Ino had expected walking home together to feel… different.Closer. Warmer. Maybe even a little romantic.
Instead, Fujimoto Tōma escorted her in complete silence, step after steady step.Not cold. Not distant.Just… practical. Like this was simply another part of his daily routine.
"Hmm, good progress," her mother teased as she came downstairs. "Already walking home together?"
"M-Mom… it's nothing like that."Ino flushed, deciding not to mention that Tōma hadn't said more than three sentences the entire way.
But after several days of the exact same pattern—Tōma walking her home, saying little, leaving promptly—Ino couldn't help pouting in private.Yes, the relationship is improving… but not the way I imagined!
Today, as they approached her house again, something felt… off.
Her father was waiting outside.
"Good afternoon, sir," Tōma said immediately, polite as always.
Inoichi nodded, studying the boy with a complicated expression.He knew Tōma had been escorting Ino home every day.At their age it wasn't "romance"… but it was undeniably a developing bond.
His little girl.Already being stolen away by some sharp-eyed prodigy.
It hurt.
"Dad? Why are you outside?" Ino asked.
"I got off early," Inoichi said with a bitter little smile. "I thought about picking you up, but since Tōma's been doing it… you'd probably get annoyed."
"Dad!"Ino grabbed his arm, mortified.
Inoichi laughed softly, though the ache in his chest didn't go anywhere.
After a moment, he turned to Tōma.
"Thank you for walking her home. I appreciate it."
"It's nothing," Tōma answered. "There have been more fights and assaults around the village lately. I didn't want Ino walking alone."
That was the truth—simple and direct.
Ino's eyes shone.
So that's why he wasn't talking… he was focused on watching the surroundings…
Her irritation evaporated.
Inoichi glanced at Tōma again.Sharp kid. Too sharp for his age.And if even a child could sense the growing tension in the village, then the situation truly was nearing its breaking point.
"…You should head home soon as well," Inoichi said. "Stay indoors tonight. It's better to keep a low profile."
Tōma nodded, pretending to be puzzled while already understanding exactly what that meant.
"Yes. I'll walk my mother home later and stay in."
At that, Inoichi's expression softened.A boy who thinks of his mother first… that's a good sign.
"Well then, sir, I'll leave first. Ino, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow!"Ino waved happily.
The moment Tōma was out of sight, Inoichi murmured:
"…He really is a good kid."
"I told you, didn't I?" Ino's mother stepped out, smiling. "Ino has good taste."
"Better not let him slip away," she added, patting Ino's head.
"I—I don't know what you're talking about!"Ino yelped, scarlet, and bolted inside.
The parents shared a look—equal parts amused and resigned.
Walking home alone, Tōma replayed the scene in his mind.
He hadn't expected this.
He'd only wanted to keep Ino safe, but Inoichi's demeanor, his timing, his subtle warning…Everything pointed to one conclusion:
The night of the Uchiha Clan's downfall was today.
The pressure he had sensed throughout the year now snapped into perfect shape.
Tōma picked up his pace.
Sana wouldn't be off work yet, but he'd meet her at closing time.He hadn't once let her walk home alone these past weeks—not with tempers rising around the village.
Tonight, he wouldn't leave anything to chance.
"Be careful walking home, Sana. Things have been getting dangerous lately—someone from the shop next door was attacked," one of her coworkers warned.
"I know. You, too," Sana replied, changing out of her grease-stained uniform and grabbing her things.She hesitated about stopping for groceries, then decided the pantry could survive one more day.
"Sana! Your son came to pick you up!" another coworker called.
Sana hurried outside—and there he was.Tōma, standing with an almost comically forced smile as he said goodbye to the staff.
"Mom, I'm here to walk you home," he said simply.
"…Why today of all days?"Her voice held surprise, joy, and a faint tremor of worry.
"The village isn't safe right now," Tōma replied quietly.
Her coworkers practically melted.
A child this talented and this considerate? Impossible. Unfair.
"You don't have to worry about me," Sana whispered. "I might not look it anymore, but I used to be a genin. Ordinary civilians won't try anything against me. I'm more worried about you walking around alone."
"I'll be fine," Tōma assured her in a low voice. "I already beat Iruka-sensei, remember?"
Sana blinked.
…Iruka is a chūnin.
Which meant—
Her son…
She didn't know how she made it home.Only that the entire walk was filled with the warm, embarrassed pride of a mother realizing her child had already far surpassed her.