crybabies the most.
"Then… no," Hitomi mumbled, taking a timid step back to leave.
"Wait," Maki said suddenly.
Hitomi looked at Maki in confusion.
Her eyes were a little red.
Maki reached out her hand. A plump white insect crawled lazily across her palm.
"Wanna eat?" she asked casually.
Hitomi froze.
She won't get angry if I run away now, right?
She really won't… right?
After a long pause, Hitomi sniffed, swallowed hard, and hesitantly extended her trembling hand.
"Here you go," Maki said, gently placing the bug onto Hitomi's palm.
The way to eliminate fear is to face it. Not that Maki said that aloud.
Naori tilted her head, confused, as she watched Hitomi shakily receive the insect.
Was this… bullying?
Should she stop it?
Hitomi looked so pitiful.
But then again… she'd never seen anyone bully someone by giving them candy.
Naori pulled out a piece from her pocket and popped it into her mouth.
Lick it slowly. It tastes better that way. The sweetness lasts.
As the insect crawled onto Hitomi's hand, the hairs on her entire arm stood on end. Goosebumps rippled up her skin.
One by one, the insects began to drop from her palm, dragging their milky-white bodies along. Some split in half, their front halves still crawling tenaciously toward the edge before tumbling off.
Watching them, Hitomi felt her mind starting to crack.
Her sanity fell with each insect.
The scream caught in her throat was on the verge of escaping.
This is terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.
"Don't you want to eat?" Maki prompted.
With trembling hands, Hitomi slowly raised the wriggling bugs to her lips.
They looked… so awful. But—
"Chew it. Don't swallow it whole," Maki added.
Hitomi's jaw began to move mechanically.
Then—
A surprising milky sweetness burst in her mouth. Gentle. Soft. Fragrant.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she kept chewing.
It's… good?
She looked at Maki, stunned.
The bugs were gone in seconds. Her hand, without thinking, stretched toward Maki again.
Realizing what she'd done, Hitomi flinched and pulled her hand back, face flushing red.
"It's not so scary," Maki said. "Right?"
Hitomi nodded.
"Tasty?"
She nodded again.
"Want more?"
She nodded faster.
Little girls love sweets.
Maki wasn't surprised in the least.
"Here. Eat as much as you want."
Without waiting, Maki dropped a handful of live bugs into Hitomi's pocket.
"No need to be shy."
And with that, she turned and walked away.
Hitomi stood there, holding her bulging pocket of edible insects, staring blankly at Maki's retreating figure.
She came here to say thank you… and somehow ended up with another gift?
What just happened?
"Why are you just standing there? Let's go!"
Maki turned around, sounding annoyed.
Hitomi's body moved before her mind caught up. She ran after her.
"Hitomi," Naori added gently, smiling. "We're teammates now, same class. Let's get along from now on."
So calm. So kind. So easy to like.
Hitomi nodded, her throat tight, and gave a small hum in response.
She lowered her head and quickly wiped her eyes.
The three walked down the road together.
After a while, Hitomi spoke softly.
"Naori."
"Hm?" Naori responded.
"Maki."
"What is it?" Maki asked.
"…Nothing. I just wanted to say your names."
Hitomi smiled, covering her mouth.
A little bird in a cage had met two others—free, flying birds.
She watched them with envy.
But then… they landed beside her.
Suddenly, the cage didn't seem so frightening anymore.
And maybe, one day, she'd fly too.
She gripped the bugs in her pocket tightly.
The flowers around her seemed to smile.
No more fear.
Nothing to be afraid of now.
"Hitomi," Maki called.
Hitomi looked up.
"Here," Maki said, handing something to her.
She looked closer—
White, fleshy insects squirmed in her palm.
"AAAAHHH!!"
Maki burst out laughing.
She'd wanted to do that for a long time.
Naori doubled over, holding her stomach.
Hitomi was way too timid—but also way too cute.
"Medical Ninjutsu: fear-elimination therapy," Maki said smugly.
"There's progress. You didn't faint this time."
Hitomi's eyes welled up again.
Her heart was full of fear, sweetness, laughter…
Everything all at once.
_____________________
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