Steaming Kushina

The day's lessons passed quickly.

Mirai Uzumaki looked like he was listening with utmost seriousness, but in reality, he had already mastered the Serious Daydreaming Jutsu!

The principle behind this jutsu was that while appearing incomparably serious and focused to outsiders, one could actually be daydreaming.

As if one had been caught in a Genjutsu that could never be seen through.

When school finally ended, Mirai and Kushina walked out of the gates side by side. Just as they were about to head toward the Senju Clan Compound, they spotted a familiar figure at the entrance.

Long, straight black hair, a dark kimono embroidered with Uchiha Clan ping-pong paddles,

and a gentle smile that looked especially lovely in the evening light.

"Big Sister Mikoto?" Mirai froze for a moment.

Mikoto Uchiha waved at him, then gave a slight bow and smiled at Kushina beside him. "Hello. I came to talk to Mirai-kun for a few words. Is that all right? It won't take long."

Kushina's face instantly reddened. Why was she reporting to her just because she wanted to talk to Mirai?

But seeing this woman, who was clearly more mature than Zhili but equally beautiful, Kushina Uzumaki gave her a wary look.

Then she glanced at Mirai. Her lips moved, but in the end, she muttered, "...I'll wait nearby."

She walked beneath a tree not far away and stood there, but her eyes remained fixed on them, looking every bit like a dutiful guard.

Mikoto Uchiha and Mirai Uzumaki stood on the other side of the school gates.

"Big Sister Mikoto, what did you need me for?"

Mikoto Uchiha gently raised her brows, unsure how to begin.

Zhili had been acting far too strangely after returning home yesterday.

After that stubborn little girl came back from the training grounds, she had been absentminded all evening.

During dinner, she had picked up empty air with her chopsticks three times while foolishly smiling. While bathing, she had used shampoo as body wash. Before bed, she had hugged her pillow and tossed and turned, occasionally letting out a low, muffled groan.

When Mikoto asked what was wrong, Zhili had merely shaken her head with a red face, refusing to say a single word.

Although Mikoto had also been shaken by her parents' proposal of an engagement yesterday, she had not overlooked her younger sister's unusual behavior!

She guessed it probably had something to do with Mirai Uzumaki again!

"What exactly happened in class yesterday...?" Mikoto looked at Mirai, concern in her voice. "Zhili hasn't seemed quite right since she came home.

She wouldn't say anything when I asked. She just sat there daydreaming by herself, and sometimes her face would inexplicably turn red."

Mirai Uzumaki blinked, then scratched his head awkwardly.

"Uh... she challenged me again yesterday, and then I beat her again."

Mikoto tilted her head. "So what if you beat her? It's not like it was her first time losing to you."

"The problem is..." Mirai gave a dry cough. "The process might have been a little... awkward."

He described yesterday's match—the Clone Technique, the Sweep Kick, and that final restraining position—while leaving out some details and trying to put it as tactfully as possible.

Mikoto fell silent for a moment after hearing him out, and the corner of her mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

"So... you pinned her to the ground, put your hand on her chest, and did it in front of the whole class?"

"Um... I really didn't notice at the time!" Mirai raised his hand in protest. "A seven-year-old kid doesn't have that kind of awareness, okay?!"

Looking at his utterly innocent expression, Mikoto finally could not help but laugh softly.

She shook her head, her tone carrying a touch of helplessness. "I understand. You probably frightened her with that.

After all, that child has never been that close to a boy before."

"...I really didn't do it on purpose."

"I know." Mikoto smiled gently. "But try to be more careful in the future. Girls care about things like that, no matter how old they are."

"Okay, okay, I'll remember."

Mikoto looked at him, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately chose not to mention the engagement proposal.

She had already refused it, and she would faithfully keep their six-year agreement.

There was no need to let everyone know about such matters.

"Then I'll head back first." She waved. "I'll go talk to Zhili. You... should be a little gentler with her in the future."

"Roger~"

Mikoto turned and left, the ends of her long black hair drawing a gentle arc beneath the setting sun.

Mirai watched her departing back. He felt that she still had something she had not said today, but he did not press her.

"Mirai, why do you call that woman big sister?" Kushina Uzumaki puffed out her cheeks like a little pufferfish.

Mirai Uzumaki could not help laughing. "She's older than me. Isn't it normal to call her big sister?"

"Then I'm older than you too! Why don't you call me big sister? Hurry up and call me Big Sister Kushina!"

Unfortunately, Mirai Uzumaki only rewarded her with an eye roll.

"Wakaka!" Kushina Uzumaki grew furious. "Mirai, I'll bite you to death!"

She pounced at him with fangs and claws bared, only to be suppressed by Mirai Uzumaki with one hand!

Holding Kushina's red little head, Mirai felt a flutter in his heart. This little girl was unexpectedly kawaii!

Unable to hold back, he lightly touched Kushina Uzumaki's lips with his own.

They were quite soft, and a little sweet.

In an instant, the puffed-up Kushina fell quiet, her face flushing all the way to the tips of her ears!

It was as though steam were rising from the top of her head.

"Ahem, well..." Mirai Uzumaki coughed dryly. "You wanted to bite me, so I just bit back. That's all. Let's go home!"

Holding the hand of Kushina Uzumaki, who was still steaming, the two of them headed back to the Senju Clan Compound.

It could not be helped. Kushina looked like she had gone silly, and Mirai Uzumaki could not just ignore her.