Kogoro Mouri

The streets of Konoha were deserted and silent late that night. Haruno Sakura walked home alone, but the image of Sasuke's cold, solitary figure before the grave kept returning to her mind.

After hesitating again and again, she turned toward the Uchiha Compound.

The manor looked even lonelier in the moonlight. She knocked softly, and a moment later, the door opened a crack.

Sasuke stood in the shadows. Seeing Haruno Sakura hesitate before him, he frowned. "What do you want at this hour?"

"Sasuke-kun..." Sakura gripped the hem of her shirt, concern making her voice tentative. "I... I'm just really worried about you."

"You're always alone lately, and the way you looked at Yugao's grave really worried me. If something's bothering you, maybe... maybe you could tell me? I'm willing to listen."

"What do you know?" Sasuke's voice rose sharply, a flash of crimson in his eyes. "You don't understand anything! Stop acting like you know how I feel!"

Before she could reply, he slammed the door. Dust shaken loose by the impact drifted through the moonlight.

Sakura stood frozen, the bang still echoing through the night.

She stared at the closed door. Her worry had not faded; like the darkness around her, it had only deepened.

The next day, the Canopy Screen began its broadcast right on time.

[It was the weekend. Warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the mall's glass dome onto the bustling crowds.]

[Mikoto Misaka and Anya wove between the shops, already carrying several cute shopping bags.]

["Mikoto, look at that!" Anya pointed excitedly at an enormous Bondman doll in a shop window, her eyes shining.]

["Mm, he's pretty cool." Mikoto Misaka smiled and ruffled her hair. "But someone already bought three new dolls. If we get another one, your uncle might cry."]

[Anya puffed out her