Steaming Kushina

The day's classes quickly came to an end.

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 focused and attentive to others, one could actually be daydreaming.

As if under a Genjutsu that could never be seen through.

When school finally let out, Mirai and Kushina walked side by side out of the gates. 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.

"Mikoto?" Mirai froze for a moment.

Mikoto Uchiha waved at him, then gave a slight bow and smiled at Kushina beside him. "Hello. Could I borrow Mirai for a few words? It won't take long."

Kushina's face immediately turned Kurenai. Why was she reporting to her when she just wanted to talk to Mirai?

But seeing this woman, who was clearly more mature than Naori yet just as beautiful, Kushina Uzumaki gave her a wary look.

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

She walked beneath a tree some distance away, yet kept her eyes fixed on them, looking exactly like a diligent guard.

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

"Mikoto, what did you need me for?"

Mikoto raised her eyebrows slightly, unsure how to begin.

Naori's behavior after returning home yesterday had been far too strange.

After that stubborn little girl returned from the training ground, she had been absentminded the entire night.

During dinner, she had picked at empty air with her chopsticks three times while grinning foolishly. While bathing, she had used shampoo as body wash. Before sleeping, she had hugged her pillow and rolled around in bed, occasionally letting out a low, muffled groan.

When Mikoto asked what was wrong, Naori had only shaken her head with a Kurenai face, refusing to say a single word.

Although Mikoto herself had been shaken by her parents bringing up the engagement yesterday, she had not overlooked her younger sister's unusual behavior!

She guessed it was most likely related to Mirai Uzumaki again!

"What exactly happened in class yesterday...?" Mikoto looked at Mirai, concern in her voice. "Naori has been acting strange ever since she came home.

She wouldn't tell me anything when I asked. She just sat there daydreaming alone, and her face would inexplicably turn Kurenai now and then."

Mirai Uzumaki blinked, then awkwardly scratched his head.

"Uh... she challenged me again yesterday, and I won again."

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

"The problem is..." Mirai coughed dryly. "The process might have been a little... awkward."

He described yesterday's match—the Clone Technique, the Sweep Kick, and the final pinning position—while leaving out a few details and trying his best to phrase it tactfully.

Mikoto fell silent for a moment after hearing it, the corner of her mouth twitching almost imperceptibly.

"So... you pinned her to the ground with your hand on her chest, in front of the entire class?"

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

Seeing the innocent look all over his face, Mikoto finally could not help but laugh softly.

She shook her head, her tone carrying a hint 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 mean to."

"I know," Mikoto said with a gentle smile. "But be more careful in the future. No matter how old they are, girls will care about that sort of thing."

"Okay, okay, I'll remember."

Mikoto looked at him, hesitated, and ultimately decided not to mention the engagement proposal.

She had refused it anyway, and she would faithfully uphold their six-year agreement.

There was no need to make such matters known to everyone.

"Then I'll be going," she said, waving. "I'll talk to Naori. You... should be a little gentler with her in the future."

"Sure~"

Mikoto turned and left, the ends of her long black hair tracing a gentle arc in the sunset.

Mirai watched her retreating figure, feeling that she still had something left unsaid 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?"

"But 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 gave her an eye roll.

"Wakaka!" Kushina Uzumaki got angry. "Mirai, I'll bite you to death!"

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

Holding Kushina's Kurenai little head, Mirai Uzumaki felt a flutter in her heart—this little girl was unexpectedly kawaii!

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

They were rather soft, and a little sweet.

In an instant, the sulking Kushina fell quiet, her face turning Kurenai all the way to her ears!

It was as though steam were even 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 hands with the still-steaming Kushina Uzumaki, the two returned to the Senju Clan Compound.

There was no helping it. Kushina looked like she had gone stupid, and Mirai Uzumaki could not simply ignore her.