In Naruto, I Have an Affair with Mikoto and Kushina

Souta set his bowl down and looked at Pakura seriously. "I meant what I said last night," he repeated. "You should stay inside. Don't let anyone see you."

Pakura nodded meekly, lowering her gaze. "Okay..."

"You understand why, right?" he pressed, watching her closely.

She gave a small nod. "I-I do."

Souta sighed, his expression softening slightly. "Good. If you need anything, just tell me. I'll handle it."

Pakura shifted slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're... really kind to me."

He smirked. "You make it easy."

She blinked up at him, a faint blush dusting her cheeks before she quickly looked away. Souta chuckled, shaking his head as he stood up, grabbing their empty bowls.

"I'll clean up," he said. "You should rest."

Pakura nodded again without protest, obediently sitting still as he moved around the small kitchen. She didn't ask questions, didn't push back—just sat there, small and quiet, like a rabbit tucked safely away in its burrow.

 ...

Later that morning, Souta left the house, making his way to the tea shop.

The familiar scent of brewing tea greeted him as he stepped inside, the morning bustle already in full swing.

He barely had time to settle in before a familiar presence caught his attention.

A man in fine robes stood near the counter, talking with one of the senior workers.

When he turned and met Souta's gaze, a wide grin spread across his face.

"There he is," the man said, striding toward him. "The man keeping my business thriving."

"Didn't expect you to drop by, boss."

The owner, Daichi, clapped a firm hand on Souta's shoulder, his grip solid with approval. "I don't usually bother making surprise visits, but you've been making me too much money to ignore. Had to see for myself what kind of magic you're working."

Souta chuckled, effortlessly composed. "I just keep things running smoothly. Nothing special."

Daichi scoffed, shaking his head. "You call a thirty percent sales increase 'nothing special'? Give me a break. I've been running this shop for years, and I've never seen numbers jump like this. You're not just doing well—you're outpacing me in my own damn business."

Souta offered a modest shrug, though his sharp gaze carried an undeniable glint of confidence. "Customers appreciate consistency. That's all."

Daichi let out a short laugh, then pulled a small pouch from his sleeve, pressing it into Souta's palm. "A well-earned bonus. Consider it a real thank-you."

Souta weighed the pouch in his hand, feeling the solid heft of ryo inside. He tilted his head slightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Not bad."

Daichi barked out a laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "That's it? 'Not bad'?"

Souta's smirk widened. "You know me."

"Yeah, yeah. Always too damn cool for your own good." Daichi crossed his arms, still grinning. "Keep this up, and I might actually start showing up more often. Can't have my own employee making me look too good now, can I?"

Souta simply slipped the pouch into his sleeve, his expression unreadable. "Guess we'll see."

He paused for a moment before his expression turned more serious. "Actually, I need you for something today. We've got a delivery to the Hyuga compound. They've placed a special order, and I want you to come with me. It's good business."

Souta raised an eyebrow. "The Hyuga, huh? Didn't think they were tea drinkers."

Daichi smirked. "Oh, they are. The head's wife, specifically. You'll see soon enough."

"Alright. When do we leave?"

"In an hour. Finish up whatever you need to do here, then meet me out back."

 ...

An hour later, Souta stood near the shop's rear entrance, watching as Daichi loaded a small cart with neatly wrapped tea canisters.

'Well, well… a perfect opportunity just landed in my lap'. 

He didn't have to do anything, yet here he was, about to meet the mysterious mother of Hinata.

The trip through the village was quiet, but as they got closer to the Hyuga compound, Souta felt the shift. The air felt heavier.

The guards at the entrance barely acknowledged them before waving them through—Daichi had clearly done business here before.

Inside, the compound was clean and orderly. Servants moved efficiently, not a single wasted motion. They were led through the main hall, where a woman was already waiting for them.

She had long, dark hair tied back in a simple but elegant way. Her pale lavender eyes marked her as a Hyuga, but her expression was softer than the others he had seen—less rigid, less cold.

Daichi bowed slightly. "Lady Hyuga, it's always a pleasure."

She offered a polite nod in return. "Thank you for coming, Daichi. I trust everything is in order?"

"Of course. Fresh from the shop, just as you requested. My assistant here, Souta, helped oversee the preparation."

Souta inclined his head slightly. "A pleasure, Lady Hyuga."

She studied him for a moment before offering a small smile. "I appreciate the effort. My husband has his duties, but I find comfort in the small things. A good cup of tea can be… grounding."

Souta didn't miss the subtle undertone in her words. The wife of the Hyuga clan head, living in this grand compound, yet speaking as if she needed something as simple as tea to keep her centered. It wasn't hard to read between the lines.

"Then I hope this batch does the job," he said lightly.

Her smile lingered for a moment before she gestured to one of the attendants.

"See to the payment. Daichi, would you care to join me for tea before you leave?"

Daichi chuckled. "I'd be honored, but I'll leave my assistant here to handle the finer details. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

Souta shot him a sideways glance, but Daichi only grinned before stepping away.

That left him standing in the presence of Lady Hyuga, alone.

She gestured toward a quiet seating area. "Join me."

Souta followed her, curious about where this would lead.

As they settled in, she poured tea with practiced elegance, her movements smooth and deliberate. "You seem comfortable in places like this," she remarked. "Most people hesitate when dealing with our clan."

Souta took a sip of his tea, his smile barely visible behind the cup. "Tea shops teach you how to read people. Nobles, shinobi, common folk. It's all about knowing how to make them feel at ease."

She tilted her head slightly, as if amused. "And how would you go about making me feel at ease?"

He chuckled. "I'd say this tea is a good start." His voice dropped just slightly, enough to carry a note of something more. "But I think you already knew that."

She held his gaze for a long moment before finally taking a sip of her own tea, a soft hum of approval escaping her lips. "Perhaps I did."

Souta leaned forward slightly. "You should visit the shop sometime. We have a few blends you might find… even more soothing."