However, Uchiha In didn't pick up his chopsticks immediately after Uchiha Mikoto served him the meal.
"What's wrong? Is my cooking not good? Why aren't you eating?" Uchiha Mikoto frowned and asked.
"No, I'm just very curious, Mikoto, what's going on with you?" Uchiha In said truthfully.
After all, Uchiha Mikoto was his 'relative', and Uchiha In didn't want to maliciously guess Uchiha Mikoto's intentions; otherwise, if he had to be wary of his own 'relatives', life would be too tiring.
Moreover, Uchiha Mikoto was different from Kushina Uzumaki; Kushina Uzumaki was likely being watched by Anbu, so he naturally had to be more cautious in his actions, but Uchiha Mikoto wasn't!
Facing Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha In naturally wanted to show his more authentic side.
Hearing Uchiha In's question, Uchiha Mikoto's expression stiffened, then she took a deep breath, as if she had made some major decision.
She stammered, saying disjointedly, "It's like this, In, I've realized that I used to be too cold and impolite towards you, so now I earnestly ask for your forgiveness for my mistakes."
After Uchiha Mikoto finished speaking, she suddenly bowed deeply, closing her eyes during the process.
She seemed to have already anticipated Uchiha In's immediate mockery and ridicule.
Uchiha Mikoto knew how terrible Uchiha In's personality was.
When Uchiha In first came to Uchiha Mikoto's house, Uchiha Mikoto wasn't against Uchiha In, but after spending time together, Uchiha In's various bad habits were simply unbearable for Uchiha Mikoto, which is why she became very repulsed by Uchiha In.
And Uchiha Mikoto, who believed she understood Uchiha In very well, was certain that Uchiha In would definitely mock her, so she was prepared to be severely ridiculed by Uchiha In.
It's all because of this System; it actually wants me to apologize to this annoying younger cousin, really.
"Mikoto, you don't need to apologize to me. Let's just let bygones be bygones. I was young and ignorant back then, and I made a fool of myself."
However, just as Uchiha Mikoto was complaining and preparing to accept Uchiha In's mockery, she heard Uchiha In say generously.
Uchiha Mikoto stood up in surprise, opened her eyes, her face showing a hint of disbelief.
Uchiha In actually apologized to me? Is this really the cousin I know?
Uchiha In apologizing to Uchiha Mikoto actually carried no pressure for him, as those were things done by his predecessor and had nothing to do with him.
And Uchiha In himself valued the word 'relative' very much. If he could get Uchiha Mikoto's forgiveness just by apologizing, Uchiha In thought it was worth it.
He wasn't the kind of person who thought he was awesome and acted as if the whole world owed him something, nor did he believe that apologizing would cost him anything.
Moreover, Uchiha Mikoto had already taken the initiative to apologize to him, so he couldn't possibly say something like, 'Seeing how sincere you are, I'll forgive you,' right?
Hmm, if it were Kushina Uzumaki apologizing to him like that, he might actually respond that way, but she wasn't; she was his cousin.
Uchiha In's way of treating people and handling affairs would definitely vary when dealing with different people and different situations.
Looking at the 'gentle and refined' Uchiha In in front of her, Uchiha Mikoto's surprise was completely unconcealable.
Are you really Uchiha In? Is it not someone transformed using the Transformation Technique?
Uchiha Mikoto almost blurted out that sentence.
However, Uchiha Mikoto still didn't say it.
If she thought about it carefully, Uchiha Mikoto hadn't spoken to Uchiha In for a long time; their most recent interaction seemed to have been a long time ago, when they were children.
Therefore, Uchiha Mikoto didn't actually know Uchiha In's situation particularly well.
Could it be that Uchiha In had already changed his bad habits a long time ago, and I've been misunderstanding Uchiha In for so long because of my own prejudice?
If it were someone with a more fiery personality, like Kushina Uzumaki or Tsunade, they would definitely suspect Uchiha In first.
But Uchiha Mikoto, being gentle by nature, immediately attributed the problem to herself and couldn't help but feel a slight sense of guilt.
This also shows how terrible Uchiha In's predecessor was, to be able to make the gentle Uchiha Mikoto treat him like a stranger.
Seeing Uchiha Mikoto's expression, Uchiha In thought she was unaccustomed to his 'change', and he also smiled.
"People always grow up, don't they?"
Chapter 17: Sharing a Bed
"Yes, people always grow up, don't they? I'm sorry, cousin, I was wrong before."
Uchiha Mikoto also smiled gently at this time and apologized sincerely.
This was completely different from her previous apology. Although Uchiha Mikoto had apologized before, it was entirely System-forced, and Uchiha Mikoto was completely unwilling.
But this time, Uchiha Mikoto could be said to be completely willing to apologize, and the thought that she had misunderstood Uchiha In for so long made Uchiha Mikoto feel a hint of guilt.
"It's okay, it's good that the misunderstanding is resolved. Just cook for me every day from now on; I don't want to eat out anymore."
Uchiha In said jokingly.
One must know that even when Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha In were both at home, Uchiha Mikoto only cooked for herself, which showed how their relationship was back then.
"Mm, that's no problem. Consider it my compensation to you." Uchiha Mikoto also smiled slightly, tilting her head slightly to the right, and said.
Being able to reconcile with Uchiha In, Uchiha Mikoto actually felt relieved inside.
She was inherently a gentle, considerate, calm, and family-oriented person, and ignoring Uchiha In had taken a great deal of determination to do.
Now that she discovered that the Uchiha In she had always thought had a terrible personality had long since changed his bad nature, she was naturally very happy.
"Ding, congratulations Host for completing Side Quest One, gaining a proficiency increase in Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation, and simultaneously unlocking the Main Quest."
"Main Quest One: As a doting older sister, please become Uchiha In's girlfriend before his graduation. Upon completion, unlock the Sharingan with Three Tomoe, and have a 10% chance of learning Great Fire Annihilation. Quest failure: Forced to reverse-push Uchiha In."
"Side Quest Two: Since your younger brother Uchiha In has forgiven you, let your relationship advance further. Within one week, share a bed with Uchiha In once. Quest success: Reward mastering Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation. Quest failure: Punishment of being forced to lie naked in Uchiha In's arms for one night."
The System's voice rang out again, and Uchiha Mikoto, who had been smiling, instantly stiffened.
Although Uchiha Mikoto could feel that her understanding of Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation had instantly advanced to a higher level, the new quests attracted Uchiha Mikoto's attention more than the increase in strength.
Share a bed with Uchiha In? What kind of joke is this?
Although Uchiha Mikoto had reconciled with Uchiha In, the System now wanted her to share a bed with Uchiha In, and she still found it difficult to accept for a while.
The Naruto World was not like Uchiha In's previous life; children here generally matured earlier, and many had an awareness of gender differences by ages 5 or 6.
Just like in the original story, even when Sasuke was very young, he already had a group of fangirls following him.
Under such circumstances, how could Uchiha Mikoto accept sharing a bed with Uchiha In?
However, looking at the System's punishment, Uchiha Mikoto still helplessly chose to resign herself to fate.