"Friend"

Hui Youling brought Gaara back to her residence. Since everyone else was already asleep, she and Gaara snuck inside, turned on the lights, and dug out the items she had collected over the years. Eager to share them with him, she picked them up and began explaining them to Gaara.

Gaara had never seen these things before and didn't quite understand these strange-looking objects. He picked up a handheld game console and studied it for a while, his face full of curiosity.

Hui looked at Gaara like this and smiled softly, her heart filled with a mix of sorrow and joy. He still trusted the world, believed that someone loved him, and was willing to explore the unknown like any other child.

"What is this thing?" Gaara turned his head curiously to look at Hui and asked in a soft voice.

Hui also laughed. "It's a game console. I don't really understand it either, but I can teach you a few things, Gaara!"

Hui's large eyes were fixed intently on Gaara's, as if stars were shimmering within them. For now, she had shed her heavy burden and returned to being that child under six years old. The smile she raised made her face look like a steamed bun due to her baby fat.

Except for Yashamaru, this was the first time Gaara had seen someone smile at him like this. She looked truly happy, and this joy even affected him.

Gaara also raised the corners of his mouth and said with a soft smile, "Alright!"

Hui tilted her head and leaned slowly toward Gaara. With a slight smile on her lips, she took the console from his hand and pressed the start button. It turned on after a moment; the black-and-white console only had one or two games, but that was already quite good.

Seeing things appear on the black screen, Gaara curiously leaned his face in close. Hui's body stiffened slightly, and an inexplicable blush appeared on her face, but she spoke in her usual tone, "This game is relatively simple. How about we compete for the high score?"

Gaara nodded, his eyes brightening with joy as he looked at Hui. "Okay, will you teach me how to play first?"

Hui nodded with a light laugh, her hands moving quickly as she operated the interface while explaining the controls to Gaara.

Gaara had never played before and didn't understand the rules, so Hui won at first. However, he learned quickly, and soon they were trading wins and losses.

The two played for a long time. Hui used all sorts of clever tricks to tease Gaara, and Gaara just looked at her helplessly without saying a word. Hui laughed even more recklessly, until a neighbor, annoyed by the noise, actually came to knock on the door to complain. Hui quickly turned off the lights, winking mischievously at Gaara. After the person knocked a few times and received no response, they finally left.

Under the moonlight, Hui's eyes were exceptionally bright and beautiful. Her smile was also very gentle, and her whole demeanor gave him a different feeling. His heart felt comfortable, even warm and joyful. So, this is what a friend is?

The time spent with Gaara was too pleasant; Hui forgot all her worries and her whole body felt relaxed. She couldn't fight the sleepiness and drifted off in a daze.

When Hui woke up, it was already broad daylight. Her heart began to race, then sank inch by inch—Gaara was gone.

"Click." The sound of the door opening came from the entrance. Hui turned her head to look, and the corners of her mouth rose into a smile again. "Where did you go?"

Gaara smiled lightly. "I went home to get something."

Hui climbed up from the floor. "Gaara, do you want to go out for a walk?"

The smile on Gaara's face froze, and his eyes filled with desolation. Hui could guess what he was thinking.

"Gaara, do you know the Transformation Technique?" Hui stepped forward to take Gaara's hand and closed the door behind her.

"Transformation Technique? I do, but I don't know what use it has," Gaara replied indifferently.

"That's fine. Gaara, use the Transformation Technique to turn into this look." As she spoke, Hui used the Transformation Technique to turn into the appearance of a strange boy.

Gaara looked at her without a word. Finally, he surrendered to the expectant and hopeful look in Hui's eyes. A layer of sand began to swirl around his body. Hui watched him blankly; she didn't see him weave any hand signs, but as the sand covered him, he transformed into that same boy.

"So amazing? You don't even need hand signs?" Hui said in surprise, her heart filled with excitement and joy. As expected of Gaara.

With a poof, Hui turned back into her original self. She smiled at Gaara, her eyes flickering, and suddenly grabbed Gaara's hand and ran outside.

Gaara was dragged out in astonishment. He opened his mouth to say something, his gaze falling on their joined hands. He sighed silently; in truth, Hui Youling's hand was quite warm...

The two walked along the bustling street. All around them were merchants selling goods in Sunagakure, and a wide variety of items attracted a large crowd. Everyone was happily picking out things they liked.

At first, Gaara was still very uneasy and didn't want to go to crowded places. Hui kept holding Gaara's hand, and whenever he stopped in his unease, she would silently squeeze his hand, a faint smile on her face, though she didn't look back at him.

Gaara was very resistant to this place, but deep down, he didn't want to reject Hui Youling's kindness. Moreover, this time, it seemed as if no one saw him; there was none of the usual disgust or hatred, and no panic caused by his appearance. It didn't seem so hateful after all. This was his... first time walking into a crowd like a normal person.

Hui clearly felt that the hand she was holding was no longer so stiff. She turned back to look at Gaara with a light smile. "Is there anything you want to eat, Gaara?"

Gaara paused, lowered his eyes, and did not answer Hui Youling. Hui tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said casually, "Since it's your first time in Sunagakure, how about trying some grilled beef tongue?"

Gaara looked up at Hui, a look passing through his eyes that Hui Youling couldn't understand, but he finally nodded and said, "Alright."

Hui smiled and took Gaara to the grilled beef tongue stall.

Gaara still seemed unwilling to interact with those people, and Hui didn't force him. She handled all the negotiations. She didn't intend to change anything, because if she left, she didn't know how these people would treat Gaara again.

"Here, your favorite grilled beef tongue!" Hui handed the food to Gaara. This time, Gaara didn't take it. He looked at Hui in confusion. "How did you know I liked this?"

"Because we are companions, and I know you very well." Hui also looked at Gaara with a light smile, though in her heart she was saying, 'Because I like you...'

Seeing him think for a moment before taking the food, a strange warmth flowed through her heart.

Afterward, the two bought a lot more food. Gaara was stuffed with a pile of things by Hui. He didn't know where Hui got the money, but she never seemed to care about the price.

After walking for a while, Hui stopped for a long time at a stall selling cacti, her eyes full of excitement. Gaara watched from the side and smiled helplessly.

"You pick a cactus you like!" Hui pulled Gaara down to help him find one he liked.

The stall owner began to recommend his cacti. "My cacti are the best-looking, and they are very easy to raise in Sunagakure. If you like them, I can give you a discount. Take a look at..."

Gaara felt a bit at a loss when the stall owner started talking to him.

"Pick one." Hui interrupted the owner, just smiling at Gaara.

Gaara paused, his gaze falling on the cacti, and he pointed to one. "This one."

"Okay." Hui didn't say anything else, paid the owner directly, and handed the cactus to Gaara, instructing him, "Take good care of it. Don't water it too much; just water it occasionally."

"...Mm... Mm," Gaara replied, feeling a bit flustered.

"Let's go." Hui stood up, intending to leave.

Gaara was just about to leave as well, but they were suddenly surrounded by several Sunagakure ninjas. His eyes were filled only with vigilance and sorrow. He silently stepped forward, shielding Hui behind him. Hui could feel the sand swirling in the air around them.