When Izayoi-kun returned home, he didn't immediately cook dinner or take a bath.
Instead, he walked straight into his room and returned shortly after holding a locked box in his hands.
Judging by Izayoi-kun's solemn expression, it was clear the box contained something incredibly precious. Even the key was hidden in a secret compartment within the living room.
However, when he opened it, the box did not contain any scrolls, weapons, or rare artifacts—but rather, a red ceramic piggy bank.
"Little pig... farewell," Izayoi-kun murmured softly.
His hands trembled slightly, voice laced with emotion, and his eyes reflected the weight of his decision.
After uttering those words, he turned away, closed his eyes, and with a swift motion, smashed the piggy bank onto the ground.
The ceramic figure shattered instantly, fragments flying across the floor. Inside lay a mixture of coins and folded banknotes—the contents of a childhood treasure he had guarded for years.
Izayoi-kun knelt down quietly, gathering the coins and notes one by one, just as he had carefully placed them into the piggy bank in the past.
This wasn't just pocket change.
The money was everything he had managed to save—from his monthly survivor's pension, and small rewards from D-rank missions.
As for the inheritance left by his parents? It had long since been used up.
After all, he hadn't been supporting only himself—he had to feed a big eater too.
If it weren't for the village's relief pension, which had only stopped once he became a Genin, Izayoi-kun would have been reduced to eating bark and wild herbs.
Now, he carefully packed all the coins and notes into a cloth bag. Along with it, he placed the twenty-three thousand ryo he had just earned.
Then, without hesitation, he took the bag and left the house.
When he reached the shop, he slammed the bag onto the counter with a loud thud, pointing at an item and saying firmly, "Boss, this is three hundred eighty-eight thousand three hundred ryo. I want to buy a film camera, and use the rest for film and photo development materials."
"Alright! Thank you for your patronage," the shopkeeper said cheerfully.
Before long, Izayoi-kun walked out of the shop, clutching a camera tightly.
"Finally bought it... It's not too late."
He gazed at the camera with affection and whispered, "Even though I can't record the memories of my childhood with Hinata, I can still capture Hanabi's growth. That alone makes it worthwhile."
Realizing he was now completely broke, he sighed, "There's probably nothing edible left in the fridge. Guess I'll have to go hunting and do some grilling tonight."
The next morning arrived lazily.
"Oni-chan, wake up! The sun is shining on your butt!" a familiar, mischievous voice rang out.
Izayoi-kun, still suffering from his chronic oversleeping, blinked open his eyes slowly.
His vision was blurry, but he could just make out a small, cute face inching closer to him.
Hanabi, dressed in a yellow-brown kimono, had climbed onto his bed. She leaned over and giggled as she swept his face with her long hair, using it like a feather duster to tickle his nose.
"Naughty girl... Next time you're asleep, Oni-chan will do the same to you," Izayoi-kun teased with a sleepy smile, gently rubbing her soft cheeks.
"Hehe... Sister told me to wake Oni-chan up. If Oni-chan's angry, blame her!" Hanabi giggled as she playfully shifted the blame.
"Alright, alright... Go out for now. Oni-chan needs to wash up."
"Okay!"
After playing around for a bit, Izayoi-kun gave Hanabi a light pat on her little backside, prompting her to hop off the bed and skip out of the room. The white long socks she wore muffled her footsteps completely.
After a quick wash, Izayoi-kun opened the drawer of his desk and took out the new camera.
When he stepped outside his room, the first thing he saw was Hinata, busy in the kitchen.
She wasn't dressed in her usual outfit.
Today, Hinata wore a white kimono with soft purple and white petal patterns around the obi, cuffs, and hem. Her long black hair was tied into a graceful bun, and she had an apron wrapped over her waist as she skillfully flipped something in a pan.
Meanwhile, Hanabi sat at the table, wrapping seaweed rice balls with focused precision.
This peaceful scene stunned Izayoi-kun.
He held his breath, stepped lightly, and raised the camera. Searching for the best lighting and angle, he silently pressed the shutter.
Click.
A picture was captured: the two Hyuga sisters, dressed in kimonos, back to back—one kneeling, one standing—each absorbed in their own tasks.
Hearing the shutter, both girls turned their heads.
"Camera!" Hanabi's eyes lit up with delight. She tossed off her gloves and ran toward Izayoi-kun excitedly.
"Oni-chan, when did you get a camera?!"
"I bought it yesterday."
"Let me see, let me see!"
"Be careful," Izayoi-kun warned. "This cost over three hundred thousand ryo—everything I had saved up."
Hearing that, Hanabi enthusiastically wiped her hands on her kimono (which probably cost several times more than the camera) before taking it.
"How do you look at the pictures?" she asked.
"You have to develop them. After breakfast, I'll teach you how."
"Yay! Then let's take a picture too!"
"No rush. Let's wait until your sister finishes cooking so we can take one together. It'll be more meaningful."
"Mhm, mhm!"
Hinata, watching their exchange, couldn't help but smile warmly.
After breakfast was prepared, Izayoi-kun and Hanabi helped finish wrapping the rice balls. Then, the three of them sat together at the table—each holding a rice ball—and posed for their first group photo with bright, genuine smiles.
Izayoi-kun sat in the middle with Hinata and Hanabi on either side.
The photographer? One of Izayoi-kun's Shadow Clones.
After all, why use a selfie stick when you could summon a clone?
Once breakfast ended, the trio returned to Izayoi-kun's room, pulled the blackout curtains, and began developing the photos in the dark.
"So beautiful..." Hanabi gasped, struggling to find a better word.
Hinata didn't say anything but fixated on the group photo, her eyes sparkling.
She shared the same unspoken regret as Izayoi-kun:
If only they'd had a camera back then… they could've recorded the days they spent growing up together.
But at least now, it wasn't too late.
From that moment on, they spent the day capturing memories.
First, they photographed different spots inside the house—the living room, balcony, dojo, courtyard—then ventured outside.
They took photos at a familiar abandoned training ground, and even near a scenic waterfall.
Some photos were solo, some were of pairs, and others of all three together.
At one point, they passed by a large tree.
Suddenly, Hinata took the initiative, tugging gently at the sleeve of Izayoi-kun's long robe. Her face was slightly flushed.
"Izayoi-kun... Can we use the Transformation Technique?" she asked shyly.
Izayoi-kun was momentarily confused, but when he followed her gaze to the large tree, he understood—and smiled.
"Alright. Let's do it together."
"Mhm."
They both stood side by side, performed the hand seals, and called out in unison, "Transformation Technique!"
With a puff of white smoke, two chubby-faced children in plain clothes appeared under the tree.
The transformed pair smiled brightly at each other—two versions of their younger selves, lost to time but reborn for just a moment.
They turned to face the Shadow Clone, who lifted the camera.
Click.
The moment was immortalized—one that would never have existed, but now could be remembered forever.
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