The Uchiha Clan Compound, Obito's home.
Morning light squeezed through a gap in the curtains and fell across the rumpled bedding.
Obito lay wrapped in his blanket, curled into an uneven ball. His mouth hung slightly open, and a trace of drool clung to one corner.
Bang, bang, bang!
A slow knock sounded from the front door. Half asleep, Obito stuck a hand out from under the covers and waved toward it as though shooing away a persistent fly.
Bang, bang, bang!
The knocking did not stop. If anything, it grew more urgent.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!"
Obito finally struggled out of bed and shuffled to the door. He pulled it open while rubbing his eyes, grumbling irritably:
"Who's knocking this early in the morning?
I finally managed to get some sleep—"
His complaint died the moment he saw who stood outside.
"Good morning, Obito."
Rin stood in the doorway, smiling and waving at him.
Morning sunlight slanted in behind her, edging her short brown hair with warm gold.
She carried a flower basket containing a few sprigs of flowers and a small box of what looked like homemade sweets.
Obito's eyes widened at the sight of her.
Rin was about to speak when her gaze fell on the dark circles beneath his eyes. Her brows drew together, and concern entered her voice.
"You look... Did you not sleep well?
I'm sorry for coming so early and disturbing your rest."
"No, no! I'm wide awake now!"
Obito's voice shot up, and every trace of weariness vanished from his face.
He scratched his head and grinned.
"Rin, why are you here so early? I thought today was a day off. We don't have school.
Could it be—"
Obito looked at the flower basket in her hand. Something seemed to occur to