At noon.
When Yagami arrived at the Uchiha compound as scheduled, the Grand Elder had already been waiting in front of the clan gate for quite some time.
"Yagami… you finally came."
The moment he saw him, the Grand Elder hurried forward with a warm smile.
"Elder, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."
Yagami bowed lightly, polite and steady.
"It's nothing, nothing—you didn't keep me waiting at all."
With a wave of the hand, the Grand Elder gestured for him to follow, leading him into the compound with a level of enthusiasm that completely erased the usual dignity of a clan elder. He looked less like the stern pillar of Uchiha and more like a kindly grandfather welcoming a beloved guest.
"Who is that guy? The Grand Elder personally came to meet him?"
"I don't know… never seen him before."
The guards at the gate whispered, baffled. Because of duty, they hadn't been roaming the compound these days—so they had no idea that the so-called stranger walking beside the elder was Yagami, whose name had been spreading through the clan like wildfire.
As Yagami followed the elder deeper inside, more and more Uchiha appeared along the streets.
And because he'd been wandering around the district for days, earning quite a bit of attention, countless faces recognized him instantly.
People slowed, murmured, pointed discreetly—but no one dared approach.
After all, he was walking at the side of the Grand Elder.
"Mikoto…"
The Grand Elder brought Yagami to a quiet mansion near the clan's inner area, then knocked gently before glancing back with a slightly embarrassed smile.
Footsteps, light as falling petals.
"Grandfather…"
A soft, gentle voice drifted from within, calm as a spring stream.
The door slid open, and Mikoto appeared—simple home clothes, a light shawl, and yet none of it could hide the natural grace she carried. Even unadorned, she held an elegance that softened the air around her.
"Mikoto, come—let me introduce—"
"Elder, let's speak inside."
Yagami stepped in quickly, noticing her faint blush… and the curious eyes of several Uchiha lingering nearby.
Girls embarrass easily, after all.
Doing this at the doorstep would be cruel.
"Yes, yes—of course! Let's go inside."
The Grand Elder cheerfully pulled Yagami forward.
Mikoto exhaled in relief before quietly closing the door and following after them.
"Come in."
He led Yagami straight into the living room.
On the dining table—dishes, neatly arranged, fragrant, warm.
"To be honest…" The Grand Elder puffed up with pride. "Mikoto made all of this."
Yagami blinked.
It had been a long time since he'd seen such a full table.
Not since his parents passed away.
Ever since then, meals had mostly meant instant ramen—like a certain blond knucklehead he knew.
"By the way, Mikoto-san… where are your parents?"
The question slipped out before he could stop himself.
Mikoto stiffened.
The Grand Elder sighed.
"They died in the last Shinobi World War. She's been without parents since she was little."
"…I see."
Yagami lowered his gaze. A careless question—one he instantly regretted.
Mikoto, however, simply smiled faintly.
Perhaps she had long grown used to carrying that kind of grief.
"Wait."
Yagami suddenly stood up.
He faced Mikoto, bowed, and said gently:
"Forgive me. Please forget what I just said—and… please accept these."
Like a sleight of hand, a full bouquet of vivid red roses bloomed in his palms.
"Ah—!"
Mikoto gasped softly, caught off guard by the sudden rush of fragrance.
She had seen empty hands a moment ago.
Then—roses.
"Hurry, child… don't just stare…"
The Grand Elder nudged her, nervous.
"This…"
Mikoto hesitated, cheeks turning a delicate pink.
Everyone knew what roses meant.
Accepting them meant accepting someone's feelings.
She barely knew Yagami.
She didn't even understand her own thoughts yet.
The Grand Elder held his breath in panic.
Then...
Mikoto looked once at Yagami—just one shy, fleeting glance and took the roses with trembling hands.
Yagami let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.
Honestly, he'd regretted conjuring the bouquet the instant he'd done it.
A single small gift would've been enough for a first formal meeting.
A whole bouquet felt overly dramatic, like he was pushing too hard.
"Good, good! Let's eat, let's eat!"
The Grand Elder eagerly smoothed the atmosphere, practically glowing.
"Mm— this tempura is really good…"
The moment they began eating, Yagami praised without hesitation.
Not out of courtesy—Mikoto's cooking was genuinely incredible.
Better than anything he remembered from home.
"It's delicious!"
The Grand Elder laughed proudly, basking in the compliment as if he had cooked it himself.
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