"Qingwu, I'm back."
Uchiha Hikari stood in the doorway, traces of battlefield dust still clinging to her burgundy hair, but her gaze fell on Qingwu with the fierce brightness of stars tempered in fire.
Her Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan had long since faded. The sharpness of battle was gone from her dark eyes, leaving only a little fatigue and complicated feelings buried deep within them that even she did not fully understand—the unspoken harmony of fighting side by side, the reassurance of coming home, and a hint of dependence she could not put into words.
Qingwu stepped forward and naturally took her equipment and weapons. His fingertips inadvertently brushed the cool back of her hand as he said gently, "Mm, I'm glad you're back. Tired? Your late-night meal is ready. I've been keeping it warm."
Before he had finished, a boisterous voice burst from inside. Holding a half-eaten fish ball, Otsutsuki Jingze poked his head out from beside the dining table, his eyes shining like two light bulbs. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Sis! Come in, come in! Boss has been the model husband today. He prepared everything on the table!
"Grilled meat, sticky rice balls, sweet rice cakes, charcoal-grilled saury, miso soup, fish balls, and your favorite salt-roasted ginkgo nuts. Any later, and I would've polished them all off for you!"
As he spoke, he deliberately raised the fish ball in his hand, almost splashing grease onto his clothes, his eyes narrowed in contentment.
"Hehe... You really are something..."
His antics brought a faint smile to Hikari's lips, dispelling much of the gloom in her eyes. She stepped inside and kicked off her muddy shoes, her voice relaxed now that she had finally let her guard down. "Always thinking about food."
"Mm, this kid does nothing but eat and sleep. He's gained