Visitor

Going through the now-familiar Uchiha complex, it wasn't long before they reached Akane's residence. Like last time, Aito called out to her.

"You're here!"

Grinning from ear to ear, Akane rushed out of the house and opened the gate.

"Hurry! The food's getting cold, and grandma is getting impatient!"

------------------------------------------------

Granny Mai had a soft spot for both Aito and Jun. Having known their parents well, she couldn't stand seeing them suffer... With a warm smile, she let them eat as much as they wanted.

Not afraid of losing any face, Aito ate like a madman. Although his brother's food was good, granny Mai's was definitely better.

Having trained all day, Jun also ate quite a lot. Seeing his brother enjoy himself, his opinion of both Akane and her grandmother rose a lot. Granny Mai treated them like her own grandchildren, effectively becoming Aito's mother figure.

The night went by slowly... Jun and Aito ate to their heart's content, enjoying the company of both Akane and her grandmother.

Watching Aito pat his enlarged stomach, Granny Mai laughed out. Being over sixty years of age, it came out a bit hoarse.

"Little Jun. I heard you passed the academy's graduation exam? How did it go?"

Hearing this question, Jun nodded and took out his forehead-protector, letting everyone see. Excited, Aito got closer and inspected it with round eyes.

"Whoaaaa… It's a real forehead protector! Bro, you're a ninja now!"

"You actually made it… I never thought I'd see the day. I'm so glad!"

Hearing both Aito and Akane's comments, Jun just couldn't resist teasing them a little.

"Haaa… So you really didn't believe in me… That makes me sad…"

Putting on a hurt expression, Jun watched both of them get anxious from the corner of his eye. Finding it amusing, he laughed a little.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Don't worry, I'm not mad."

Watching them interact with each other, granny Mai smiled warmly. Seeing the forehead protector, she closed her eyes in heartfelt relief.

'I hope you two are watching from above… Your son has become quite the man!'

Resisting the urge to cry, she slowly stood up and started picking up used plates. Seeing this, Jun and Aito also got up, helping her out. If they came into someone's house, ate their food, but didn't help out, wouldn't that be rude?

As they were taking the plates over to the kitchen, a loud voice came from outside.

"Jun! Come out if you dare!"

Recognizing who it came from, Akane put on a worried expression. Looking at Aito and Jun, she was surprised to see that they were completely unaffected. Fearful, she hurriedly pointed to the garden outside.

"Hurry! If you leave through the back, they won't catch you!"

Hearing this, granny Mai got scared. The fact that they were being bullied had been kept a secret between the three kids, so it made sense that she didn't know.

"Don't worry, big sis. We'll be right back."

"Don't-"

"You don't have to worry, Akane-san. We're just going to take out the trash."

With a reassuring smile, Jun turned around and left, followed by Aito. Now by themselves, Akane and her grandma were left staring at each other.

"You have some explaining to do, young girl."

"I-I…"

Placing her hands on her chest, Akane couldn't help but worry. From the way the voice sounded, she feared that they wouldn't come back in one piece.