chapter 176: Wake up

The atmosphere is serene as Homura lies peacefully asleep in his bed. It was rare for him to remain in bed so late, however, since he had graduated from the academy there was nothing that he needed early in the morning.

Suddenly, a knock reverberates from the bedroom door.

SFX: KNOCK, KNOCK.

SAYA, Homura's childhood friend and self-proclaimed big sister, calls out from the other side.

SAYA: Homura? Are you in there?

Growing impatient, SAYA opens the door to find Homura still asleep.

SAYA: (sarcastic) Oh, look who's catching some beauty sleep. He is much cuter when he is a sleep, I miss those days…I guess I will come back later…As if!

Feigning departure, SAYA suddenly throws several shuriken towards Homura, who jumps out of bed and clings to the ceiling.

The sheet he was previously covered under had now several holes as well as a few shurikens stuck in it. 

Seeing the now shredded piece of cloth that he had bought with his not-so-hard-earned money; Homura's eyes went wide as he recalled the scene of him buying those very sheets.

Suddenly his heart started to ache, and memories of his beloved sheets played inside his head. 

The joyful days spent together, now marked were marked with the dreadful spectacle happening right in front of his eyes. A spectacle that he could stop himself from witnessing.

HOMURA: My sheets!!!!!!!!!! The hell?! This is not how you try to wake up someone!

SAYA: (smirking) So, you're awake after all.

Homura, now on the ceiling, looks down at Saya; who remains close to his bedroom's door.

HOMURA: What kind of shinobi sleeps when someone enters their house?!

SAYA: Whatever... You're late for the day, Homura.

HOMURA: I'm not late for anything. We're not academy students anymore! Nor do I have to work at the clinic! So, I don't have to do anything! Baka! Flat-chested!...yikes! (I shouldn't have said that...)

SAYA: Tch!...Oh, so you have a death wish today? I guess... I can arrange that.

She says with a smile as the aura around her changes to represent her sinister intentions hidden between her seemingly harmless words.

HOMURA: Hii!!! W-wait! Why are you here today?

Homura tried to defuse the situation.

SAYA: So am I supposed to forget what you said a few seconds ago?

HOMURA: Huh…. I am sorry for my words before and apologize to my…my beautiful older sister who is so much better than me…and whose compassion and forgiveness knows no bounds and is wasted on…

SAYA: On…

HOMURA: …On a stupid, and cheeky little brother who is always up to no good.

SAYA: *sigh* I will forgive you this time around…But say I am flat-chested one more time and I will end your life.

She divulged, as her face twisted to matched the severity of her threat. Calling her a demon might have been too generous Homura thought, but quickly nodded. 

HOMURA: Y-YES! YES SIR! 

Saya reveals the reason for her visit.

SAYA: You're late for submitting your application for an ID at the Hokage service. Picture day, remember?

HOMURA: I'll do it tomorrow. I have plans…

SAYA: What plans?

Homura had to be very careful what to say next, because what he had in mind was treason.

HOMURA: (to study the forbidden scroll's room layout.)…study.

Saya, unimpressed, presses on.

SAYA: No excuses. Tomorrow, we're visiting the orphanage. Father and Sister Kasumi are expecting us.

Homura protests, but Saya is adamant.

HOMURA: I didn't agree to that!

Saya, menacingly, draws a short blade.

She brandished a short blade close to her face, giving a menacing look. Homura, in a defeated manner, agreed and hung down his head.

SAYA: Better get everything together today.

Defeated, Homura nods.

HOMURA: Fine. (I…hate shinobi.)

Saya heads towards the door, leaving with a final warning.

SAYA: The photographer closes at 5. You better go soon.

As Saya leaves, Homura lands back on the ground, examining his damaged sheets.

HOMURA: No way I can sleep here now. Gotta buy new sheets. Money's tight, especially now.

There was no way he could sleep now, and he lamented that he had to waste money buying a new pair of sheets, especially now that he was going to be cut off from government funds, which, although minimal, was still crucial during hard times.

HOMURA: Though I guess I could also sow it…but I have to buy more yarn…..(Though, I guess since there was no giant fox breaking loose onto the village these past few days, everything mostly occurred as intended…and I even visited Iruka at the hospital just to make sure he was there…Though visiting Naruto would have been better, but perhaps suspicious) *sigh* I guess it doesn't have to be today…

With a sigh, Homura relented, acknowledging that this day was going to be challenging.