Things aren't as difficult to resolve as imagined

Miya sighed, then crouched down to meet Shin-chan's eyes. "What are you going to do tomorrow?"

Shin-chan looked up at her, bewildered. "I don't know."

"Do you want to learn Blade Techniques?"

"I do."

"Then do you still want to train with Might Guy's Father?"

Shin-chan thought about it.

Might Guy's Father—the uncle who was always talking about youth and giving a thumbs-up.

"I... I guess I do?"

Miya watched him struggle with his answer and couldn't help sighing.

"Shin-chan, listen to me."

Shin-chan looked at her.

"If you've made promises to two people, you can only choose one. But you can explain things properly to the other one. They're both good people. As long as you apologize and explain why, they won't blame you."

"Really?"

"Really." Miya nodded. "But you have to apologize properly, because you were the one who made the promise first."

Shin-chan nodded thoughtfully.

"And," Miya continued, "you can talk it over with him. Maybe you could go every other day, or visit him first and then go to the other person. Adults can work these things out."

Shin-chan's eyes lit up. "You can talk it over?"

"Of course." Miya patted his head. "As long as you explain things properly, adults will understand."

Shin-chan thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Mom, do you and Dad talk things over too?"

Miya froze for a moment, then smiled. "We do. For example, when he comes back from a mission, we work out who's going to do the dishes."

"What if you can't work it out?"

Miya's smile stiffened.

"Then... I win."

Shin-chan blinked. "Why do you win?"

"Because I'm your mom."

Shin-chan nodded thoughtfully, then asked earnestly, "Then tomorrow, can I say, 'I'm Shin-chan, so I get to decide'?"

"No."

"Why can you do it, but I can't?"

"Because I'm an adult."

Shin-chan sighed and shook his head. "Adults have it so easy. When they want to win, they say it's because they're adults. When they want to make a point, they talk about reason."

"Enough of that." Miya stood up, flustered and annoyed. "Go take a bath. You're covered in sweat."

Shin-chan got up slowly and headed for the bathroom. When he reached the doorway, he suddenly turned around.

"Mom."

"What is it now?"

"Thank you."

Miya paused, standing in the living room as she watched the little figure. A smile slowly spread across her face.

He really had grown up a lot.

That night, Shin-chan slept fitfully, tossing and turning as thoughts of apologizing the next day filled his mind.

Would Thick-Eyebrow Uncle be angry?

Would he stop letting Shin-chan train with him?

As he pondered, he drifted off to sleep.

In his dream, Might Guy stood before him with tears in his eyes, over and over calling him a liar. Shin-chan tried to explain, but his mouth was sealed shut, and he couldn't get a word out.

"Shin-chan, time to get up."

Miya's voice pulled him out of his dream.

Shin-chan opened his eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling. Then he slowly sat up, unusually not trying to stay in bed.

"Mom."

"What?"

"I don't want to grow up."

Miya poked her head out of the kitchen, looking baffled. "What are you talking about now?"

"Growing up is such a pain." Shin-chan hugged his blanket. "You have to apologize, explain yourself, and worry about whether other people will get mad."

Miya paused, then smiled. "You've still got a long way to go before you're grown up. But you still have to do what needs to be done today."

Shin-chan sighed, then slowly got dressed, slowly finished breakfast, and slowly slung his schoolbag over his shoulder. Even his voice sounded lifeless.

"I'm heading out."

Miya stood by the door, watching his grim, doomed expression, and couldn't help laughing.

"Good luck."

"Yeah." Shin-chan waved and trudged toward the Ninja Academy.

All day, Shin-chan was distracted, last night's dream repeatedly surfacing in his mind.

At last, the bell rang for After School.

Shin-chan picked up his schoolbag and slowly headed outside.

Might Guy was waiting for him at the School Entrance. The moment he spotted Shin-chan, he waved excitedly. "Shin-chan, let's burn with youth again today!"

Seeing Might Guy's radiant smile only made Shin-chan feel heavier. All the way there, he wondered how to bring it up.

When they reached the Training Ground, Might Duy was already waiting. He was wearing his signature Green Spandex and giving a thumbs-up.

"You're here, young men full of youth!"

Shin-chan stood in front of him, opened his mouth, then shut it again.

Dai looked at him, puzzled. "What's wrong?"

Shin-chan took a deep breath, bent over, and bowed deeply.

"Uncle, I'm sorry."

Dai froze.

Might Guy froze too.

"I can't train with you today." Shin-chan's voice was muffled. "I promised Kakashi's Father I'd go learn Blade Techniques."

Shin-chan stayed bowed, afraid to look up.

"It's all right." Dai seemed relieved too. "Actually, I've been thinking about something these past few days."

"What?"

"My training method might not be right for you."

Shin-chan blinked, not understanding.

Dai grew serious. "Shin-chan, do you know why I make Might Guy Break Through Limits again and again?"

Shin-chan shook his head.

"The only way I know to get stronger is to keep challenging my limits and breaking through them again and again. Every time I break through, I get a little stronger."

Might Duy paused, then scratched his head. "But you're different. Even though you've been training with me these past few days, you've never really reached your limit."

Shin-chan was stunned.

"So," Dai said, patting his shoulder, "learning Blade Techniques might be the right choice for you. My methods can't teach you what you need."

Shin-chan looked at him, suddenly feeling his eyes grow warm. "Uncle, aren't you angry?"

"Angry?" Dai laughed loudly. "There's more than one way to burn with youth! Learning Blade Techniques is burning with youth too!"

Shin-chan stared at him blankly, then bowed deeply. "Uncle, thank you for teaching me these past few days. I was really tired, but I had a lot of fun."

Big tears welled in Dai's eyes. He threw his arms around Shin-chan. "Shin-chan, you're a fine young man full of youth!"

"L-let go! I can't breathe..."

Might Guy stood to the side, watching them, and started crying too.

The three of them cried and laughed as they hugged each other.

After a long while, Shin-chan wriggled free of Dai's embrace.

"Uncle, I'll get going now. Kakashi's Father is still waiting for me."

"Go on." Dai gave him a thumbs-up. "Learn well."

Shin-chan turned and ran a few steps, then stopped and looked back at Might Guy.

"Might Guy."

"Yeah?"

"I'll come find you to play again tomorrow."

Tears welled in Might Guy's eyes again. He nodded hard and gave a thumbs-up. "Yeah, I'll be waiting!"

Shin-chan waved and disappeared around the corner.

Only Might Duy and Might Guy remained at the Training Ground.

Might Guy stood there, staring in the direction Shin-chan had disappeared, his eyes red.