"Son, are you back?"
Mom's voice drifted up from downstairs. Yūske immediately took Sarutobi downstairs with him.
"Son, when did you start keeping another new pet?"
Mom stared at the monkey on Yūske's shoulder in surprise and asked in confusion. Dad, meanwhile, could only sigh when he saw it. It seemed his daily chores had gained another item.
"Dad, Mom, Sarutobi isn't a pet. Teacher Hiruzen entrusted him to me. He'll be my fighting partner from now on."
Yūske looked at them solemnly. Trusting their son, neither of them asked too many questions.
"Oh, Mom, Sarutobi wants to eat snake meat..."
As soon as Yūske said that, Mom urged Dad to hurry out and buy some. Dad merely glanced toward Yūske's room, said nothing, and headed out carrying a vegetable basket.
Before long, a table full of delicious dishes was set out.
"Mom, don't you open for business in the evenings?"
Yūske had been home for quite a while but still had not visited the new Barbecue Restaurant, so he asked casually.
"Mm, we've hired people now. There are more customers these days, and we can't handle everything ourselves. But now that you're back, your dad and I can come home earlier to cook for you."
Life was becoming more and more hopeful. Mom happily kept piling food into Yūske's and Sarutobi's bowls.
Seeing how happy Mom was, Yūske truly did not know how to say it. After all, he might soon be away from home often again.
Yūske held back his words and forced himself to finish the delicious dinner. His mom had noticed long ago that he had something on his mind. After clearing the table, she took Yūske aside and asked.
"What is it, son? Are you going on another mission?"
"Not exactly. I might be going