The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the buildings of Sunagakure in a warm golden hue, adding a cheerful touch to the unusually lively scene in front of the " Shira's Home " shop.
The shop closed much later than usual today, but instead of being deserted, it was even noisier than during the day.
Wooden tables and chairs stretched from inside the shop all the way to the open space outside, and almost every seat was taken. The air was filled with the enticing aroma of baked flatbread, stewed meat, and spices, mingled with the lively laughter of the people.
"Congratulations, Shiya! How did you raise your son? He's so awesome!"
"That kid Shira really made us proud! A Genin who only knows Taijutsu —we've never seen such an exception in Sunagakure before! He's truly one of a kind!"
"Haha, the proprietress's cooking is really good! This new sea buckthorn roasted meat pie is amazing!"
"Another pot of barley wine, please! We won't leave until we're drunk tonight!"
People held up their rough earthenware cups, talking and laughing loudly, genuinely happy for the Shira family.
Shira's father, Shiya, and mother, Shira Rira, were so busy they barely had time to breathe, yet their faces beamed with smiles they had never seen before, genuine and radiant. The sweat on their foreheads couldn't conceal their pride and happiness.
Shiya carried a huge tray, moving nimbly between tables and chairs, serving wine and dishes to the guests. His honest face was flushed, and he frequently let out a hearty laugh.
Rira was busy between the stove and the counter, skillfully baking pies and skewers. Looking at the full house of customers, he couldn't hide his satisfaction.
The shop's business flourished initially because, after the Black Storm, villagers and caravans who had benefited from Shira's kindness wanted to repay her and boost the shop's popularity.
But after arriving, they were completely won over by the new-style pies and snacks developed by Shira. The affordable prices, unique flavors, and warm atmosphere quickly made " Shira's Home " the most popular nighttime shop on the street.
"Boss! Boss lady! We're here for a free meal!" A loud voice rang out. Rani and the Fūi brothers Earth Flow over arm in arm, their faces beaming with smiles. They were regulars here and staunch supporters of Shira.
"Brother Rani! Brother Fūi!" Shira, who was helping to serve the dishes, smiled when she saw them.
"You're something else! Not bad at all!" Rani patted Shira on the shoulder. "You even passed the Jonin Baki exam, so we might need you to protect us on missions in the future!"
The Fūi smiled and nodded, handing over a pair of nunchucks. "Congratulations on your graduation."
"Thank you!" Shira accepted the gift, her heart warmed. This recognition from a senior was of extraordinary significance.
Amidst the lively atmosphere, a slightly shy figure appeared at the shop entrance. It was Ameno. She seemed to hesitate for a moment before mustering the courage to walk in.
"Auntie, Uncle, congratulations." Her voice was soft, and she was carrying a small bamboo basket filled with fresh, clean jujubes and herbs. "These are from my own garden; I just wanted to add some vegetables to your meal."
Rira's eyes lit up, and she immediately wiped her hands on her apron, warmly welcoming him. "Oh, it's Ameno! Come in, come in! You silly child, you've come all this way, why did you bring anything? You're being too polite!"
She took the basket, held Ameno's hand, and her eyes were full of affection.
Shiya greeted her with a smile, " Ameno's here! Find a place to sit, and ask your aunt to make you something to eat!"
"Thank you, Uncle and Aunt." Ameno blushed slightly, her gaze unconsciously searching for Shira's figure.
Rira was an extremely shrewd person, and he saw through the little girl's thoughts at a glance.
Looking at Ameno's delicate face, gentle temperament, and the shy yet joyful look in her eyes when she looked at her son, she was overjoyed.
She had always worried that her son would be looked down upon because he couldn't use Ninjutsu, so how could a mother not be happy to see such a wonderful girl genuinely like him?
But she didn't point it out. Instead, she warmly arranged for Ameno to sit down in a relatively quiet corner, then quietly nudged the busy Shira, gestured towards Ameno, and whispered, "Silly boy, your classmate is here. Aren't you going to go and greet him? Your dad and I can manage here."
Shira paused for a moment, then turned and saw Ameno, carrying a plate of freshly baked, fragrant pies over.
"What brings you here?" He sat down opposite Ameno and pushed the plate towards her. "Try it, it's a new flavor."
"Congratulations, Shira," Ameno whispered, picking up a pie and taking small bites, her cheeks slightly flushed, avoiding Shira's eyes. "It's delicious."
"Thank you." Shira smiled, looking at the lively scene around her, feeling a little emotional. She hadn't felt this kind of recognition and being surrounded by others in a long time. The last time was before he died, when he led his teammates to turn the tide and win the game.
There was a brief silence between them, but the atmosphere wasn't awkward. The surrounding noise seemed to become background noise.
While busy baking flatbread, Rira would occasionally glance at that corner and see her son sitting with that pretty, quiet girl. Although they didn't talk much, there was an inexplicable sense of harmony between them, which made her smile even wider. Even the soup she ladled for the guests seemed to be filled a little more.
As night deepened, the guests gradually left. Rani and Fūi helped tidy up the tables and chairs before saying goodbye and leaving. In the end, only Shira's family and Ameno, who was preparing to leave, remained in the shop.
" Ameno, come visit often! Auntie will make you something delicious!" Rira saw Ameno to the door, holding her hand affectionately as she gave her instructions.
"Okay, thank you, Auntie and Uncle. Goodbye." Ameno nodded obediently, then quickly glanced at Shira before turning and disappearing into the night.
Watching Ameno walk away, Rira returned to the shop. While wiping the tables, she smiled at Shira and said, " Ameno is a really good child. She's beautiful and sensible. She's clearly raised by a good family."
Shira was helping with the dishes when she heard this, and she just grunted in response. She knew what was going on, but it was still too early.
When he is able to protect those who are important to him...
Looking at her son's completely clueless expression, Rira couldn't help but shake her head with a smile, but didn't say anything more. As long as the child is well, some things should be left to nature.
As night fell, " Shira's Home " finally returned to peace, but the aroma of food and the lingering warmth of the past still lingered in the air.
For Shiya and Rira, this day was undoubtedly one of the brightest and most fulfilling days of their lives.
For Shira, the warmth of home and the recognition of others are like the strongest support, giving him more strength to face the challenging path of a ninja ahead.