"Shibi, lately, things in Konoha—"
"Let's eat first."
Shibi grinned, cutting Guy off.
"You just got back. Hungry? I'll tell them to bring the food."
Warmth spread through Guy as he looked at his friend.
He knew what Shibi meant.
This meal wasn't just to welcome him home. It was also a chance for the haggard Kurenai to eat her fill.
"Thanks for the effort, Shibi."
"We're brothers. No need to thank me. Go on inside and wait."
Shibi turned and hurried off.
Kurenai and Guy went back to the private room and sat down.
Before long, Shibi came in carrying the food himself.
He made trip after trip, several trays stacked on his arms, moving with practiced ease.
Soon, the table was full.
Grilled meat, vegetable dumplings, rice balls, miso soup, a few small side dishes... Everything was steaming hot, its aroma making their mouths water.
Finally, Shibi brought out two bottles of sake from behind his back and set them on the table.
"Alcohol?"
Guy paused.
Shibi scratched his head. "We're sixteen, so we can drink now. I didn't know if you drank, but I ordered some anyway."
Guy felt a little dazed.
He had been in this world for ten years, yet he had never had a drink. He had never even thought about it.
Every day was spent training or fighting. When would he have found the time to think about drinking?
He looked at the two bottles of sake on the table, an indescribable feeling rising in his chest.
"Ten years already..."
He reached for a bottle and laughed.
"All right! We're celebrating today, so let's have a proper drink together!"
Shibi looked excited too.
He had never drunk before, either.
For one thing, it had never interested him.
For another, he'd had no one