Chapter 156: Backstab from Biological Mom
Sasuko's heart swirled with mixed emotions—joy and unease intertwining.
She felt ecstatic to see parents who'd long since departed in her memories, yet feared this was all a fleeting illusion—that night's cold touch from her parents remained an indelible scar in her memory's depths.
"Is it really you?" Her voice trembled lightly, carrying disbelief.
Seeing her younger daughter in such a state, Mikoto overflowed with maternal love, gently stroking her head as before. "It's us. Never imagined Sasuko had grown so much."
Fugaku stood aside, having set aside his usual stern father demeanor. Having experienced life and death, many obsessions had already been released. He reached out to pat his daughter's shoulder lightly, eyes showing unprecedented warmth.
Mikoto studied her daughter carefully, fingertips lightly tracing Sasuko's brows and eyes.
"Last time I saw you, you were just a little girl barely reaching my waist."
"Now you've become a beautiful young woman."
Sasuko buried her face in her mother's shoulder, greedily breathing this familiar warmth. This was the scent she missed most in midnight dreams—carrying faint sandalwood.
Fugaku stood aside, his broad palm gently falling on his daughter's back.
Sasuko's tears soaked her mother's clothes. She raised her head, gaze circulating back and forth between her parents, finally certain this wasn't a dream.
Just then, Mikoto gently released Sasuko from her arms, tenderly wiping tear traces from her daughter's face while her gaze turned warmly toward Naruko at the entrance.
"This must be Naruko?" She smiled, beckoning to the golden-haired girl. "Come here quickly and let Auntie see you."
Naruko froze slightly before her face immediately bloomed with a bright smile. She quick-stepped to Mikoto, greeting obediently, "Hello, Auntie! I'm Uzumaki Naruko."
Mikoto repeated the name softly, thoughtfully. "Uzumaki Naruko... Is your mother named Uzumaki Kushina?"
Naruko nodded delightedly. "Yes! How does Auntie know?"
"Your mother and I were old acquaintances." Nostalgia colored Mikoto's eyes. "Back then I gave birth to Sasuko slightly earlier than her." She studied this bright-smiled girl carefully, gaze lingering on her azure eyes momentarily before warmly grasping her hand. "What a lovely child. Sasuko's been in your care."
Naruko felt somewhat embarrassed being praised, scratching her cheek. "Actually it's Sasuko who takes care of me..."
Sasuko stood beside her mother, adding softly, "Naruko is my most important friend."
This statement made Naruko's eyes widen in surprise before showing an especially radiant smile. Rare to hear Sasuko express her feelings so frankly.
Mikoto watched the interaction between the two girls, nodding with relief. She turned toward Yu standing aside, saying gently, "These years must have been hard caring for your sister so well."
Yu shook his head slightly. "Sasuko grew up well on her own."
Fugaku walked to Yu's side, his broad palm pressing lightly on Yu's shoulder.
This silent gesture contained too much gratitude and relief beyond words.
Yu hadn't failed his initial entrustment.
Just then, Naruko suddenly remembered something, quick-stepping back to the entrance to retrieve that paper bag. "Auntie, these are tea sweets I brought! I don't know if they suit your taste..."
Mikoto accepted the bag, eyes full of affection. "Oh my, this child."
She gently grasped both Naruko and Sasuko's hands. "Come, everyone sit in the living room. Let's have a good talk. Stay for dinner tonight—I'll cook."
---
At dusk, orange warm light filtered through kitchen windows, gilding the entire space with warm tones.
Mikoto insisted on cooking personally. Yu stood at the kitchen doorway, brow showing some concern. "You just woke up. Better to rest more."
"This little thing can't trouble me." Mikoto tied on an apron, movements practiced. Seeing Yu still standing in place, she smiled and waved him away. "Go to the living room. Your adoptive father surely has much to say to you."
Yu was about to say more when Naruko had already bounced to Mikoto's side, rolling up her sleeves to reveal a bright smile. "Auntie, let me help you! Though my cooking's average, I'm very good at assisting!" Speaking, she winked at Yu, signaling him not to worry.
Mikoto watched the silent communication between the two young people, couldn't help showing a knowing smile.
She patted Naruko's hand lightly. "Good, I'll have little Naruko help me." Turning to Yu, she said gently, "You and Sasuko keep Fugaku company together."
Yu, seeing this, knew further insistence would seem distant, so he nodded slightly.
Before leaving, his gaze lingered on Naruko's face momentarily, carrying some gratitude.
Naruko gave him a "don't worry" gesture, turning to efficiently begin organizing utensils.
Mikoto watched her skilled movements, eyes full of affection. "Such a sensible child."
"Because I often live alone." Naruko smiled embarrassedly, placing washed vegetables on the cutting board. "Auntie, teach me some of Sasuko's favorite dishes?"
Mikoto gazed tenderly at this lively girl, warmth welling in her heart.
Warm fragrance drifted through the dusk kitchen. As Mikoto skillfully chopped vegetables, she casually mentioned, "Speaking of which, little Naruko must visit often? Then do you know... does Yu have anyone he's seeing now?"
Naruko's hand washing tomatoes paused as water splashed her sleeve.
She stammered in reply, "Pro-probably not..."
Mikoto placed chopped vegetables in the pot, voice carrying some concern. "Sigh, that child is already twenty-five. In Konoha, at this age many people's children are already running around everywhere."
"Y-yes..." Naruko kept her head down, concentrating on scrubbing the tomato, ear tips slightly reddening.
"What do you think of Yu?" Mikoto suddenly turned to look at her.
"Ah... ve-very good!" Naruko nearly crushed the tomato, voice unconsciously rising.
Mikoto watched her neck flush completely red, couldn't help smiling with curved eyes.
She'd already noticed how this girl looked at Yu—that undisguisable affection practically overflowing from her blue eyes.
But oddly, this child was so lively before her yet grew constrained before Yu, unable to speak properly.
"That child truly is reliable." Mikoto went along with her words, pretending not to notice her nervousness. "Just too reserved, keeping everything bottled up. If he had a lively, cheerful girl by his side, maybe he'd become more outgoing."
Naruko listened with shining eyes yet too embarrassed to respond, only murmuring softly, "Yu's fine as he is..."
Mikoto laughed inwardly—this girl clearly liked him tremendously yet even praise was so reserved.
Mikoto placed chopped mushrooms in the soup pot, asking as though casually, "What about little Naruko? Dating anyone now?"
Naruko was peeling garlic with her head down, shaking her head upon hearing this. "No."
"I see..." Mikoto's tone stayed gentle. "Then do you have anyone you like?"
Naruko's ear tips reddened at visibly observable speed, voice thin as a mosquito. "...Yes."
Mikoto suppressed her laughter, deliberately putting on a curious expression. "Who is it? If Auntie knows them, maybe I can help you find out?"
"No-no need!" Naruko waved her hands frantically, the garlic clove nearly falling into the sink. "That... I'm not very certain yet..."
Mikoto watched her neck flush crimson, finally unable to suppress a light laugh. She considerately stopped pursuing the topic, instead passing a basket of peppers to Naruko. "Come, help Auntie julienne these peppers."
Naruko accepted the basket like receiving relief, concentrating intently on chopping vegetables.
Mikoto observed her earnest profile from the side, already forming plans in her heart.
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