They returned to Konoha at dusk the next day. It was barely dark, and Obito had already repeated "I can finally go home and eat barbecue" eight times along the way, like he was chanting a spell. At her wits' end, Rin had stuffed rice balls into his mouth three times before she finally got a little peace.
As usual, Kakashi held his copy of Icha Icha Paradise, flipping through it from beginning to end. Who knew how much he actually took in? He had nearly worn the pages to shreds.
Shuo still brought up the rear, hands in his pockets, dragging his steps as he ambled lazily behind everyone.
But this time was different. Three meters behind him, there was an extra silver-gray shadow-Sai had followed him the whole way without speaking, coming closer, or explaining himself. Like a moving shadow, he walked when Shuo walked and stopped when Shuo stopped, leaving Shuo gritting his teeth in irritation with no way to deal with him.
When they entered the village, the gate guard, Izumo Kamizuki, looked at Shuo, then glanced at the silent figure behind him. His mouth opened, but he did not quite dare ask. In the end, he only scratched his head and let them through.
Shuo headed toward the dormitory building. Sai kept following, his footsteps as light as a cat's.
At the foot of the building, Shuo finally stopped and turned around. There was no impatience in his voice; he simply found this a hassle. "Where do you live? You can't keep following me forever."
Sai froze for a moment and thought for a long time before answering. "I don't have a fixed place to stay."
"...Then where do you sleep at night? Under a bridge?"
"On the roof of the Mission Hall."
Shuo fell