Three days flew by.
So fast that Shuo felt as if he had only blinked, and the time was gone.
He had done nothing special in those three days.
Eating, sleeping, minding the shop, adding candy to the plate.
Exactly the same as the hundred-odd days before, absurdly peaceful.
But Sai could tell-he was waiting.
Waiting for tonight.
As the sun set, Shuo stood outside the sweets shop.
The door was locked, the windows shut tight. The "Closed" sign was still stuck to the door, its edges curled.
The shop owner had been gone for almost four months.
He reached out and gently pressed the curled corners flat.
"Let's go," Sai said.
"Yeah."
The two headed back.
Passing the general store, they saw the owner closing up. She waved when she spotted them.
"Coming back tomorrow?"
Shuo stopped and thought for a moment.
"Yes."
He took out a piece of candy and handed it to her.
She accepted it with a smile. "Good, then. I'll keep saving your candy for you."
Shuo nodded and continued on.
By the time they reached the foot of the dormitory building, it was completely dark, the streetlights glowing dimly.
Sai suddenly spoke. "Will he come?"
"He will," Shuo said.
"You're sure?"
Shuo didn't answer, only looked in a certain direction.
The moonlight there twisted slightly.
A ripple spread through space like the surface of water.
Someone stepped out.
An Akatsuki cloak, a Spiral Mask.
Obito.
"He's here," Shuo said softly.
Obito walked over and stopped three meters away, looking at them quietly.
"Just you two?"
"Yeah."
Obito fell silent for a second.
"Not afraid I'll attack?"
Shuo thought about it and answered honestly. "I am. But you can't hit me."
Obito froze for a moment, then smiled bitterly.
"That mouth of yours..."
He turned