Chapter Fifty-Nine: Such Sorrow

“Yu, big brother!”
After a long time, Yu Higashino was woken up by Naruto’s shout. Actually, he’d often been awakened by Naruto before—after all, even his clones were under his control—but hearing it with his true body felt different.
He got out of bed, dressed, went downstairs to open the door for Naruto, and then went to wash up.
“It’s Saturday today. You don’t have school, right?” After finishing his morning routine, Yu Higashino came downstairs and asked Naruto, who was sitting at the counter.
“Yeah, that’s right. Why?”
“I’m going out to buy some groceries. Let’s have a good breakfast this morning.”
“Alright!” Naruto replied, then looked at Yu Higashino with a strange expression.
“Hm?” Yu asked.
“I feel like you’ve changed a little again, Yu big brother.”
“Changed? Again?”
“Yeah, there was a day before when you seemed different somehow, but now you seem back to normal.”
“Silly, nothing has changed.” Yu’s words were dismissive, but inwardly he marveled at how perceptive Naruto could be despite his rough-and-tumble nature.
“I’m heading out. Keep an eye on the shop.”
With that, Yu walked outside.
It was still early, but Konoha’s main street was already bustling, and most shops were just opening their doors.
As soon as Yu stepped out, he bumped into Ayano Natsukawa from next door, who was getting ready to open her shop.
“Good morning, Yu big brother!”
“Morning,” Yu paused his steps.
“You’re heading out?”
“Just going to buy some groceries.” After a pause, Yu asked, “Have you had breakfast yet?”
“Not yet, but there’s plenty of snacks in the shop.”
“Don’t tell me you opened a snack shop just because you like eating snacks.”
“No way!” Ayano’s cheeks flushed. “I opened it because I saw the business potential, not because I like snacks.”
“How’s business lately?” Though Yu’s clone had stayed in Konoha, he hadn’t paid much attention to local affairs due to splitting his focus.
“Business is great! I’ve been almost overwhelmed lately.” Ayano replied with a smile.
But then she recalled her calculations: after subtracting about forty percent for costs, thirty percent of the remaining sixty percent went straight to rent.
Her smile faded, replaced by a look of indignation. “I’m so envious of you, Yu big brother. You always seem so carefree, yet you’re rich.”
Yu guessed what Ayano was thinking. “I’m lucky to be taken care of.”
“So frustrating!”
“Haha, I’ll make breakfast later and have Naruto bring you a portion.”
“That’s more like it.”
“Alright, I’m off to buy groceries.”
Yu continued on his way.
He bought several pounds of beef and some vegetables from the usual grocer, then picked up noodles from another stall, planning to make braised beef noodle soup.
When he got home, he spent some time preparing the beef. By the time he finished, it was nearly nine o’clock.
“Naruto, take a bowl over to Ayano next door.”
“Huh? Why?” Naruto looked puzzled, then his face lit up with sudden understanding. He lowered his voice conspiratorially, “Yu big brother, do you like Ayano?”
“No, I just promised her a share of breakfast earlier,” Yu replied calmly.
“Really?” Naruto looked skeptical.
“It’s true.” Yu remained unruffled.
Seeing Naruto was about to ask more, Yu changed the subject, “How about you? How are things with Hinata?”
“I—I—I’m going to deliver the noodles!”
Watching Naruto dash away, Yu smiled.
He then reflected on his own feelings. Did he like Ayano? Certainly, but it was more of a fondness, like the one he felt for Karin—a sisterly affection.
He wasn’t sure if he’d ever fall in love or get married. Maybe he would, maybe not. He decided to let things take their own course.
Without waiting for Naruto’s return, Yu enjoyed his noodles.
Nothing beat homemade braised beef noodle soup—the meat was plentiful.
He was halfway through his bowl when Naruto returned.
“Why were you gone so long?” Yu asked.
“Someone showed up at Ayano’s.”
“And?”
“That person has the same last name as me, Uzumaki. It’s the first time I’ve met someone with the same surname.”
Uzumaki? There were only two people in the village with that surname. What a coincidence.
“And?”
“She seemed to be applying for a job, and… and then I came back.”
Yu recalled Ayano mentioning she was overwhelmed lately and realized she was telling the truth—she was hiring. But what surprised Yu even more was that Karin’s mother had come to apply.
Aside from his surprise, Yu had no further opinions. Who people hired or where they worked was their own business.
He said nothing more and continued eating his noodles.
After finishing, Naruto washed the dishes, and Yu headed over to Ayano’s snack shop.
He glanced around but didn’t see Karin’s mother.
“Yu big brother, what brings you here? The noodles were delicious.” Ayano was still eating.
“Naruto said you’re recruiting, so I came to check.”
“Yes, I’ve been so busy that I decided to hire someone. I just put up the job posting, and someone applied immediately.”
Yu was about to reply when he noticed a figure emerging from the back room of the snack shop.
“Ayano, is this alright?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
After responding, Ayano introduced, “Yu big brother, this is Mina, my new employee.”
“Mina, this is Yu Higashino, our neighbor from the shop next door.”
Yu realized why he hadn’t seen Karin’s mother—she’d gone to the back room to change into her work clothes.
“Nice to meet you, Yu.” Karin’s mother greeted him with a neutral tone—neither overly familiar nor too cold.
“Nice to meet you,” Yu responded calmly.
Karin’s mother was momentarily taken aback; the tone felt familiar, but she quickly dismissed the thought. The looks, voice, and identity were all different—it couldn’t be that person.
“Mina, your trial period is three days. If nothing major comes up, you can stay on. Is that alright?”
“That’s fine.”
Ayano knew Mina was from the Uzumaki clan and had heard about the events of the past few days. She’d seriously considered hiring her.
First, the Third Hokage had openly welcomed them, meaning their status was secure. Next, they seemed pitiable, and Mina had a daughter, so she’d likely be adept with children. Most importantly, Mina’s requested salary was even slightly lower than Ayano had expected.
All things considered, Ayano decided to try out Uzumaki Mina for a few days.