Miyuki, who was nearly seven, had been a little happy lately.
Ever since her mother had become a squad captain in the Security Department, she had grown even busier.
For many days now, Miyuki had wanted to whisper with her mother for a while, but she always fell asleep before her mother came home. By the time she woke up the next morning, her mother had already left for work.
Even when they occasionally ran into each other outside, her mother was always busy, and Miyuki felt too embarrassed to go up and disturb her.
It was the same this morning. When she opened her eyes, it was already late in the morning, with sunlight streaming through the window, bright enough to sting her eyes.
"Another nice day!"
Unfortunately, the girl's mood was nowhere near as bright as the weather.
"Breakfast, Miyu! Come down quickly, all right?"
At the familiar voice, Miyuki replied impatiently, "I know! And how many times have I told you not to call me Miyu? My friends will laugh at me!"
"Who would dare laugh? Tell me, and I'll teach them a lesson..."
"No!"
Miyuki got out of bed, dressed herself, and walked out of her room, where she saw her father in an apron, holding a soup ladle.
"I'm about to start school. I can't just have my parents stand up for me whenever something happens, or I'll never become a strong ninja!"
Mizuki walked over and brushed aside the messy hair on the little girl's forehead.
"Who told you that? You're still young. It's not time for your rebellious phase yet..."
"I'm not little anymore. Shin is even younger than me, but he's going to Ninja Academy with me. It would've been better if I'd started school last year. That would've made me seem