It was already late at night, and a whole row of streetlights was glowing.
The figure sprang to his feet the moment he saw him.
He had probably been squatting for too long, and both his legs had gone numb. As he stood, he swayed twice, looking ready to topple sideways.
Uzumaki Hayashi rushed forward and caught him.
The arm he held was scrawny. He helped him steady himself before speaking at an unhurried pace.
"Naruto, what are you doing squatting outside my door this late?"
"Hehe."
Naruto Uzumaki steadied himself against his arm and gave a couple of goofy chuckles.
"Nothing. I just came over to visit. But I knocked for ages and nobody answered, so I waited out here."
Uzumaki Hayashi looked at him.
The boy couldn't hide the exhaustion on his face. His eyelids were fighting to stay open, yet he was still standing there chuckling.
His heart softened a little. He took out his key, unlocked the door, and pushed it open.
"Next time you come over, just open the door and go inside. Don't squat outside."
"Huh?" Naruto Uzumaki scratched his head. "That wouldn't be right..."
He hemmed and hawed, unable to explain himself.
Uzumaki Hayashi understood at a glance.
The boy felt awkward about it.
He raised his elbow and deliberately nudged Naruto.
"What's there to feel awkward about? We both have the surname Uzumaki, after all. Besides, aren't we friends?"
With that, he pulled Naruto over to the doorway.
Naruto Uzumaki stood there, poked his head halfway inside, then pulled it back.
In all his life, this was the first time he had ever visited someone else's home.
"Come in. What are you standing around for?"
Only then did Naruto Uzumaki step inside, still grinning goofily.
Then the boy looked up, saw the