Konoha Winter Night

"Isn't it cold?" The irregular breathing after exercise was interspersed with rich white steam. This alone showed that the temperature was obviously very low.

"A hot-blooded ninja will never feel cold."

"is it?"

"Yes."

"yes."

No matter how righteous his words were, no matter how correct or absurd his reasons were, Dong Ye could not help but have doubts.

After all, as long as you see the other person's skin exposed in the air, which is obviously a purple color caused by frostbite, and the icicles hanging between the noses, which are obviously like some kind of viscous liquid solidified, they will probably Let’s have similar thoughts to Touya.

"Then, let's go back."

"Let's go back."

The words that were still stubborn a moment ago were agreed with a childish voice that trembled slightly.

The two people walking slowly forward habitually slid their extra coats down to their sides, always making the horizontal line lower in comparison.

"I'm not cold."

"I'm not cold either."

The squirming and resisting movements, like a kitten that doesn't like having its fur petted, eventually fade away as the [warmth] wraps it around.

"Are you really not cold? Brother Dongye."

"Do my clothes smell like sweat?"

"No, Brother Touye."

"That's good, I thought it smelled bad."

There is obviously no smile on his face, but between his eyebrows, he can clearly feel the [laughter] that only he is familiar with. It is a teasing smile, a playful smile, and of course, there is also that warm [laughter].

"Thank you, Brother Touye."

"Thanks, Kai."

Even I couldn't react to the sudden thank you.

"Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year."

Although greeting each other is normal, are you still not used to it?

Saying.

What needs to be corrected is that today is not the New Year yet!

Today is just the last day of the year, an old ending.

A new start.

and so.

Dongye thought a lot at the moment.

It was obvious that his birthday had just been celebrated not long ago, but in the blink of an eye it was the same time as before.

Calculating carefully, it was only half a year before he became a chuunin.

result.

When people are young, they always feel that time passes too fast.

Thinking about the unnecessary trivialities, facing the rising morning sun, there was only a not generous back wrapped around a more childish figure. In a short time, he had gone too far, so.

Is that flickering snow light snow blindness?

······

Even Kai is looking forward to the New Year. Even Kai is looking forward to spending the New Year with me. Even Kai is looking forward to spending the New Year with you...

When Dong Ye remembered what Dai had said to him the night before.

I couldn't help but want to count how many times he said it. Although he acted like this, it was just because he was too surprised.

Did he cry?

He was crying like a father, but he didn't know it.

"Dad is looking forward to the New Year."

"Dad is looking forward to celebrating the New Year with me."

"Of course, like dad, I am also looking forward to Brother Touye celebrating the New Year with us."

Kai, who was inexplicably excited and chattering along the way, inadvertently said something very similar.

"because."

What followed was an intermittent memory, which made it clear to his inexplicably red face that he seemed to have forgotten something important.

"Kai, go take a bath."

Accustomed to having hot water prepared in advance, Dong Ye also prepared breakfast while Kai was practicing [swimming], and in the extra time, he accidentally looked at the backyard.

Is the door that was opened with a little force frozen?

In contrast, it was even colder outside, and I felt it keenly the moment I opened the door.

The first subconscious step.

The cold and moisture seeped through the thin pantyhose. It looked like it was the same as usual, and the wooden corridor seemed to be paved with a layer of frost.

The coldness disappeared in an instant, and the body temperature began to recover and spread in the soles of the feet.

As he calmed down, he took another step closer to the eaves.

It’s so cold!

Thinking that his body has adapted to the temperature, after being inadvertently baptized by the cold wind that happened to pass by, he regained his respect for nature on a winter night.

A few steps of bravery.

do not know when.

His toes were already set at the edge of the corridor. Following his original purpose, when he raised his head, he stretched out his right hand.

"Is it snowing?"

The sound coming from beside him did not take away the power of Touya's sight.

"Ah."

With a soft affirmation, the goose down flying all over the sky stared at a piece not far from him, capturing it from top to bottom, and then.

Block the necessary path.

Want to keep.

that's it.

Want to preserve his beauty.

but.

wrong.

forgotten.

Snow is beautiful only when it is flying.

The beauty that is about to be touched.

It's within reach but you've missed it.

"What a nice view!"

A heartfelt emotion and the most sincere admiration came from Kai.

What a humble compliment!

but.

"Ah."

Facing the same beautiful scenery, Dongye could only think of the same simple words.

~~~~~~

It's been snowing for a long time.

Quietly, it's already noon.

The knocking on the door was dull.

The air must have been frozen by the beautiful but cold snow.

"coming."

"Haha, happy new year."

I reminded him feebly, while complaining about the lack of understanding of the visitor, I could only encourage myself to climb out of the warm quilt.

I wanted to finish it quickly, so I moved my unsteady legs quickly to the entrance, and appeared at the open door.

It’s a [stranger].

Most of his head was covered with snow, even his iconic watermelon head was covered, and the rich green color seemed to have faded to the point where it was not impressive enough. Therefore, the reason why he was recognized in the end was still that He looked as silly as ever.

"Wear?"

"dad?"

Even though he recognized him, he still had the same confused tone. It seemed that even Kai, who had a beastly intuition, couldn't figure out the other party's true identity for a while.

"it's me."

"Hot-blooded ninja, Dai!"

Even though his body was frozen, he still flexibly performed shameful movements. This alone allowed Dongye to eliminate his previous suspicions.

"come on in."

"Close the door by the way."

Ignoring the other party's attempt to gain a sense of presence, Dongye decisively moved away from the door where the cold wind blew in, and trotted towards the quilt table.

······

Time passes again.

The still bright sky finally became a little dim.

"Brother Dongye, I'm hungry."

"Dongye, I'm hungry too."

"Well, I'm hungry too."

In a unified state, Dong Ye didn't want to move at all when his name was called.

"Eat satsuma?"

"Ok."

"I also want."

He straightened his upper body with a little effort, and used his right hand to push the satsuma that was close to him on the table.

More than ten mandarins were quickly divided.

The hungry belly was barely satisfied.

······

Light!

Longing for light!

When he woke up from his groggy consciousness, there was only a faint light in the dark surroundings, and the sky outside the house was completely dark.

"What does it smell like? It smells so good."

"I want to eat."

The father and son, who woke up with their noses twitching at the same time, shouted in perfect harmony.

"woke up?"

"woke up."

The jet-black figure was surrounded by dazzling lights. The contrast between the front and rear, the near and far, and the light and darkness finally got used to it after a few seconds.

"Let's eat noodles."

"Soba noodles."

Did he laugh?

The picture of that moment in Kai's mind was not fixed, so it was indeed an illusion.

"Thank you, Brother Touye."

"Thank you."

There was no immediate action, but he expressed his gratitude to the person who presented the food.

"Do not."

"You're welcome."

"because."

We are family.