"So this is Sasuke, huh?"
Evan leaned in toward Mikoto with a smile.
"Look at this little face—handsome already."
His words were about Sasuke.
His eyes… were entirely on the young mother.
Tch…
I'm going to die. Mikoto's too sweet…
(￣ＴＴ￣）
He couldn't help himself.
He reached out—
And pinched Sasuke's chubby cheek.
A soft, milky baby smell drifted into his nose.
After a moment, he pressed his lips together and forced his hand back.
Mikoto frowned slightly.
Maybe it was her imagination…
But that hand pinching Sasuke's cheek seemed awfully close to her chest.
I must be overthinking.
Fugaku said Evan-kun is a proper gentleman.
Evan chuckled.
"Sasuke really takes after you, Sister-in-law. Just as pretty."
"Evan-kun, Sasuke is a boy," Mikoto covered her mouth and laughed.
"Hahaha…"
Fugaku couldn't help smiling too, looking very pleased.
"Come on, call godfather," Evan suddenly said to Sasuke.
Mikoto froze.
Godfather?
She instinctively glanced at her husband—
He was still smiling, clearly not against it.
So she said nothing.
"Da-da…"
Little Sasuke had just learned to talk, and "Dad" was the only word he could manage.
Evan replied instantly.
"Yeah?"
"…"
Fugaku's face darkened.
Mikoto's cheeks warmed. Something about this felt… off.
"Hahahahaha…"
Evan breezed past it. "Brother Fugaku, you really know how to name kids."
"Oh?" Fugaku raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"Sasuke—the name's from Third Hokage's father, Sarutobi Sasuke, right?"
"Yes. I hope Sasuke grows into a powerful shinobi like him."
"In that case," Evan mused, "if Sasuke calls me godfather… doesn't that mean the Third has to call me 'Grandpa'?"
Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi all snapped their heads toward him.
The whole family wore the same stunned expression.
It works like that?
Evan burst out laughing.
"Ahahaha, just kidding. Don't mind me."
Fugaku's eyes gleamed anyway.
So even old Hiruzen would technically be below him in the family hierarchy?
The thought made him oddly happy.
Mikoto pressed her lips together.
Honestly… who jokes using little Sasuke like that…
She instinctively hugged Sasuke a bit tighter, pressing him against her chest, kimono fabric slightly denting.
At that moment, Fugaku looked at Itachi and spoke:
"Evan-kun, there's something else. I'd like you to guide Itachi's training. Would you…"
Itachi's spine straightened reflexively.
"Me?"
Evan shook his head. "Brother Fugaku, you know my ninjutsu's terrible. Best not."
Fugaku didn't give up.
"Your swordsmanship is unmatched."
"Still no. My swordsmanship isn't something just anyone can learn," Evan replied.
Itachi's brows twitched.
What do you mean 'just anyone'?
That's way too arrogant.
"Evan-kun, at least try teaching him once?" Fugaku insisted.
Evan refused firmly.
"No. I'll just ruin the kid."
Mikoto saw the disappointment in her husband's eyes and spoke up:
"Evan-kun, Itachi has always been gifted. Why not try? Even one or two moves would help."
"This…"
Evan put on a troubled look.
"Well… if Sister-in-law is asking, I can give it a try."
Fugaku felt a little helpless.
So my long speech loses to one line from her…
"But don't call me 'teacher'," Evan added.
"Itachi, you should call me godfather."
He gave the boy a wide, evil grin.
"You…"
Itachi could practically feel the man's malice.
But looking at his parents' expectant eyes—
He could only grit his teeth and squeeze out two words:
"G-Godfather…"
His face flushed with shame.
He wanted to bury himself underground.
Evan showed all his teeth.
"Good boy."
Fugaku: "…"
Why did it feel like this guy was insulting him…
And he had no proof.
"Oh, Mikoto," Fugaku suddenly said. "When you have time, look around the clan for girls close to Evan-kun's age. Help match him up."
"Eh?"
Mikoto blinked.
What?
Uchiha women never married outside the clan…
But seeing the look her husband gave her, she could only nod.
"I… see. Evan-kun, what kind of girl do you like?"
"Same type as you," Evan answered instantly.
Mikoto froze.
Her cheeks warmed at the bluntness.
What do you mean 'like me'?
This man is too direct…
Fugaku's expression turned strange.
Didn't you say "long legs, big chest" earlier?
Then he glanced at his wife.
…Well.
That tracked.
Whoosh—
Suddenly, a figure dropped to one knee in front of Fugaku.
"Clan Head…"
He clearly had something urgent to report, but seeing Evan, he held his tongue.
Fugaku's face grew serious.
He walked aside with the man and murmured quietly.
"Forgive me, Evan-kun. An urgent matter in the Police Force. I'll have to step away."
Then he turned to his son.
"Itachi, entertain Evan-kun in my place."
"Yes, Father," Itachi answered.
Evan's mood noticeably brightened.
Finally, you're leaving.
"No problem, Brother Fugaku. Go ahead. I'll make myself at home," Evan said cheerfully.
Mikoto's expression turned complicated.
He really… doesn't see himself as an outsider, does he?
But before Fugaku even made it far out of the compound, another messenger arrived—
This time, looking for Itachi.
Seeing his son's conflicted expression, Evan waved a hand.
"Go on."
"I can't—"
"It's fine. I'll finish this cup of tea and head out."
With that assurance, Itachi finally agreed.
After a quick farewell to his mother and "godfather," he hurried away.
In the end, only two people remained in the gazebo:
Evan.
And Mikoto holding Sasuke.
Mikoto felt suddenly awkward.
With the whole family gone, she couldn't just leave the guest alone.
That would be too rude.
"So, Sister-in-law," Evan started, "are all Uchiha girls as beautiful as you?"
"Evan-kun is joking," Mikoto shook her head.
"I'm already getting old. I can't compare with the young girls."
"No, no, no. You're wrong," Evan said seriously.
"Women your age are at their most beautiful."
Thump.
Mikoto's heart skipped.
Why is he speaking so bluntly…
(︶.︶;)
"Don't misunderstand, Sister-in-law," Evan added.
"It's just… my parents died young. I never experienced a mother's love."
"So I've always felt drawn to older women.
I just… want to be treated like a son—cared for like family."
Mikoto's expression grew more complicated.
"But older doesn't necessarily mean better as a partner, Evan-kun."
I can't exactly introduce widows to him…
He'd be losing out.
"Older women are more gentle," Evan replied.
"…"
"Evan-kun, it's still better to find someone your own age," Mikoto insisted.
"Sister-in-law—"
Evan smiled slowly.
"Call me 'uncle'."
The air froze.
Their gazes locked.
For a brief second, Mikoto felt like the man in front of her had changed—
His eyes turned greedy.
And… heated.
A faint panic fluttered in her chest.
"Wah—wah—wah—!"
At that moment, Sasuke suddenly burst into tears.
Mikoto jolted, quickly breaking eye contact, ears flushing red.
"There, there, Sasuke…"
She rocked him gently, trying to soothe him.
But it didn't help.
His crying only grew louder.
Even as he bawled, his tiny hands grabbed at her kimono, pawing at her chest.
Mikoto knew exactly what he wanted.
Her face turned scarlet.
There's still a guest here…
Then she heard Evan's soft voice in her ear—
"Sister-in-law… he's hungry."
….
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