"Mother, you don't know how much I've missed your cooking."
Kaien picked up a dish, eating with relish as he praised it.
"If you like it, eat more," Kushina said with a smile.
"I remember you love spicy food the most, so I specially made this chili sauce for you. Try it and see if it suits your taste."
"Mother is so good to me, hehe. I'm going to feast today!"
Kaien grinned, happily devouring the delicious food in his bowl, feeling completely satisfied.
"Here, try this." Kushina picked up a piece of sparerib and placed it into Kaien's bowl.
"Mmm! Mother, your spareribs are amazing!" Kaien gave a thumbs-up without hesitation.
"Hehe." Kushina smiled, continuously serving him dishes.
Before long, all the food on the dining table had been completely wiped out by Kaien.
"Your bedroom is ready. It's always kept clean, and the sheets have been changed, so you can sleep there directly," Kushina said as she cleared the dishes.
"Alright!" Kaien responded and walked toward his bedroom.
The room didn't have the stale smell of a place left unused for a long time.
Instead, it felt fresh, and the bed was neatly made. It was obvious Kushina often cleaned the room.
Lying on the bed, Kaien took off his clothes, pulled up the covers, and inhaled the faint fragrance lingering on the pillow. It made him feel extremely comfortable.
As he lay there, comfort slowly turned into exhaustion. His eyelids grew heavy, his body relaxed… and he drifted into a hazy sleep.
After finishing the dishes, Kushina noticed there was no movement from Kaien's room.
She went upstairs to take a look and saw him sleeping soundly. Smiling gently, she closed the door quietly.
Kushina returned to her own bedroom, grabbed a set of pajamas, and headed to the bathroom.
It was her habit to take a bath before bed every night. It was also precisely because of this habit that her skin remained fair and supple.
"Splish-splash!"
Water from the shower cascaded over her body, completely drenching Kushina. Her skin glowed with a crystal-clear reddish hue, like a rose blooming on a summer night.
Kushina closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth that seeped into her pores. Her lips were lightly pursed, and her breathing was calm and steady, showing how relaxed she was.
"La la la~"
She hummed softly as she rubbed her delicate skin.
After sleeping for a while, Kaien was suddenly awakened by the urge to urinate. He opened his eyes, got out of bed, and walked toward the bathroom.
Still groggy, Kaien didn't hear the sound of running water and pushed the bathroom door open directly.
Kushina had lived alone for many years and didn't have the habit of locking the bathroom door while showering.
The moment Kaien opened the door, the scene before him completely petrified him.
Kushina stood under the shower with her back facing him.
Her beautiful hair cascaded over her shoulders, her tall, curvaceous figure outlined by the flowing water.
Droplets slid down her sexy back, traced along her slender, straight legs, and splashed onto the floor, forming beautiful water patterns.
"Ah—!"
Hearing the door open, Kushina turned around. When she saw Kaien standing there, she let out a sharp scream.
She hurriedly grabbed a bath towel to wrap around herself, but in her panic and embarrassment, she pulled too hard, lost her balance, and fell to the ground.
"Ah—"
Kushina landed heavily on the cold tile floor, her forehead hitting the wall. Sharp pain surged through her, making her groan as she frowned.
"Mother, are you alright?!"
Kaien snapped back to his senses and rushed over, squatting down beside her to help her up.
"Hiss~" Kushina gasped, the pain making her feel slightly dizzy.
"I—I'm fine," she said, waving her hand weakly, her left hand pressed against her forehead.
Suddenly, she heard heavy breathing near her ear.
Kushina looked up—and met Kaien's gaze.
His eyes were wide open, fixed on her body, flames flickering within them.
She froze for a moment before realizing she was completely naked beneath the towel.
Instantly, embarrassment flooded her. She lowered her head, her neck and earlobes burning red.
"Ahem~ Um, Mother, are you okay?" Kaien finally snapped out of it, awkwardly clearing his throat.
"You… get out first!" Kushina clutched her chest tightly.
"Oh—okay, okay!" Kaien quickly stood up and hurried out of the bathroom.
Outside, he patted his face, took a deep breath, and tried to calm himself.
But despite his attempt to appear composed, his heart was pounding wildly, as if it might burst out of his chest at any moment.
"Gulp!" Kaien swallowed hard, shook his head, and forced himself to steady his breathing.
Yet the memory of Kushina's delicate body pressed against him lingered vividly in his mind. The soft, elastic touch made his blood burn even hotter.
He had already harbored desire for her. After seeing her body with his own eyes, how could he not be restless?
Holding back earlier was already his absolute limit.
"Click!"
The bathroom door opened. A wisp of steam drifted out, followed by Kushina stepping outside.
Fresh from her shower, she was wrapped in a bath towel.
Her long hair was still damp, revealing a smooth forehead and a slender neck.
Her delicate face was flushed with an alluring redness.
"Y-you…" Seeing Kaien still standing there, Kushina froze, stammering for a long while.
Her face was crimson, her cheeks burning, even the tips of her ears tinged with pink, "Why… why are you still here?"
"Um, I wanted to explain. I just needed to use the restroom and didn't realize anyone was inside," Kaien explained hurriedly.
"Then… then go quickly."
Kushina stepped aside, giving him space.
Kaien rushed into the bathroom, shut the door, and leaned against it, gasping softly. The image from earlier replayed relentlessly in his mind.
Outside, Kushina stood there for a long time, her hand touching her burning cheeks.
"This child has grown up… I should probably find him a girlfriend," she muttered to herself.
The look in Kaien's eyes earlier—like he wanted to devour her—had sent chills down her spine. She had even felt a trace of fear.
It was the first time she had ever felt such a sensation.
More importantly, when Kaien held her, she had clearly felt his baguette pressing against her.
That scorching temperature made her uneasy… yet at the same time, it stirred a strange feeling in her heart, leaving her flustered.
Kushina shook her head, not daring to think any further. She forced those enchanting images out of her mind, returned to her bedroom, and lay down on the bed.
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't fall asleep.