Ten days had finally passed...
Stepping into the familiar classroom he hadn't seen in a while, Minato felt a swell of emotion.
So much had happened recently—he'd even brushed against the edge of life and death.
"Hey!" Suddenly, a figure darted out from behind the door. Instinctively, Minato jumped back.
"Hahaha!"
Kushina burst into laughter at his reaction.
Lost in thought, Minato hadn't noticed her hiding behind the door—caught off guard by Kushina's playful prank. He didn't get angry, but instead quietly gazed at Kushina, someone he hadn't seen in ten days.
Though it hadn't been that long, it felt to him like years had passed.
She had become an irreplaceable part of his life.
Minato's reaction made Kushina pout slightly as she mumbled, "You're always like this—it's no fun at all."
No matter how she pranked him, Minato always just smiled.
But her expression gradually softened as she stepped closer, studying his face carefully.
"Have you not been sleeping or eating properly? You've got dark circles under your eyes," Kushina pointed out after a moment.
"Uh..." Minato was at a loss for words. Although he had rested well after the mission to the Land of Hot Springs, the dark circles still hadn't completely gone away.
Usually so careless about everything, Kushina now seemed unusually attentive.
"Look," she went on, "I've told you before—train smart. Don't push yourself so hard you end up worn out."
With a sideways smile, Kushina quickly ran to her seat and pulled out a full bag.
"This is the lunch I made. Let's eat with Mikoto at noon." Unlike Mikoto's gentle manner, Kushina spoke with open warmth. With Minato, she never felt shy.
"Mm." Minato nodded, reaching into his pocket.
At that moment, someone else walked in.
"Minato, Kushina, long time no see."
Rina Takeuchi greeted them warmly, unaware of Minato's movement. Kushina also turned to greet the newcomer.
Minato hastily pulled his hand out of his pocket and scratched the back of his head with an awkward chuckle.
He wanted to give Kushina the hairpin he'd gotten from the Land of Hot Springs—but not in front of anyone else.
Minato just felt too shy to do it with others around...
"Normally by this time Mikoto would've already arrived. Did she oversleep because of the holiday slump?" Kushina asked Minato.
Minato smiled without answering. Mikoto was a very self-disciplined girl. Especially considering her clan background, there was no way she'd have picked up the habit of sleeping in.
Looking at Kushina though, during the holidays her personality had somehow become even more energetic.
As the classroom atmosphere gradually grew lively, Mikoto finally arrived for class.
This greatly interested Kushina, who immediately began bombarding her with questions. Mikoto responded with a smile.
However...there was something off about her expression.
Some people warmly greeted Minato as he passed by.
Everything looked familiar. During class, Minato kept glancing outside and noticed the Anbu secretly tailing Kushina.
Before, he would never have noticed such details. Yet after his trip to the Land of Hot Springs, while his power hadn't visibly increased, his perception had sharpened significantly.
...
At lunch break, the three normally ate together, though this time at Kushina's insistent urging.
Both Minato and Mikoto had abandoned their own homemade lunches in favor of the one Kushina brought.
Kushina's bento looked very appealing in color and gave off an aroma that successfully whetted both Minato's and Mikoto's appetites.
After tasting a bite each, Minato and Mikoto exchanged glances involuntarily.
Unexpectedly delicious!
Minato knew Kushina was skilled at cooking, but according to what she'd previously said, most of her abilities involved simple preparation and roasting. Reaching such quality in appearance, scent, and flavor should have been impossible for her.
The taste even outshone Mikoto's dishes — let alone anything Minato could cook.
Mikoto, somewhat surprised, asked, "Kushina, did you study cooking before?"
Cooking takes patience, but this dish didn't match her usual fiery personality at all.
"I just started learning recently," Kushina replied with a smile.
Mikoto smiled gently, "You really have a talent for cooking."
After finishing their lunch, Mikoto returned to the classroom. From Minato's observation, her eyes carried something new—something she couldn't quite conceal.
Sakumo and Junko Watanabe once told her that she needed to learn how to control her gaze.
"It's a gift for you, as thanks for the lunch." Minato then pulled out a hairpin from his pocket.
Kushina was visibly stunned, her eyes glistening with emotion.
"What? You don't like it?"
Minato had never given anyone a gift before, and Kushina's reaction left him momentarily flustered.
"No... It's not that..." Kushina shook her head, her voice choked up. "I'm just really happy because this is the first time someone has ever given me a present."
Kushina's childhood had been truly bitter. Just over a year ago, just living through each day had once been a luxury.
Konoha changed everything, giving her a home—though sometimes restrictive—and there she met many companions, and Minato...
Loving Konoha with every breath in her body wasn't only Minato's wish; it was Kushina's truth too.
Wishing to become Hokage wasn't just words—she truly meant it.
"A girl as cute as you, Kushina, will surely receive many gifts from boys in the future."
Minato didn't know what else to say, but the moment those words slipped out, inexplicably, he felt regret.
Upon hearing this, Kushina froze again. Her brows quivered slightly before she said, "If that really happens, in my whole life, I'll accept gifts only from Minato!"
She had never thought of herself as cute—quite the opposite, she often disliked herself.
But... caught up in the moment, Kushina said something completely out of character.
After speaking, her face flushed even more.
Minato suddenly felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction in his heart from Kushina's reply.
"I'll put it on for you."
Minato said. Kushina nervously nodded, though she now dared not meet his gaze, keeping her head slightly lowered.
With a gentle smile, he brushed her long bangs back above her left eye, revealing her delicate eyebrows and pretty eyes, then pinned the hair clip just above her left brow.
"Kushina, you really... look so beautiful..."
After he finished putting it on, Kushina slightly lifted her eyes, but Minato was already captivated by her look.
It was just a simple hair clip—but it completely transformed Kushina's whole look.
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