Chapter 26: The Flashy Points That Attract Kushina, Meeting the Parents...
Hearing Ryun say such meaningful words, Kushina looked at him thoughtfully.
Her first reaction wasn't about how profound the statement was, but rather that Ryun spoke like an adult. Such words didn't seem like something a child their age would say.
He seemed to carry countless secrets. Though Kushina couldn't see through him, through past events, his current words, and certain small details she had noticed...
She increasingly felt that this boy was different and extremely reliable. This was why she couldn't help but want to get closer to Ryun.
It started with his looks, then his talent. His mysterious aura made her want to uncover more. His overwhelming strength gave her a sense of security. Despite being powerful enough to take on multiple opponents, he remained low-key...
Gentle, considerate, and good-tempered, humorous and caring, and most importantly, he wasn't influenced by others' opinions—he praised her hair as beautiful and called her cute...
Any one of these "flashy points" would have been enough to attract Kushina. Now, with all of them combined... how could she not "fall" for him?
"Son, are you standing here waiting for me?"
Asuka had just returned home from work. Seeing her son at the entrance immediately brightened her mood.
"Mom..." Ryun smiled and walked toward her.
"!!!"
'Ah... It's Ryun's mom...'
Seeing Ryun greet his mother and watching Asuka approach, Kushina's heart raced. She instinctively grew nervous.
"Oh, who is this little girl?" Asuka looked at Kushina with a warm smile.
"Mom, this is my classmate, Uzumaki Kushina. She's my desk mate and good friend. She came to visit me today since it's a day off..."
Ryun introduced her with a blush.
"A... Auntie, hello!"
Kushina bowed, her face noticeably redder than Ryun's.
"So it's your desk mate girlfriend! Hello, Kushina..." Asuka slightly bowed and extended her hand.
The moment these words were spoken, both kids' faces turned even redder, especially Kushina, who looked like a big tomato...
'G... Girlfriend?!'
Kushina instinctively reached out and shook Asuka's hand, too embarrassed to look up at the beautiful woman.
"Kushina's hair is so pretty!"
Asuka couldn't resist touching it.
"And this little face... So red, like a little tomato. Too adorable!"
Asuka kept praising her, holding Kushina's hand as if she couldn't bear to let go.
Her taste and judgment aligned perfectly with Ryun's, and even her compliments were nearly identical. It was clear these two were mother and son...
"Mom, Kushina doesn't like being called a tomato..." Ryun awkwardly reminded her.
"Ah... Sorry, I didn't know..."
Asuka was surprised and tried to apologize, but Kushina quickly waved her hands to explain:
"No, no! I just don't like eating tomatoes. Being called a tomato is fine..."
"Pfft—hahaha!"
Asuka couldn't hold back her laughter anymore. She found this little girl utterly adorable!
Ryun was also amused by her response.
The three chatted at the entrance for a while. Asuka wanted to bring her inside, but Kushina politely declined.
"Auntie, it's getting late. I should go home now!"
"Stay for dinner... I'll cook something delicious for you." Asuka tried to persuade her.
"Mom, inviting someone to dinner requires prior notice. Otherwise, Kushina's family (Mito Uzumaki) will worry if she doesn't return on time." Ryun helped her out.
"That's true... Alright then! Kushina, come visit us again next time!"
Asuka gently pinched Kushina's round cheeks and laughed.
"O... Okay..." Kushina nodded shyly.
"Ryun, walk Kushina home for me... I'll go cook dinner!"
"Mm."
Ryun walked side by side with Kushina, escorting her to the fork in the road.
"I'm leaving now. You can go back..." Kushina said softly.
"Okay. See you tomorrow!" Ryun smiled gently.
"Mm! See you tomorrow!"
Kushina grinned sweetly, then turned and ran off like a little fairy.
After running a short distance, she suddenly remembered something.
"Ah! Wasn't I supposed to challenge him to a fight today...?"
Thinking this, she instinctively turned back, only to see the boy still standing there, unmoved!
When their eyes met, he gave her a knowing smile and waved vigorously.
"!!!"
"So embarrassing..."
Being caught "lingering," Kushina, suppressing her shyness, dashed around the corner like she was fleeing.
"Since he was so well-behaved today, I'll let it slide for now... I'll settle it another time."
Kushina muttered to herself as she walked, her lips curling into a wide grin...
The moment Ryun returned home, Asuka mysteriously approached him.
"Son, is Kushina the girl who said your forehead looks nice?"
"Uh..."
His nosy mother left him speechless, but he eventually nodded in confirmation.
"Hehe... Not bad, son!"
"That little girl has delicate features, a straight waist, and long legs. She's definitely going to grow into a stunning beauty. If you make your move now..."
"Mom, weren't you going to cook? Hurry up..."
Before Asuka could finish, Ryun quickly interrupted.
This woman had seen right through him... He couldn't let her continue!
"Haha... Now you're getting shy? Look how red your face is, just like Kushina's..." Asuka laughed until tears formed in her eyes.
"..."
Ryun's face burned crimson. He glared at her indignantly before storming out of the room, while Asuka's laughter grew even louder behind him...
At dinner, as mother and son sat at the table, Asuka finally asked about Ryun's cooking skills.
"Son, were those two dishes at lunch made by Kushina?" She still couldn't believe her son knew how to cook.
Before meeting Kushina, she wouldn't have thought this way. But after realizing Kushina had been at their house, she "understood" the situation.
The dishes were probably made by the little girl.
"..."
"I made them, but Kushina taught me. Her family has many unique recipes..."
After a brief thought, Ryun attributed his cooking skills to Kushina.
'I knew it. How could my son suddenly have such great cooking skills and make dishes I've never prepared before? It must have been that little girl's doing.'
Asuka felt slightly disappointed, but Ryun's next words made her eyes light up, her smile returning.
"Kushina taught me many dishes. I'll make them for you when I have time..."
"Great, great!"
Asuka nodded repeatedly, growing even fonder of the little girl.
'She must be the reason Ryun has become so mature!'
Young love? Well... it is very young... but it's not entirely unacceptable!
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