Big Sister Mikoto's request

Just as Qianye Lan was wondering, Uchiha Mikoto's voice reached his ears.

"I'd like to ask you a favor."

Qianye Lan looked at Uchiha Mikoto and replied with a gentle smile, "Go ahead, Big Sister Mikoto. If it's within my abilities, I'll do everything I can to help!"

He did not agree outright, leaving himself plenty of room to back out.

At his words, gratitude appeared in Uchiha Mikoto's bright, beautiful eyes. She then said, "I'd like you to help me get rid of a pest."

"A pest?" Qianye Lan was a little puzzled.

Uchiha Mikoto nodded and continued, "There's someone in our clan who's a few years older than me and keeps pestering me, so I'd like you to..."

After hearing her out, Qianye Lan said somewhat hesitantly, "But aren't we a little too far apart in age?"

Hearing his concern, Uchiha Mikoto smiled brightly. "Don't worry. I'll just say I like them younger."

At her words, Qianye Lan's face darkened with exasperation as he protested, "Big Sister Mikoto, I'm not little!"

Uchiha Mikoto did not catch his meaning at first. "But aren't you just..."

However, Mikoto, who was much older than Qianye Lan, soon caught on. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she rolled her eyes at him. "All right, little brother."

She deliberately drew out the words "little brother."

Qianye Lan was speechless for a moment. He could not prove himself out on the street; that sort of thing would have to wait until they got home.

After all, his birth certificate was at home. He had not brought it with him.

Qianye Lan looked her up and down and said, "But Big Sister Mikoto, this hardly seems like the right attitude for someone asking a favor."

Uchiha Mikoto's smile stiffened, and then she leaned closer to Qianye Lan.

Immediately, Qianye Lan caught the scent unique to Uchiha Mikoto.

Uchiha Mikoto said, "As long as you help me get rid of the pest, I'll treat you to a meal. How about that?"

Qianye Lan shook his head in refusal.

Seeing his reaction, Uchiha Mikoto asked a little urgently, "Then what do you want?"

Qianye Lan leaned toward Uchiha Mikoto's ear and said, "How about this, Big Sister Mikoto? I'll help you, and in exchange, you agree to one tiny request of mine."

Uchiha Mikoto lowered her head and lightly bit her lip, looking hesitant.

Seeing this, Qianye Lan pressed his advantage. "If you think my request goes too far, you can refuse."

Finally, Uchiha Mikoto gritted her teeth and nodded.

Only then did a smile appear on Qianye Lan's lips. "Big Sister Mikoto, what's your plan?"

Uchiha Mikoto leaned toward Qianye Lan's ear and explained her plan.

After hearing her plan, Qianye Lan hesitated.

"Big Sister Mikoto, wouldn't it be inappropriate for an outsider like me to enter the Uchiha compound?"

Uchiha Mikoto froze slightly, then gave a wry smile.

She had nearly forgotten the Uchiha Clan's extreme hostility toward outsiders. At that thought, Uchiha Mikoto said with a hint of apology, "Sorry, I didn't think it through."

"Then what should we..." Uchiha Mikoto looked at Qianye Lan hopefully.

Meeting her gaze, Qianye Lan lowered his head in thought and came up with a compromise.

"Big Sister Mikoto, my idea might not be especially good either."

Uchiha Mikoto smiled gently. "Let's hear it."

Qianye Lan leaned toward her ear and whispered, "How about I put my arm around you and we stroll around outside the compound entrance?"

Uchiha Mikoto glared fiercely at Qianye Lan upon hearing his suggestion.

Then she began considering whether the idea would work.

Compared with taking Qianye Lan's arm herself, this approach would indeed be more effective at provoking others, and safer too.

She nodded, then said, "Should we tell Kushina?"

Qianye Lan nodded without hesitation.

Even if Uchiha Mikoto had not mentioned it, he would have done so.

After all, Kushina was far too difficult to placate.

The two returned to the courtyard one after the other, and Uchiha Mikoto looked at Kushina somewhat awkwardly.

Seeing Uchiha Mikoto standing there without a word, Kushina asked in confusion, "Big Sister Mikoto, what's wrong?"

Qianye Lan and Uchiha Mikoto exchanged a glance.

Finally, Uchiha Mikoto took a deep breath and said, "Kushina, let me borrow your Qianye Lan for a bit."

Kushina nodded quite naturally. "Go ahead."

Seeing this, Qianye Lan gave a light cough. "Let me explain."

He then told Kushina what he and Uchiha Mikoto were going to do.

After listening, Kushina said to Qianye Lan, "Then make sure you cooperate properly with Big Sister Mikoto."

Before Qianye Lan could react, Uchiha Mikoto spoke up. "Kushina, you don't mind?"

Kushina looked at her in confusion. "Why would I mind? Aren't you both just acting anyway?"

Her words left Uchiha Mikoto stunned.

That's right. We're only acting anyway. We've been a little too cautious.

At that thought, Uchiha Mikoto said, "Then thank you, Kushina."

With that, she left the room with Qianye Lan.

As Kushina watched the two leave the courtyard, she suddenly felt a little empty inside.

Just then, Mito Uzumaki came out. Seeing that Kushina was a little downcast, she asked, "What's wrong, little Kushina?"

Kushina explained what Qianye Lan and Uchiha Mikoto were going to do.

Something shifted in Mito Uzumaki's eyes at her words. She reached out to stroke Kushina's red hair and said, "Sometimes, it's better to keep a closer eye on things."

Kushina lowered her head shyly. "Grandma, stop."

Mito Uzumaki smiled. "All right, I won't say any more."

Qianye Lan and Uchiha Mikoto walked side by side down the street. Just then, Uchiha Mikoto suddenly stopped and looked toward a certain spot.

Qianye Lan followed her gaze and saw that Uchiha Mikoto was looking at a dumpling shop.

He led Uchiha Mikoto straight to the storefront and said, "Two skewers of dumplings, please."

Qianye Lan took the two skewers and handed one to Uchiha Mikoto. "Here, Big Sister Mikoto."

Uchiha Mikoto did not stand on ceremony. She reached out with her other hand, took the dumplings, and began eating.

Their hands remained clasped together, fingers interlaced.

Watching Uchiha Mikoto savor the dumplings, Qianye Lan asked, "Big Sister Mikoto, do you really like these dumplings?"

After speaking, he tried a bite himself, and his brows furrowed slightly. These are way too sweet.

Hearing his question, Uchiha Mikoto nodded, then lowered her head and continued eating her dumplings.

Once she finished, Qianye Lan offered Uchiha Mikoto the dumplings in his hand.

"Big Sister Mikoto, you have these. I still can't quite get used to them."

Uchiha Mikoto did not mind and took the dumplings, eating as they walked.

They were nearing the Uchiha Clan's compound.

Qianye Lan released Uchiha Mikoto's hand and gently slipped his arm around her slender waist.

Uchiha Mikoto trembled all over when he suddenly put his arm around her waist, but she did not resist.

Thanks to her years of training as a ninja, Uchiha Mikoto's slender waist was soft and supple.

Just as Qianye Lan wanted to savor the sensation a little longer, an angry voice rang out.