When Kenjiro got home, he didn't go straight to make dinner or take a bath.
Instead, he walked into his room and came back out holding a locked box.
From the serious look on his face, it was obvious this box held something very important.
Even the key was hidden in a secret compartment in the living room.
But when he opened the box, it wasn't filled with scrolls or weapons—just a red ceramic… piggy bank.
"Piggy... it's time to say goodbye."
Kenjiro gently lifted the piggy bank, hands trembling slightly, his voice and face filled with sorrow.
Then he turned his head away, closed his eyes, and smashed it hard on the ground.
The ceramic piggy bank shattered into pieces instantly, spilling coins everywhere.
He crouched down and reluctantly began picking up every single coin and bill, just like he had carefully stuffed them in there over the years.
This money came from his monthly benefits, along with the pay he earned from D-rank missions.
As for the inheritance left behind by his parents—long gone.
After all, he wasn't just feeding himself. He had to support a bottomless pit of an eater, too.
If it weren't for the village's monthly benefits that lasted until he officially became a Genin, Kenjiro would've been out foraging for tree bark and wild herbs long ago.
He stuffed all the money into a bag, including the 23,000 ryo he'd just received.
Then, bag in hand, he headed out to a store.
With a heavy thud, he dropped the bag on the counter and pointed.
"This is 388,300 ryo. I want to buy a film camera. Use the rest for film and photo developing supplies."
"Sure thing! Thanks for your business."
The shopkeeper's cheerful voice rang out right away.
Before long, Kenjiro walked out with a brand-new camera in hand.
"Finally got it. Still in time."
He held the camera lovingly, smiling to himself. "Even though I couldn't capture my and Hinata's childhood, I can still document Hanabi growing up. Worth every ryo!"
"I'm completely broke now. Guess what's in the fridge probably isn't edible anymore. Looks like we're hunting and grilling tonight."
-----🍥-----
"Onii-chan, wake up! The sun's already up!"
The next morning, the chronically late-sleeping Kenjiro was once again woken up by a little princess.
This time, though, it wasn't the big princess—it was the little one.
Something tickled his nose. He slowly opened his eyes, and through the blur, a cute little face came into focus.
Hanabi, dressed in a yellow-brown kimono, was straddling his stomach, leaning forward and using her bangs to sweep across his nose and cheeks like a brush.
"Mischievous. Wait till you fall asleep—Onii-chan's gonna do the same to you." Kenjiro grinned, giving her chubby cheeks a playful pinch.
"Hehe... it was Onee-chan who told me to wake you up! If you're mad, blame her, not me!" Hanabi immediately leaned into his hand, trying to dodge responsibility.
"…Alright, head out for now. Onii-chan needs to wash up."
"Okay!"
After playing around a bit in bed, Kenjiro gave her a light pat to send her off.
Hanabi hopped off the bed and ran out without making a sound.
After a quick wash, Kenjiro opened his desk drawer and pulled out the camera he'd just bought.
The moment he stepped out of his room, his eyes landed on Hinata, busy in the kitchen.
She wasn't wearing her usual white jacket and black pants, but a white kimono adorned with purple and white petal patterns along the sleeves, waist, and hem.
Her long black hair was tied up neatly in a bun.
She wore an apron in front and was expertly flipping food in a frying pan.
At the table, Hanabi was wrapping rice balls with seaweed.
Kenjiro held his breath at the sight, tiptoeing to find the perfect angle with the best lighting.
Click—the camera shutter captured the moment forever: two sisters in kimonos, back to back, one standing, one kneeling, each busy with her own task.
Hearing the shutter, both Hinata and Hanabi turned to look.
"A camera!"
Hanabi's eyes lit up as she spotted the camera in Kenjiro's hands. She tore off her gloves and ran over, clearly thrilled. "Onii-chan, when did you buy this?"
"Yesterday."
"Lemme see, Onii-chan!"
"Careful. This thing cost 300,000 ryo. I used all my savings and every bit I made from missions." Kenjiro handed it over with a warning.
At that, Hanabi wiped her hands vigorously on her ridiculously expensive kimono—probably worth a few cameras—and then carefully took the camera.
"Onii-chan, how do you look at the photos?"
"You have to develop them first. After breakfast, I'll show you how to do it."
"Yay! Onii-chan, let's take one together!"
"No rush. We'll wait for your sister to finish cooking, then we'll take one all together. That's what'll make it meaningful."
"Mm-hmm…"
As Hinata watched the two messing around, a warm smile tugged at her lips.
When breakfast was done, and they'd finished wrapping all the rice balls, the three of them sat at the table and took their very first group photo with seaweed-wrapped onigiri in hand and bright smiles on their faces.
Kenjiro sat in the middle, the two sisters on either side.
And the one who took the photo? Kenjiro's shadow clone.
Selfie stick? Shadow clone's way better.
After breakfast, the three of them stayed in Kenjiro's room, pulled the blackout curtains, and started developing the photos.
"So pretty…"
Hanabi stared at the atmospheric shot of the two sisters, unable to find the right words to describe it.
Hinata, on the other hand, was glued to their group photo, eyes sparkling.
In that moment, she shared the same feeling of regret as Kenjiro.
If only they had a camera when they were younger... they could've captured their entire childhood together.
But… now wasn't too late either.
And so, for the rest of the day, Kenjiro and the Hyuga sisters went on a photo spree.
They started at home—living room, balcony, dojo, yard…
Then they headed outside, snapping shots at the familiar old training grounds and by scenic waterfalls, capturing moments solo, in pairs, and all three together.
When they passed by a big tree, Hinata suddenly did something rare—she took the initiative. She tugged at Kenjiro's robe sleeve, cheeks slightly pink, and softly asked.
"Kenjiro-kun… can you use Transformation Jutsu?"
Kenjiro blinked, caught off guard.
But when he followed her gaze to the tree, it clicked. Smiling, he nodded. "Sure. Let's do it."
"Mm." Hinata's face lit up with joy.
After summoning a shadow clone, the two stood facing each other and made the hand signs together.
"Transformation Jutsu!"
With a puff of smoke, two chubby-faced little kids in plain clothes appeared, standing under the tree, grinning at each other.
Then they turned toward Kenjiro's clone and smiled brightly in unison.
Click—another memory, forever preserved.
🍥-🍥-🍥-🍥-🍥-🍥-🍥-🍥
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