[ Minato knows this path like the back of his hand. In just a few more minutes of walking, the little house they share will come into view.
Others might try to deny Sha-Ming's compliments, to insist that it's not true -- that Sha-Ming turned out fine, all things considered. But Sha-Ming likely doesn't want empty words. At the very least, Minato doesn't think Sha-Ming wants them from him.
He's ready to shrug instead, to offer his brother a reflexive thanks. Instead, Minato goes silent and stops in his tracks, a distant look flitting across his irises as his expression turns genuinely confused. The end of the school year? ]
...I made it?
[ He sees something: shades of pink, softly drifting onto the ground, cherry blossoms in full bloom. But no, that can't be right. The flowers' full bloom should still be a few weeks away.
Something sharp explodes in Minato's right temple, his hand reaching up to press an index and middle finger against it. He shuts his eyes tight. The late afternoon sunlight is suddenly far too intense, exacerbating the migraine taking shape in his skull.
But instead of announcing how much it hurts, he mumbles: ]
and i will wait 87 more if that's what it takes
Others might try to deny Sha-Ming's compliments, to insist that it's not true -- that Sha-Ming turned out fine, all things considered. But Sha-Ming likely doesn't want empty words. At the very least, Minato doesn't think Sha-Ming wants them from him.
He's ready to shrug instead, to offer his brother a reflexive thanks. Instead, Minato goes silent and stops in his tracks, a distant look flitting across his irises as his expression turns genuinely confused. The end of the school year? ]
...I made it?
[ He sees something: shades of pink, softly drifting onto the ground, cherry blossoms in full bloom. But no, that can't be right. The flowers' full bloom should still be a few weeks away.
Something sharp explodes in Minato's right temple, his hand reaching up to press an index and middle finger against it. He shuts his eyes tight. The late afternoon sunlight is suddenly far too intense, exacerbating the migraine taking shape in his skull.
But instead of announcing how much it hurts, he mumbles: ]
...Sha-Ming, I'm tired.