"Why are you in my house?", Sasuke didn't answer, instead asked coldly.
Ever since the night his mother got drunk, he had already noticed the changes in her. She was clearly more spirited, younger, and there were more smiles on her face.
He had also said long ago that as long as his mother could be happy, he wouldn't oppose it.
But, seeing his step-father first thing in the morning, and judging from the sound of the door opening just now, coming out from his mother's room, Sasuke's mood instantly worsened.
Aoba turned back and glanced at him, noticing that his eyes had gone red again.
He couldn't help feeling a bit speechless.
'Sasuke's mindset still needs work.'
'We are all going to be family in the future. It won't do to have him red-eyed every time we meet.'
'Otherwise it would be pretty strange for outsiders to see.'
"I had something to discuss with Aunt Mikoto, and helped make breakfast while I was at it."
'More like you came last night, didn't you?', Sasuke couldn't help muttering this in his heart.
Before he could ask anything else, a light humming sound rang out again.
Uchiha Mikoto, already neatly dressed, came down with lively steps while humming a tune, her voice light and cheerful.
"Hm? Sasuke, you're up so early today?"
The humming stopped abruptly, followed by Uchiha Mikoto's surprised, and slightly awkward, voice.
"Mo-Mom?"
Sasuke didn't answer, only murmured softly, then stared blankly at her.
It was his first time seeing his mother like this.
In the past, his mother had always been gentle and dignified, her face forever carrying a proper smile.
But, like just now, lighthearted and joyful, even humming as she walked, had never once appeared in his memory.
That Aoba guy might be a bit of a jerk, but Sasuke could truly feel the sense of happiness radiating from Uchiha Mikoto.
For a moment, Sasuke felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
"Sasuke?", Uchiha Mikoto sounded a little worried.
"I made plans to spar with Naruto, so I got up early," Sasuke explained briefly, then lowered his head and walked toward the bathroom.
"I'm going to wash up first."
"Sasuke…"
Uchiha Mikoto was still somewhat worried.
Aoba blinked, stuck his head out, and asked, "Sasuke, what do you want for breakfast?"
"Anything!"
Sasuke's tone no longer had the coldness from the beginning.
That response made Uchiha Mikoto's eyes light up. Her worried feelings instantly eased, and she happily walked into the kitchen.
"Aoba, I'll prepare it together with you."
"Okay!"
Aoba naturally agreed.
After Sasuke finished washing up, he quietly sat at the dining table, staring blankly at the two people in the kitchen who looked like an old married couple.
He suddenly realized that even if his mother was with Aoba, his life hadn't really changed much.
It was just that he saw Aoba a bit more often at home.
Still, with him around, it would definitely be somewhat inconvenient.
Like the barrier that suddenly appeared upstairs last night.
Sasuke felt it was necessary to urge Kakashi to take on the next mission soon.
Once he saved enough money, he could buy the unoccupied estate next door and move there.
That way he wouldn't disturb Uchiha Mikoto's life, and he could still protect her.
Come to think of it, the original owner of that estate next door had been killed by Uchiha Itachi.
Thinking about this, he clenched his fists again.
Although with Uchiha Mikoto's care, Sasuke wasn't as consumed by hatred as in the original story, he had never forgotten this grudge.
Taking revenge on that man had always been one of his motivations to grow stronger.
And also to defeat Naruto and Aoba, those two guys.
Now that Aoba was helping take care of his mother, he could focus fully on getting stronger.
"Sasuke?", Just as his thoughts were running wild, Uchiha Mikoto's voice rang out.
Sasuke looked up and saw that she had already walked over to him, holding today's breakfast, her expression hesitant.
"Mom!"
Sasuke immediately stood up and took the breakfast from her.
After hesitating for a moment, Uchiha Mikoto turned back to glance at Aoba in the kitchen and still couldn't help speaking nervously.
"Sasuke, there's actually something I never told you. Aoba and I…"
Sasuke directly cut her off, "I already know. I won't oppose it. Things being like this now is pretty good."
"Re… really?"
"Yeah. But there's no way I'm changing how I address him!"
"That's fine!"
After the awkward moment, Uchiha Mikoto immediately showed a happy smile.
"Anyway, thank you, Sasuke."
She reached out and patted Sasuke's head. She could ignore anyone else's opinions, but her own child's acceptance made her truly happy.
Aoba, who had been secretly listening in the kitchen, also curved his lips into a smile.
Sasuke had misunderstood his relationship with Uchiha Mikoto long ago. Back then, he hadn't opposed it at all. Now it was just turning the misunderstanding into reality.
It was only Uchiha Mikoto who had kept worrying.
Now she could finally put her heart at ease.
Aoba also brought out the other serving of breakfast and said with a smile.
"Breakfast is all ready. I'll head back first."
Sasuke paused slightly, "You're not eating with us?"
"I still have something to do later, so I won't eat with you," Aoba explained.
His original intention had been to prepare breakfast for the two of them and leave. He hadn't planned on staying to eat.
"That's fine. If you have things to do, Aoba, you can head back first," Uchiha Mikoto said with a smile.
Since Uchiha Mikoto said so, Sasuke naturally didn't say anything more.
"Okay, then I'll head back first."
Aoba nodded, took off the apron he was wearing, hung it up neatly, and prepared to leave.
"I'll see you out."
Uchiha Mikoto also smiled and stood up, walking out together with him.
They stopped at the doorway, and she also tugged lightly on Aoba.
She peeked toward Sasuke, who was still sitting at his seat, and said somewhat shyly, "I asked just now. Sasuke… doesn't oppose us being together."
"That's really great."
Aoba smiled and pulled the shy married lady into his arms.
Uchiha Mikoto squirmed a little symbolically, then leaned into his embrace.
"Mm. I'm really happy."
The two looked at each other, and in a corner Sasuke couldn't see, their lips met.
———
Aoba returned to his own home.
He planned to take a shower first, then change into a suitable set of clothes.
The "something to do" he mentioned wasn't just an excuse to brush off Uchiha Mikoto and Sasuke. He really did have plans.
Today was the day he was going on a date with Hinata and Yakumo.
It was something he had agreed to Karin a few days ago.
The six little ones had already divided themselves into groups, arranged the times, and even chosen the date locations.
All he needed to do was show up. Very considerate.
The first day was Hinata and Yakumo.
Hinata had even specifically told him not to eat breakfast, because she was bringing a homemade bento.
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