Mikoto and Ren stepped through the gate of Uchiha Home, one after the other.
Beneath the white walls and green tiles, the children playing in the courtyard immediately spotted them.
Seven or eight little figures swarmed over like excited sparrows, surrounding them and bouncing with delight.
"Brother Ren!"
"Mikoto, big sister!"
Ren reached out and ruffled the spiky hair of the little boy at the front.
Mikoto smiled and bent down to straighten the collar of a little girl with pigtails that had come loose as she ran. Then she pinched the child's rosy cheek and said with a gentle smile,
"Izumi, slow down."
"Don't fall like last time and end up crying until your face is all streaked."
At the reminder, the little girl—Uchiha Hazuki's daughter, Uchiha Izumi—immediately grew shy.
Her fair little face flushed a deeper red, and her small hands unconsciously tugged at her hem. Her long eyelashes drooped, and she didn't dare meet Mikoto's eyes.
Seeing this, the children around them opened their little mouths, ready to start teasing her—
Just then, Izumi suddenly lifted her head and gave them a "fierce" glare.
Her big, dark eyes were round as she tried to look intimidating, but it only made her seem even cuter.
She raised her little fist and waved it threateningly in the air. That brazen "warning" instantly silenced the restless children.
They all pressed their lips together, not daring to make another sound.
Apparently, they'd all felt Izumi's fists before.
At the sight, little Izumi tipped up her nose and gave a smug little snort, her earlier shyness cast aside in an instant.
She lifted her face, her bright, round eyes shining with anticipation, and warmly invited Ren and Mikoto,
"Brother Ren, big sister Mikoto, come watch our play!"
Izumi reached out her two