"Do you have anything going on the night after tomorrow?"
"There's going to be a performance in the plaza, and I heard there will be fireworks too. I... I'd like to invite you to go together."
Haku tilted his head in confusion.
In his eyes, Daiki Nojiri was Musashi's strange friend.
He carried an aura different from ordinary people.
Musashi had told him that was the unique temperament of an artist.
Regarding the invitation, Haku thought for a moment and didn't refuse.
"If nothing comes up, sure."
After coming to Konoha, the situation was different from what he had imagined.
Originally, he thought that as a 'tool' temporarily mortgaged by Zabuza Momochi to Musashi, he would face nothing but new slaughter and battles.
But after arriving in Konoha, the environment here was very different from what he had pictured.
No fighting, no bloodshed.
Even Musashi didn't ask much of him, only saying that arrangements would be made after he finished his business these few days.
Every day was just doing some boring things.
Karin, Ayame, Naruto... the people around him were kind and warm.
He seemed to be experiencing a world he had never felt before. Although it felt a bit unfamiliar, it was also somewhat novel.
He was also curious about Daiki's invitation; he had never seen what a 'performance' was like.
Hearing his answer, Daiki Nojiri was overjoyed.
"Great! I'll come find you the night after tomorrow!"
---
Nightfall.
In the newly decorated room, Musashi was feeling a little excited.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, especially since today was their wedding day.
Having been forced to separate just after getting a taste of sweetness, he was already impatient.
Today, Ayame was dressed as a bride, looking even more beautiful than usual.
He rubbed his hands together and leaned in close to her. "Big Sister, at a time like this, we should..."
Ayame looked expectant and a bit excited.
"Mn! We should open the presents!!"
Musashi: "...No, I..."
However, Ayame had already excitedly gathered a pile of gift boxes, placed them in front of her, and started thinking about which one to open first.
"Hmm~ This pink box is so pretty."
"Then... let's open this big one first!" She said, starting to open it impatiently.
"This is a vase, so exquisite..."
"This is a wok, not bad either..."
"Why is this one so heavy?" After opening it, Ayame looked at Musashi in confusion.
"That's from Big Brother Guy. It's for physical recovery during training."
"Oh~" Ayame casually set it aside and picked up another gift. "Good heavens! This one is even heavier."
Opening the box, when she saw a pair of pink dumbbells inside, Ayame looked at Musashi with question marks all over her face.
"Is this from Big Brother Guy too?"
"Uh... Rock Lee gave that one. It's the thought that counts."
The dumbbells were temporarily relegated to the corner.
"This one is from Izumi, right? Let me see... such an exquisite table lamp! We can put it by the bed."
"This is a hair clip, so beautiful. It must be from that pretty pink-haired girl..."
Ayame was full of energy, opening them one by one, unable to put down the gifts she liked.
When she opened a small box from Guy, curious about what it was, she suddenly let out a startled "Ah!" and retracted her hand as if she had been electrocuted.
Musashi looked at the ball of green fabric that fell to the ground, vaguely able to see the distinct words 'Hot-Blooded' and 'Strive' embroidered on it, and said awkwardly, "That... is also from Big Brother Guy."
Ayame didn't speak.
She extended two fingers, gingerly picked up the fabric, and placed it on top of the pink dumbbells.
Musashi: "..."
Just as expected.
It was getting late, and Ayame had only opened half the gifts. Seeing that she looked like she wouldn't stop until she finished, Musashi couldn't help but cough lightly to remind her.
"Um... Big Sister, it's getting late."
"Huh? But I haven't finished opening my gifts~"
"You can open gifts tomorrow. There's plenty of time during the day."
Ayame looked at him pitifully. "But I want to open them~"
"Today is our wedding. Opening gifts on the wedding day is the best! Can you understand my desire to open presents?"
"Of course I can understand," Musashi said. "But Big Sister needs to understand me too."
"I want to open a present as well."
"You want to open one too?" Hearing this, Ayame smiled sweetly. "Then come over and open them together."
Musashi's gaze gradually heated up.
"Big Sister, the present I'm talking about isn't on the floor."
"Eh?" Ayame froze.