Kirito gently picked up Mikoto and carried her towards her room. Despite having known each other for years, this was the first time they had shared such close physical contact. It was autumn, and the air had not yet turned cool, so Mikoto was wearing only a thin set of pajamas. As Kirito held her, his body temperature rose, and he silently repeated a mantra to himself, trying to keep his composure: "This isn't what it seems. Focus. Stay calm."
Mikoto, resting in Kirito's arms, listened to his quickening heartbeat and breathing. She sensed something unusual but didn't dare look at his face, her cheeks turning red from embarrassment. As they reached her room, Kirito couldn't help but notice how warm and inviting it felt, though there was one thing that struck him—a memorial tablet dedicated to her late husband, Fugaku. The urn containing his ashes made the room feel both comforting and somber at the same time.
Kirito gently laid Mikoto on the bed and sat beside her. He brought out a stool and leaned in to sit close to her, focusing on her injury. He started massaging her leg to ease the pain, his touch soft but slightly awkward. After some time, he retrieved healing supplies from his ninja gear and began applying medicine and bandaging her wound. As he worked, his hands trembled, and the cotton ball in his grip pressed too hard at times, causing the disinfectant to sting the wound, making Mikoto wince in pain.
"Kirito, when did you return?" Mikoto asked, attempting to break the awkward silence and ease the tension.
"I returned this afternoon," Kirito replied. "There was a traitor among the organizers, so it took me longer than expected. But everything is fine now."
Once again, silence filled the room. Kirito was not used to this kind of close interaction, and it showed. His hands shook as he applied pressure on the wound, making the disinfectant seep deeper into the cut. Mikoto groaned softly from the discomfort, frowning as the pain and itchiness shot through her leg.
"It's done," Kirito finally said after a while, sighing in relief once the bandaging was completed. As he leaned back, their faces were suddenly very close, their cheeks almost touching. The air between them grew still, and neither could move.
Mikoto's skin was fair, glowing under the soft light of the room. Even though she was over 30, time had been kind to her, and she appeared more elegant and mature rather than aged. Her dark, expressive eyes shimmered, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly each time she blinked. Her nose was delicate, and her lips quivered with unease, as warm breaths escaped in short, soft puffs.
Kirito found himself mesmerized, his gaze locked on her. Just then, a familiar prompt echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for triggering the system option.]
[1. Give her a kiss. Reward: A-level Ninjutsu Rasengan.]
[2. Kiss her in front of Fugaku's memorial. Reward: 10 Dragon Ball World Senzu Beans.]
[3. Do nothing. Reward: 999,999 Viagra pills.]
[Options 1 and 2 can be combined. Please select.]
"Senzu Beans?" Kirito's eyes widened in excitement.
Although learning Rasengan wasn't difficult for him, since he already knew the basics, the Senzu Beans were a different story. These magical beans were a lifesaver—they could heal any injury, no matter how severe, even bringing someone back from the brink of death. He couldn't resist the allure of obtaining such a valuable item.
Without much hesitation, Kirito made his choice. Leaning in, he kissed Mikoto gently.
Thousands of unspoken words passed between them in that moment.
The next morning, the system chimed again in Kirito's mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the A-level Ninjutsu Rasengan.]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining 10 Dragon Ball World Senzu Beans.]
A faint smirk appeared on Kirito's lips as he processed the system's rewards. His thoughts drifted briefly to Fugaku's last wish—to rebuild the Uchiha clan. However, he mused that if a child were to come from this, the last name might not even be Uchiha.
Mikoto, already dressed, had regained her composure. The softness and kindness that had marked her features last night were gone, replaced by a steely resolve. Her face showed no emotion, but there was an undercurrent of guilt and determination in her voice as she spoke. "Don't tell anyone about what happened last night. Not even Sasuke."
Kirito chuckled softly, licking his lips. "Then, what about next time?"
Mikoto's face flushed once again, and her eyes flickered with emotion. She wanted to refuse outright, but the words caught in her throat. As much as she wanted to say no, the bond they had formed and her own conflicting feelings made it hard to dismiss Kirito. On one hand, she was honoring Fugaku's last wish to restore the Uchiha clan, which alleviated some of her guilt. On the other hand, she couldn't deny that she found Kirito—strong, handsome, and confident—appealing.
There was also the undeniable reality that both men and women were creatures of appearance, and Kirito was strikingly good-looking. His skills as a ninja only added to his charm. She had already grown accustomed to being in his presence, despite the obvious age gap. But that age difference still troubled her. She was older and would age faster. Would Kirito still want her when the years began to show?
"Let's not talk about this now," Mikoto replied quietly, turning her face away to hide her blush. Her hands rested gently on her chest as her gaze drifted to Fugaku's memorial tablet. Her cheeks burned with a mixture of guilt and embarrassment, and her heart pounded in her chest. How had she developed feelings for this younger man?
"I feel so sorry for Fugaku," Mikoto thought as her emotions tangled between her past love and her unexpected attraction to Kirito.
"Thank you, Mikoto," Kirito said softly, moving closer and placing his hands gently on her shoulders. "How's your injury? Feeling any better today?"
"You still have the nerve to ask?" Mikoto shot back, glaring at him with a mix of reproach and amusement.
Despite the medicine and the night's rest, her injury had worsened a bit, which frustrated her. Walking should have been easier, but it was still painful. Yet, despite the lingering discomfort, she couldn't deny the relief Kirito's presence brought.
Kirito simply smiled at her. He had no regrets. His life had taken an unexpected turn, blending the fierce responsibilities of being a ninja with the complexities of personal relationships. But for now, his goal was clear—he would honor Fugaku's last wish, rebuild the Uchiha clan, and navigate the challenges ahead with the same boldness that had brought him this far.
(End of Chapter).
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