"..."
Naruto opened his eyes, then he got up from his sleep and saw that Souji's futon was neatly folded in its place.
Yes, Souji.
Or you could say he became his father, now.
It sounds crazy, especially since Souji is the same age as Naruto.
In fact, because the [Age Restriction Ban] had been lifted by the system, Souji's actual age was 22 years old. But Souji's own body didn't change. And Naruto himself didn't feel strange about it.
Souji seemed to have the aura of a father, which made Naruto himself confused about what he was feeling.
Maybe Naruto thought that what he saw and felt was him missing a parental figure in his life, so when Souji said that he would be his father, his mind was empty and then followed by an unbearable feeling of happiness, even last night he accidentally called Souji, Dad.
Naruto covered his face with both hands. He felt ashamed and awkward.
He didn't even ask, why did Souji want to be his father?
But Naruto understood something.
Sometimes, what we hope for will never happen, but that hope can happen in a unique way and form, depending on which side we look at it.
For Naruto, his hope of having parents when he opened his eyes the next day, came true in a unique way and form.
So he was grateful for that.
"..."
"..."
———————————————————
"..."
"Souji-kun, don't you want to walk beside me?" Mikoto asked Souji.
"No, Mikoto-san. If I walk beside you, I will easily lose focus because my gaze will be everywhere, and maybe I will be separated from you." Souji explained to Mikoto.
While walking, He and Mikoto introduced themselves to each other. And from Mikoto, he knew that the Uchiha Clan Settlement was not far from where Naruto lived.
And he just realized, wasn't the Village suspicious and wary of the Uchiha Clan?
Why did they even place a Kyuubi Jinchuriki near the Uchiha Clan?
"..."
Then he understood.
That's exactly what the Village or the Hokage Faction along with its Advisors wanted.
They wanted the Uchiha Clan to take the bait they offered, but unfortunately, the Uchiha Clan was too passive for that. They only needed proof that the Uchiha Clan was approaching the Kyuubi Jinchuriki, and then, depending on how the Uchiha Clan handled it, the Hokage Faction would benefit from this.
Of course, Danzo had a different plan, but he couldn't do it, because once again, the Uchiha Clan was too passive.
"..."
Thinking about things that smelled of politics made his mood bad.
But after refreshing his eyes with the view in front of him, he was re-energized.
And again, Mikoto had offered him to walk beside her several times, and he kept refusing.
How could he accept it?
He was already satisfied being behind her.
Mikoto also stopped her footsteps, Souji, who was walking while daydreaming, didn't realize that Mikoto in front of him had stopped.
And Souji, kept walking until he 'accidentally' buried his face right on Mikoto's soft butt.
"Hmmpph..." Souji came back to his senses when his face was already stuck to Mikoto's butt.
"AH? S-Souji-kun?" Mikoto said in surprise, because she felt something hit her butt, and now that 'something' was still stuck to her butt.
Mikoto tried to turn around and Souji was forced to separate his face from Mikoto's butt.
"Hufff..." Souji acted as if he was out of breath, even though he was fiercely inhaling the feminine scent that Mikoto emitted.
"Souji-kun, are you okay?" Mikoto asked worriedly.
"Mm... It's okay." Souji replied, "And I'm sorry, Mikoto-san. I was daydreaming earlier."
Mikoto smiled at Souji, "Thank goodness you're okay."
[Thoughts: Thank goodness...]
"..."
Souji, felt guilty, because Mikoto was really worried about him.
And here he was, trying to take advantage of her kindness.
'Trash... I'm really a piece of trash.' Souji lamented.
"..."
"How about you walk beside me now?" Mikoto asked.
"Alright." Souji didn't want to refuse her again. They walked side by side and talked to each other.
Mikoto felt that she wasn't talking to a child, because Souji spoke to her fluently.
Mikoto also felt happy this time, because usually she would go to the market alone. Sasuke didn't want to come, he usually went to train alone, Fugaku and Itachi also had their own business.
It's not that she didn't like this safe and peaceful life, it's just that sometimes, she felt bored.
"Souji-kun, have you never been to the market before?" Mikoto asked curiously.
"Yes, this is my first time at the market." Souji answered honestly.
Mikoto raised her eyebrows, "What about your parents? Didn't they ever take you?"
"..."
"I don't have parents." Souji answered casually.
"Ah? I'm sorry Souji-kun, I didn't know that." Mikoto apologized to Souji.
"Of course Mikoto-san doesn't know." Souji said with a small laugh, then he added, "It's okay, I don't really mind that."
Mikoto, who heard that, somehow felt touched.
[Heart : 30%]
"..."
'Do I just need to sell sadness to get their hearts?' Souji thought.
'Then what's the use of my Ultimate level [Charm]?'
Souji thought that with his [Charm], he should be able to easily win the hearts of women and get rewards from it.
But then, he realized.
That the current him, was a very disgusting person.
He still considered all of this like a game.
He didn't see them as living beings, but only as characters.
It's not a matter of being good or evil, it's a matter of worldview.
He cares about Naruto, and his feelings are real.
But what about Mikoto and the others?
Honestly, besides lust?
He had no feelings for them, he wanted to get their hearts and bodies, only because of the benefits he got from the system and also sex.
And without realizing it, he had become a slave to the system, even without the system giving quests or anything like that. Everything that happened was based on his own choices under the pretext of the system.
"..."
After he was honest with himself, he felt something heavy lifted from his shoulders.
And now? He decided to live according to his own desires, not because of the system, but because he wanted it.
He didn't just want to get their hearts and bodies, but he also wanted to fall in love and love them.
He wanted to enjoy the whole process, not because of the reward.
And it was all not because of the system. But he, Souji.
"..."
Mikoto had no intention of disturbing Souji who was silent, she thought that her question regarding the parents reminded Souji of them, so Mikoto just kept silent and let Souji remember his parents.
'Even though he said it was okay, he still felt sad.' Mikoto thought, 'Ugh... what have I done... why did I have to ask about that...' Mikoto regretted.
Seeing Souji like this, she then remembered Sasuke, her son.
Mikoto couldn't imagine what if Sasuke was in Souji's position. How sad he would be when he remembered his parents.
Alone, without parents, without family. Then she remembered the child of her friend who had long passed away, Naruto.
She clearly remembered, baby Naruto sleeping soundly without his parents accompanying him.
Mikoto's eyes began to water. She couldn't adopt Naruto, because she was an Uchiha. And that was her biggest regret.
Even to just approach him and ask how he was doing, she couldn't. Because Fugaku had also reminded her of that.
What would she say to Kushina later?
"..."
Souji finally came to his senses, he blinked his eyes.
Then, he saw Mikoto who was staring at him with teary eyes.
[Thoughts: I regret it....]
"..."
"Thank you, Mikoto-san." Souji said and unconsciously, he also smiled.
This was the first time Souji had smiled so sincerely.
Even Mikoto, who heard Souji thank her and saw his smile that touched her heart, Mikoto couldn't hold herself back.
She knelt and embraced Souji very tightly. Souji could hear small sobs from Mikoto, he hugged Mikoto very tightly.
And this time, Souji didn't have any dirty thoughts about Mikoto, he could clearly feel the warmth from Mikoto which felt very calming.
They both closed their eyes, while enjoying each other's warmth. Without caring, if many people were watching them.
"..."
"..."
After what happened, it didn't make them both awkward, but instead made them both comfortable with each other.
Mikoto felt that all her worries had disappeared, she felt very light.
Souji himself felt relieved, free and released. The restraints in his heart were released, he stopped deceiving himself and began to be honest about what he wanted, even if it was a bad thing, he didn't mind. Because that was his own desire.
Unknowingly, they had both arrived at the market. However, neither of them wanted to separate and they both decided to go together.
They bought food ingredients, while talking about cooking.
"Eh? So, Souji-kun can cook, too? What do you usually cook?" Mikoto asked.
"Not much, usually just rolled omelets and also croquettes." Souji replied, then he added, "Oh! And also cakes, I like to make cakes."
"Oh? I want to taste Souji's homemade cake." Mikoto said.
"Of course, I will let Mikoto-san taste it."
The conversation continued as Souji accompanied Mikoto to look at clothes. Mikoto tried some on while Souji served as the judge. After that, they rested and enjoyed the ice cream they had bought.
Mikoto hadn't had fun like this in a long time. It was simple, yet she was happy. She even felt young again. What they were doing was a date.
'Wait?! A date! Oh my god, Mikoto! What are you thinking?' That thought flashed through Mikoto's mind.
How could she possibly consider this a date?
Meanwhile, she was too old for Souji.
'Huh? Oh my god, what else am I thinking?! Mikoto, you already have a husband.' Mikoto thought, ashamed of herself.
"..."
[Heart: 50%]
[Mood: Happy]
[Thoughts: Date? Impossible... I'm too old for Souji...]
[Lust: 69%]
"..."
'How cute...' Souji thought.
"Mikoto-san, I'm very happy today, and it's all thanks to you." Then he added, "Ne... Is this what they call a date?"
"Eh?" Mikoto covered her mouth with her palm. Her cheeks blushed slightly, enough for Souji to notice. "Fufufu... A date is only done when you're with someone you like." Mikoto explained to Souji.
"Really? But I like you, Mikoto-san. So, can this be called a date?" Souji asked again. The blush on Mikoto's cheeks deepened. She didn't understand what was happening to her; she felt like a teenager again. Her heart was pounding.
"Oh my god... Souji-kun," She explained, "A date is when you and the person you're dating is liking each other."
"..."
"So, does Mikoto-san like me?" Souji asked, looking into her eyes.
"Ara?" Mikoto felt trapped by her own explanation. Was it possible that she would have to admit that she liked Souji?
"Alright, Souji-kun. This is indeed a date."
Souji smiled upon hearing that and said, "In that case, does that mean Mikoto-san likes me?"
"Fufufu... Souji-kun, haven't I already said that this is a date?" Mikoto said, hiding her embarrassment.
"But Mikoto-san never said that she likes me."
"Good grief... I don't need to say it, do I? Isn't it already clear with this?"
"No." Souji said, shaking his head. "Mikoto-san has to say it clearly to me."
"Mou... Souji-kun..."
"..."
"..."
In every meeting, there will definitely be a parting of ways.
Maybe they'll part ways today. But what about the future?
No one knows.
"..."
Meanwhile, Naruto was at his house.
"Ugh... When will Da—I mean, Souji come home?"
Gurgle.
His stomach rumbled with hunger.
He had just gotten a father the day before, and now he felt like an abandoned child.
"..."
"..."
[Uchiha Mikoto:
Heart: 69%
Mood: Happy.
Thoughts: I'm so embarrassed...
Lust: 69%
Satisfaction: 0%]
———————————————————
"I'm home!"
As Souji opened the door, he could hear someone running.
"Souji! Welcome back!" Naruto greeted him enthusiastically.
Souji nodded, but reminded Naruto, "Naruto, didn't I tell you what to call me?"
"Eh? Um... Dad..." Naruto answered shyly.
Souji gently patted Naruto on the head and said."Good boy."
"Hehehe."
After that, they rushed to the kitchen, not forgetting to lock the door first, of course.
Souji bought Naruto ice cream and told him to eat it while he cooked the dinner.
He didn't realize that Naruto was eating his ice cream with tears streaming down his face.
These are small, simple things for people, but not for Naruto.
It's things like this that Naruto wants to experience.
"Naruto, I'm going to make croquettes with a filling of finely ground meat mixed with vegetables. You have to finish them, okay?" Souji said, still cooking.
"Yes!" Naruto answered enthusiastically.
He wiped away his tears.
Vegetables? He will eat them if his dad cooks them.
Even though he doesn't like them.
"..."
"..."