It was so strange, feeling about someone a mix of what Chouji feels for Shikamaru and for his own father. Luke was halfway between brother and father for him this past week and a half. Chouji never expected to see anyone other than his teammates as siblings, but a little of that sentiment lingers.

He approaches the farms slowly, unsure of whether Luke will want to see him. He supposes he'll find out.

The feelings may fade. He wonders if they will. Either way, Chouji's time doing farm work reminds him of the promise he made on his first day here. With Shikamaru worried about their inability to self-support in the enclosure, Chouji said he'd help. At the very least with water, since wells are easy enough for him to dig, but he always meant to approach the farms too.

Maybe this was just the reminder that he needed.