Shuo was woken by the light.
The curtains weren't fully closed, and a strip of light stabbed straight into his eyes. He rolled over with his back to the window, wanting to keep sleeping, but his mind was already awake. He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
He sat up and glanced over. The bed opposite was neatly made, its occupant gone.
Lightspeed Thinking automatically swept the room-the temperature was twenty-one degrees, humidity sixty percent, and the scent of rice balls drifted from the table. The paper bag was still warm. He didn't need to think to know Sai had just bought them.
He dragged himself out of bed to wash up. The dark circles in the mirror had faded a little, but the corners of his mouth had unconsciously lifted a little too. He pursed his lips and pretended not to notice.
Just as he finished drying his face, the door opened. Sai came in, still wearing that dark gray jacket, another paper bag in his hand.
"Bought two?" Shuo raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't know which one you liked." Sai set down the bag.
The rice ball on the table was salmon, and the other was pickled plum. Shuo grabbed the plum one at random and took a bite, squinting at the sourness. He didn't complain, just chewed slowly. Sai sat opposite him eating the salmon one. Neither spoke, and the sunlight falling across the table was warm.
They went downstairs after eating. Everyone on Team Minato had the day off.
Obito was clamoring about going to the training ground for extra practice, Rin had gone to help the Medical Team, and Kakashi had disappeared somewhere to read again.
Shuo lingered downstairs, so idle he felt restless.
"Where to?" Sai asked.
"The Mission Hall. Find something easy to pass