Since it was Sunday, finding someone at school was out of the question. Fortunately, the Aburame clan, though low-profile, had their own district in the village. With the help of a Konoha map, Hinata quickly located the Aburame household.
After confirming the address on the resident list, she knocked politely at the door.
"I'll be right there. Please wait."
A calm, composed voice responded. Though youthful, it carried a sense of maturity far beyond a child's. The door opened to reveal a boy in dark shades—Aburame Shino himself.
"Good day, Shino-kun. I'm sorry to bother you like this."
Hinata bowed with utmost politeness. From what she remembered of the original series, Shino was the type who valued protocol. So it was best to speak formally and respectfully.
"Thank you for your greeting. Is there something I can help you with?"
He adjusted his sunglasses in that ever-stoic manner. Yep, textbook Shino.
"There is, actually."
"Then please come inside. I'll prepare some tea."
Hinata was impressed. Shino was basically a robot—calm, measured, by-the-book. Just as she remembered. This would make things easier.
Once seated in the living room, Hinata got straight to the point.
"I'll be honest—I'm training in a secret technique that requires a lot of money. Rather than borrowing endlessly, I decided to collaborate with some classmates to shoot a film. It's going well so far, and I'd like to expand it with a unique opening theme. After asking around, everyone agreed you're the best at music in our class. So—I want to invite you to join us. What do you think?"
With someone like Shino, lying was a death sentence. He'd see right through it. Better to be upfront and appeal to his logic.
"I see… So the others involved are Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chōji… and recently absent from class: Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino, correct?"
His sunglasses reflected the light slightly. Hinata blinked. Wow. She knew he was smart, but to immediately deduce everyone involved?
"Don't worry," Shino added, sensing her discomfort. "I only arrived at that conclusion after observing for some time."
"My kikaichū sensed the scent of blood and medicinal herbs on your fingers repeatedly in class. That's when I began paying attention. Then you, Naruto, and Sasuke all skipped class simultaneously and later showed up with similar smells on your arms. Which told me you were training together. Next, Sakura and Ino skipped class too—something they never do…"
"…"
Hinata twitched. Okay, now she understood why Sakura and Ino said he was hard to approach. Having a guy with a deadpan face and Sherlock Holmes-level deduction skills breathing down your neck 24/7? Not ideal.
And was it just her, or was he kind of… trying to show off? He seemed way too eager to lay out his conclusions. Definitely had that 'please notice me' vibe.
Yeah, no doubt. The original description nailed him—easily overlooked, but super verbose once he gets talking.
"Jeez! You talk way too much! I'll just ask you straight—do you want to be our music guy or not?!"
Hinata couldn't take it anymore and snapped. Shino calmly adjusted his shades again.
"I'll join. Our teacher said it's important to build friendships with classmates. I personally believe engaging in extracurricular collaboration strengthens social bonds—"
"Ugh! Meet at the Uchiha compound this afternoon! Bring your favorite instrument! We've got a cultural festival deadline!"
Hinata slapped down ten thousand ryō from her wallet without hesitation.
"That's your advance! Buy whatever instruments you need! I'm outta here!"
And just like that, she was gone in a blur. Left alone, Shino adjusted his shades one more time and murmured softly to himself.
"I hate being ignored."
---
"If you're going to spread your wings and fly, you'll never turn back again…"
A sweet, clear voice floated over the Uchiha compound. Accompanied by the bright, nimble melody of a harmonica, even the birds in the cherry trees outside settled down peacefully to preen their feathers. They liked the music too.
Inside the main hall, a blonde girl stood center stage, hands clasped in front of her chest, eyes closed like she was in prayer, pouring her heart into the song. The others listened, each showing different reactions.
No question—Shino had arrived with pinpoint timing, true to his introverted but dedicated nature. He brought with him a ridiculous number of instruments: recorder, saxophone, harmonica, accordion—even a small harp. Though his expression never changed, it was clear from his actions he was all in.
Of course. Kids like him were sick of playing ninja make-believe at the academy. This was a real project—a chance to matter.
Lying back on a soft cushion, Hinata tapped her fingers to the beat. Hearing this familiar song from her old world in this strange one felt like a dream. She didn't want to open her eyes.
Perched in a window frame, Sasuke sat with his head bowed. Though his face was unreadable, the tight clench of his fists betrayed his emotions.
Shikamaru lounged on the floor, arms behind his head, visibly relaxed. Even a lazy guy like him couldn't resist the calm brought by this music.
Sakura and Ino sat properly on kneeling cushions, eyes closed in concentration. Their content expressions said it all.
Even Chōji was being unusually delicate—carefully softening his chips in his mouth before swallowing so he wouldn't disturb the song.
"Flying toward that azure sky—"
As the final line ended, the blonde girl in the center suddenly poofed into smoke—revealing a coughing Naruto, clutching his throat.
So much for the mood.
"Dang! Singing really wrecks your voice! Hinata, am I gonna go mute?!"
Naruto's over-the-top panic made Hinata sigh in disappointment. She snapped her fingers toward Sakura.
With a resigned look, Sakura poured a cup of tea from a nearby pot.
"Here. Hinata planned for this already. It's peppermint tea—for your throat."
"Thanks, Sakura~!"
Ignoring Naruto wagging his metaphorical tail, Hinata cleared her throat and turned to the group.
"So? Thoughts?"
Of course, what she meant was: how was the song? This was everyone's first try at recording, and the quality needed to be solid.