Do what you promise others

The sunset slanted west, and the first day at the Ninja Academy was finally drawing to a close.

Teacher Ibuki stood before the lectern, closing the roll call book. "Alright, that's all for today. Remember to bring everything tomorrow and don't be late."

The classroom immediately erupted.

Shin-chan sprang from his seat, his eyes shining like two stars, and dashed out of the classroom with astonishing speed.

"Coming, coming~"

Muttering to himself, the red figure swept through the corridor, across the playground, and out the school gate like a gust of wind. His speed was even faster than when he chased Asagi-sensei in the afternoon.

At the school entrance, the Gatekeeper Uncle felt a blur pass before his eyes.

"Did a child just run out?"

"Seems like it," the person next to him nodded.

"Why run so fast?"

"Must be in a hurry to get home."

The uncle was silent for two seconds, then shook his head. "Youth is wonderful."

Meanwhile, that "youthful" figure had already run dozens of meters.

Then, Shin-chan suddenly stopped, standing by the roadside, tilting his head and looking at the sunset ahead.

"Hmm?"

He seemed to have forgotten something.

Shin-chan frowned, trying hard to recall.

Being dragged by Miya in the morning... meeting Thick-Eyebrow Uncle... refining Chakra... the chinjao at lunch... Asagi-sensei in the afternoon...

Everything seemed normal.

What did he forget?

After thinking for a full two seconds, Shin-chan gave up.

"Whatever, if I can't remember it, it probably wasn't important."

He continued to run forward.

"Coming, I'm here!"

And Might Guy hadn't expected Shin-chan's speed to be so fast. Seeing that he wasn't in the classroom, he decided to wait at the School Entrance, his eyes fixed on every student coming out.

Shin-chan had promised to train together after school. The boy who had rushed into the crowd that morning, shouting "Youth!" with them, would surely keep his word.

The Sunset shone on his Green Spandex, his shadow stretching long.

One student after another walked past him.

No red.

Two.

None.

A crowd.

Still none.

Might Guy's eyebrows gradually drooped, but he didn't leave: "Just a little longer..."

Meanwhile, Shin-chan ran like the wind, only two words in his mind: "Snack time."

He hadn't gotten to eat a Chocolate Stick in the morning, encountered the detestable Chinjao at noon, and run so many laps in the afternoon. Now he urgently needed a snack to replenish his energy.

He pushed open the House Door, kicked off his Shoes, and rushed inside.

"I'm home!" Shin-chan habitually shouted.

"'I'm home' is more like it," Miya's voice came from the kitchen. "Wash your hands first, the snacks are on the table."

Shin-chan's eyes lit up. He quickly washed his hands and pounced on the table.

On the table was a plate of Small Cakes and a glass of Milk.

Shin-chan grabbed a Spoon, scooped up a cake, and stuffed it into his mouth.

Miya walked out of the kitchen, took off her Apron, and watched her son gobble down the food, unable to help but smile: "Eat slowly, no one's going to fight you for it."

"Mmmph~" Shin-chan's mouth was full, and he responded indistinctly.

Miya sat down opposite him and suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, didn't you say you were going to train with that uncle in the Green Spandex after school today?"

Shin-chan's chewing stopped. He looked up, blinking.

Then, he blinked again.

"..."

Miya looked at his expression and her heart sank: "You didn't forget, did you?"

Shin-chan slowly took the spoon out of his mouth, his expression shifting from confusion to sudden realization, and then from realization to guilt.

"It seems... there was something like that..."

"Seems?" A cross appeared on Miya's forehead. "Didn't you make plans with him this morning? That uncle was so happy, he kept saying 'youth, youth'!"

Shin-chan lowered his head, looking at the pastries on the table.

"But," he mumbled softly, "I want to eat Heart-eating time."

Miya took a deep breath, stood up, walked to Shin-chan's side, squatted down, looked him in the eyes, and softened her tone.

"Shin-chan, Mother asks you, if you promise someone something but don't do it, what will that person think?"

Shin-chan thought for a moment: "They'll be disappointed?"

"Yes." Miya nodded. "And not just disappointed, they'll think Shin-chan doesn't keep his word, that Shin-chan isn't someone they can trust."

Shin-chan fell silent.

Miya continued: "Mother knows you want to eat pastries, and Mother knows you're tired from school all day today, but when you promise someone something, you have to do it. That's what a man does, right?"

Shin-chan looked up at his mother.

Miya had a gentle smile on her face, not angry, just earnestly teaching him a lesson.

Shin-chan was silent for a few seconds, then slid off the chair.

"Mother."

"Yes?"

"Save the cake for me." Shin-chan put on his Shoes. "I'm going to find them."

Miya smiled: "Okay, I'll save it for you."

Shin-chan pulled open the Gate of Opening, then suddenly turned back: "Oh, right, Mother."

"What is it?"

"What you just said, did you learn it from a book?"

Miya's smile froze: "What do you mean?"

"It sounds really impressive," Shin-chan said seriously. "Is it like a book called 'Mother's Famous Quotes Collection' or something?"

"Stop babbling and go!" Miya began to roar.

Shin-chan went out and ran a few steps, then suddenly stopped, standing in the Sunset, tilting his head in thought.

"That guy with the thick eyebrows, what was his name again?"

"Never mind, I remember what he looks like anyway."

Then he took off running.

Meanwhile, at the School Entrance.

Might Guy was still standing there.

The sun dipped a little lower, and his shadow grew a little longer.

Might Guy lowered his head, drawing circles on the ground with his toes.

"Maybe he really forgot," he whispered. "Maybe he didn't want to come after all."

"Maybe he's on his way."

A voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

Might Guy's head shot up.

A bright, smiling face appeared before him, fine beads of sweat on his forehead from running so fast.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Shin-chan said, hands on his hips. "I'm here to burn with youthful passion!"

Might Guy froze, large tears welling up in his eyes.

"Shin-chan," Might Guy lunged forward and hugged Shin-chan tightly. "I thought you weren't coming. I waited for so, so long."

"Uh," Shin-chan gasped, a little breathless from the hug. "I just went home to eat a little something."

"It doesn't matter," Might Guy released him, wiping his tears and giving a thumbs-up. "It's great that you came. This is youth! Waiting for you is always worth it!"

"Then let's go," Shin-chan mimicked Might Guy, also giving a thumbs-up. "Let's burn with youthful passion."

Two small figures ran side-by-side under the Sunset.

One red, one green.

In the distance, Might Duy was practicing walking on his hands in the training grounds. Seeing the two children running over, he was instantly overcome with emotion.

"Youth!" Might Duy roared to the sky. "My son has made a true friend."

Then, with a flip, he landed and opened his arms to greet them. "Come on, let's begin our youthful training!"