When Uchiha Chen slowly awoke, the sun was already high in the sky, and it was nearly noon.
He looked around in a daze, only to find that Mikoto had quietly slipped away at some point.
Just as he was about to get up, he heard a soft creak. The door slowly swung open, and a graceful figure appeared before him.
She wore a simple dress and carried an exquisite tray. Her steps were light and elegant, as if she had stepped straight out of a painting.
On the tray were several steaming dishes that smelled delicious. They had clearly all been made by Mikoto.
When Mikoto saw that Uchiha Chen was awake, her eyes, calm as still water, lit up at once, and a gentle smile curved her lips.
"Chen, you're finally awake. Come and try the food I made."
Mikoto spoke softly, her voice as lovely as a heavenly melody.
With that, she carried the tray over to Uchiha Chen, knelt beside him, and gently set it down.
Then her slender hands, soft and limp as cotton candy, brushed over Uchiha Chen like a spring breeze. Her movements were so natural and fluid that she seemed like a considerate wife tending to her husband, carefully straightening his clothes, which had become rumpled and creased after his deep sleep.
Uchiha Chen watched it all in silence, filled with contentment as he savored the affection between them.
At last, he wrapped an arm tightly around Mikoto's slender waist and enjoyed a lavish lunch as she attentively fed him.
Once he had eaten and drunk his fill, Uchiha Chen unconsciously slipped his hand into Mikoto's collar again, casually asking where the others were.
Faced with Uchiha Chen's brazen behavior, Mikoto didn't stop him. Instead, her face flushed with shyness as she began to enjoy it, even taking the initiative to encourage him.
For the past month, it had always been Shadow Clones playing with Uchiha Chen. Though each time they dispersed brought her a brief rush of pleasure, as time passed and that feeling faded, it was replaced by endless emptiness and loneliness.
Now that Fugaku was under control, no one could stand in our way anymore.
At the thought, she clutched my clothes tightly, greedily breathing in my scent.
Only when she heard Uchiha Chen's question did she come back to her senses as if waking from a dream. Blushing, she replied, "Fugaku went to the Hokage Building with the Anbu to report what happened. He hasn't come back yet.
"Itachi was dragged off to train by Shisui, so it's just you, me, and Sasuke at home right now..." Halfway through, she seemed to realize that her words might have sounded like an invitation, and her cheeks grew even redder.
Uchiha Chen had, of course, understood the deeper meaning behind Mikoto's words, and a brilliant smile appeared on his face.
However, rather than pouncing on her like a ravenous tiger, Uchiha Chen teased, "Since that's the case, why don't you hurry up and help me undress?"
As Mikoto began to undress him, Uchiha Chen relaxed and spread his arms, immersing himself completely in the wonderful moment.
Their clothes slowly slipped away, revealing Mikoto's skin, as luminous and pure as white jade, and as white as snow. It felt like warm, smooth ivory to the touch, and it was impossible not to lose himself in it.
Uchiha Chen stared intently at Mikoto. Her soft, lustrous hair fell naturally around her face, brushing her cheek with a smoothness like silk gliding over skin.
The smile on her lips remained as gentle and charming as ever, but the emotion in her eyes had grown ever more intense and passionate.
Unable to resist, Uchiha Chen reached out and touched Mikoto's skin, as smooth and warm as fine jade. His breathing began to quicken.
As he listened to Mikoto's soft, lilting voice, Uchiha Chen felt an indescribable temptation. His desire surged like a flood bursting through a dam, sweeping away the last barrier of reason in an instant.
Without hesitation, he scooped Mikoto up in his arms and carefully laid her in the middle of the soft, comfortable bed.
As time passed, Uchiha Chen grew more and more invigorated, his face brimming with satisfaction.
A faint doubt stirred in his heart, as if he had forgotten some promise, but the sensation was so pleasant that he quickly put it out of mind.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Izumi, waiting by the river as usual, quietly lifted her head and gazed at the setting sun sinking toward the horizon. A strong sense of disappointment welled up in her, and she could only lower her head in silence.
In a daze, she seemed to see someone waving to her on the path, backlit by the evening sun.
A delighted smile immediately bloomed on her face. Without hesitation, she sprang forward eagerly, but just as she was about to speak, she realized it was only an illusion—not Uchiha Chen, but a trick of the light as the sun filtered through the trees.
A wave of overwhelming sorrow rose in her heart.
It was as if all the happiness and laughter of the past month had been nothing but fragile bubbles.
She said nothing, letting time pass, until the last ray of sunlight was swallowed by the endless darkness.
Only then did she quietly return home. She opened the door to the pitch-black room and softly said, "I'm home." Then she turned on the light, went straight to the refrigerator, took out a meal she had prepared earlier, and ate in silence.
Afterward, she dragged her heavy steps to bed, slowly closed her eyes, and fell asleep. The clear moonlight fell across her young face, revealing that at some point, tears had silently run down her cheeks, leaving streaks behind.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Chen sat openly at the dining table in Fugaku's home. Beside him, Mikoto was introducing me to Itachi.
"This is Uchiha Chen. I recently accepted him as my younger brother.
"His house in the clan district was unfortunately destroyed, and since we happen to have an extra room, I invited him to stay with us for a while.
"You can call him Uncle Chen." Hearing his mother say this, Uchiha Itachi couldn't help feeling surprised, but he didn't say much.
His good upbringing had taught him never to openly reveal his questions or confusion in front of outsiders, especially strangers he had only just met.
He was puzzled about why someone he'd only just met had been invited to live in their home.
But since even his father had no objections, Itachi naturally didn't ask any further questions.
He simply turned to look at me, his expressionless face and cool tone matching his words. "Uncle Chen, it's nice to meet you. I look forward to getting along with you."
After the brief greeting, Itachi paid Uchiha Chen no further attention, as if I were nothing more than thin air.
Uchiha Chen didn't mind his attitude.
After all, in a sense, he could now be considered Itachi's father. He ought to be more patient and understanding with a child.
Thinking that Itachi, who would one day be known as a god, was now secretly his son made him feel even happier.