New Year

Konoha Year 60, spring

On the first day of the new year, a light snow drifted down from the sky, adding a touch of dreamlike beauty to the holiday.

The streets were no less crowded because of the cold; instead, they were even noisier than usual.

There were more people visiting friends and relatives than on ordinary days, while children in new clothes chased and played in the snow.

Ning Xue did not grow lazy simply because it was the new year. As usual, he rose early before dawn.

He carried out his unwavering morning training in the courtyard.

His breath turned to white mist in the winter cold, and his footsteps left tracks amid the wind and snow.

After training, he returned indoors and gently began preparing breakfast.

His mother's room was still quiet. When he pushed the door open, he saw that she was already awake, staring blankly out the window.

"Happy New Year, Mother." Ning Xue spoke calmly as he brought breakfast to her bedside.

Hyuga Yuki slowly turned her head, forcing a faint smile onto her pale face.

"Happy New Year, Ning Xue." Her gaze fell on her son, filled with unconcealed heartache and guilt.

With school closed for the new year, he did not go to school or work at Ichiraku Ramen.

Instead, he stayed home to keep his mother company.

That morning, he carefully prepared the chashu and pork bones Teuchi had given him, simmering them into a rich, warming pot of soup.

In the afternoon, sunlight filtered through the clouds and cast a faint glow over the snow. Ning Xue helped his mother settle into a reclining chair by the window and tucked a thick blanket around her.

They quietly enjoyed the afternoon sunlight.

By nightfall, Konoha Village gradually lit up, warm lamplight glowing from every home.

Fireworks occasionally bloomed in the sky as well.

"Ning Xue..."

Hyuga Yuki suddenly spoke softly, her eyes still fixed on the window.

"I remember... there were always fireworks tonight every year."

"Mm." Ning Xue answered.

He remembered that when his father had still been around, they had watched fireworks together too.

After thinking for a moment, he went to the kitchen and brewed a pot of tea to warm himself and his mother.

Then he sat down beside her.

As the night deepened, the fireworks in the sky grew denser and more brilliant. Huge bursts thundered open against the pitch-black curtain of night, dazzling in every color and radiant with flowing light. In an instant, they illuminated the entire sky and shone through the window onto their faces.

Hyuga Yuki raised her head and watched the fireworks. The splendor of the sky reflected in her hollow eyes, seeming to restore a trace of life to them. She remembered the days when the family of three had watched fireworks together, and an unconscious smile curved her lips.

Ning Xue watched the fireworks, and his heart stirred slightly as well.

The fireworks of his previous life had certainly been magnificent, but these simple fireworks evoked the warmest memories in his heart.

When the final firework rose into the sky and bloomed, it also signaled the end of that dreamlike display.

Yet his heart was filled with mixed emotions. This brief warmth was not enough to dispel the coldness in this home, nor could it heal the wounds in his mother's body and heart.

But at least it offered a small measure of comfort.

Hyuga Yuki let out a soft sigh and closed her eyes, seemingly tired.

Ning Xue silently helped her lie down and carefully tucked in the corners of her blanket.

"I'm heading out."

He spoke quietly, picking up that familiar apron. Ichiraku Ramen still needed help at night, and the New Year festivities would last until late.

When he arrived at Ichiraku Ramen, the place was still bustling with voices.

But Teuchi was somewhat surprised to see him.

"Ning Xue? Didn't I tell you to take the night off?"

"It's fine."

Ning Xue answered simply, tied on his apron, and slipped back into the busy rhythm. He washed dishes and wiped down tables and chairs.

Like a wind-up doll pulled taut, he did not know fatigue until the very last moment.

However, as he carried a mountain of empty bowls toward the kitchen, his gaze happened to sweep over a table by the window, and his movements paused almost imperceptibly.

A family of three sat there. The young father smiled as he placed a large slice of chashu into his son's bowl, speaking words of encouragement. The gentle mother carefully wiped sauce from the child's mouth with a tissue, her eyes full of affection.

And the little boy surrounded by them wore a bright, satisfied smile, his happiness completely free of shadows.

That scene reminded him of the past, of that day at the barbecue restaurant. It seemed he had once been like that too.

"Ning Xue! Hurry up! We're almost out of bowls over here!" Teuchi called from the kitchen.

Teuchi could now be said to be suffering and enjoying himself at once. His shop had originally only had room for seven or eight people.

Now, several tables had been installed along both sides of the walls, and a canopy had been set up outside. All at once, the place could hold over twenty people.

It kept him incredibly busy, so he had naturally become a little short-tempered.

Ning Xue suddenly came back to himself and lowered his eyes, concealing the fleeting reminiscence in them.

He called back loudly.

"Yes."

He quickly gathered the dishes and chopsticks outside, then returned to the kitchen to continue washing them.

"Ning Xue, clear table three outside!" Another shout came from the front hall.

"Coming." He flicked the droplets from his hands, wiped them on his apron, and expressionlessly walked back into the noisy front hall.

He deliberately avoided looking toward the table by the window, focusing on the work in front of him.

He wiped the tabletops, cleared away leftovers, and set out fresh chopsticks.

His movements remained nimble, even faster than before, as though he wanted to use this intense busyness to completely drive away those untimely, fragile emotions.

The liveliness in the shop lasted a long time: children laughing, customers slurping noodles, running water in the kitchen, and Teuchi making ramen.

Fortunately, these people still had relatives to visit tomorrow.

Only then did the customers gradually disperse. After the last table left, Ning Xue began the usual closing cleanup.

He mopped the floor, wiped the tables, and returned the tables and chairs to their places, every movement meticulous.

After counting the day's earnings, Teuchi looked at Ning Xue silently wiping down the stove and understood.

He had noticed Ning Xue's brief distraction earlier and had guessed the reason.

(He had even asked Naruto about it. As the owner, there was nothing wrong with caring about an employee, right?)

Ah... this child had suffered too much.

"Here, Ning Xue." Teuchi once again handed him a bulging money pouch and a package of food. Besides the usual chashu, it also contained several specially added New Year pastries meant to bring good fortune.

"Thanks for the effort today. Happy New Year."

Ning Xue accepted them and thanked him quietly as always.

"Thank you, Uncle Teuchi."

This time, aside from gratitude, there seemed to be a trace of barely perceptible exhaustion in his voice.

"Go home now. It's New Year's Eve; spend more time with your mother."

Teuchi gently patted him on the shoulder.

Ning Xue nodded, removed his apron, carefully put away his wages and food, and pushed aside the curtain that separated warmth from cold.