Following Big Brother to School

"A Luo, eat first. Once you're full, come to school with your big brother."

Sasuke had cried for a long time last night before eventually falling asleep in that room, half-conscious, until morning.

Earlier, he had gone out to buy a great many daily necessities and returned with two servings of ramen.

For now, this was the only food they could be sure A Luo could eat without any problems, because the owner of Ichiraku Ramen carefully asked about the necessary precautions before preparing and packing the noodles.

As for whether he would keep eating ramen from now on, that was unlikely. But they would have to discuss future plans after school.

"Sasuke, I really don't have to be locked up anymore?"

A Luo washed his face and sat down by the table, asking cautiously.

In this world, he had always been locked inside that courtyard. Now that he could suddenly live outside, there was bound to be an adjustment period.

Acting was troublesome, but he rather liked it.

"Mm. We're not going back. From now on, A Luo will stay with your big brother. We'll eat together, go to school together, come home after school together, and sleep in the same room."

Sasuke lowered his head to look at the ramen. As he spoke, he kept deliberately emphasizing his identity as the older brother.

He wanted A Luo to grow accustomed to their brotherly relationship, but he was also reminding himself that he was the older brother—a good older brother who could take care of his younger brother.

"Sasuke... thank you..."

A Luo lowered his head and ate, his thanks coming out somewhat muffled.

"I'm your big brother..."

Sasuke's eyes were a little red. He glanced at A Luo across from him, then lowered his head to eat while trying to find something to say in response.

He was the older brother, yet A Luo had always only called him by name.

Even back then, when he had secretly slipped away from their parents and sneaked into the little courtyard to play with A Luo, it had been the same.

Until he turned six and started school.

Studying, training—there were always so many things to do. Even when he had a little time and wanted to sneak out, his mother was always nearby...

It seemed he had not visited that little courtyard for quite a long time.

"A Luo, be good. After we get to school, your big brother will find somewhere for you to rest. If anyone bullies you, shout for your big brother..."

After breakfast, Sasuke carried A Luo out on his back.

As they walked, he kept telling A Luo to call for his big brother whenever he needed help at school. Especially if other students came near him, he had to call out for Sasuke...

When they reached the streets of Konoha, some shopkeepers and villagers who saw the brothers wearing the red-and-white fan crest deliberately spoke loudly about the Uchiha clan massacre.

Some said the Uchiha clan should have been wiped out long ago. Others, seemingly questioning it, cursed and asked why two little brats were still alive...

"A Luo, go to sleep. When you wake up, we'll be at school."

Sasuke could hear their undisguised mockery and jeering, but other than comforting his younger brother and telling him not to listen, there was nothing he could do.

For now, he could only remember them—remember every arrogant, smug face, remember every cursing voice...

"Mm, when there are too many voices, they get all jumbled up. It feels bad..."

A Luo closed his eyes, resting his little head against Sasuke's shoulder. After mumbling that, he truly "fell asleep."

When they reached the school gate, A Luo listened to the noisy chatter around them, opened his eyes, and looked about.

"Sasuke's little brother is so cute!"

A sudden shriek rang out right beside the two brothers.

"Shut up!"

Sasuke had already been in a bad mood because these girls had blocked the way. Then, as the shriek sounded, he felt A Luo's hand suddenly stiffen. He was certain his little brother had been frightened.

Turning his catlike eyes on them in a furious glare, Sasuke wondered whether kicking one of them away would frighten his brother even more...

"Stop making noise. Sasuke, come here. This is your younger brother, right? Lord Hokage has already spoken to us. During class, let him rest in the teachers' office. There are teachers on duty there, so nothing will happen."

Iruka Umino ran over and had the noisy group of girls move aside. At last, they quieted down.

He looked at the delicate child curled up on Sasuke's back, seemingly cowering from fright, and finally understood what the Third Hokage had meant.

Sasuke Uchiha needed to attend class, while A Luo Uchiha was in such poor condition. It truly was a troublesome matter.

Still, it was said that the child would not run around or make a fuss, so there should not be a problem with him staying in the teachers' office.

"I can't stay in the classroom... Mm, I understand. Thank you, Sensei!"

Sasuke had wanted to bring A Luo into the classroom, but when he saw the female students around them, who dared not make a sound but still stared with burning eyes, he understood at once.

He set A Luo down and thanked Iruka, then took his younger brother's hand and slowly followed him toward the teachers' office.

If those girls got a chance to come into contact with A Luo, who knew what awful things might happen.

So the teachers' office was relatively safer.

"A Luo, your big brother will come over after class. Don't run around here. Your big brother's classroom is over there. You can see it from the window. If anything happens, shout for your big brother in that direction..."

Sasuke increasingly felt that before his younger brother, he had endless instructions and worries.

After arriving at the teachers' office, he still held his younger brother's hand uneasily and brought him to the window, pointing out which classroom he would be in and how A Luo could quickly find him.

Running over was impossible, but if A Luo shouted loudly from here, Sasuke would be able to hear him over there.

"Mm. Sasuke, study hard. Come back after class."

A Luo nodded. He had seen the classroom across from the window.

There, a little blond head pressed against the window...

That should be the protagonist of this world, Naruto Uzumaki.