21 Chapter 21

When the 7-year-old Nono walked inside the room, Nawaki smiled nicely and told the matron, "You can leave us alone."

The nun shook her head and said, "Senju-sama, sorry, but that won't work."

Listening, Nawaki glared.

Sweating from her cheek, the woman told, "Please, don't misunderstand Senju-sama. It's not because I want to intrude…."

"...Nono can't speak on her own… She's mute and communicates through sign language."

"What? Is that true?" Surprised by the info, Nawaki stopped glaring at the nun and examined the orphaned Yakushi.

Nono made and maintained eye contact calmly. Staring intently at him with her glass-wearing green eyes. She was mute but was obviously not shy.

"..." Going quiet for a moment, Nawaki asked the matron, "What happened to her? Why can't she speak?"

The nun replied with a wry smile,

"This girl has been this way for a while now…She used to have a big sister who died last year."

"That's when it all started…."

"A sister?" Nawaki asked with interest and surprise. "Was she also from the orphanage? How did she die?"

"Yes, she used to." The matron replied. "Nono and Shinra are blood–related orphans from the Shinobi war. But Shinra passed recently after she realized her dream and finally became a genin… It's a heartbreaking story, really…."

"The girl wasn't talented in the ninja arts, but she tried hard…."

"...Day after day, she came back with more bruises. She was training, doing her best not to repeat the academy and graduate."

"...She was doing this all for her." Nawaki glanced at Nono when he remarked.

"Yes, for her little sister and her future…." The matron had her hand on Nono's head when she nodded, continuing, "...But she died in her sleep. From a bizarre sickness days after she graduated..."

"...Nono couldn't believe it. She didn't want to believe it. She lost the ability to speak that morning when she saw the body."

Done listening, his face a little compassionate, Nawaki's gaze went to Nono. But she didn't appear depressed at all.

'Is she that strong? Or does she have a stoic nature in general?'

'Stoicism doesn't have an age, but still...Is she putting on a tough front?'

When Nawaki started considering Nono's muteness, the matron said, "Sorry, Senju-sama, but what do you want with her? Maybe I can help."

Nawaki shook his head, replying instead, "Can she write?"

"Yes, of course." The matron nodded. "This girl can do most things better than the children here except speaking…."

"... She's a bright lass who picked up on sign language in a few weeks. I only showed minimal guidance…."

"Really…Great then," Nawaki smiled in amazement and pride. He wasn't sure why he was proud like a dad. Maybe they should call the FBI on him...

Coughing the next second, he said, "Give her some chalk and a slate then. You can leave us alone once you do."

XX

"..."

Moments later, the office was quiet, and there was a staredown, one not hostile but very odd and cute,

Holding some white chalk and a black slate, Nono didn't look afraid to be left alone with Nawaki. Not that the 8-year-old looked menacing, but he was a stranger coming to her home and asking for her.

After an awkward cough, smiling gently, he said, "Got any idea why I want to meet you?"

Nono nodded.

"Do you? Then please, write what you think," Nawaki said, smiling with interest. He was really curious to know what Nono would say.

Not that it was hard to guess, but was she bold enough to advertise his thoughts early?

Still not fazed, Nono adjusted her glasses and nodded again. Turning the slate toward her, she fidgeted with the white chalk for a moment until she showed it to the boy.

Her handwriting was pretty when Nawaki read: *You're the Senju prince, ain't you? Do you want to adopt me? I'm not sure why you would, but it's okay. You can.*

"Haha, Yes." Stunned, Nawaki raised his brows, pleasantly surprised, saying, "Correct, I'm here to adopt you, not anybody else. But that's only if you want to…Are you unhappy in this place?"

Nono's face turned a little strange for the first time hearing the question. She quickly turned the slate and wrote something else. The next second turning the slate again, she showed: *I won't say anything about it before you promise to take me with you to the Senju clan.*

Nawaki chuckled…This was Kabuto's mom, without a doubt…But she was still young and naive…

Realizing her mistake quickly, though, Nono tapped her forehead. She was going to scribble something else when Nawaki laughed and said, "Alright, stop. That's enough; I promise to take you."

"..." Nono stared in astonishment.

"That was supposed to stay my secret, but I'd already decided before coming," A blush and a queer smile she didn't try to hide took shape on her face when Nawaki stated.

Nono seemed intelligent, so there was no need to explain his last words. Though he wanted the girl to feel at home later, he didn't want her to be too lazy.