The Spark That Drew Kushina In, Meeting the Parents...

Hearing Liuyun say something so meaningful, Kushina looked at him thoughtfully.

Her first reaction was not that his words made so much sense, but that Liuyun sounded like certain adults when he spoke. Those were not the sort of words children their age should have been able to say.

He seemed to carry countless secrets. Although Kushina could not see through him, through what had happened before, what he had just said, and certain little details she had noticed...

She increasingly felt that this boy was different from the rest, and exceptionally dependable. That was also why she unconsciously wanted to get closer to Liuyun.

Drawn in by his looks, captivated by his talent. His unfathomable mystery made her want to uncover the truth, his overwhelming strength gave her more than enough security, and despite having the power to take on seven at once, he still remained low-key...

He was gentle, considerate, mild-tempered, humorous, and knew how to care for people. Most importantly, he could praise her hair for being beautiful and call her cute without being swayed by worldly views...

Any one of those "bright spots" would have been enough to attract Kushina. Now that they had all piled together... how could she not "fall" for him?

"Son, are you standing here waiting for me?"

Asuka had just gotten off work and returned home. Seeing her son the moment she reached the door made her very happy.

"Mom..." Liuyun greeted her with a smile.

"!!!"

Ah... Liuyun's mom...

Seeing Liuyun go up to call her Mom and watching Asuka stride over, Kushina's heart began racing, and she instinctively felt nervous.

"Oh? Whose little girl is this?" Asuka examined Kushina with a beaming smile.

"Mom, this is Kushina Uzumaki, my classmate. She's my desk mate and a good friend. Since we're off today, she came over to play..."

Liuyun took the initiative to introduce her, his face reddening.

"H-Hello, Auntie!"

Kushina bowed, her face clearly much redder than Liuyun's...

"So you're his desk mate girlfriend! Hello, Kushina..." Asuka bent down slightly and held out her hand.

At those words, both children blushed even harder. Kushina in particular looked like a giant tomato...

G-Girlfriend!!!

Kushina instinctively held Asuka's hand. She was so embarrassed that she did not dare raise her head to look at the beautiful woman.

"Kushina, your hair is so pretty!"

Asuka could not help reaching out to touch it.

"And those little cheeks... so rosy, just like a Little Tomato. You're just too cute!"

Asuka praised her again and again, holding Kushina's hand as if she could not bear to let go.

Her tastes and aesthetic sense were the same as Liuyun's, and even their comments were nearly identical. They truly were mother and son...

"Mom, Kushina doesn't like being called a tomato..." Liuyun reminded her with an awkward smile.

"Ah... sorry, sorry. I didn't know..."

Asuka was a little surprised. She held back her laughter and was about to apologize when Kushina hurriedly waved her hands in explanation.

"No, no! I just don't like eating tomatoes. It's fine if you call me a tomato..."

"Pfft, hahahaha..."

Asuka could no longer hold back her laughter. She thought this little girl was simply too adorable!

Liuyun was amused by her words as well.

The three of them chatted at the door for quite a while. Asuka wanted to lead Kushina inside, but Kushina politely declined.

"Auntie, it's getting late. I should go home!"

"Stay for dinner at our place... Auntie will make something delicious for you." Asuka wanted her to stay.

"Mom, you need to invite people for dinner in advance. Otherwise, Kushina's family, Mito Uzumaki, will worry if she doesn't return," Liuyun said, helping her out.

"That's true... All right, then! Kushina, come play at our house again next time!"

Asuka gently pinched Kushina's round little face as she smiled.

"O-Okay..." Kushina nodded shyly.

"Liuyun, walk Nana out for me... I'm going to make you dinner!"

If you can't find it by searching the book title, try searching the author instead. It may have simply been renamed!

"Mhm..."

Liuyun and Kushina walked side by side as he escorted her to the fork in the road.

"I'm leaving. You should go back..." Kushina said softly.

"Okay, see you tomorrow!" Liuyun smiled.

There were many courses at the Ninja Academy, and they only had Sundays off, so they had school again tomorrow.

"Mhm! See you tomorrow!"

Kushina gave him a sweet smile, then turned and ran away like a little elf.

After running some distance, she suddenly remembered something.

"Oh no! Didn't I come here to fight him...?"

Thinking that, she subconsciously turned back, only to find that the boy was still standing where he had been and had not left!

When he saw her turn around, he gave her a meaningful smile and waved at her vigorously.

"!!!"

"So embarrassing..."

Caught looking reluctant to part with him, Kushina suppressed her embarrassment and darted around another corner as though fleeing.

"Since he was so well-behaved today, I'll let him off for now... I'll fight him another time when I'm free."

Kushina muttered to herself as she walked, the corners of her mouth nearly curling up to the sky...

The moment Liuyun returned home, Asuka mysteriously leaned in close.

"Son, Kushina is the girl who said your forehead looked nice, isn't she?"

"Uh..."

His gossiping mother left him speechless, but in the end, he nodded and admitted it.

"Hehe... not bad, son!"

"That little girl has delicate features, a straight waist, and long legs. She's a classic beauty in the making. When she grows up, she'll charm people to death. If you make your move now..."

"Mom, weren't you going to cook? Hurry up and go..."

Before Asuka could finish, Liuyun hurriedly interrupted her.

This woman had exposed the "heavenly secret" in a single sentence... He could not let her keep talking!

"Haha... You know how to be shy, huh? Look at how red your face is, just like Kushina's..." Asuka laughed so hard that tears came to her eyes.

"..."

Liuyun's face turned scarlet from her teasing. He glared at her angrily before running out of the room, and Asuka laughed even louder behind him...

When it was time to eat, mother and son sat down at the table, and Asuka finally asked why Liuyun knew how to cook.

"Son, did Kushina make those two dishes at noon?" Even now, she did not believe that her son could cook.

She would not have thought so before meeting Kushina, but after hearing that Kushina had been at home with him, she instantly "understood" what had happened.

The dishes had probably been made by that little girl.

"..."

"I made them, but Kushina taught me. Her family has quite a few unusual recipes..."

After thinking for a moment, Liuyun attributed his cooking skills to Kushina.

That's what I thought. How could my son suddenly have such impressive cooking skills, and even make dishes I've never made before? It really was all that little girl's handiwork.

Asuka was slightly disappointed, but Liuyun's next words made her eyes light up, and a smile returned to her face.

"Kushina taught me lots of dishes. When I have time, I'll make them for you one by one to try..."

"Good, good, good!"

Asuka nodded repeatedly, growing even more satisfied with that little girl.

She must be the reason Liuyun has become so sensible!

Puppy love? Though... it really was early... but it was not impossible!