A few days before the wedding.
Land of Grass.
"Hello, excuse me."
"I'd like to ask something—why isn't this shop open?"
A bearded man randomly stopped a lucky passerby.
"Who are you?"
The pedestrian eyed him cautiously. Lion didn't outwardly appear very trustworthy.
"I'm here looking for family. Has Grandma Anzu from this shop gone out?"
Lion tried hard to smile kindly, unfortunately his words lacked conviction.
"I've never heard that the old lady had any relatives outside."
"Grandma Anzu passed away two years ago. The shop's been empty since then."
Grumbling under his breath, the passerby spoke truthfully, unwilling to provoke Lion needlessly.
"She died?"
Lion confirmed again. He had expected as much.
In these chaotic times, an ailing elderly woman passing away was entirely normal.
"You think I'd lie to you? Doesn't everyone in the village know?"
"She's buried over there on that small hill."
The passerby pointed to a location, clearly telling the truth.
"Alright, thanks."
With the needed information obtained, Lion thanked him and headed toward the hill.
There were two small graves side by side. On one gravestone was clearly written, "Anzu Tomura."
"Konoha Village's Lion, on behalf of Nawaki and Misaki, thanks you for your kindness."
Lion placed down the offerings, bowed deeply several times, then stood up and left.
He then silently returned to the village, sneaking quietly into Grandma Anzu's shop. He retrieved a few presentable belongings before setting off back to Konoha.
On the night before the wedding, Lion handed over several of Grandma Anzu's belongings to Nawaki.
"Thanks for going through the trouble."
Nawaki patted Lion's shoulder. As friends who had gone through life-and-death situations together, gratitude between them required no elaborate words.
"Haha, it's nothing, just a short trip."
"Just make sure to join us for a drink or two."
Lion smiled happily. He felt genuinely delighted helping Nawaki.
"Just don't get me so drunk I miss the wedding night."
"Otherwise, I'll never forgive you all after."
Joking around, Nawaki chatted warmly with his old friend.
"That won't happen. We'll be sure to leave you with some stamina, little brother."
Lion raised his eyebrows, grinning suggestively.
"Haha, get outta here."
"Go on."
Nawaki gave him a light kick, thankful Misaki couldn't hear.
"Allow me to wish you happiness on your upcoming wedding—I fear I might not get a word in tomorrow."
"See ya."
Lion mockingly rubbed the spot he'd been kicked, then turned and walked away.
As Lion disappeared from sight, Nawaki looked at the few relics in his hands and fell into deep thought.
"Oh well, I believe Misaki will understand."
Murmuring softly, Nawaki placed both hands behind his back and slowly walked toward Misaki's room.
Knock knock knock~
"You're still awake, right?"
He gave a few knocks and let his hand drop.
"It's unlocked."
Misaki's gentle voice came from inside. Nawaki immediately hid the relics in his robe and pushed the door open.
"Why aren't you resting earlier? Tomorrow's going to be exhausting."
Sitting beside the bed, Nawaki noticed Misaki half-reclining on the bed, shifting slightly inward.
"I can't sleep. I'm really missing Grandma Anzu."
Misaki's eyes grew distant as she recalled the kind elderly woman who had taken her in.
Although the old woman couldn't protect her, she had given Misaki a place to stay and three square meals a day.
"Um..."
Nawaki wanted to speak up but held back, not knowing where to start.
"What's on your mind? Is there anything we can't talk about with each other?"
Misaki shifted her gaze toward Nawaki. Starting tomorrow, this man would be her husband.
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