Chapter Text
the streets outside were nearly empty, dust curling up in the gentle breeze. large brown cicadas buzzed relentlessly from the trees creating a deafening wall of sound in the blazing dry heat.
it was a midsummer afternoon and the day was dragging on. her legs swung lazily in the air while her cheek rested on the bar's cool surface.
"can we go home yet?" she mumbled, her voice muffled. "who's gonna buy dango in this weather anyway?"
papa hummed as he wiped down the already spotless counter. "ah, but that's when it tastes the best! a little sweetness to chase the heat away."
he flashed her a bright grin, cheerful despite the sweat gathered on his forehead. the heat didn't seem to bother him, it never did.
"besides, saa-chan, someone is bound to wander in. perhaps a traveler? or a sugar-starved shinobi! or maybe a fearless hero who saves princesses and slays evil beasts!" he gestured toward the door, waving his hands theatrically, as if expecting one to burst in on cue.
sakura groaned and sank further across the counter. "unless the hero's made of ice, i doubt it."
the hours crawled by.
the sunlight had turned a warm amber slanting in through the paper windows, casting long shadows across the empty floor. the cicadas had fallen silent, and sakura huffed.
she swept the floor twice, restocked the napkins, straightened the jars of sweet sauce, dusted the tinkets, and shifted some of the decor that still looked a little crooked.
not a single customer all day.
but papa remained unbothered, whistling an old tune as he folded paper fans to set near the window for "ambiance" he says with a wink.
she leaned against the counter, arms spread out, watching the sun set behind the thickets.
"may the heat kill me," she muttered to herself, dragging her fingers along the bar in sweaty misery.
then, the soft jingle of the door chime broke the stifled stillness and her head snapped up. she pushed herself off the counter and sat upright. a subtle warm breeze rolls in as two familiar figures approach them.
"mikoto-san, welcome welcome!"
the woman full of poise and grace smiled warmly. "i hope we're not too late." sakura scans the two annoyed knowing good and well that they're just about to close.
"not at all! in fact, just in time." papa said, beaming, and then he looked down to the boy at the woman's side. "oh my, itachi-kun, you've gotten so tall! at this rate, you'll be towering over the village by next year!"
itachi stood politely, his face calm and stoic as usual. "i'm afraid you're right. he's growing far too quickly," she pinched his cheek. "today's a special day, he just graduated from the academy!"
papa whistles, "that so? well then, i'd say that calls for a sweet celebration!" he reached behind the counter and grabbed a fresh pink box and handed it to the young man of the hour. "on the house. congratulations, itachi-kun!"
the boys cheeks warmed as he accepted the box. he bowed, "thank you, haruno-san."
sakura doesn't say a word. her eyes flicker between the three of them, watching as papa just casually hands over a full box of dango like they aren't already struggling to stay open in the dead heat of the summer. she counted the skewers in her head and bit the inside of her cheek resisting the urge to sigh.
first customer of the day and he gives it away.
she rested her elbow on the counter, chin in her hand, and stared blankly at the boy. she'd seen him in here before, that lady too—uchiha. there's something strange about them. she squints, keeping her stare steady, but why?
his eyes meet hers, but she doesn't waver. she'll stare at anyone no matter what mama says about it. he looks kind, she thought, but tired.
"good evening, sakura-chan." the woman's warm voice made the shop seem even hotter. "are you enjoying your summer so far?"
she licked her dry lips, her mind running quickly. absolutely not. it's hot, i smell like syrup, i'm kept here all day against my will, and you're mooching our only sale of the day.
"yes, thank you, uchiha-san." she says, her smile tight. this woman has always been nice to her and papa, so she'll keep her mouth shut, for now.
"that's good to hear," mikoto said just about glowing. sakura watched her attention turn to papa and her eyes averted to the boy again.
itachi kept his gaze on her, quiet as ever, holding the box in hands awkwardly. his expression... unnerved her. it's like he never blinks.
"well, then, we won't keep you." she heard the woman say. "thank you again for your kindness, haruno-san. itachi just loves your dango."
the boys cheeks warm and his eyes fall down to the box. sakura's brow lifts curiously.
"anytime!" papa said, waving them off like old friends.
the bell jingled for the last time of the night and sakura slumped forward across the counter again.
"why did you give that away?"
papa hums, gearing up to close the shop. "to build loyalty, saa-chan." sakura's eyebrow quirks. "mikoto-san and itachi-kun are one of our best customers and they're good people. it's important to treat those who treat you well with the same exchange."
she walked towards the door glossing over his words. "that's how we stay broke, papa."
he smiled as he locked the door. "you'll understand one day, saa-chan." she doubts it. her eyes drift to the twilit sky, where lavender and orange bled into the night. she watched a crow pass by and wondered if tomorrow will be just as a long and boring.