[Hokage] A rose in mourning for the summer moon

"Your brother really said that? It's hard to imagine... I heard that Sasuke is very popular with girls of the same age, but I also heard that he always acts cool. I didn't expect to have this side."

Shisui laughed for a long time, laughing so hard that Itachi couldn't lift his head.

He and Zhishui also haven't seen each other for five years, but they are not unfamiliar with each other.When reminiscing about the past, in addition to talking about future expectations, it is to look back on Konoha's life in the past few years.Observing Konoha from the perspective of Shisui, of course there are some unique insights and conclusions, which are worth listening to.As a result, while talking, they mentioned each other's family and friends.As a close friend, Shisui intends to take good care of Sasuke, so he also understands the boy's personality better.

Naturally, Xia Yue was also mentioned.

Zhishui also knows Xiayue.The ninjas in the same family are easy to get acquainted with each other, not to mention that the two of them can chat quite well, and they are friends who send greeting cards to each other during the Chinese New Year.

"Itachi, tell the truth, do you like Xia Yue?" Zhishui climbed onto his shoulder with a smirk, "You guys met before? Although I don't know the specific mission content, I probably have some guesses. As a friend, I must remind you that Xia Yue is beautiful, with a good personality and strong ability, and you can count a dozen or so people in the village who have confessed to her, if you like her, you must seize the opportunity."

Itachi didn't speak.He is thinking about something.

"Weasel?"

"Wait a little longer." Without paying attention, the words in his heart slipped out.Itachi felt uncomfortable when he met his friend's eyes.

"What's there to wait for?" Zhishui asked strangely, "As long as Itachi is good... Wait, do you mean? Itachi, are you not confident? Are you worried that Xia Yue will reject you?"

Itachi froze in place, and he had to be careful not to be seen his stiffness.It's a pity that Zhishui saw through him at a glance, because he showed an expression that was obviously holding back a smile.

"Ahem... I can understand that too. That's fine, just like what Aunt Mikoto said, let's start with the date." Shisui changed the subject very considerately, "Let me think about it, what activities are there recently... yes Yes, there is the Nanga Festival in September, and the family will go to the Nanhe Shrine to pray for blessings, and the village will also prepare a lively market. I heard that a firework festival will be organized this year. Itachi, how about inviting Xia Yue to participate in the festival with you?"

When Itachi found Xia Yue, she was taking a nap by the lake.It was still a rope tied between two big trees, on which a figure was lying on his side steadily, with a thin blanket covering his body, sleeping very peacefully.

He eased his pace and breathing, quietly came to her side, and looked at her sleeping face for a moment.Different from the leisurely look when she was awake, Xia Yue's lips were slightly parted when she was asleep, her brows and eyes were dazed, as if she was a little melancholy.He wanted to caress her eyebrows, but resisted the urge.

"Student Xia Yue."

All it takes is a call, and she flutters her eyelashes and wakes up.The light fell into the sea blue in her eyes, like a wonderful dream.

"Ah...it's Itachi-kun."

Her voice was slightly hoarse, and she was about to get up when she rolled limply to the side.

"careful!"

A few blades of grass flew up, and she lay in his arms, blinking her eyes a few times, as if she had truly recovered from her nap dream. "It seems to be sleepy." She didn't care at all, but laughed instead, "Fortunately, Itachi-kun is here. Thank you."

"No, I must have frightened classmate Xia Yue. I'm sorry."

They got up from the grass as if nothing had happened, as if they were not the ones who rolled into a ball just now.Itachi ignored his burning ears, only staring at her fair face and the two blades of grass on her temples.

"Student Xia Yue, are you busy recently?" He asked.

"I've been quite free these few days. It's a rare vacation—it's also thanks to Itachi-kun." She pointed out something, and brushed the messy hair by her ears, but she couldn't brush the grass blades away. And she didn't pay attention.

Itachi took another look at the two stubborn blades of grass.

"The Nanhe Festival is coming. I heard it will be very lively this year. If Xia Yue is free, why don't you go to the festival." He tried to keep his voice as steady as possible, calm and composed as usual, That's reliable enough.

"Nan He Festival...that's right, it's Nan He Festival. Counting it, I've missed it for two years in a row."

He was startled, "Did Xia Yue not participate in the previous two years?"

The Nanga Shrine enshrines the ancestors of the Uchiha. Although the Nanga Festival has become a festival for the whole village, it is still an important festival for the family. In principle, all members of the clan must at least participate in the blessing session.

She raised her eyebrows slightly, and then smiled a little slyly. "Why did I miss the Nanga Festival, shouldn't Itachi-kun be very clear?" She said, "In September last year, and the September of the year before last, where was Itachi-kun, do you need me to remind Itachi-kun?"

In September of the year before last, he was dealing with the Tailed Beast at the border of the Land of Thunder. Xun Feng came to get the information and slipped him a handful of rose candy, saying it was a new flavor.Last September in the Iron Country, on a refreshing moonlit night, she pulled out the ginkgo-decorated hairpin and leaned over to kiss the corner of his lips.

Ears are getting hotter.

"...I understand." He forced himself to look away, "Since this is the case, this year's festival should not be missed."

Xia Yue took two steps closer, leaned in front of him, and tilted her head to meet his gaze, looking a bit inquiring.He resisted the urge to back away, and only hoped that the heat from his ears would not spread to his face.

"Student Xia Yue?"

"I was wondering, is Itachi-kun inviting me to participate in the Nanhe Festival?" She asked bluntly.

"...Yes." He looked at the person who was close at hand, and finally expressed his wish, "I hope Xia Yue will join me in the Nanhe Festival."

She smiled, and it really was a smile that could make the sun brighter and warmer.

"Okay." She said, "Let's go together, Itachi-kun."

He finally couldn't bear it any longer, and raised his hand to brush the grass leaves from her hair.She didn't move, just lowered her eyes and blushed slightly.

On the day of the Nanhe Festival, the village was very busy in the morning.A few days earlier, the colored strips and lanterns had been hung on the street, and on the day of the festival, they were busy introducing more decorations; the residents who applied to set up stalls were also checking their own equipment, and they had to quietly observe how other houses were preparing and compete secretly.Itachi's father is the head of the clan, and his main concern is the ceremony of praying for blessings at the shrine.As the eldest son, Itachi also has corresponding clan obligations, that is, to wear a grand navy blue dress, stand at the head, express respect and gratitude to the ancestors, and at the same time pray for the family to be more brilliant.

Before he walked to the head of the line, someone in the line next to him winked at him, and a smile blossomed like a flower.Itachi couldn't help noticing that she was only wearing a simple wooden hairpin today, with light makeup on, plain and beautiful.

His mood was completely lit up by that smile.

Nanhe Shrine has no priests, and the corresponding prayer duties are undertaken by the patriarch and the patriarch respectively.Together with other clan members, Itachi listened to the lengthy prayer with a serious face, watched a series of performances, and accepted the exorcism ceremony of the person who played the ancestor one by one. Only then did the unified clan activities end.

Then you can pray freely, go shopping around the market, taste delicious food, and wait to watch the performances in the village at night, as well as the rare fireworks display.

"Brother, what are you going to do next?" The younger brother was eager to try.

"Me..." Faced with his younger brother's expectant gaze, Itachi felt a little embarrassed.

Hey - Sasuke -

The two brothers turned their heads together, and saw two young men, a man and a woman, both wearing bathrobes standing at the entrance of the main hall of the shrine, waving at Sasuke.

The younger brother's eyes lit up, but he didn't respond immediately, but explained to him that those were Naruto and Sakura, his teammates.Itachi clearly saw longing on his face.

"Is it Sasuke's companion... Go, Sasuke." He said, "Don't keep them waiting."

"but……"

"Sasuke, let's go. Your brother has other things to do."

The mother came over, patted the youngest son on the back with a smile, and winked at the eldest son mischievously, motioning him to look the other way.In fact, Itachi had noticed it a long time ago—he had noticed the figure standing waiting for him under the eaves of the dance hall.

Sasuke didn't think too much, he responded, and ran to his teammates happily, seemingly calmly.Itachi looked at his younger brother's back, laughed and shook his head, and whispered to himself, "I said I've grown up, but I'm still a child."

"Itachi is too steady." Mother joked, "I need to learn more from Xia Yue how to relax."

"What are you talking about, mother..."

"Oh, isn't that very obvious? Neither your father nor I have ever seen you like anyone so much."

"……Yes."

He took a few steps over there, and for some reason, he turned his head subconsciously.The mother stood there, and the father who came to her; they all looked at him, as if watching him go away.

His relationship with his parents has never been close.Although he is the first child in the family, getting along with his parents has always been like a layer of separation, and they can't understand each other's thoughts.As he grows older, he gradually understands that he is different from ordinary people. The so-called "abyss-like talent" on the one hand allows him to achieve achievements that ordinary people cannot reach, on the other hand, it also becomes a gap between him and others.While the others enjoyed their mediocre, gregarious pleasures across the gully, he watched them from here alone.

After Sasuke was born, he realized how close the relationship between parents and children should be. It is not normal for him to be respectful but alienated.However, it is true that he cannot look up to his parents like his younger brother.He has already seen through many of their ideas and cannot agree with them.

Five years ago, when he was at the age of his younger brother, he only hesitated a little before resolutely deciding to take the name of "betrayal and tolerance" without much consideration for his family's feelings.The fetters of blood seem to have become very weak to him, and once a choice needs to be made, blood will become the one that is abandoned.

He was someone who was outside the family, so his departure could be easily accepted-he used to think so.

Is that so?When his parents watched him leave like this, what kind of emotions did they have?

With faint doubts, he walked in front of that person.She also saw Fuyue and Mikoto, and she gave them a distant salute, her eyes were peaceful and soft, and there was some longing.

"They all care about you, Itachi-kun," she said, "That's great."

He remained silent, still circling the question just now in his mind.

She glanced at him, and the smile in her eyes rippled again, easily soothing his mood.

"There is no need to force the fate and affection between relatives. Sometimes, all we need is just a chance to watch each other go away. Loving each other deeply is a kind of family affection, saying 'goodbye' to each other, and caring for each other far away is also a kind of family affection Either way, it's a beautiful emotion."

She rolled her eyes at him.

"Are you right, Itachi-kun?"

why?She always seemed to know what he was thinking.Watched by her with a smile, the whole world became quiet.

Xunfeng... No, Xia Yue is really a wonderful person.

"Maybe it is." He only felt a softness in his heart, "Thank you...Xia Yue."

She blinked and looked away a little, "What's the matter, aren't you called 'classmate' this time?"

"Is it okay?" he asked, "Just call me 'Xia Yue', is that okay?"

She seemed to think about it for a while. "Okay," she said, "I just think...you're a little more frank than I thought, Itachi."

Just a simple name change.He told himself that it was just one honorific missing, nothing worth mentioning.

but……

"Itachi, accompany me to the market."

"……it is good."

It's just a name change.He knew this clearly intellectually, but the joy in his heart could not be restrained no matter what.what to do?He seems to be really...

"By the way, I made sweet-scented osmanthus candy again. This time I also tried jasmine candy, which are rare flowers in Konoha, and only I can make them." She took out a candy from her handbag and handed it to him naturally Lips, "Itachi, have a taste."

My ears are hot.This time, even his face seemed to be a little hot.Nevertheless, he obediently swallowed the flowery and fresh candy.Her fingertips rubbed against her lips, which also smelled of jasmine.

"how?"

"...very sweet."

She smiled, looking very happy, her eyes were shining, as beautiful as the rising sun on the sea.

What to do, he seems... really like Xia Yue very much.

I really like her.

The author has something to say: It's so sweet that I have a toothache... The next chapter will end this episode.