Unlike the icy winds of the Ninja World, the sunlight in modern world lingered after the summer heat, unusually warm.
Logan had just returned this morning. Watching the Uchiha brothers he had saved depart one after another, sitting atop a small hill in the cool dawn, his mood had been as clear and untroubled as the dewdrops on the leaves at his feet.
Their farewells were something Logan could understand. It symbolized the days he had fought for becoming part of their lives, hinting at a certain kind of conclusion.
Stepping back into the ceaseless flow of the city, Logan felt good, not just because of the warm weather, but also because of the person he had missed for so long.
He sent a message to her phone, knowing she'd be flustered under the covers.
Of course, this was how they had agreed to do it before parting. Whether it woke her up or not wasn't his concern.
"Are you tired?"
After leaving the bookstore's street, Logan and Sumika strolled aimlessly. Sumika held the ice cream cone her boyfriend had gone to great lengths to buy, taking a careful lick before quietly glancing at him.
"Yeah, a bit."
Logan devoured most of his in a few bites. He was still hung up on the ordeal of queuing up for so long, it was terrifying. The shop had only opened at 10, yet a long line had already formed.
The wait time was completely disproportionate to the tiny dessert he'd gotten in the end.
'Why would anyone, especially girls, wait in line for so long just to try trendy food?' Logan stole a glance at Sumika, pretending to be nonchalant. He mustered his courage but didn't dare ask.
"Really?" Sumika felt a little guilty but was too happy about their reunion date to dwell on it, "I shouldn't have made you go…"
"Of course not."
He paused, then quickly added, "I mean, I'm really not tired."
Her red agate-like eyes curved into crescents. Seeing he'd almost finished, Sumika raised her hand, "Here, have some of mine."
Then she wiped a bit of cream from the corner of his mouth with a tissue, "I'll cook for you when we get back."
"I've learned a few more dishes from your hometown recently."
Logan's eyes lit up at that, energy surging through him.
The former Land of Fire's envoy, renowned for her roasted or stewed rabbit dishes that had won unanimous praise from the diplomatic corps, had only honed her culinary skills further in the modern world.
It was the weekend. After navigating the city's bustling crowds, the two rested at an outdoor café.
They hadn't planned much for the day, but now that they were reunited, they naturally walked hand in hand through the lively streets, as if stepping seamlessly into the rhythm of their future lives together.
When apart, there were so many things they wanted to say. But when together, those words melted into the quiet comfort of being a couple… this outfit, that cake shop, crossing the overpass hand in hand, pointing out an interesting passerby.
Every smile and glance was heart-stirring.
The dangers and worries of the other world were set aside.
Seeing the clear shafts of light under the trees and the crowds fretting over trivial matters beneath the white clouds, those so-called negatives didn't seem worth mentioning anymore.
Sitting on the wicker chairs, the two lingered in their little bubble of peace for a while.
Logan stared at the busy traffic light, "It's pretty much over. I've done everything I wanted to do."
Sumika, attuned to his emotions, was the picture of calm composure. But Logan knew she had always been concerned about him.
Her 'Are you tired?' wasn't about the errand, it was about watching him return to that brutal world of Ninja and kunai, knowing it couldn't have been easy.
Her hands folded neatly over her black skirt, Sumika gave a soft 'Mm'.
"I saw everything. In the manga."
When she turned to him, her voice was gentle, "Hattori-kun…"
Light spilled across the intersection as crowds surged past, the chaotic noise of the city fading into the background. A phrase that had to be said finally reached its destination.
"Welcome back."
They lingered in Shibuya for the rest of the afternoon. To avoid discomfort, the sickeningly sweet details will be omitted.
As for exhaustion, Logan appeared fine on the surface, as his Chakra was intact, but the deeper weariness accumulated in his heart remained.
Sumika, considerate as ever, suggested heading back early before dinner.
At the subway station, Sumika swiped her transit card and breezed through the gate. Logan froze for a second before obediently buying a ticket with loose change at another turnstile.
Moving slowly, he couldn't keep up. Sumika could only wait on the other side, hugging her small crossbody bag.
Even grabbing seats became a competition. Sumika, holding onto the overhead rail, seemed to predict exactly which passengers would disembark, pulling Logan into the perfect spot ahead of time.
When an elderly man boarded, Logan instinctively stood to offer his seat, only for Sumika to yank him back down and lecture him.
Logan felt something was off.
After exiting the station, he eyed the stylishly dressed girl with suspicion, 'I'm the one who grew up in the modern world, right? We haven't switched places, have we?'
He then realized that Sumika had been in this peaceful society for over a year now. She had adapted remarkably well.
The memory of her in the red-and-white kimono was still vivid. He remembered her wide-eyed wonder the first time she rode a bus or wandered through a shopping district. Time had playfully carried them along, drifting forward. How fast it all went.
By evening, they arrived at Sumika's current apartment. She had previously lived in the dormitories arranged for shrine maidens at Daimoku Shrine but had moved out not long ago into a moderately equipped complex.
Sumika had grown proficient in her shrine duties. Her excellence had earned the favor of the elderly supervisor, the elderly Chiba. A permanent position was a given, and promotions with raises were on the horizon.
Living expenses, moving costs, and rent were covered partly by her shrine salary and allowances, and partly by the money Logan had earned from his negotiations with the underworld.
As it should be.
Dinner was far more lavish than expected. For a moment, Logan almost felt like he was back in a small apartment in Fresno, where opening the window would reveal the alleys and plaza lights of Fresno.
Bedtime was harmonious.
For those whose minds have strayed, please reflect on your conscience.
In the separate bedroom, Sumika slept on the bed while Logan took the floor, their usual arrangement when sharing a room. Whether anything more youthful happened depended entirely on the mood.
As the night deepened and the room grew darker, Logan leaned against his pillow, listening to Sumika's soft breathing behind him. They talked for a long time.
He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so at ease. Restless youth and the calm of mutual understanding blended strangely together as he drifted into sleep.