Seeing how large the restaurant was, Yūske thought his Teacher was really willing to spend money, even on unfamiliar servers.
Led by a server, he arrived at an empty table and was about to sit down.
"Yūske?"
Hearing someone call his name, Yūske turned toward the source of the voice.
"Captain Shinku, what are you all doing here?!"
Delighted, Yūske looked at the group before quickly walking over and taking the empty seat beside Hyuga Reon.
"En, Shiro, Reon, Yoru, and Captain Shinku—it's been so long!"
The others had not seen Yūske in a long time, and upon seeing him now, they all greeted him warmly.
"Yūske, when I returned to the village before, I went to your home. I went back several times afterward, but no one ever opened the door. I thought something had happened and hurried to ask Lord Hokage. He told me you had gone off to train, while your uncle and aunt had moved their shop here," Kurenai Yūhi said with a smile.
Yūske felt a little embarrassed and scratched his head. "Actually, I received the notice to train quite suddenly, so I left in a hurry."
He was no longer alone and without anyone to rely on. Though he did not have many friends, he still had a few people he could laugh, chat, and drink with.
"Then let's consider today another gathering for the six of us. Of course, tomorrow we need to welcome the army from the front lines back to the village, so it wouldn't be appropriate to drink. We'll gather again properly another day."
With that, Kurenai Yūhi picked up the juice and filled each of their cups.
"Cheers!"
Six cups lightly clinked together, producing a few crisp, pleasant chimes, as though celebrating the reunion of the six of them.