The lazy sunlight fell across a clearing in the forest, where rough wooden posts stood as targets. Hinata used to come here often, hiding behind a tree to secretly watch Naruto train.
To her, Naruto was like an unyielding bonfire. Even when snow fell from the sky, he burned fiercely.
She was someone the snow had drenched and snuffed out, so she couldn't help wanting to draw close to the bonfire and embrace its warmth, so the snowy night would no longer feel so cold and desolate.
Naruto had changed from the way he used to be, yet he was still the same. He had only grown stronger, and now he was the one who took the initiative to approach her.
She didn't know if Heaven had heard her wish, but she cherished this and wanted to protect it, afraid the dream would shatter.
After that day at the hospital, Naruto had left quite suddenly without even saying goodbye to her.
Hinata was very worried that Naruto might leave Konoha just like that. After all, the villagers had never liked him.
Her father didn't approve of the two of them spending time together, either.
She liked Naruto, but she couldn't go against the father who had raised and taught her.
She wanted to have it both ways. People were always greedy.
That made her even more afraid. Were greedy people destined to lose everything?
October 10 was Naruto's birthday. She remembered it very clearly. It wasn't hard to remember, since the Nine-Tails' rampage had made it the death anniversary of many villagers.
She didn't know whether Naruto had ever celebrated his birthday. In any case, on this day in years past, she had always worn black mourning clothes and paid her respects before the memorial tablets in her family's altar