The celebration had left everyone ravenous.
"I'm starving!" Kurenai pressed her hands against her stomach, her ruby eyes gleaming with anticipation. They'd missed both lunch and dinner attending the official ceremonies, though the festival stalls more than made up for it.
"My treat!" Asuma announced proudly, sweeping his arm toward the bustling street vendors.
Hanekawa smiled. "Feeling generous today?"
"I'm always generous!" Asuma puffed his chest out. "Right, Shisui? Shizune?"
"Absolutely," Shisui confirmed with an easy grin. "Asuma-senpai covers most of our team meals."
The street was a riot of color and sound—food stalls, game booths, masks, and trinkets crammed together in organized chaos. Hanekawa's eyes swept across the options, already calculating the best route through the crowd.
"What does everyone want?" Kurenai asked, still looking conflicted.
"Cold noodles!" Asuma's eyes lit up immediately.
"Grilled fish," Shisui said thoughtfully. "Saury, if they have it."
Kakashi nodded. "Saury's best."
"Then let's have a grilled fish eating competition!" Guy suddenly appeared, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. "THIS IS YOUTH!"
"No," Kakashi said flatly.
"Why not?"
"Grilled fish should be savored, not rushed."
Guy's face fell for exactly two seconds before brightening. "Then we'll see who eats the most!"
"Still no."
"Senior Guy, I'll compete with you," Shisui offered diplomatically, though his smile looked slightly strained.
Guy's tears of joy were immediate. "THIS IS THE SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH!"
Shisui's expression suggested he was already regretting his life choices.
"I want takoyaki!" Kurenai grabbed Hanekawa's hand, her eyes full of hope.
"Then takoyaki it is," he said, ruffling her hair. She immediately swatted at his hand, but she was smiling.
Yamato, who'd been quiet the entire time, simply nodded when asked what he wanted. Asuma quickly claimed him for the cold noodle group—partly for company, partly because Wood Style users deserved respect.
When Hanekawa glanced at Rin, she hesitated. "I don't want to intrude..."
"Come with us!" Kurenai grabbed her hand before she could finish, pulling her along. Rin stumbled after them, looking surprised but pleased.
---
The takoyaki vendor's eyes went wide when he recognized Hanekawa.
"Your meal is free today! Eat as much as you want!"
Kurenai practically glowed. "Hanekawa, you're famous!"
"Being too famous has its drawbacks," Hanekawa said mildly, though he didn't refuse the offer.
"I think it's great!" Kurenai declared, already eyeing the takoyaki. "Free food!"
"Little greedy cat," he teased, tapping her forehead. She pouted but didn't pull away.
Rin watched the exchange, feeling oddly out of place. She'd almost decided to leave when she felt something brush against her leg—Hanekawa's hand, barely noticeable.
She looked up, meeting his eyes. Her heart did an involuntary flip.
"Have you been working at the hospital lately?" he asked casually.
"Yes," she managed.
"Pity. I don't have time to teach you medical ninjutsu right now."
"That's okay. Nonō-sensei is teaching me."
Hanekawa's expression shifted slightly—a flicker of calculation. Kabuto Yakushi, he was probably thinking. Where is he now?
"Hanekawa, what's wrong?" both Kurenai and Rin asked simultaneously.
They exchanged glances, then quickly looked away.
"Nothing important," he said. "Just remembered something for tomorrow."
---
They ate their way through the festival—takoyaki, then taiyaki, then dango. Kurenai chattered constantly, pointing out performers and decorations. Rin was quieter, but Hanekawa made sure to include her, offering her bites of food and asking her opinions.
When he casually fed Rin a piece of taiyaki and she took it from his hand, her face flushed so deeply that even Kurenai noticed.
[D-Rank Talent Entry: Threesome]
[Trigger Condition: Spend time with Kurenai Yuhi and Nohara Rin]
[Effect: One-handed seal formation speed increases by 30%]
[Note: Can be synthesized]
Hanekawa's internal monologue was a mess of questions. Why is it called "Threesome"? Why does it affect seal speed? How do I even upgrade this?
He decided not to think too hard about it.
"Do you want to be Hokage?" he asked Kurenai as they watched the evening performances.
"No way," she said immediately. "I could never compete with you."
"When I become Hokage, I'll let you try it for two days," he offered.
"Really?" Her entire face lit up. "Promise?"
"Promise."
He turned to Rin. "What about you?"
She shook her head quickly. "I... I don't have that ability."
"Don't underestimate yourself," he said, offering her another piece of taiyaki.
Rin took it silently, her eyes downcast. In her mind, only Hanekawa was truly Hokage material. Everyone else—including herself—was just looking up at his light.
---
As night fell, the festival transformed into a fireworks display.
The first explosion painted the sky in brilliant gold. Kurenai grabbed Hanekawa's hand instinctively. "It's beautiful!"
Rin hesitated, then looked away.
Hanekawa caught her eye and, without overthinking it, took her hand too.
Rin's entire body went rigid. Her palm was suddenly sweaty, her mind completely blank. She was acutely aware of Kurenai holding his other hand, terrified she'd notice, but unable to let go.
The fireworks continued—reds, blues, greens, silvers—each burst more elaborate than the last. Rin gradually relaxed, though her heart never stopped racing. She found herself wishing the moment would never end.
"Hanekawa!" Asuma's voice cut through the night. "Come eat with us!"
Rin quickly released his hand, her face still burning.
---
Later, back at home, Hanekawa found Tsunade passed out on the sofa.
"When did you get back?" he asked.
"After the daimyo meeting. Celebrations are exhausting." She yawned enormously. "I'm hungry, brat."
"I'll cook something," he said, heading to the kitchen.
For them, the celebration had been much like any other day—just with better food and more people around. But that was fine. Hanekawa preferred it that way.
As he prepared dinner, he found himself smiling at the memory of holding two hands under the fireworks, of Rin's flustered expression, of Kurenai's unguarded joy.
Not bad, he thought. Not bad at all.