He was afraid to fall asleep.
He always felt he might not wake when the next dawn came.
So he could not give in to sleep.
He wanted to stay by his mother's side forever, telling him about everything that had happened from childhood onward.
Only after receiving familial love did he truly understand how starved for love he was, and begin seeking the love he had been missing.
And there was more...
There were also the joys, sorrows, and anger that should have been his.
Junlin stood alone in the inner room.
After speaking with Yanbai that morning, he had gone to his post as usual and worked diligently.
While working, Junlin could forget everything.
But at dusk, he was alone again.
Dad Izuna had gone into the forests of the Land of Fire to find the waterfall Yanbai had mentioned, the one with a passage leading to the moon.
Although Junlin did not know what any of this would accomplish, he had not stopped him.
But being alone really was lonely.
People could grow accustomed to solitude, or even enjoy it.
But Junlin did not want to. He had so much he wanted to tell his mother.
Yet after that man returned, Junlin had become terribly afraid of him.
Yes, Junlin was afraid of Madara Uchiha. Bowing to that fear, he no longer dared seek out his mother whenever he wished, as he once had.
Having only himself for company felt a little lonely, but it was enough.
"I'm all alone again..."
Junlin pushed open the door of the house where he lived alone, passed through the entryway, and walked into the kitchen, murmuring to himself.
The layout had not changed at all. The entryway and kitchen formed a single space.
Farther inside were the living room