After Sasuke and Naruto successively changed into Inuzuka Kiba's clothes, they sat in the living room and were instantly surrounded by a group of enthusiastic large dogs.
Having learned the whole story from Naruto, Inuzuka Kiba burst into laughter as if he had heard a joke.
"Hahahaha, it was already funny enough for three people to squeeze under one umbrella, but I didn't expect the umbrella to be blown away, hahahaha!"
Inuzuka Kiba shamelessly mocked the two speechless boys in front of him, laughing happier than anyone.
The surrounding large dogs enthusiastically licked Sasuke and Naruto's cheeks; although they were displeased with Inuzuka Kiba's mockery, the dogs' enthusiastic offensive made it difficult for them to lash out.
"What's so funny about this? If anyone's to blame, it's Sasuke. It has nothing to do with me."
Sasuke, busy pushing away the enthusiastic large dog beside him, heard Naruto once again shifting the blame to him, and his handsome little face furrowed in a frown.
"Who would believe a fool like you?"
"What did you say?"
Naruto's voice instantly rose an octave, and the tense atmosphere between them was like dry tinder meeting fire, ready to ignite at any moment.
And the surrounding dogs seemed to become peacemakers, gathering around and weaving between the two.
They tried to block the impending sparks with their innocent eyes and wagging tails.
Inuzuka Kiba, holding Akamaru, was a bit speechless: "You two better not argue in my house..."
Meanwhile, in another room, Inuzuka Hana pulled out her treasured elementary school clothes from deep within her wardrobe.
She gently unfolded them in front of Chizhao, who was wrapped in a blanket, her eyes sparkling with apology and tenderness:
"I finally found them. I'm so sorry, these are the only clothes I can lend you."
Chizhao looked at the lifelike dog patterns on the clothes, her eyes sparkling with surprise and gratitude.
"So cute! Thank you, Hana."
Seeing this, Inuzuka Hana felt a warmth well up in her heart. She gently suggested:
"Then let me help you put them on." With that, she slowly approached Chizhao with the clothes.
Chizhao, who had never exposed herself in front of another female besides her grandmother, suddenly panicked.
"Eh? Eh? Hana, I can do it myself... You don't need to specially help me change."
"What does it matter? It's rare to meet such a well-behaved and adorable little sister. Just let me satisfy my feelings as an older sister for a bit."
The tenderness in Inuzuka Hana's eyes, however, was like a spring breeze and rain, causing Chizhao's tightly clasped hands on the blanket to unconsciously relax.
"Why? Don't you have Kiba as a younger brother, Hana?"
At the mention of her younger brother, Inuzuka Hana sighed softly, a hint of loneliness flashing in her eyes:
"That's true, but ever since that guy started at the Ninja Academy, he hasn't relied on me anymore. Boys, you know, always want to prove their independence and strength, which sometimes makes me, as his older sister, feel a bit lonely."
"It's so nice that Kiba has such a gentle older sister like you."
The girl's adorable expression softened Inuzuka Hana's heart, and she reached out and pinched her soft cheek.
"Then I'll have to make that kid Kiba work harder. Maybe you'll become my little sister in the future?"
Not fully understanding the meaning of that sentence, Chizhao tilted her head, her mind momentarily stuck.
Before the girl could ponder it further, Inuzuka Hana began to help her change clothes, and incidentally started to scout for opportunities for her brother.
"Chizhao, do you have someone you like?"
"Does 'like' mean that this person is great?"
Not expecting this interpretation, Inuzuka Hana hesitated:
"Hmm... in that sense, it's somewhat reasonable."
"Then the first person I like is myself. I think I'm great!"
Under the soft lamplight, the girl's eyes sparkled with dazzling light, as brilliant as stars.
Inuzuka Hana was gently touched by her words, her heartstrings trembling slightly.
In this world where most people only care about others, someone who can truly accept themselves...
Is truly a special and attractive presence.
A gentle hand rested on Chizhao's head. She looked up and saw Inuzuka Hana's lips pressed lightly together, her dark eyes filled with a cloud-like tenderness.
"You're right, someone who can like themselves is truly great."
After changing clothes and stepping out of the room, an interesting scene greeted her eyes:
Naruto was surrounded by several large dogs, two of which enthusiastically pounced on him, pinning him to the ground and frantically licking his face, making him struggle helplessly with a mixed expression of laughter and tears.
Sasuke, on the other hand, looked relaxed and at ease, one hand propping his chin, the other gently stroking a docile dog lying beside him, watching the 'good show' with great interest.
And Kiba was laughing so hard he was bent over, thoroughly enjoying Naruto's 'bullying' and disheveled state.
With a soft click of the sliding door, everyone's gaze simultaneously turned to Chizhao.
And the large dogs that had been surrounding Naruto quickly changed direction, joyfully running towards her.
Chizhao squatted down, smiling as she welcomed the dogs' enthusiasm, including Akamaru, who was squeezed in underneath.
She gently picked up Akamaru, who was submerged below, and stroked his head.
The large dogs wagged their tails happily, making soft 'woofing' sounds, as if expressing their affection for her.
Inuzuka Kiba walked forward, his eyes full of surprise:
"I didn't expect you to get along with them so quickly."
Chizhao looked up, a bright smile on her face:
"They're too cute; you can't help but like them."
However, at this warm moment, a large dog accidentally bumped into a nearby shelf, and a vase on the shelf teetered precariously, falling towards Chizhao's head.
"Watch out!"
Everyone's hearts tightened.
Inuzuka Kiba, who was standing closest, was quick-witted and swiftly stood up, catching the vase.
Inuzuka Hana, relieved, secretly gave her brother a thumbs-up.
That brat finally did something that pleased her.
Sasuke and Naruto, who had already stood up, also reluctantly retreated, and after exchanging glances, they each turned their heads away from the other.
"Kiba, your reaction was so fast!"
"It... it was alright..."
Inuzuka Kiba felt a bit embarrassed being stared at by her bright eyes.
The large dogs also seemed to realize they had almost caused trouble, and obediently lay on the ground, panting with their tongues out.
The tense atmosphere was defused by Inuzuka Kiba, and the group once again sat together in the living room, with Sasuke and Naruto still bickering occasionally.
Chizhao indicated that she was already used to it.
She focused on interacting with the surrounding dogs, occasionally asking Inuzuka Kiba for each dog's name.
He patiently introduced them to her one by one, his cute fangs also showing his current joyful mood.
Time passed minute by minute.
Finally, as the sun set, the sky gradually cleared.
When Inuzuka Kiba stood side-by-side with his older sister, watching the retreating figures of their three friends, his youthful face still held that pure smile.
"How does it feel to have friends visit for the first time, Kiba?"
"It was alright, it's just that today was quite unexpected."
Inuzuka Hana was noncommittal: "Then let's invite them to play at home again next time, including that girl?"
"Eh? Why specially emphasize Chizhao?"
Noticing her brother's unusual reaction, Inuzuka Hana couldn't help but chuckle, her smile carrying a hint of teasing and indulgence:
"Oh? When I mention 'girl,' the first person you think of is Chizhao, huh?"
Inuzuka Kiba was momentarily choked. He withdrew his gaze from their retreating figures and fled back into the house as if escaping.
Leaving behind only a slightly annoyed shout:
"Sister, really! Don't tease me!!"
"Oh my, oh my~"
Inuzuka Hana watched her brother's hasty retreat and couldn't help but laugh, secretly sighing to herself:
So, this usually boisterous brat also has a shy side.