"It's a bit complicated," Uchiha Mikoto said, forcing a small smile. The topic was sensitive, and while she was highly regarded within the clan and respected in the village, she was still young and held little sway over the clan's major decisions.
Kushina looked at her sympathetically but quickly switched gears when she heard Shinki call from downstairs.
"Kushina, what do you want to eat tonight?"
"Huh? Beef!" she shouted back instinctively, only to realize too late what she'd done. Caught red-handed listening in, she flushed with embarrassment. Eavesdropping wasn't a problem, but being found out was.
"Heh," Shinki chuckled lightly, giving her a reassuring nod.
As long as Kushina kept quiet about what she'd heard, there was no issue. As for Uchiha Fugaku's possible reaction, if he harbored any ill feelings, that was his problem to handle.
Kushina sheepishly made her way downstairs, pulling Mikoto along, who followed with an awkward expression. Once they were both in the living room, Shinki turned serious.
"What I said to Uchiha Fugaku today stays between us, understood?"
"Of course, I won't tell anyone," Kushina promised, eyes wide with sincerity.
"Me neither," Mikoto added earnestly.
"Good. Now, go play. I'll call you when dinner is ready." Shinki shrugged off his coat, tossing it onto the sofa, and headed to the kitchen.
The smell of spices and cooking soon filled the air, drawing Nawaki home like a moth to a flame.
"I'm back!" Nawaki's voice boomed as he stepped through the door, broadcasting his arrival as loudly as possible.
"Where's Minato?" Shinki called out, glancing outside.
"He's off at Ichiraku again. That kid could eat ramen every meal until the end of time. I don't know how he does it; I feel sick just thinking about it."
Nawaki grimaced, recalling the endless bowls of ramen Minato seemed to consume effortlessly. Lately, with Shinki busy and not cooking as often, Nawaki had ended up tagging along with Minato to Ichiraku far too many times.
Shinki raised an eyebrow, half-amused. "So, when I'm not around to cook, you just eat ramen?"
"Pretty much." Nawaki sighed as if reliving a bad dream.
Kushina, who'd been listening, snickered. "I didn't eat ramen. Mikoto always brings me a lunchbox."
Unlike Nawaki, who could barely hold onto his money, Kushina was resourceful. If she wanted, she could afford any meal. Nawaki, on the other hand, had to rely on cheaper, more repetitive options when Shinki was unavailable.
Shinki shook his head. "If you're tired of ramen, learn to cook for yourself. I can't always be here to do it."
Kushina, who often went out to restaurants without Nawaki, and Nawaki, who never took Kushina with him when he went to play, were constantly at odds. Shinki couldn't help but wonder who would give in first. But he doubted it would happen soon. Nawaki, mischievous as ever, enjoyed his antics, while Kushina wasn't shy about tattling if things went too far.
"Senior, I should head back now," Mikoto said, standing to leave.
"No, stay for dinner. You're already here, so you might as well eat with us," Shinki insisted.
Kushina beamed and grabbed Mikoto's hand. "Come on, let's wash up before we eat!" she said, dragging Mikoto away. Nawaki watched them go, then looked at Shinki with an exaggerated shrug.
Shinki raised an eyebrow. Nawaki seemed unusually comfortable around Mikoto today. Had he finally gotten over his shyness? Maybe he'd given up, accepting that she was just a classmate. When you moved past the awkwardness of liking someone, it was easier to be normal around them.
"Alright, enough chatter. Go wash up before dinner," Shinki said, shaking his head.
Soon enough, everyone was seated at the dining table. Nawaki, always the first to grab his chopsticks, declared, "Let's eat!" and dove into his food like a starved animal, drawing disgusted looks from Kushina and amused laughter from Mikoto.
"Hey, leave some for the rest of us!" Kushina said, eyes wide as Nawaki made quick work of the dishes she favored. She joined the food fight, determined not to miss out.
Shinki and Mikoto, on the other hand, ate more leisurely.
"Senior, have you been very busy with work lately?" Mikoto ventured, breaking the silence.
Shinki paused, surprised that she was initiating a conversation. He nodded. "Not too bad. Most of the major issues have been dealt with, so things should calm down for a while."
In truth, there was always work to be done in the Anbu, but having Nara Shikako as an assistant made the workload more manageable. As a leader, he mostly issued orders and let others handle the details, giving him some respite.
"Does that mean you'll be home more often?" Kushina chimed in, eyes hopeful.
Even Nawaki stopped eating long enough to glance at Shinki, eyes sparkling.
"..."
Shinki stared back at them, bemused. Kushina's expression was sweet and expectant, but Nawaki's was purely motivated by food.
"Well," Shinki said slowly, "starting tomorrow, your training is going to double, and I'll have someone watching to make sure you complete it. No finishing, no food."
He rapped Nawaki on the head lightly.
"Why?" Nawaki protested, looking betrayed.
"Because," Shinki said with a mischievous grin, "I feel like it."
Nawaki's face fell, and he let out a defeated groan.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 320 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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