In Naruto, I Have an Affair with Mikoto and Kushina

Souta was a little surprised. After the story he told her yesterday, he thought she might take a day or two before coming back. But here she was, as composed as ever.

She walked in, her gaze briefly scanning the shop before settling on him. The usual.

"Welcome," he greeted, already reaching for her cup. "The usual?"

She sat at her usual spot by the window, resting her chin on her hand. But today… she wasn't pretending to be lost in thought or staring outside. Instead, her sharp eyes were on him.

Souta smirked. "Something on your mind?"

Mikoto exhaled. "You didn't finish the story."

He chuckled, setting the tea down in front of her. "Didn't think you cared about unfinished things."

She scoffed. "I don't. But I hate when people stop halfway."

Souta leaned against the counter, watching her. "Well, I'll tell you…" He let the words linger before tilting his head. "But not here."

Mikoto raised an eyebrow. "Then where?"

He wiped his hands on a cloth, his smirk never fading. "I know a place. Quiet, peaceful… perfect for a story."

She studied him for a moment. The shop was mostly empty, only a few lingering customers. The air smelled of tea, the outside world buzzing softly in the background.

"…When?" she asked.

Souta shrugged. "After closing."

She was silent for a moment, then clicked her tongue. "You really are irritating."

"But you're considering it," he said smoothly.

Mikoto sipped her tea, not answering.

Souta took that as a yes.

 ...

Souta closed the shop earlier than usual. No one questioned it. He did things at his own pace.

When the last customer left and the lanterns dimmed, he stepped outside. The village was quieter now, the streets mostly empty.

Mikoto was already waiting near the shop, standing in the shadows. She didn't say anything, just gave him a look.

Souta smirked. "Didn't think you'd actually come."

"I want to hear the rest of the story," she said.

"Of course," he chuckled. "Come on."

They walked through the quieter paths, avoiding the main streets. The guards didn't pay them any attention—not that they would have stopped her.

Leaving the village wasn't hard. Mikoto was a jonin. She knew how to move unnoticed.

Soon, they were outside the village, walking through the forest. The night air was cool, the scent of leaves and earth all around them. Fireflies flickered in the dark, and the distant sound of water filled the silence.

Souta stopped at a small clearing near a river. The water was calm, reflecting the moonlight. It was quiet here. Peaceful.

Mikoto looked around. "Hmph. So this is the place?"

Souta sat down on a smooth rock. "Not bad, right?"

She didn't answer. Instead, she stepped closer to the river, watching the water.

Souta leaned back on his hands. "Alright. The story."

Mikoto glanced at him. "Go on."

He took a breath. "Where was I?"

"The queen met a traveler," she said. "He made her laugh. But she stayed in her cage."

Souta nodded. "Yeah. That's where we left off."

For a moment, he just listened to the river before continuing.

"…But over time, the queen started to wonder. What if she wasn't just a queen? What if she could be something more?"

Mikoto didn't say anything. She just looked at the water, her expression unreadable.

Souta smirked. "Want to know what happens next?"

Mikoto didn't look at him.

"…Maybe."

Souta let the silence stretch between them, only the sound of the water and rustling leaves filling the space. He could tell Mikoto was thinking. Maybe about the story. Maybe about something else.

He didn't push.

Instead, he leaned back, looking up at the night sky. "It's funny," he said casually. "Most people don't stop to appreciate quiet places like this."

Mikoto glanced at him. "You do?"

He smirked. "Yeah. No noise, no pressure. Just… existing."

She hummed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Souta tapped his fingers lightly against his knee. "So, the queen…" he continued, bringing the story back. "She started meeting the traveler more often. At first, it was just chance. Then, it wasn't."

Mikoto's fingers twitched slightly at her side. "And?"

Souta shrugged. "She laughed more. She felt lighter. But that didn't change the fact that she was still a queen, and he was still just a traveler."

Mikoto scoffed. "So she was stupid."

Souta chuckled. "Maybe." He turned his head slightly, watching her. "Or maybe she was just careful."

Mikoto finally sat down on a nearby rock, crossing one leg over the other. "Being careful means making a choice. What did she choose?"

Souta smirked. "That's the interesting part, isn't it?"

Mikoto didn't answer, just kept her eyes on the river.

For a while, neither of them spoke. But it wasn't awkward. Just quiet.

Souta picked up a small pebble and tossed it into the water. The ripples spread across the surface, breaking the reflection of the moon.

"You ever think about leaving?" he asked suddenly.

Mikoto's gaze shifted slightly. "Leaving?"

"Konoha. The Uchiha compound. Everything."

Mikoto's expression didn't change, but he noticed the slight pause before she spoke. "…No."

Souta raised an eyebrow. "Not even once?"

She exhaled softly. "What's the point in thinking about something that won't happen?"

Souta leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "People don't think about impossible things unless they want them, even just a little."

Mikoto's jaw tightened slightly.

She didn't answer.

Souta smiled to himself.

This was how it started. Not with grand gestures. Not with confessions. Just moments like this. Quiet. Honest.

Eventually, Mikoto stood up. "It's late."

Souta stretched his arms. "Yeah." He stood as well, brushing off his clothes. "I'll walk you back."

She gave him a look. "I don't need an escort."

"Didn't say you did." Souta grinned. "I just want an excuse to keep talking."

Mikoto rolled her eyes, but she didn't refuse.

They walked back the same way they came, the village lights slowly coming into view.

Just before they reached the point where they had to part ways, Souta spoke.

"Same time tomorrow?"

Mikoto didn't stop walking. "We'll see."