Konoha was always awakened by birdsong and the cries of breakfast vendors.
Kiyomi stood before the mirror, looking at the brand-new ninja clothes she wore. Hinata had altered them overnight. They had originally been an old outfit Boruto had outgrown, but Hinata's nimble hands had taken in the waist and shortened the sleeves. She had even embroidered a tiny Uzumaki crest on the back.
She touched the crest, her fingers a little cold.
"Hey, how much longer are you going to dawdle?" Kawaki's voice came through the door, laced with his usual impatience. "That idiot's going to eat all the breakfast."
Kiyomi opened the door. Kawaki was leaning against the wall, holding a carton of milk he hadn't finished. He gave Kiyomi a once-over, his gaze lingering on the crest. He pursed his lips, said nothing, and turned to head downstairs.
The dining table was, as expected, a mess. Boruto was devouring the fried eggs on his plate at an astonishing speed, mumbling, "The last one's mine!"
"Dream on." Passing the table, Kawaki snatched up the chopsticks and intercepted the egg midair with pinpoint accuracy, shoving it into his mouth.
"Hey! You jerk!" Boruto sprang to his feet, slapping the table.
Naruto sat at the head of the table with a newspaper in his hands. He smiled helplessly. "All right, all right, Boruto. You're the older brother. You should let him have some."
"Like I'd let this gloomy-faced jerk have anything!"
Kiyomi quietly sat down. A neat breakfast had been set in front of her: rice, miso soup, and a small dish of pickled radish. She picked up her chopsticks and pressed her hands together. "Let's eat."
She still hadn't quite gotten used to the ritual, but she saw everyone else doing it, so she followed their example.
"What are