“Mmm…” After sleeping for a long time, Kushina Uzumaki slowly woke up, letting out a soft sound like a sleepy kitten.
It immediately made Akira laugh.
“Pfft…” “Hm?” Only then did Kushina notice Akira sitting beside her.
Her face instantly turned bright red.
“Y-Why are you here?” This was so embarrassing.
Had she just made some weird noise?
“And why can’t I be here?” Akira chuckled.
“I was worried about you, so I came to see you first thing this morning.” “But Grandma Mito told me you were still asleep.” “So I came in to check on you.” “And then…” “I heard you calling my name in your sleep.” He couldn’t help laughing again.
“You deserve a beating!” Kushina lightly punched him, her face as red as a tomato.
Seriously…
Who says something that embarrassing first thing in the morning?
“By the way…” She suddenly caught something important.
“Why aren’t you at school?” Grabbing his arm, she narrowed her eyes.
“Did you skip class?” “Did you forget what my ability is?” Akira rolled his eyes.
Still, he made no attempt to resist.
He knew this was simply Kushina’s way of hiding her embarrassment.
“Hmph.” She huffed before gently rubbing the arm she’d pinched.
She always acted tough while having the softest heart.
Akira simply smiled and enjoyed the moment.
He liked this feeling.
“You know…” “I was really scared yesterday.” “So scared…” “…that I’d never see you again.” “When I was at my most desperate…” “I remembered something you once told me.” “You said my hair was the prettiest.” “So…” “I could only place all my hope…” “…on my hair.” As she spoke, her voice gradually weakened.
It even began to tremble.
“I couldn’t think of any other way…” “Other than pulling out my hair and leaving it behind.” “I was so scared…” “I was really…” “…so scared.” Kushina raised her head.
Tears covered her face.
“Do you know…” “The moment you came to save me…” “I was happier than I’d ever been.” At that moment…
Akira had become her sun.
The brightest light in her entire world.
Because…
He had come for her.
He had really found the clues she’d left behind.
He had chased after her all alone…
Even though it could have cost him his life.
“How could I possibly miss such beautiful hair?” Akira gently pulled Kushina into his embrace and softly patted her back.
“So…” “No matter where you are…” “I’ll always find you.” “Mhm…” Kushina buried herself deeper into his arms and softly nodded.
“When I told you to run yesterday…” “Why didn’t you leave?” Without lifting her head, she asked quietly.
There was a hint of anticipation in her voice.
“I came to save you.” “So why would I run?” Akira answered without hesitation.
“But you could’ve died!” Kushina suddenly pulled away from him, her emotions overflowing.
“Didn’t you realize…” “They were using me to threaten you?” “So what?” Akira immediately shot back.
“Was I supposed to just stand there…” “…and watch them take you away?” “I’m sorry.” “I can’t do that.” “Idiot!” Kushina suddenly tackled him to the bed and rested her head against his chest.
“You are never allowed to leave me again!” “Understand?” “That’s not a request.” “It’s an order!” “Yes, yes.” “My queen.” Akira smiled and gently rubbed her little head.
“Hehe.” Kushina happily hummed.
“Luckily, you were smart enough to fool that big idiot with a String Clone first.” “Big Sister Tsunade once told me…” “People from the Land of Lightning are all muscleheads.” “They only know how to charge forward.” “They never think.” “After yesterday…” “I’d say she was absolutely right.” Akira could only smile helplessly.
Silly girl…
You should be grateful they really were like that.
Still…
He couldn’t shake the feeling that something about the whole incident was deeply suspicious.
Things couldn’t be as simple as they appeared.
But…
There was no reason to let Kushina know.
She only needed to remain the innocent little girl protected beneath his wings.
“Oh, right!” Kushina suddenly looked up at him.
“Why don’t you move in and live here with me?” “What do you think?” “…That wouldn’t be appropriate.” Akira hesitated.
“We’re not married yet.” “What are you thinking?!” Kushina bumped her forehead against his in embarrassment.
“I meant move into this compound!” “Not my room!” “We’ll talk about it later.” After thinking for a moment, Akira shook his head.
“It isn’t the right time yet.” “…Alright.” Kushina pouted.
“You know what’s best.” Akira nodded rather awkwardly.
If I move in here…
How am I supposed to keep meeting Mikoto?
Wait…
Does this make me a scumbag?
…No.
I’m just trying to give both girls a warm home.
How could that possibly make me a scumbag?
Just as Akira was about to say something else…
He realized Kushina had fallen asleep again while lying on top of him.
Seeing this, he smiled tenderly.
“This silly girl…” He carefully got up, gently laid her back on the bed, tucked her in, and quietly walked outside.
The moment he stepped out…
He froze.
Standing there was someone he hadn’t expected to see.
“B-Big Sister Tsunade?” Akira smiled awkwardly.
“Why are you here?” “…When did you arrive?” “Heh.” Tsunade looked at him with a teasing smile.
“So now you’re embarrassed?” “I’ve been here since the moment you walked into her room.” Akira’s mouth twitched.
So…
She had heard every single word between him and Kushina?
For some reason…
He suddenly had the overwhelming urge to dig himself a three-bedroom apartment and crawl into it.
“Hmph.” Tsunade snorted before the corners of her lips curled upward.
“I approve of you.” “…Huh?” Akira blinked, not understanding what she meant.
“If you ever get into trouble…” “You can come to me.” She reached out and ruffled his hair.
“After all…” “I’m one of the Legendary Sannin.” “I still have some influence in this village.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away.
Only after what had happened yesterday…
Had Tsunade truly accepted Akira as one of her own.
Only now…
Could she finally entrust Kushina to him without any lingering worries.