It was a deeply comforting and peaceful night.
This was a rare chance for Kei to settle his mind completely and rest properly in the eight years since he had come to this world. After all, even perpetually taut nerves needed to relax a little now and then, especially now that he had passed his graduation assessment. Once the graduation ceremony was over in three days, Kei would officially enter the most tense and dangerous life of a ninja.
These three days were the last stretch of leisure Kei could enjoy. Whether he would still have the right and opportunity to enjoy anything similar in the future would depend on his own efforts.
Kiko Minazuki's household was as lively that night as if they were celebrating the New Year. Everyone in the family regarded Kei's graduation as the happiest of occasions. Minazuki Hisashi, Kiko's husband, who had long since retired from "active duty," had even taken the rare step of leaving his department early after hearing the news.
On his way back, he had also hauled his little brat, his and Kiko's eldest son, Minazuki Takahiro, home from the mountain behind the clan compound.
Just as Kiko and Ayumi regarded Kei as their closest family, Hisashi and Takahiro treated him as a member of the family too!
Hisashi and Takahiro were equally delighted that Kei had successfully graduated from the Ninja Academy, and on the very first day of the assessment at that.
Hisashi had even broken his rule against drinking for once and had a few cups of sake. In his own words, this was a joyous occasion worth celebrating, and they needed to celebrate it properly! Once the alcohol went to his head, he would have dragged Kei into having a couple of cups with him if Kiko had not stopped him.
Looking at Uncle Hisashi, who lay fast asleep on the tatami with his face flushed red and an expression of utter satisfaction and happiness, Kei's expression grew endlessly tender. Although he was an orphan in this life too.
He had never felt alone.
Because these were his family.
Whether Aunt Kiko or Uncle Hisashi, it was only by blood that they could not be called his parents. How were their attitudes and actions any different from those of parents?
Didn't their children, Takahiro and Ayumi, regard him as an older brother too?
If this did not count as family, what could?
At least, as far as Kei was concerned, this was his home!
"That old fool. I told him not to drink so much, but he just wouldn't listen. He even nearly dragged you into drinking with him. Just wait until he sobers up tomorrow. I'll give him what for!"
Kiko had just fetched a sheet from the bedroom and spoke the most "ferocious" words in the gentlest voice, afraid of waking Hisashi.
The corners of Kei's mouth lifted slightly at the sight, forming a faint smile.
"Kei, it's getting late. I've always kept your old room clean, so don't go back tonight. Stay here and get some rest."
After covering Hisashi with the sheet.
Kiko turned toward Kei on the other side and spoke gently.
"No, Auntie. The assessment only just ended today, and I still have a few things to sort out, so I won't stay the night."
Kei gently shook his head as he spoke, lightly stroking Ayumi's little head. She had long since fallen asleep from exhaustion with her head resting on his thigh.
"I see. Then I won't keep you. Head back and get some rest early."
After a moment's pause, Kiko smiled and nodded.
Then she came closer, bent down, and gently picked up the sleeping little Ayumi.
"Yes, Aunt Kiko!"
Kei stood and bowed slightly to Kiko Minazuki, then picked up his coat, put it on, and turned toward the door.
Just as Kei put on his shoes, opened the door, and was about to leave, a small figure in a corner outside caught his eye.
Kei paused, then smiled and said, "Takahiro, waiting here for me? Looks like you have something to say to me, don't you?"
As Kei finished speaking, the small figure stepped out of the corner. His young face bore a sixty-percent resemblance to Uncle Hisashi's. This little fellow was none other than Hisashi and Kiko's eldest son, Minazuki Takahiro.
"Yes, Big Brother Kei. There's something very important I want to discuss with you. Do you have time?"
Takahiro walked up to Kei and tilted his little head up to look straight at him. An unprecedented seriousness shone in his large, bright eyes.
"Sure. Let's go for a walk together!"
Kei looked steadily at the little boy before him, and just as his overly serious gaze was making the little fellow feel somewhat uneasy.
Kei gave a faint smile and nodded gently as he spoke.
"Huh? Yes!"
Delight immediately appeared on Takahiro's face, and when Kei started walking, he hurried after him.
And just after the two of them had left.
Kiko Minazuki appeared in the entryway. Watching the direction in which Kei and her son had gone, she frowned slightly, but her brow soon relaxed again, and she let out a quiet sigh.
Sigh...
Then she closed the door again and returned inside to look after the father and daughter, both of whom were fast asleep.
Takahiro clearly could not have noticed his mother, but Kei could sense her. Detecting her hint of worry and taking Takahiro's current age into account, Kei could already more or less judge what Takahiro wanted to discuss with him.
They had only gone a short distance from home and reached an open stretch of level ground when, before Takahiro could speak, still looking conflicted as though considering how to phrase his words.
Kei stopped and asked first, "Takahiro, what you want to discuss with me is enrolling next year, right?"
"Huh? Big Brother Kei, how did you know?"
Takahiro had only just worked himself up to speak when his big brother Kei's unexpected words left him completely stunned.
With his little head tilted up, he stared blankly at Kei in disbelief, his eyes seeming to question whether Kei had the ability to read minds in advance.
"Hehe, your worries are practically written all over your face. Besides, haven't you been increasing your training time on your own lately? From the looks of it, you want to enroll next year, but Aunt Kiko won't agree, right?"
Kei chuckled and rubbed Takahiro's little head with a little force as he spoke with a smile.
As for why he did not mention Uncle Hisashi.
It was because Hisashi had always been a very traditional man of the Yuki Clan. Although his battlefield injuries had left him unable to continue carrying out missions as a full-fledged ninja, forcing him to take a position in one of the village's administrative departments.
He had always upheld the belief that men ought to prove themselves on the battlefield!
When Kei had enrolled three years ago.
Hisashi had been in favor.
In his view, it was a display of a man's courage. So, if his own son wanted to enroll early too, Hisashi could not possibly object. Only Kiko, as his mother, would strongly oppose it!