A summer rain came pouring down, and the stifling heat that had lingered all day finally subsided. After the downpour, a fine drizzle continued to fall, lingering like the hair of a woman beside one's pillow, strand after strand, refusing to break.
Yawning, Naruto came into the living room and shut the window that had been creaking nonstop in the wind. He left the door wide open instead, letting the cool breeze blow in, then opened the refrigerator and took out a can of soda.
Hiss—
He tipped back his head and took a big gulp, feeling thoroughly refreshed.
At this hour, everyone in the house was taking an afternoon nap. With the endless patter of rain outside, they were surely sleeping soundly.
Barefoot, Naruto sat beneath the veranda by the doorway, watching the dense curtain of rain in the courtyard. The occasional raindrops that splashed onto him felt cool and pleasant.
He saw a figure hurrying toward him along the veranda. It was Hinata.
"Where did you go?" Naruto asked curiously.
"None of your business." Hinata's single sentence immediately choked off his question.
Naruto could not help curling his lip, but he did not argue with her.
He could guess where Hinata had gone without much thought. At this time, there was nothing else for her to do besides go to the front hall to see Dad.
Dad had always favored her a little too much, which was why she had become so spoiled.
That was something Mom Ayari often said.
Thinking about it, the Hinata from that other world a few days ago had been quite gentle. Even the way she spoke had been soft and quiet.
It was just that the him in that world seemed not to have a father or mother. That was awful.
After