There are many influencing factors, including subsequent effort and circumstances, as well as some unique environmental issues.
If Araki hadn't appeared, at this point in time, Mikoto wouldn't have any interest in any of her peers other than Fugaku, not even Minato Namikaze, who was just outstanding.
but...
Anything can happen unexpectedly!
Uchiha Mikoto felt that Araki was an unexpected event in her life, entering her heart in such a strange way. First, he became the object of her suspicion, and later the object of her curiosity. Even now, her understanding of Araki is still hazy, like looking at the moon in the water or flowers in the mist. It seems like she sees something, but at the same time, she feels like she sees nothing at all.
"I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Kushina pouted, looking a little unhappy. Bringing up this topic in front of Araki made her feel embarrassed and awkward. She even avoided looking Araki in the eye during the conversation.
"Oh, don't be angry! Okay, I won't ask anymore, let's drink!"
Mikoto picked up the sake pot, poured another cup into her sake cup, and was about to down it in one gulp.
However, just as she raised the wine glass to her chest, she suddenly stopped.
" Araki, do you want to try it? You've never had it before, have you?"
Mikoto stretched out her arm and pointed the glass at Araki, as if she were about to feed Araki directly.
"I don't drink."
Araki quickly stepped back, then continued eating his rice ball. He had originally planned to go on his training after eating, but seeing the two girls so drunk, he couldn't bear to leave them like that.
"Fine, you don't have to drink it then!"
Mikoto immediately took back her glass, raised it, and drank it all in one gulp. The wine, entering her sorrowful heart, instantly intensified her feelings of intoxication.
"Hmm... Kushina, how about we play a game?"
After Mikoto drank that glass of wine, she seemed to be activated. Her dark, round eyes kept darting around, and she was probably thinking of some crazy idea.
Every time she said this, not only Kushina became very curious, but even Araki looked at her with curiosity.
It seemed to sense the gazes of the two people looking at it.
Mikoto suddenly felt a greater sense of accomplishment and said, "Let's play a game of taking turns. I'll go once, then you go once. When it's our turn, we can ask each other a question. If the other person answers, it's fine. If they don't answer, then they have to drink a glass of wine as a penalty!"
Mikoto was still thinking about asking Kushina a question.
perhaps...
Mikoto probably has a lot of questions she wants to ask!
"This..."
Upon hearing this, Kushina hesitated for a moment, because she didn't want to answer questions that would obviously make her feel awkward, especially since Mikoto's question was clearly a bit provocative, which made her somewhat hesitant.
"..."
Araki remained speechless, because he felt that this was just a game of truth or dare.
It's just not as polished as this gameplay.
It's probably because the ninja world hadn't become popular yet.
Thinking about this...
Araki suddenly thought that since the two girls had already started drinking, he might as well help them expand their games. He was also very curious to see how far the two girls could go.
"I've heard of this game, it's called Truth or Dare, do you guys want to play it?" Araki suddenly asked.
"What Truth or Dare?" Kushina was taken aback for a moment.
"Tell me about it!" Mikoto exclaimed enthusiastically.
For a fleeting moment...
Araki felt that these two people were more curious about him than about the game itself, but since he had already spoken, he decided to tell them how to play the game.
If it's the truth...
He can still hear!
We might hear some information that we don't usually hear!
But if it's a big adventure...
It seems he didn't lose out!
"This is a relatively simple game called Truth or Dare, also known as Honesty and Courage. The two players choose the person to be punished—either by playing rock-paper-scissors or drawing lots—and must choose either truth or dare."
Araki spoke slowly, his words not particularly complicated, yet they perfectly captured the curiosity of both of them.
Mikoto just wanted to have fun; this was her last night here, and if she didn't go wild now, she wouldn't have another chance.
After all, this was Araki and Kushina's last vacation.
This time next year, the two will graduate and become Genin. At that time, they will officially step into the small society of Konoha and begin to do the work of ninjas, spending their busy years carrying out various missions.
In this way...
I want to drink like this again.
Mikoto doesn't know if she'll have another chance, but at least in the short term, she doesn't.
Once they turn 20, they can legally drink alcohol, but the feeling changes. Without the guilt of secretly breaking the rules, there's no thrill.
The more you know something is wrong, the more thrilling it is to do it. That's how Mikoto feels right now. She knows perfectly well that her best friend likes Araki, but she still can't help wanting to get closer to Araki, even if it means competing with her best friend in the end. This sense of guilt and remorse makes her heart extremely complicated.
Kushina, on the other hand, had a different feeling. She didn't want to play the kind of game Mikoto was talking about at all, because she knew perfectly well what Mikoto was trying to say.
Now, hearing Araki talk about the game, she became curious and interested.
perhaps...
Perhaps it's because Araki was the one who proposed this game!
Even though she hadn't drunk much, it was her first time, so her tolerance for alcohol wasn't strong, and she was already a little dizzy. She was also a bit bolder than before.
In an instant.
Both Mikoto and Kushina blinked their curious and expectant eyes, staring at Araki and waiting for what he would say next.
"Of course, I think rock-paper-scissors is meaningless. It's better to draw lots or spin the bottle, and whoever is chosen will be punished."
"After deciding who will be punished, she can choose between Truth or Dare."
"If you choose truth, then the person being punished must answer the other person's question truthfully and cannot lie."
"If you choose dare, then the person being punished must do what the other party asks, and cannot deny it."
"The next round will begin after the punishment is over!"
Araki smiled and said that this was a game they often played when they had meals together in their previous life. There were quite a few games to play at those gatherings, and many of them were very interesting. However, it was clear that this game was not very suitable for the people in the Genin world.
Araki had no interest in promoting these things.
The Truth or Dare game is just for Kushina and Mikoto to watch and have fun with; nothing unexpected is likely to happen.
"Yay!"
Uchiha Mikoto's eyes widened with excitement. Araki's explanation of the game was even more detailed than she had described, greatly increasing its replayability.
There are two main points to add.
First, the rotation has been changed to random, which adds an element of mystery and makes the game more engaging.
Secondly, in addition to the question-and-answer "Truth or Dare" mode, you can also choose "Truth or Dare," which makes the game even more exciting.
After listening to Araki's explanation, Mikoto was eager to try it out and didn't want to dawdle at all; she could hardly wait to experience it right away.
"This... um... it's alright!"
After a moment's thought, Kushina nodded in agreement. For her, the reason she agreed was precisely because of these two differences.
She wasn't afraid to ask Mikoto, but she was afraid of Mikoto asking her.
It's not bad now.
You can choose to take a big adventure to solve it.
Moreover, fate can decide the outcome; perhaps she'll keep winning and keep bullying Mikoto!
" Araki, I have a question. For example, I chose a dare, but what she said is too difficult for me. What should I do?" Mikoto said, blushing. She wasn't sure what Mikoto would ask her to do.
"Oh right, I forgot to mention, there's one last punishment!"
Araki slapped his forehead. He'd been so focused on explaining the rules that he'd forgotten about the drinks. He then said, "Whether you choose Truth or Dare, if you can't answer or can't do it, you have to drink a drink as punishment!"
"Yay!"
Upon hearing the punishment, Uchiha Mikoto became even happier. She found the game incredibly exciting even before she started playing it. She then looked at Araki, her dark eyes already misty with tears, making her look somewhat dazed.
" Araki, come play with us!"
Mikoto immediately extended her invitation. Unlike last time when they drank, this time she only mentioned playing games, then added, "You only said you wouldn't drink, so as long as you tell the truth, or do something that doesn't violate the rules, you don't need to drink. There's no need to worry about that at all!"
"I'm not playing."
Araki immediately shook his head. He was tired of this kind of thing in his previous life, and especially now with two little girls, he couldn't really unleash his full potential. He might as well be a spectator. Of course, he couldn't say that, so he smiled and said, "I'll be the referee."
"Snort!"
When Mikoto's invitation to Araki failed, she stomped her foot, seemingly venting her dissatisfaction, but actually she was just being coquettish. She was still a child and had no idea how to be attractive enough to get Araki to agree to her idea.
" Araki, are you really not going to play?" Kushina looked at Araki, her beautiful eyes, hazy with intoxication, sparkling with intense anticipation.
"I'll watch you play." Araki remained unmoved.
"What a pity!" Kushina couldn't help but sigh. She really wanted to see Araki lose so she could ask him some interesting questions. She was very curious about Araki.
Of course, Mikoto shares the same curiosity.
Or rather...
Mikoto's curiosity was, in some ways, even greater than Araki's. Her eyes darted around again as she said, " Araki, if you play games with us, you don't have to come shopping with us tomorrow!"
"I think it's a good idea!" Kushina nodded in agreement.
"I..."
Araki's lips twitched violently. He had just remembered that he was going to tell them after finishing the rice balls that they wouldn't be able to go shopping tomorrow and that they should do it another day.
But now, this very thing has become a bargaining chip.