Chapter 157: Sasuko - Something's Wrong
This child's thoughts were written plainly on her face.
Thinking of her adoptive son who was always half a beat slow in matters of the heart, Mikoto couldn't help shaking her head inwardly.
Little Yu was excellent in every way—only exceptionally dense when it came to emotions. He'd been like this since childhood.
Seems she, as his mother, needed to help build a bridge.
"Actually," Mikoto casually mentioned while stir-frying ingredients, "though little Yu seems mature, he's unexpectedly innocent in certain aspects."
Naruko's hand chopping vegetables paused slightly as she quietly pricked up her ears.
Mikoto lowered the stove heat, letting the soup simmer slowly.
She wiped her hands, leaning against the counter.
"Speaking of which, little Yu was quite stubborn as a child." She recalled with curved eyes. "Though he clearly cared about Sasuko, he always had to put on a little adult's appearance. Once when Sasuko had a fever, he watched over her all night, yet the next day said it was just incidental."
Naruko listened raptly, her knife work unconsciously slowing. These past events she'd never heard before painted another side of Yu piece by piece like a puzzle.
"That child always shoulders too much responsibility." Mikoto sighed lightly. "Actually, Auntie has always hoped he could find someone who knows warmth and cold, supporting each other as they walk forward together."
Speaking, she glanced meaningfully at Naruko. Naruko was seriously chopping peppers with her head down, but her crimson earlobes betrayed her inner turmoil.
"What does Naruko think?" Mikoto asked gently. "With Yu's personality, shouldn't he have a more proactive girl to suit him?"
"Y-yes..." Naruko's voice was thin as a mosquito, the knife in her hand nearly cutting her finger.
Seeing this, Mikoto timely changed topics. "By the way, can you help Auntie taste the soup's saltiness?" She ladled a spoonful of soup, gently blowing it cool before offering it to Naruko's lips.
This intimate gesture left Naruko feeling honored beyond measure. She carefully tasted a sip, eyes immediately brightening. "Delicious!"
"That's good." Mikoto smiled affectionately. "Come often from now on—Auntie will teach you to make Yu's favorite dishes."
The deep meaning in these words made Naruko blush again, but this time she nodded lightly.
Mikoto leaned against the counter, gaze falling tenderly on Naruko.
The girl's profile as she chopped vegetables with lowered eyes appeared especially moving under the lights—skin fair and delicate.
Several strands of golden hair swayed gently with her movements. Simple clothing nonetheless outlined perfect curves of full chest and slender waist.
Most rare was that lively, cheerful disposition. Though shy enough for her ear tips to flush red, she still seriously completed each step.
Such an outstanding-looking girl with lovely personality standing together with her own steady, reserved adoptive son—they looked compatible from every angle.
The more Mikoto looked, the more satisfied she became, even the smile at her eye corners deepening.
"Auntie..." Naruko felt somewhat uncomfortable being watched, softly reminding, "The pot..."
Only then did Mikoto return to her senses, discovering the stew pot bubbling with steam.
She hastily turned to lower the heat, smiling somewhat apologetically. "Look at me, too focused on chatting."
Naruko quietly sighed with relief yet couldn't help her heartbeat accelerating from Mikoto's earlier concentrated observation.
She could feel this gentle elder seemed to have seen through the secret hidden in her heart's depths.
Mikoto gently stirred the soup in the pot, the rising steam bringing out gentle fine lines at her eye corners.
She turned her head toward Naruko who was seriously arranging plates, asking softly, "What dishes does Naruko usually like eating? Next time Auntie can make them for you to try."
"I-I love eating everything!" Naruko quickly raised her head. "But I like ramen most."
"I see..." Mikoto nodded thoughtfully. "Seems Auntie will have to learn to make ramen in the future too."
Hearing these words, Naruko's cheeks began heating again.
The implication couldn't be more obvious.
Just then, the kitchen door was gently pushed open.
Yu stood at the doorway, gaze falling on Mikoto's still-smiling face. "Need help?"
His adoptive mother had been cooking for quite a while. Worried, he'd come to check.
"No need, no need." Mikoto waved him away. "Just one last dish remaining."
Yu's gaze lingered briefly on Naruko's flushed face before he gently closed the door.
Mikoto watched Naruko's suddenly stiffened back, unable to suppress a light laugh.
She reached out to tidy the golden hair falling across Naruko's forehead, saying softly, "Don't be nervous. That child actually cares about you too."
She clearly remembered—when those girls from the clan used to seek out Yu before, he'd always been politely distant.
But with Naruko it was obviously different. Just now when he'd placed his hand on Naruko's shoulder, that natural closeness—she'd seen it all.
Mikoto gently grasped Naruko's hand, glancing toward the doorway before encouraging tenderly, "Do your best. Auntie thinks highly of you."
She turned to look at the still-blushing Naruko, eyes carrying affectionate amusement.
"Come, help Auntie carry out the miso soup." She gently pushed the soup bowl before Naruko. "Careful, it's hot."
Naruko carefully held the soup bowl, the warmth transmitted through her fingertips calming her somewhat.
"Auntie..." She spoke softly, voice carrying gratitude. "Thank you."
Mikoto smiled knowingly, reaching out to straighten her collar. "Silly child, what's there to be formal about with Auntie?" She lowered her voice. "During dinner later, sit beside Yu."
Just then, Fugaku's steady voice came from the living room. "Need help carrying dishes?"
"Coming!" Mikoto called out in response, winking at Naruko before carrying two plates out of the kitchen first.
Naruko looked down at the slightly swaying soup in the bowl, warmth welling in her heart. Composing herself, she also followed out of the kitchen.
Tableware was already set on the dining table. Sasuko was arranging cushions.
Yu stood by the window. His gaze inadvertently met Naruko's as he smiled faintly.
This subtle expression was entirely captured by Mikoto.
She lightly pushed Naruko's back, indicating she should sit in the position beside Yu.
Then she said gently to Sasuko, who was still arranging tableware, "Sasuko, come sit beside Mother."
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