“Shika niichan!”
Shikamaru was roused out of his pensive thoughts by the sound of that carefree voice reaching his ears.
A plump toddler was tottering towards him. Swaying left and right with clumsy little feet, she made her way towards him step by step.
“Mirai.” Shikamaru called her name, his voice naturally turning fond and cheerful. His tense features softened, and his mouth moved to turn into a smile.
“Gyaa!” Mirai finally came to where he stood, and clung onto his legs with her short little arms. “Shika niichan!”
The toddler looked up at him with dazzling bright eyes, her tiny face splitting into a wide grin. The toddler’s smile felt like the sun, and Shikamaru could feel his frozen over heart thawing with its warmth.
“It’s been a while, Shikamaru.”