tkworld Chapter 311 Eaves in the Rain
Chapter 311 Eaves in the Rain
The miso ramen, on the other hand, had a more aggressive dark brown color, with crispy fried minced meat and golden corn kernels floating on top of the soup, giving it a more complex and richer aroma.
"I'm starting!"
Kushina clasped her hands together, said something devoutly, and then eagerly picked up her chopsticks.
She first picked up a large mouthful of noodles, brought it slightly closer, letting the heat make her nose itch, and then took a deep breath and forcefully sucked the noodles into her mouth.
Slurp—!
The noodles glided between my lips and teeth, with just the right amount of chewiness, and were coated in a rich, irresistible pork bone broth, which exploded on my taste buds.
good to eat!
It tastes even better than yesterday!
She squinted her eyes happily, like a kitten that had stolen a piece of dried fish, and then plunged headfirst into the bowl, beginning a whirlwind of devouring it.
"Uncle, another bowl, please!"
"..."
After finishing several bowls of ramen, Kushina patted her round belly contentedly and let out a long sigh of relief.
As I walked out of the ramen shop, night was already falling over Konoha.
One by one, the warm streetlights lit up, casting a soft glow on the road and outlining the entire street as peaceful and warm.
Minato insisted on taking Kushina home.
The two walked on the street, which was much quieter than when they arrived. Neither of them spoke, and only the sound of their footsteps echoed softly in the empty alley.
The dim light cast long, long shadows of them, sometimes following closely behind, sometimes overlapping and merging in front of them, making it impossible to distinguish one from the other.
The air was filled with the aromas of various foods, creating a comforting scent.
As they approached the area where the Uzumaki clan was temporarily residing, Kushina unconsciously slowed her pace.
She secretly turned her head to look at the profile of the blond boy beside her. The light cast a soft golden glow on the tips of his hair, making his features both gentle and clear.
"that……"
"Um?"
The two spoke almost simultaneously, then stopped at the same time, and then smiled at each other.
"You go first," Minato gently gestured.
"It's nothing..."
Kushina's voice trailed off as she unconsciously twirled her long, fiery red hair. "Well... the ramen today was delicious too."
"Yes, Uncle Hand-Struck's cooking skills are always excellent," Minato replied with a smile.
Silence returned, but it was no longer awkward; instead, a subtle, sweet atmosphere spread between the two.
Finally, we arrived at the door.
"I've arrived." Kushina stopped, looked down at her toes.
"Okay, get some rest." Minato also stopped.
"The same to you."
After Kushina finished speaking, as if she had mustered all her courage, she suddenly looked up and gave him a bright and beautiful smile.
See you tomorrow, Minato!
After saying that, she turned around and ran into the gate without looking back, leaving only a fiery red, energetic silhouette in front of Minato.
Minato stood there, watching the door close gently, his smile growing even more tender.
See you tomorrow.
He silently repeated it to himself.
……
The warm sunshine did not completely dispel the lingering festive atmosphere.
The rainy season in Konoha always comes suddenly, giving people no chance to catch their breath.
For several days in a row, the rain drizzled down, like a thin gray curtain, enveloping the entire village.
The usual boisterous laughter and chatter on the ninja academy's playground were washed away by the rain, leaving only the fine sound of raindrops tapping on the window sills and also on people's hearts.
That day, as school was letting out, the rain suddenly intensified. Large raindrops pounded on the ground, gathering into thin streams that flowed down the drainage ditch beside the playground.
Nagato, Yahiko, and Minami were trapped under the eaves of a rooftop by the playground by the sudden downpour.
Yahiko leaned against the wall, looking up at the rain splashing down from the eaves.
The rain blurred the distant scenery and pulled his thoughts back to his hometown, where it always rained.
The Land of Rain is a land soaked by endless rain, damp and gloomy.
The rain in Konoha and the rain in the Land of Rain have completely different flavors.
The rain here is clean and pure, carrying the fragrance of earth and grass, while the rain there always carries a rusty smell, as if each fall is stained with the stench of blood.
His mood was like the water flowing under the eaves, gradually sinking lower and lower.
Yahiko's shoulders slumped slightly, his arms were crossed in front of his chest, and he looked a size smaller than usual.
"Sigh~~"
He exhaled softly, the air filled with a damp coolness.
Xiao Nan took a clean piece of paper out of her schoolbag; her fingers were slender and dexterous.
Head bowed, expression focused.
The thin piece of paper fluttered between her fingertips, quickly outlining a familiar shape.
First, she folded a small origami crane. Konan gently smoothed the crane's wings and then handed it to Yahiko.
"Hey."
As Yahiko looked at the pure white bird in Konan's hand, the gloom in his heart seemed to be gently brushed away by this little origami crane.
He carefully took it, holding it in both hands, afraid of wrinkling the paper art that embodied Xiao Nan's heartfelt sentiments.
Xiao Nan took out another piece of paper and folded it into one as well.
She gently handed the second origami crane to Nagato, as if afraid of disturbing something.
Nagato quietly watched the paper crane, her fingers twitching slightly.
He didn't take it immediately, but simply raised his head, his dark eyes falling on Konan's face before turning to the one in Yahiko's hand.
He felt the tender care that Xiao Nan was conveying, and his heart was filled with warmth.
"Hmm...Nagato?"
Seeing that Nagato didn't react, Konan simply pushed the paper crane forward a little further. Her arm remained raised until Nagato finally reached out and took it.
The boy held the paper crane in his palm, a faint smile appearing on his face. The smile was so gentle, like raindrops falling on the surface of water.
"Thank you, Xiao Nan."
Nagato's voice was filled with gratitude as she looked at the origami crane in her hand, a surge of strength welling up within her.
This power made him feel like he was no longer alone.
Xiao Nan simply shook her head gently, her gaze falling on the two of them, her eyes filled with a soft light.
The sound of the rain pattering down made their three small figures appear even closer together.
At the school gate in the distance, a tall figure was holding an oil-paper umbrella and striding towards the playground.
That person was none other than Jiraiya.
His signature long white hair was slightly damp from the rain, but he didn't look disheveled at all; instead, he looked more carefree.