In Hyuga Shinichi's room.
Namikaze Minato looked a little dejected. He turned to look at Hyuga Shinichi, though Shinichi couldn't see him at the moment.
"Zhenyi, did I say something wrong?"
Minato asked glumly. Shinichi smiled and reassured him.
"It's okay, Minato. Kushina's actually very kind. Maybe she just isn't ready yet. Give her some time."
Minato nodded and managed a strained smile.
"Mm. I'll wait for her."
Shinichi continued chatting with Minato. When they got to why Uzumaki Kushina had thanked him, Minato scratched the back of his head with a silly grin and said,
"Uzumaki Kushina was supposed to be looking after you, Zhenyi. When I came to visit you, I saw her standing there, unsure what to do, so I went over and started helping take care of you. That must be what she was thanking me for."
After speaking, Minato glanced at the sun outside the window. He realized he'd been there for a while and said to Shinichi,
"Zhenyi, get some rest. I think I've stayed a bit too long, and I still have school this afternoon."
With that, Minato picked up the basin and turned to leave the room. Then he saw Kushina standing in the doorway, looking at him.
Kushina had been standing outside the room the whole time. Since she hadn't closed the door when she left earlier, she could clearly hear their conversation.
When she heard Minato say, "I'll wait for her," she froze outside the door.
As soon as she heard Minato say he was leaving, Kushina stepped forward. When she saw that Minato had noticed her, she planted her left hand on her hip, pointed at him with her right, and shouted,
"My name is Ku... Kushina... Uzumaki Kushina! Remember that!"
Then Kushina ran off. Minato stood frozen in