When she saw Mirai walking over, the corners of her lips curled up slightly. She waved at him. "Mirai-kun, over here."
Mirai walked over and plopped down beside her, taking out the items from his sealing scroll one by one and laying them out. "Rice balls, dango, grilled fish, water. That should be enough, right?"
"Enough." Mikoto picked up a rice ball and took a small bite, her eyes curving into crescents. "Did you make these yourself?"
"Mm-hm." Mirai readily admitted it.
Cooking meant buying ingredients and turning them into finished food. He had simply bought finished food directly. It was still cooking, same difference.
"No wonder Kushina likes you so much." Mikoto chewed twice before saying indistinctly, "Men who can cook well are hard to find in the Shinobi World."
Mirai chuckled and did not pursue the topic.
After they finished eating, Mikoto pulled two bamboo poles from the bag beside her—she had actually brought fishing rods.
She handed one to him, her eyes sparkling. "Do you know how to fish?"
"Are you kidding?" Mirai took the rod and skillfully cast the line. The float landed on the water, sending ripples spreading outward. "I hung around Jiraiya-sensei for a while. Fishing is basic stuff, don't be impressed."
Mikoto raised an eyebrow and cast her own line. "Want to see who catches one first?"
"What are we betting?"
"The loser lets the winner... bite them once?"
Mirai's eyes lit up, and he nodded at once. "Deal."
Over the next twenty minutes, Mikoto's float did not budge, while Mirai had already caught three fish in a row.
He took the third fish off the hook and tossed it into the bucket, his tone carrying an irritating hint of smugness. "Mikoto, looks like you're definitely getting bitten today."
"What bait are you