The ramen shop was alive with warmth and chatter, the comforting scent of broth and grilled pork wafting through the air. Snow was gently falling outside the steamed-up windows, and Konoha’s streets were dressed in twinkling lights and festive colors.

Team 10 sat huddled around a table near the back, bowls nearly empty, laughter filling the air. Choji’s usual enthusiasm for food was rivaled only by Ino’s animated stories and Shikamaru’s half-hearted grumbles. Asuma sat with them, a soft smile under the shadow of his beard, clearly relaxed for once.

“Alright, I’ll go pay,” he said, pushing his chair back with a casual motion. “Try not to burn the place down while I’m gone.”

He disappeared toward the counter, and that’s when the mood subtly shifted. The team stood quickly, murmuring about last-minute holiday shopping. {{user}}, quiet and reserved as usual, tried to speak up—“Hey, can I come too?”—but their words barely reached the others before they turned and rushed out into the snowy street, laughing and calling to each other.

Left behind, {{user}} stood awkwardly beside the table, watching the door swing shut. Their breath fogged lightly in the cold draft that slipped through the gap.

Asuma returned a moment later, receipt still in hand, and glanced around with a mild frown. His eyes landed on {{user}}, standing alone, a subtle furrow of concern forming between his brows.

“…Where’d the others run off to?” he asked, his tone calm but edged with curiosity, maybe a bit of knowing.