Ghostly Figure

Chapter 20: A Festive Talk

-3rd Person-

The morning sun streams through the Academy classroom windows, casting a warm, golden glow over the rows of wooden desks. The usual hum of chatter fills the air as students settle in, but there's an extra buzz today, a kind of electric energy that makes everything feel a bit more alive.

Yui sits quietly at her desk, her hands folded neatly in front of her, trying to stay calm amid the noise. Even though she's growing more familiar with the classroom, she still feels like she's on the outside looking in, always a bit disconnected from the excitement that seems to radiate from her classmates.

Naruto and Sasuke are seated nearby, with Naruto already engaging in his usual back-and-forth with anyone who will listen. Yui glances at him, feeling a small pang of envy at how easily he connects with others. But as she watches, she notices something different about him today, a certain pensiveness beneath his usual loud demeanor.

The door slides open, and Iruka-sensei enters the room, his warm smile as welcoming as ever. He claps his hands to get everyone's attention, and the students quickly quiet down, turning their focus to the front of the room.

"Good morning, everyone!" Iruka greets, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "I hope you're all doing well today. Before we dive into our lesson, I have some exciting news to share with you all."

The students immediately perk up, their interest piqued. Yui feels a flutter of curiosity in her chest as she leans forward, wondering what the news could be.

"As many of you know," Iruka continues, "tomorrow evening marks the start of our annual Konoha Village Festival. It's a time-honored tradition where the entire village comes together to celebrate with games, food, music, and entertainment. I'm sure many of you have been looking forward to it."

Excited whispers and grins spread through the classroom, the mere mention of the festival lighting up the room with anticipation. Yui, on the other hand, feels a familiar knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. A festival means crowds, noise, and unfamiliar faces—everything she's been trying to avoid since arriving in Konoha.

Iruka's eyes sweep over the class, lingering briefly on Yui as he continues, "I know that some of you may be new to the village or might not have attended the festival before. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask. The festival is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy our village's culture and traditions, and I hope you all have the chance to experience it."

Yui's mind races. She's never been to a festival before, and the thought of being surrounded by so many people in such a lively environment feels overwhelming. She isn't sure if she can handle it, and the idea of making a fool of herself in front of the whole village terrifies her.

As Iruka starts the day's lesson, Yui tries to push her worries aside, but it's no use. The more she thinks about the festival, the more her anxiety grows. What if she can't keep up with everyone? What if she panics in the middle of the crowd? What if she gets lost?

Beside her, Naruto seems unusually quiet. He's usually the first to talk about any kind of celebration, but today he seems lost in thought. After a few moments, he leans over to Yui, his voice low so that only she can hear.

"Hey, Yui," he murmurs, his tone softer than usual. "Are you thinking about the festival?"

Yui blinks, surprised that he's picked up on her unease. She hesitates, then nods slightly. "I... I guess so. It sounds... overwhelming."

Naruto nods, his expression softening with understanding. "Yeah, I know what you mean. The festival can be pretty intense. I... haven't really gone in a long time."