Misae sighed, then crouched down so she could look directly into Shin-chan's eyes.
"So what are you going to do tomorrow?"
Shin-chan looked up at her, completely lost. "I don't know."
"Do you want to learn swordsmanship?"
"Yes."
"And do you still want to keep training with Guy's dad?"
Shin-chan thought about it.
Guy's dad—the thick-eyebrowed man who was always shouting about youth and giving thumbs-ups.
"I... I think so too?"
Looking at how conflicted he was, Misae couldn't help sighing again.
"Shin-chan, listen to me."
Shin-chan looked at her.
"If you promised two people something, you can only choose one. But you can explain it properly to the other one. They're both good people. As long as you apologize sincerely and explain why, they won't blame you."
"Really?"
"Really." Misae nodded. "But you have to apologize properly, because you promised him first."
Shin-chan nodded thoughtfully.
"And besides," Misae continued, "you can also talk it over with him. For example, maybe you could go every other day, or go to him first and then the other place after. Grown-ups can talk things out."
Shin-chan's eyes lit up. "You can talk it out?"
"Of course you can." Misae patted his head. "As long as you explain it properly, grown-ups will understand."
Shin-chan thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Mom, do you and Dad talk things out too?"
Misae froze for a second, then smiled. "Of course. Like when he comes back from a mission, we'll talk about who's washing the dishes."
"And what if you can't work it out?"
Misae's smile stiffened a little.
"Then... I win."
Shin-chan blinked. "Why do you win?"
"Because I'm Mom."
Shin-chan nodded thoughtfully, then asked very seriously, "Then tomorrow, can I say, 'Because I'm Shin-chan, so I get the final say'?"
"No."
"Why can Mom do it but I can't?"
"Because I'm an adult."
Shin-chan sighed and shook his head. "Adults are really convenient. When you want to win, you say you're adults. When you want to reason, you talk about reason."
"Enough nonsense." Misae stood up in irritation, embarrassed into anger. "Go take a bath. You're covered in sweat."
Shin-chan slowly got to his feet and headed toward the bathroom. When he reached the door, he suddenly turned back.
"Mom."
"What now?"
"Thanks."
Misae froze slightly, standing there in the living room. Looking at that little figure, the corners of her mouth slowly lifted.
This child really had grown up quite a bit.
That night, Shin-chan didn't sleep very well. He tossed and turned in bed, his mind full of the apology he would have to make tomorrow.
Would the thick-eyebrowed man get angry?
Would he never let him train with them again?
Thinking about all that, he eventually drifted off half-awake.
In his dream, Guy looked at him with tearful eyes, shouting over and over, "Shin-chan, you liar!" Shin-chan wanted to explain, but it was like his mouth had been sealed shut. He couldn't get out a single word.
"Shin-chan, wake up."
Misae's voice dragged him out of the dream.
Shin-chan opened his eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling, then slowly sat up. For once, he didn't try to sleep in.
"Mom."
"What is it?"
"I don't want to grow up."
Misae poked her head out from the kitchen, looking baffled. "What are you talking about now?"
"Growing up is such a pain." Shin-chan hugged his blanket. "You have to apologize, explain things, and worry about whether other people will get mad."
Misae froze for a second, then smiled. "You've still got a long, long way to go before growing up. But the thing you need to do today still has to be done."
Shin-chan sighed. He slowly got dressed, slowly ate breakfast, slowly put on his school bag, and even his voice sounded weak and lifeless.
"I'm heading out."
Misae stood at the doorway and looked at the grim, doomed expression on his face. She couldn't help laughing.
"Good luck."
"Mhm." Shin-chan waved a hand and trudged heavily toward the ninja academy.
For the entire day, Shin-chan was distracted. Every now and then, his dream from last night would float back into his mind.
At last, the dismissal bell rang.
Shin-chan picked up his school bag and slowly walked outside.
Guy was already waiting for him at the school gate. The moment he saw him, he waved excitedly. "Shin-chan, today we burn with youth too!"
Seeing Guy's bright, cheerful smile only made Shin-chan feel even heavier inside. The whole way there, he kept thinking about how to begin.
By the time they reached the training ground, Might Duy was already standing there in his trademark green bodysuit, giving a thumbs-up.
"You've come, boys of youth!"
Shin-chan stood in front of him, opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Duy looked at him, puzzled. "What's wrong?"
Shin-chan took a deep breath, bent forward, and bowed deeply.
"Mister, I'm sorry."
Duy froze.
Guy froze too.
"I can't train with you today." Shin-chan's voice came out muffled. "I promised Kakashi's dad that I'd go learn swordsmanship."
Shin-chan stayed bent over, not daring to raise his head.
"It's okay." Duy seemed to relax a little too. "Actually, these past few days, I've also been thinking about something."
"What about?"
"My training method... probably doesn't suit you very well."
Shin-chan blinked, not understanding.
Duy's expression turned serious. "Shin-chan, do you know why I keep making Guy break through his limits over and over again?"
Shin-chan shook his head.
"The only way I know to become stronger is to keep challenging your limits, again and again. Every time you break through, you get just a little stronger."
Might Duy paused, then scratched his head.
"But you're different. Even though you've been training with me these past few days, you've never actually reached your true limit."
Shin-chan froze.
"So..." Duy patted him on the shoulder. "You going to learn swordsmanship might actually be the right choice. My way can't teach you."
Shin-chan looked at him, and suddenly his eyes felt hot. "Mister... you're not angry?"
"Angry?" Duy laughed loudly. "Youth doesn't only burn in one way! You learning swordsmanship is also burning with youth!"
Shin-chan stared at him blankly, then bowed deeply again. "Mister, thank you for teaching me these past few days. Even though I was really tired, I was really happy."
Big tears welled up in Duy's eyes. He grabbed Shin-chan and pulled him into a hug. "Shin-chan, you are a fine son of youth!"
"L-Let go... I can't breathe..."
Guy stood nearby, watching, and he started crying too.
The three of them laughed and cried, hugging in a lump.
After a long while, Shin-chan finally wriggled free from Duy's embrace.
"Mister, then I'll get going now. Kakashi's dad is waiting for me."
"Go on." Duy raised his thumb high. "Learn well."
Shin-chan ran a few steps, then suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Guy.
"Guy."
"Yeah?"
"I'll still come play with you tomorrow."
Tears immediately welled up in Guy's eyes again. He nodded hard and raised a thumbs-up. "Yeah. I'll wait for you."
Shin-chan waved, then disappeared around the corner.
At the training ground, only Might Duy and Guy were left.
Guy stood there, staring in the direction Shin-chan had disappeared, his eyes still red.
~~~
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