"Ryosuke."
Early in the morning, Ryosuke had just gotten ready to head to school for the first time in a while.
But after finishing breakfast and arriving at the doorway, Hinata—whom he had not seen since waking up—came hurrying over from the courtyard on her little legs, a black square box in her hands.
"Slow down. Training was exhausting last night, so you should get more rest."
He did not even need to ask. Just from the faint fragrance, Ryosuke could tell it was probably a lunchbox she had prepared for him.
"They're all things you usually like."
Hinata handed him the lunchbox with both hands, then stood there expectantly, as if waiting for something.
"Thank you for the lunchbox, Hinata."
Ryosuke smiled gently. As he accepted the lunchbox from her, he used his other hand to softly stroke her hair. "Rest well at home today. Try to make it to school tomorrow and let me see a good fight."
"Mm!"
Hinata answered earnestly. Her eyes narrowed blissfully as she unconsciously swayed her head and rubbed against Ryosuke's palm like a little kitten.
Ever since he had patted her head like this for the first time a year ago, she had enjoyed this feeling of being caressed.
She could feel Ryosuke's gentleness through this gesture.
Especially after hearing those words last night... words that made her feel so safe, this gesture felt even warmer to her.
Time passed bit by bit. Ryosuke did not speak again, and Hinata could not bear to speak either.
The two simply stood there, maintaining that pose for quite a while.
"Ryosuke, you haven't gone to school yet?"
But at that moment, a very abrupt voice rang out, waking Hinata from her beautiful dream.
It was Hanabi. Since she had eaten rather slowly, she happened