The sunlight had grown hot against their skin, but Sai was still crouching there, clutching Shuo's hand. It was still bone-chillingly cold, without a trace of warmth returning.
People had long since gathered all around-Tsunade, Minato, Obito, Rin, Kakashi, and Pain and Konan, who had arrived later. They stood in silence, their eyes fixed on Shuo on the ground. No one spoke; even their breathing was quiet.
The wind swept dust from the ruins onto their heads and shoulders. No one moved, like a group of statues frozen in place.
"Move."
A hoarse voice came from behind the crowd, breaking the deathly silence.
Everyone turned. It was Miyoko, the general store's proprietress, dust still clinging to her clothes and her hair disheveled. Yet she held her back straight as she pushed through the crowd and walked up to Shuo, step by step. She looked down at his bloodless face for three seconds, then slowly crouched.
She took a cloth pouch from inside her clothes and opened it. Three candies lay inside, orange ones with chestnut patterns, exactly like the ones she had given Shuo before.
She picked one up, slowly unwrapped it, and held it to Shuo's lips. Her voice was soft but firm. "Eat. I've been saving these, especially for you."
No one moved or spoke. They simply watched the candy resting against Shuo's lips. Sunlight fell on the orange wrapper, its reflection dazzling their eyes.
One second, two seconds, three seconds. Just as everyone thought there was no hope, Shuo's lips moved faintly, as lightly as wind brushing the water, almost imperceptibly.
Sai's grip tightened sharply, his knuckles turning pale-the candy had slipped into Shuo's mouth.
As the sweetness spread, Shuo's brow furrowed, as though it was so sweet it tasted astringent. Then he slowly opened his eyes,