In Naruto, I Have an Affair with Mikoto and Kushina

"I can't tell you right now," he said.

Kushina narrowed her eyes. "Why not?"

"Because," he replied smoothly, "if I'm going to tell you, I'd rather do it over a cup of tea. Properly."

She stared at him for a long moment before clicking her tongue. "Tch. Fine. But you better not disappear again."

Souta grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."

As she finally relented, walking alongside him toward the tea shop, he let out a silent breath of relief.

Crisis averted—for now.

But he needed to come up with a plan.

Souta held open the door to the tea shop, allowing Kushina to step inside first.

Kushina took a seat at her usual corner booth, arms still crossed, tapping her fingers against the wooden table. "Alright, talk."

Souta chuckled, sliding into the seat across from her. "You're really that eager to know about my place?"

She gave him a pointed look. "Well, yeah! You act all mysterious, disappearing when I come looking for you. Makes a girl wonder if you're hiding something."

Souta resisted the urge to gulp.

'I am hiding something. A certain someone, actually.'

Instead, he smiled, leaning back slightly. "You wound me, Kushina. Maybe I just like keeping a little mystery. Keeps things interesting."

She narrowed her eyes. "Hah? So you're just messing with me?"

"Not at all," he replied smoothly, signaling to Daichi to bring over two cups of tea. "I fully intend to tell you about my house. But if I just spill everything right away, what's the fun in that?"

She scoffed, but there was a slight twitch at the corner of her lips. "Tch. Fine. But if you try to dodge again, I'll beat it out of you."

Souta chuckled, watching as another worker of the tea shop placed the tea cups in front of them. Kushina muttered a quick thanks before wrapping her hands around the warm ceramic.

Souta took a slow sip of his own tea, observing her.

Time to push things a little further.

"Tell me something, Kushina." He set his cup down, folding his hands on the table. "Why are you so curious about me?"

She blinked. "Huh?"

"You come looking for me at the shop, you notice when I'm gone, and now you're asking about my house," he said, tilting his head slightly. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've taken an interest in me."

Kushina choked on her tea, coughing as her face turned a slight shade of red. "Wha—Shut up! It's not like that!"

Souta smirked. "Oh? Then what is it like?"

She huffed, glaring at him. "I just… I don't know, alright? You're different. You're not a shinobi, but you don't act like a normal civilian either. And now you're acting all suspicious. It's weird."

Souta hummed in amusement. "Weird, huh?"

She groaned. "See! This is exactly what I'm talking about!" She pointed at him accusingly. "You keep acting all smug, like you know something I don't. It's annoying."

He leaned in slightly, his tone lowering just enough to make her focus. "Maybe I do know something you don't."

Souta leaned back with a satisfied smirk, watching Kushina fume across from him. Teasing her was too easy—almost too fun. But he had done what he needed to. He had planted the thought, made her focus on him.

Now, he just needed to keep pushing forward.

But that was for another time.

The next evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Souta made his way toward the secluded riverside—a quiet spot just outside the village where the water ran calm, reflecting the sky like glass.

And, as expected, she was already there.

"You're late," she murmured, not looking back.

Souta stepped up behind her, his hands slipping around her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "And yet, you're still waiting."

She sighed but didn't pull away. "Tch. What kind of man keeps a women waiting?"

"A man who enjoys seeing how impatient she gets." His voice was smooth, teasing, and warm against her ear.

Mikoto rolled her eyes. "You..."

Souta chuckled.

She turned her head slightly, her lips just a breath away from his. "Maybe I should stop coming."

"You won't."

Mikoto let out a soft huff, but before she could respond, she felt a sudden pinch on her cheek.

"H-Hey!" Her eyes widened as she swatted at his hand. "Did you just—?!"

Souta grinned. "What? You're cute when you pout."

She turned fully to glare at him, her dark eyes narrowing. "Are you a child?"

"Maybe." He leaned in, brushing his nose against hers before whispering, "But you love me anyway."

Her breath hitched, her resolve cracking as his warmth pressed against her. "…You're so childish..."

"And you're beautiful." His fingers trailed along her jaw before tilting her chin up. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"

Mikoto bit her lip, torn between irritation and fondness. "…You really enjoy teasing me, don't you?"

Souta smirked. "I love it."

And before she could fire back, he caught her lips in a deep, lingering kiss—one that melted away any thoughts of resistance.

Mikoto exhaled softly against him, her hands slowly moving to clutch at his shirt, pulling him closer. She shouldn't be here. She shouldn't want this as much as she did.

But she did.

And as the sun disappeared behind the horizon, leaving them in the embrace of night, she surrendered to him once again.

The gentle rush of the river filled the silence between them, the water catching the last remnants of daylight as it shimmered like molten gold. Mikoto leaned against Souta, her head resting against his chest as his arms remained securely wrapped around her waist.

She felt safe here.

Souta's fingers idly traced patterns along her lower back, his touch warm, grounding. He didn't need to say anything—his presence alone was enough. And yet, the weight in her chest refused to lift.

"…How far do you think we can go like this?" Mikoto finally murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Souta paused for a moment, then hummed. "What do you mean?"