He chewed and swallowed.
"Is it good?" Kankuro asked.
Sasori was silent for a moment. "Yeah."
Kankuro grinned. "My sister's cooking is delicious! Eat more!"
He stuffed another large piece of meat into his mouth.
The dining table gradually became lively.
Kankuro asked various questions while eating. Sasori answered occasionally, but he was much more natural than when he first arrived.
Gaara looked up from time to time, watching them talk, his lips curling slightly.
Temari ate her meal, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
She looked at Kankuro, at Gaara, and at Sasori.
Sasori kept his head down while eating, but there seemed to be a slight curve at the corner of his mouth. It was so small it was almost unnoticeable, but she saw it.
After finishing the meal, Kankuro and Gaara began clearing the dishes.
Sasori stood up, hesitated for a moment, and started to help as well.
He stacked the bowls together; his movements were a bit unfamiliar, but he was very serious.
Temari took the bowls from his hands and placed them in the sink.
"You don't need to clean up, you're a guest."
Sasori was stunned for a moment. Guest. This word was very foreign to him.
He stood there, watching Temari wash the dishes.
Her movements were skillful, and the dishes clinked in the water, making a crisp sound.
The firelight from the stove shone on her profile, making the fine fuzz on her skin glow slightly.
Kankuro leaned over, holding the half-finished cake in his hand.
"Sis, are we still eating the cake?"
"Yes."
Kankuro cut a piece and handed it to Sasori. "Here."
Sasori looked at the piece of cake. The frosting had melted a little, but the words were still recognizable.
Happy Birthday.
He took it and took a bite. It was a bit sweet and a bit dry, but when he swallowed, his throat felt warm.
Kankuro was also eating, his cheeks bulging.
Gaara also held a small piece, eating slowly and seriously.
Temari finished washing the dishes, dried her hands, and walked over.
"Is it good?" she asked Sasori.
Sasori looked up. Her eyes were bright in the firelight, like the stars in the night sky over the Hidden Sand Village.
"It's good," he said.
Temari smiled.
After finishing the cake, Kankuro let out a yawn.
"Sis, we're heading back."
Temari nodded. "Be careful on the way."
Kankuro looked at Sasori. "Are you coming?"
Sasori stood up.
As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped. He turned around, pulled something out from his robe, and placed it on the table.
It was a small puppet part. Carved from bone and polished smooth, it was shaped like a small bird.
"This... is... for you."
Temari was taken aback.
"A gift," Sasori said. His voice was somewhat stiff, as if he wasn't used to saying such things.
Temari looked at the little bird. It was small, but every feather was intricately carved, and its wings were slightly spread as if it were about to take flight.
She looked up at Sasori.
Sasori's face was slightly flushed. In the dim light, it was hard to tell for sure, but he was definitely blushing.
"Thank you," she said.
Sasori didn't say a word. He turned and left, his pace quick. Kankuro followed, shouting as he ran, "Wait for me!"
Gaara followed as well, the sand at his feet flowing a bit faster.
The door closed, leaving only Temari and Nobunaga in the room.
Temari looked down at the little bird; the bone was polished very smooth and carried a hint of warmth.
"Teacher," she said softly.
"Yes."
"He... he seems like a person now."
Nobunaga didn't speak.
Temari held the little bird in her palm. "Thank you for inviting him."
Nobunaga looked at her.
Footsteps came from outside the window.
The three had walked far away, their laughter drifting over faintly.
Temari walked to the window and looked in that direction. The moonlight shone on the sand dunes, shimmering with a faint silver light.
In the distance, the stone pillars on the Training Ground, carved with deep gashes from Wind Release, stood silently.
Three small shadows gradually disappeared into the night.
Temari didn't move. She lowered her head and looked at the little bird in her palm for a long time.
"Teacher."
She spoke.
"Yes."
"Today is my happiest day."
Nobunaga didn't speak, for another image suddenly surfaced in his mind—that peerless beauty dressed in a shiromuku saying to him:
"Nobunaga, today is my happiest day."
Nobunaga walked to the window and looked toward the Hidden Mist Village.
The moonlight streamed in, falling upon the two of them.
Temari turned her head to look at Nobunaga, her eyes deep and calm, just as they were fourteen years ago, just as they always were.
"Teacher, I like you."
Nobunaga looked at her for a long time.
The wind blew in from the window, carrying the scent of grit. The flame of the oil lamp flickered, casting their long shadows onto the wall.
"Temari," he began.
"Yes."
"Do you know why I have always stood in front of you all?"
Temari was stunned for a moment. "Because... you're our teacher?"
Nobunaga shook his head.
"Because I watched you all grow up. From the age of four and a half until now.
I watched you go from carrying your two younger brothers alone to now, where both of them can stand by your side.
I watched you go from not daring to cry to daring to laugh."
Nobunaga looked into Temari's eyes. "Do you know what these fourteen years mean to me?"
Temari didn't speak.
"But Temari,"
Nobunaga's voice dropped, "it's not that kind of caring."
Temari froze.
Nobunaga said, "You've called me teacher for fourteen years. I am your teacher; from the very first day, I have been."
He turned around and looked at the moonlight outside the window.
"I can't."
Temari stood there and didn't speak.
A long time passed.
The wind continued to blow.
Sand hit the window, making a faint, rustling sound.
"Is it because of... the war?" Temari's voice was very soft.
Nobunaga didn't answer.
"Is it because you don't know if you'll survive?"
Nobunaga didn't speak.
"Or is it because..." Her voice trembled slightly, "what you feel for me is really just..."
She didn't finish.
Nobunaga turned around and looked at her. His eyes were deep and calm.
"Temari. You are my student, a child I watched grow up, and the person I want to protect most."
He paused.
"But it can only be that."
Temari looked at him.
The moonlight fell on her face, making the tears in the corners of her eyes glisten brightly.
She didn't cry; she was Temari.
She wouldn't cry, but the tears in her eyes couldn't lie.
After a long time, she smiled.
A small smile, different from before.
"I understand," she said.
She looked down at the little bird in her hand and gripped it tightly.
"Teacher."
"Yes."
"Will you still stand in front of us?"
Nobunaga looked at her back.
"I will," he said.
Temari nodded. "Then that's enough."
She turned and walked back into the room.
As she reached the door, she stopped.
"Teacher."
"Yes."
"Today is my happiest day."
"Really," she said.
She pushed the door open and went inside.
The door closed.
The corners of Nobunaga's mouth curled up slightly. Through simulation after simulation, many things had changed.
In addition to what the system had given him, he had also gained a great deal of intangible wealth.