So, once you finish cooking, I can mess things up?" Uchiha In asked with a mischievous smile.
"No, you can't! Get out of here, the food is almost burnt." Mikoto nudged Uchiha In's hand with her arm and said.
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving." Uchiha In knew when to quit and left the kitchen, starting to think about how to explain Kushina's situation to Uchiha Mikoto.
Before long, Mikoto had finished cooking and served the rice, placing it on the table.
"Father-in-law is out again, huh?"
Looking at the two pairs of chopsticks and two bowls on the table, Uchiha In asked.
"Yes, Dad seems to have taken on a mission and left again," Uchiha Mikoto said indifferently.
"Mikoto-nee, are you free this weekend?" Uchiha In asked.
"Yes, I should be free for a while."
"Our squad had a problem and has been disbanded, so I should be free recently," Uchiha Mikoto said with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"What happened?" Uchiha In asked curiously.
"Our squad's last mission had some issues, and we had casualties, so the squad hasn't been reorganized yet. I'm a free agent," Uchiha Mikoto said concisely, clearly unwilling to elaborate.
"Let's not talk about those things. In, are you inviting me to do something this weekend?" Uchiha Mikoto asked Uchiha In with a hint of expectation on her face.
When Uchiha Mikoto heard Uchiha In's words, she thought he was asking her out on a date.
Looking at Uchiha Mikoto's expectant gaze, Uchiha In felt a bit overwhelmed for some reason.
"It's like this, I became Tsunade's disciple yesterday, didn't I tell you last night? Master Tsunade will give me a training session this weekend, and she wants me to call you too."
Uchiha In said, bracing himself.
The matter between Mikoto and Kushina had to be resolved sooner or later. Uchiha In didn't want to drag it out. If he kept delaying, Mikoto might get even angrier when she found out she was the only one unaware.
Uchiha In had already told Mikoto last night about becoming Tsunade's disciple yesterday.
"Oh, I see, then I…" Uchiha Mikoto sounded a bit disappointed after hearing that, as it was too different from the date she had imagined.
But just as she was about to refuse, the System's voice suddenly rang out in her mind.
"Ding, temporary mission issued: As Uchiha In's girlfriend and also his cousin, how can you be ignorant of Uchiha In's affairs? Go with Uchiha In for training. Mission successful, reward: Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation +1. No penalty for mission failure."
"Ding, System special reminder: There are many follow-up missions and rewards for this mission. Please complete it actively."
The System's prompt made Uchiha Mikoto's refusal get stuck in her throat.
Ignorant of Uchiha In's affairs? Uchiha Mikoto was very angry when she heard the System's words.
However, after a moment's thought, she realized she really didn't know much about Uchiha In's affairs, otherwise she wouldn't have only just realized that Uchiha In's personality had already changed.
Thinking this, Uchiha Mikoto felt a little ashamed and quickly changed her words.
"Alright, In, I'll go then," Uchiha Mikoto said with a smile on her face.
Chapter 49: Are You Abandoning Me?
Looking at Uchiha Mikoto's smiling face, Uchiha In didn't know why, but it was difficult to say it out loud at once.
But some things still needed to be said, otherwise, the longer it dragged on, the more troublesome it would become.
"Mikoto, actually, there's something I want to tell you," Uchiha In said with a slight sense of restraint.
Just like when he talked about Mikoto with Kushina today, even though it wasn't the first time, Uchiha In still felt extremely awkward.
"What is it? Tell me." Mikoto saw Uchiha In's slightly restrained look and, for some reason, had a bad premonition.
"It's like this, Mikoto, I actually have another girlfriend." Uchiha In still plucked up his courage and said these words.
Upon hearing Uchiha In's words, Uchiha Mikoto's chopsticks, which were holding food, trembled, and the chopsticks fell directly onto the table.
Uchiha Mikoto felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
Tears could be seen welling up in Uchiha Mikoto's eyes at a visible speed, as if she was about to cry.
Uchiha In quickly pulled a chair next to Uchiha Mikoto and wiped away her tears with his hand.
Before Uchiha In could comfort Uchiha Mikoto, Mikoto suddenly hugged Uchiha In, staring intently into his eyes.
Her watery eyes were filled with mist, making her look so pitiful that Uchiha In couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.
"I'm sorry, Mikoto-nee, I…"
Looking at Uchiha Mikoto's pitiful appearance, Uchiha In wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know what to say, because ultimately, it was his own selfishness at play.
"In, are you abandoning me?" Uchiha Mikoto asked sorrowfully, looking at Uchiha In's hesitant expression.
"Ah, how could that be? How could I abandon you? Mikoto-nee, why would you think that?"
Uchiha In had prepared himself to endure Uchiha Mikoto's scolding, so he was a bit confused by her words.
"Really?" Uchiha Mikoto's eyes were glistening with tears, and she stared intently at Uchiha In, as if her tears would fall immediately if Uchiha In's answer displeased her.
"Of course it's true, I swear to heaven."
Although Uchiha In didn't know what was going on, he knew that appeasing Uchiha Mikoto was the most important thing right now.
Uchiha Mikoto's expression only slightly improved at this point, and she also breathed a sigh of relief internally.
Just now, looking at Uchiha In's expression, Uchiha Mikoto thought Uchiha In wanted to break up with her.
Just as Kushina initially didn't know about Uchiha In and Uchiha Mikoto's relationship, Mikoto also didn't know about Uchiha In and Uzumaki Kushina's situation.
So Mikoto thought Uchiha In had been with Kushina for a long time, and she was just an outsider.
Just now, Mikoto thought Uchiha In wanted to confess and then abandon her.
Thinking of this situation, Uchiha Mikoto felt extremely scared inside.
Compared to Kushina's fiery personality, Mikoto's personality was gentler and more traditional; she was the type of woman who put her husband first.
That's why Mikoto cried out of fear just now.
It must be said that Uchiha Mikoto's intelligence had also slightly decreased when she was caught in such a pitiful state.
Upon hearing Uchiha In's assurance, Mikoto's expression improved significantly.