Yamanaka Flower Shop.
"Ino! Watch the shop for Mom, okay? I have to step out for a bit."
A well-dressed woman with a gentle, refined demeanor stood at the doorway, a handbag in hand, calling into the house just before leaving.
"But Mom, I was going out too." A young girl ran from the back room. Her features were delicate, framed by short, golden hair pinned with a pale blue barrette. Her eyes, also a soft blue, sparkled with frustration. She wore a sleeveless beige top and a light purple skirt, looking about four or five years old.
"I promised to meet my friend," Ino said as she rushed to her mother's side, gazing up anxiously. "Can't Dad go instead?"
"Your dad's working. I'm just heading to Aunt Yoshino's for a quick visit. I'll be back very soon." Her mother crouched to stroke Ino's hair, smiling warmly.
"Be good, Ino."
"But... I already made plans," Ino mumbled, lowering her head, reluctant.
Her mother glanced over Ino's outfit, realizing that she had dressed up on purpose. A flicker of understanding crossed her eyes.
"How about this just thirty minutes, and I'll be back. Okay?" She held up three fingers as she bargained gently.
"Well... fine," Ino muttered after a moment's hesitation.
"Good girl." Her mother patted her head and stood up.
"I'm heading out now."
"You better come back soon!" Ino shouted after her, waving.
There was no reply.
Ino turned and dragged a stool behind the counter. She climbed onto it and leaned over the surface, resting her chin on her arms, staring blankly at the shop entrance.
"Sakura's probably getting impatient by now," she muttered.
"Ugh." A long sigh escaped her lips.
"Don't blame me, Sakura…"
Time passed quietly. After more than ten minutes, a small shadow appeared at the door.
"Welcome to Yamanaka Flower Shop. How can I help you?" Ino perked up and stood to greet the visitor.
Huh?
Only then did she realize the customer was a young boy, about her age, dressed in a black yukata. His ink-black hair fell to his shoulders, and he stood there silently.
He's really good-looking. Ino thought to herself, her gaze fixed on him.
His skin was pale, his features finely sculpted with a hint of elegance, and his dark eyes held a muted, grayish tone.
"Um... are you looking for any particular flowers?" Ino asked, trying to start a conversation as she stepped out from behind the counter and walked up to him.
"Carnations," the boy replied, his gaze sweeping calmly over the shop interior.
"For your mom?" Ino ventured, eager to keep talking to the pretty boy.
"Yeah."
Ino turned and returned to the counter, pulling out the stool and climbing up to retrieve several bouquets pink, red, and yellow carnations.
"There are three colors. Which one do you want?" she asked, holding them out.
"Yellow symbolizes gratitude and admiration. Red is for health and longevity. Pink wishes for beauty and youth," she explained helpfully.
"Is it your mom's birthday?" she asked.
The boy shook his head. "White. Do you have white ones?"
"White?" Ino blinked. She paused, then answered with a touch of hesitation, "White isn't usually given as a gift..."
The boy shook his head again. "A bouquet of white carnations. Please."
Ino wanted to say more, but when she looked into his calm, quiet eyes, something clicked and she swallowed the words.
"Okay. One moment."
She put the colorful bouquets back on the shelf, then retrieved a bundle of pure white carnations already wrapped in soft paper.
"Here you go."
The carnations gave off a faint, soothing fragrance. The petals were luminous and smooth, their delicate centers tucked in like the antennae of butterflies.
"How much?" the boy asked as he took them.
"Two hundred ryō," Ino replied, quoting a low price.
I've never seen him before.
She accepted his money, watching him closely. Someone that good-looking she'd remember.
"Wait a second," she suddenly called out.
The boy paused mid-step, turning back with a confused look.
"Ino."
"Huh?" His brows furrowed slightly.
"I mean, I'm Yamanaka Ino," she said, pointing to herself.
"What about you? What's your name?" she asked, eyes bright with curiosity.
"…Takami Shin."
Shin, huh?
"We'll see each other again," Ino called out as he left.
"Right…?"
Just as handsome as Sasuke, she thought, gazing after him in a daze.
Until her mother's figure reappeared at the door.
"Ino, I'm back. Thank you for holding the shop."
Mrs. Yamanaka walked over and crouched beside her daughter, stroking her hair with a gentle smile.
"Mom…" Ino murmured, looking up at her mother's warm face.
"Just now, someone came and bought a bouquet of white carnations."
Hmm? Mrs. Yamanaka was slightly taken aback and looked at Ino.
"They're so pretty, but why does that color have such a sad meaning?" Ino stared into her mother's eyes.
"And he... he's still so young," she added softly.
Carnations usually convey love and blessings for mothers. But white ones white ones are a symbol of mourning.
Mrs. Yamanaka looked puzzled at first, but then something seemed to click. She looked into Ino's eyes and said gently, "There are many people in this world who carry sorrow, Ino. We can't change the past but if you ever see him again, try to help him however you can, alright?"
"He... needs my help?" Ino whispered.
"Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. But if you treat him kindly, Ino, kindness always comes back to you."
Help… Ino repeated the word silently in her heart.
"Ino, didn't you have plans with your friend?"
"Huh?"
"Oh no Sakura?!"
…
Konoha Forest - Memorial Stone
A massive, diamond-shaped stone monument stood solemnly, carved with countless names. At its base, a bouquet of white carnations lay quietly.
Shin stood alone before the stone. His small frame was dwarfed by its size he wasn't even a third as tall.
With his hands pressed together and eyes closed, he stood in silent prayer.
Five years ago, a colossal fox with nine fiery tails destroyed his home. His parents, both shinobi, died in that attack.
The last thing he remembered before blacking out was the chaos the massive tails whipping through the sky, the panicked cries, and his mother clutching him tightly.
His father had charged into the battlefield without hesitation. His mother had passed him to another shinobi and ran straight back in.
He never saw them again.
Life in this world is so fragile, Shin thought to himself.
After a long time, he opened his eyes and lowered his hands.
What a tragic world.
Just as he turned to leave, another figure approached.
The man wore a fitted black outfit, silver hair tousled above a masked face. His left eye was closed, and a vertical scar ran across it.
He held a bouquet of white chrysanthemums. His steps were calm, and his gaze steady. He gave Shin a brief, unreadable look.
Shin didn't speak. He assumed the man was there to mourn someone, and walked past him in silence.
Kakashi glanced at Shin's retreating figure, then turned to face the memorial. His eyes landed on the white carnations resting at the base, and something shifted in his expression.
"So many lost souls," he murmured.
Isn't that right... Sensei?