The first ray of morning sunlight had just climbed onto the rooftops of Konoha when Menma was pulled from his sleep by a commotion.
He turned over groggily, burying his face in the pillow, trying to block out the increasingly clear sounds.
There were girls' clear and melodious laughter, the patter of light footsteps approaching from afar, and a familiar little voice calling his name.
"Menma-nii! Menma-nii! Wake up!"
The footsteps had already reached the door outside.
Menma reluctantly opened one eye and glanced at the alarm clock by the bed.
It was only 6:30 a.m.
Registration for the Chunin Exams didn't end until 9 o'clock... theoretically, he could still sleep for at least another hour.
But clearly, someone didn't think so.
The bedroom door was pulled open with a 'shhh' sound, and a small orange figure rushed in like a cannonball.
"Menma-nii! Good morning!"
Hyuga Hanabi was wearing a beautiful orange kimono, tied with a hair ribbon of the same color. She looked like a lively kitten.
Without a word, she pounced onto the bed… more precisely, onto Menma.
"Pfft—!"
Although Hanabi was only five years old and very light, being pounced on so completely off guard still made Menma's chest feel tight, and he almost choked.
"Hanabi! How many times have I told you, don't be so loud, quiet down." A gentle yet slightly helpless voice came from the doorway.
Hinata trotted in after her.
She was wearing a lavender tracksuit today, her long black hair like a waterfall, with a Konoha's forehead protector around her neck.
She was also carrying a small bamboo basket in her hand, which seemed to contain something.
Seeing Menma on the bed grimacing from Hanabi's weight, Hinata's face flushed slightly. She quickly stepped forward and lifted Hanabi off Menma: "Hanabi, you can't do that. You'll hurt Menma-kun."
Hanabi struggled twice in her sister's arms, pouting discontentedly: "But you used to wake Menma-nii up like this all the time, Nee-chan!"
Hinata's face turned even redder, 'That was when the Big Sis personality came out... she loved to play around like that.'
She stole a glance at Menma and saw him looking back at her with a teasing smile. She immediately felt so embarrassed she wished she could find a crack in the floor to hide in.
"Th-That's different..." Hinata muttered quietly, putting Hanabi down on the floor, and then naturally began tidying up Menma's clothes scattered by the bedside.
Over the years, it had become as common for Hinata and Hanabi to come to Menma's house as it was to go to their own.
After Menma had dismissed those two housekeepers, he lived in the house alone and was always sloppy with the housework. Hinata couldn't bear to see it, so she often came over to help tidy up.
She already had a key to Menma's place anyway. As time passed, she became so skilled at cleaning his room that she seemed like the lady of the house.
Menma sat up, rubbed his chest where Hanabi had collided with him, and then reached out to ruffle the little girl's soft hair: "Why are you guys here? Don't you have school today?"
Hanabi immediately perked up again, grabbing the edge of the bed: "Today's the Chunin Exams! School's closed! Hanabi got up early to come watch Menma-nii take the exam!"
As Hinata folded Menma's casually thrown clothes and placed them by the bedside, she explained softly: "Hanabi was so excited last night she couldn't sleep. She woke me up before dawn today, insisted on coming. I was afraid of disturbing your rest, so I wanted to come a little later, but she just couldn't wait."
She took a thermal lunchbox from the basket: "I made breakfast. I thought you might just eat something casually and head out. The exams will last all day, so you need a proper meal."
Watching Hinata's busy back, a wave of warmth surged through Menma's heart.
'This girl is always like this, quietly thinking of others, attentive and gentle.'
"Thank you," He said softly.
Hinata paused for a moment, the roots of her ears turning red again.
She didn't turn around, just said quietly: "It's nothing... Go wash up. Breakfast will be ready soon."
Hanabi climbed back onto the bed at this point, knelt in front of Menma, looked up at him with her little face and said seriously: "Menma-nii, do your best today! Make sure you become a Chunin!"
Menma smiled and gently pinched Hanabi's chubby cheek: "Hanabi should work hard to grow up too, and become an excellent Ninja in the future."
"Mm!" Hanabi nodded vigorously, her white eyes sparkling. "Hanabi will graduate and become a Ninja soon! My teacher says my Taijutsu is already better than the sixth-year students at the Academy!"
This wasn't really an exaggeration.
Hanabi's talent was extremely high... her Byakugan bloodline was pure.
With training from Menma and Big Sis Hinata, her foundation was very solid. Her Taijutsu and Chakra control far surpassed her peers.
If it weren't for the peacetime and Konoha's cancellation of the early graduation system, Hanabi would be fully qualified to become a Genin at age five or six.
"Alright, alright, stop bothering Menma-kun while he washes up." Hinata came over and lifted Hanabi off the bed. "Menma-kun, go wash your face. Breakfast will be ready soon."
Menma nodded, got up, and headed to the bathroom.
By the time he had washed up, changed his clothes, and came out, breakfast was already laid out on the small table in the living room.
Two cups of warm milk, three plates of perfectly golden-fried eggs, a few slices of toast done just right, and a small dish of cut fruit.
Hinata was bringing the last plate of bacon from the kitchen, while Hanabi was standing on tiptoes helping to set the tableware.
Morning light streamed in through the window, illuminating the two of them, outlining a warm halo.
This scene made Menma feel a bit dazed, as if he saw his mother Kushina's back.
"Menma-nii, come sit down and eat!" Hanabi took Menma's hand and dragged him to the table.
The three of them sat around the small dining table and started breakfast.
Hinata's cooking was very good... even simple ingredients tasted delicious.
Menma ate earnestly, while Hinata from time to time put food on his plate. Hanabi chattered away about interesting things that happened at school.
"Yesterday, Sensei taught us shuriken throwing. Hanabi hit the bullseye every time!"
"Really? That's amazing!"
"Mm! Sensei said Hanabi is a genius!"
"Keep working hard, then. Don't get cocky."
"I know~"
The warm conversation echoed in the small living room.
Watching Hinata gently wipe the milk mustache off Hanabi's mouth, watching Hanabi happily swing her little legs, a soft spot deep in Menma's heart was touched.
After breakfast, Hinata skillfully cleared the dishes, while Menma went to his room to get his ninja tool pouch and forehead protector.
Once everything was ready, the three of them headed out together.
Across from Menma's house was the main gate of the Hyuga Clan's compound.
An impressive Japanese-style residence, towering walls, with two Hyuga branch family's Ninja standing at the entrance.
Seeing Hinata and Hanabi, the two immediately bowed respectfully: "Clan Head Hinata, Hanabi-sama."
"Good work," Hinata nodded, then crouched down to straighten Hanabi's collar: "Hanabi, go back and train hard, don't be lazy. Nee-chan will come back to play with you after the exam."
Hanabi nodded vigorously, then turned and threw herself into Menma's arms, rubbing her little face against his chest: "Menma-nii, you have to win! Hanabi will cheer for you!"
Menma smiled and ruffled her hair: "Alright, I'll definitely win."
Only then did Hanabi let go contentedly, stepped back two paces, stood on tiptoes, and waved hard: "Bye-bye, Nee-chan! Bye-bye, Menma-nii!"
Hinata and Menma waved back, then turned and left.
Hanabi stood at the gate, watching until their figures disappeared around the corner of the street, before she prepared to turn and go home.
But as soon as she turned around, she froze.
She saw her father and mother standing behind her, though she hadn't noticed when they arrived.
Hiashi was wearing a black inner shirt and the green flak jacket of a Konoha's Jonin, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression not looking good.
Beside him, Lady Hyuga was wearing a lavender kimono, a gentle smile on her face. (T/N: She has no name, only written as Lady Hyuga.)
"F-Father! Mother!" Hanabi immediately stood up straight, her little face tense, reverting to the dignified bearing expected of the Hyuga Clan's young lady.
Lady Hyuga stepped forward, gently picked up Hanabi, and kissed her on the cheek: "Our little Hanabi got up really early today. Did you go see off your Onee-chan and Menma?"
Hanabi nodded hard: "Mm! Hanabi went to cheer for Menma-nii!"
Hiashi's gaze looked past Hanabi, towards the direction Hinata and Menma had left. The corner of his mouth unconsciously twitched downwards, the veins beside his Byakugan slightly bulging.
His expression was the spitting image of a doting father watching his precious daughter being taken away by a pig.
Even though that 'pig' was actually quite outstanding, it still didn't sit well with the old father.
Lady Hyuga glanced at her husband and said with a soft laugh: "Children grow up, they'll want to start families eventually. Hinata has her own judgment. Don't always make that face... what if you scare the children?"
Hiashi snorted through his nose: "Hinata is currently the head of the Hyuga Clan. Since when does a clan head get married out? According to tradition, the man should marry into the family."
He paused, as if seriously considering the possibility: "If that kid can become a Jonin before he turns seventeen, I suppose it wouldn't be out of the question to consider having him marry into the Hyuga..."
Before he could finish speaking, he noticed that his wife had already turned and was walking back into the compound with Hanabi in her arms, all the while asking gently: "What would Hanabi like to eat today? Mommy will make you something delicious to celebrate your Onee-chan taking the Chunin Exam, okay?"
"Okay! Hanabi wants tri-colored dango!"
"Alright, alright, Mommy will make it for you."
The mother and daughter's voices gradually faded away.
Hiashi stood where he was, looking at the empty doorway, then glanced in the direction his daughter had followed another man, and finally could only sigh helplessly.
"A daughter's heart belongs to her husband..."
He shook his head and also turned and walked in another direction.
Today was an important day for the Chunin Exams... as the former head of the Hyuga Clan and a Konoha's Jonin, he also had many things to attend to.