Time-Twisted Melody (Boruto - Twinkling Watermelon AU)

Chapter 5

 Boruto POV

I trudged through the hallways, the weight of the argument still heavy on my shoulders. My mind was a storm of thoughts and emotions, each step feeling heavier than the last. As I rounded the corner towards my class, I noticed a familiar figure.

Sitting in the school foyer, just off to the side, was my mom. Hinata Uzumaki. Her posture was calm, yet there was a certain air about her that made it clear she was waiting for someone. My heart skipped a beat.

"Mom?" I called out.

As if knowing I was nearby, she turned toward me, and a heartfelt smile escaped her lips, the kind of smile that always managed to soothe me, no matter the situation. She waved, beckoning me over. I changed course and made my way to her side, my mind racing with questions.

'What is she doing here?'

We moved to the courtyard, finding a quiet spot beneath the shade of a large tree. The school grounds were peaceful at this hour, a stark contrast to the bustling hallways. As we sat down, my mom reached into her bag and gently pulled out a folded piece of paper. She handed it to me with a look that spoke volumes.

"...!" I unfolded the paper, and my eyes widened as I took in its contents.

My report card.

And not just any report card—one that showed a significant drop in my grades. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach.

Unable to find the right words, I looked up at my mom, who was watching me with a mixture of understanding and concern. She began to sign, her movements fluid and expressive.

"Your homeroom teacher called me. I heard your grade dropped significantly."

I felt a lump form in my throat. The weight of disappointment settled heavily on my shoulders.

"Did you go through my room? Why? You never did this before," I said, my voice tinged with frustration and confusion.

My mom stared at me with a concerned look, her eyes searching mine. She began to sign, her movements deliberate and calm. "Honestly, this wasn't my first time visiting the study room. I've visited a few times to bring you snacks. But you weren't at your desk."

I felt a pang of guilt. I knew I had been avoiding my study room, drowning myself in the band practices. A heavy silence hung between us, broken only by the faint sounds of the schoolyard. She suddenly reached out and gently placed her hand on my lips, tracing the cut that marked where I had been punched in the face by Inojin. Her touch was tender, yet it sent a jolt of reality through me. Then, she placed her hands over the bandages on my bruised hands. Her eyebrows furrowed even more in concern.

"I won't ask you why you're keeping secrets from me and how you got that scar. I'll wait until you tell me. But I don't want your dad to find out," she signed, her expression soft but firm.

My eyes widened at her statement. I could see the worry etched on her face, the deep love and fear she held for me.

"I want your dad to become much happier than he is now. The thing is... you're his joy. You are his pride," she signed before placing a loving hand on my face. Her touch was gentle, but it felt like a weight pressing down on my chest. I could barely breathe as I loosened my collar, my eyes refusing to meet hers.

Her last words cut through me like a knife.

"You'll come back, right? Very soon, you'll stop being confused and return to being the Boruto I used to know, right?"

The tightness in my chest grew unbearable. I stood up abruptly, unable to face her concerned gaze any longer. Without a word, I turned on my heels and left the school, my mind a whirlwind of emotions.