Chapter 107: Reunion With an Old Teammate

After treating Hikari's burn, Gin headed upstairs to prepare her a room, leaving Itama and Hikari sitting in silence, locked in a quiet staring contest.

"I still don't know your name… maybe Gin just forgot to mention it on the way," Hikari said at last, casually lifting the teacup Gin had drunk from, taking a small sip before glancing up with a faint smile.

"What? That curly-haired ape didn't even introduce me?"

Itama's sense of unease flared—was he really that unimportant in Gin's eyes?

"He never mentioned having a childhood friend, either," she added, her soft tone laced with doubt. Then she tilted her head, feigning thoughtfulness as she added sweetly, "You two grew up together? Then… aren't you thirty-something already?"

Age—the deadliest weapon against a woman.

"Ugh…"

That little jab landed hard. Hikari stiffened, caught off guard by the boy's quick riposte.

(^-^)VItama grinned inwardly, making a little victory sign in his mind as his fighting spirit burned even brighter.

Just then, Gin came down holding a neatly folded set of his old clothes. Seeing the two still glaring at each other, he frowned in confusion."Hikari? Brat? Why are you staring at each other like that?"

"Hmph," Itama snorted, looking away.

"Nothing. Just chatting with… Itama, was it? What an unusual name," Hikari said sweetly, covering her mouth as her bright eyes glinted. She ignored the boy's reaction entirely as she took the clothes and thanked Gin gently, "Thank you, Gin. Please take care of me from now on."

What? This old woman plans to stay?

Itama's chest burned as his fists clenched, his Senju blood pumping like hot iron. But he forced himself to release his hands. This is just the beginning, he promised himself.

Hikari soon came back downstairs, wearing Gin's loose old clothes under her shimmering cloak. Her face flushed, she tugged at the collar lightly and murmured,"Gin… does it look okay?"

"Eh… a little big, but don't worry. We'll get you new ones. Just toss that one later," he replied casually."Alright, let's go out and grab dinner after shopping."

The three of them set out for the clan market.

Hikari and Itama flanked Gin, shooting invisible sparks at each other all the way.

"Boardman! What are you doing here? It's not time yet," called a familiar voice.

Gin turned to see Uchiha Jiri, the purple-haired girl he knew.

"Oh! Gin-san. Long time no see. You look well. And this young lady is…?" she asked politely, though her keen senses picked up on the dark, unsettling power coiled within Hikari.

"Hikari. Gin's childhood friend," Hikari cut in smoothly before Gin could answer. Her eyes briefly sized up Jiri, then dismissed her.

"I'm Uchiha Jiri, a friend of Itama's," Jiri introduced herself evenly, her expression calm despite the oppressive feeling.

"Ah, Jiri! Perfect. Join us for dinner," Gin said warmly. He liked Jiri—not that way, of course, more like a proud older brother. She reminded him of the kind of child he wished he'd raised himself.

"Well… I'll take you up on it," Jiri replied, noticing Itama's pleading look.

Now there were four. Gin led the way, Hikari right behind, and Itama and Jiri whispered quietly at the rear.

"Hikari, pick anything you like. Don't worry about the price," Gin said grandly in the clothing store.

"Okay!"

Freed from her years of suppression, Hikari beamed as she darted among the colorful racks. In no time, she'd piled up a small mountain of clothes.

"Gin, help me choose," she said, her eyes sparkling with girlish joy.

"What's there to choose? You like it, you take it," Gin replied bluntly, tossing a gold bar to the stunned shopkeeper and sealing all the clothes into a scroll.

"Thank you, Gin. I… I really like you," Hikari whispered shyly, realizing too late what she'd said and turning red as a beet.

"What's this? Don't be so formal," Gin laughed, missing the deeper meaning.

"…Jealous?"

Jiri elbowed Itama with a teasing smile.

"I—no! I just don't like that fake old woman!" Itama sputtered, his face bright red.

Jiri watched him knowingly, enjoying the drama.

Soon Gin returned with Hikari, who was glowing with happiness. "Let's eat! What do you guys want?"

"Barbecue!" Itama called."Barbecue!" Hikari chimed in immediately."Eh?" Jiri raised an eyebrow.

The two glared at each other, both surprised the other had the same idea.

"And you, Jiri?" Gin asked."Barbecue's fine," she said.

"Great! Barbecue it is," Gin declared.

They arrived at the most popular place in the Uchiha compound: Burn Flame Barbecue.

"Welcome!" came a hearty voice from the kitchen—a broad-faced man poked his head out.

"Dairou! It's been a while," Gin called.

"…Gin?" Dairou's expression shifted when he saw him, looking oddly conflicted.

Gin led the others to a private room and settled them before chatting with his old comrade."How's Jirou?" Gin asked.

"On duty today. You skipping work again?" Dairou shot back with a faint smile.

Dairou was one of Gin's teammates during his second run. Years ago, he'd been gravely injured in battle and forced to retire. Gin had encouraged him to open a restaurant, and now Burn Flame Barbecue was famous.

"Just the usual for us," Gin said, waving a hand as he sat down.

"Got it! Ayako, bring up that bottle from the cellar," Dairou called.

A moment later, a gentle-looking woman emerged from the kitchen carrying a bottle of sake.

"Well, well, Ayako. Long time no see. You're as beautiful as ever," Gin greeted warmly.

"My, my. Gin-kun still knows how to flatter," Ayako giggled behind her hand. "Not like my blockhead of a husband."

(End of Chapter)

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