The winter night wind was bitterly cold.
Shin had stood outside Ayari's door for only a moment when it opened.
Ayari held Sibi in her arms. She wore only a nightgown, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders as though she had just risen from bed. There was a hint of fragility in her expression that made one instinctively feel tenderness toward her.
Shin had come later than usual today, and Ayari had originally been planning to sleep.
"It's really cold outside." Shin walked over to the sofa as he spoke, sat down, and poured himself a cup of hot tea.
"It's so late already. What did you come here for?" Ayari could not help asking.
"It's only at night that I miss you especially badly," Shin said.
Ayari sat down across from him and looked away at his words. "Can't you ever say something proper?"
Shin took several sips of hot tea and felt most of the chill leave his body, letting out a satisfied sound.
He asked, "Did you know there's going to be a war?"
Ayari froze. "With whom?"
"Kumogakure. They probably weren't willing to let the Third Great Ninja War go, so now they've returned."
At those words, a bad feeling suddenly arose in Ayari's heart.
"You wouldn't..."
"I'm going to the battlefield tomorrow."
"..."
Ayari's heart tightened, and her eyes flickered as she looked at Shin.
"You... don't you usually help Lord Orochimaru handle official affairs? Why do you have to go to the battlefield too?"
"Someone has to go." Shin sounded entirely casual.
He looked at Ayari and smiled again. "What, can't bear to part with me?"
This time, Ayari lowered her head in silence instead of responding to his unserious teasing.
"Mm..."
Shin suddenly heard her extremely quiet answer and could not