According to Konan's usual schedule, she would return in about ten minutes.
So, Hayato Ren hurriedly opened the windows and the main door to ventilate the room.
However, it was clearly impossible to completely disperse the smell in such a short time.
While Kushina was cleaning the sofa and floor, Hayato Ren grabbed a bottle of air freshener and sprayed it liberally throughout the living room.
Five minutes later, Hayato Ren and Kushina sat together on the sofa, sharing a triumphant smile.
Just then, crisp footsteps approached from a distance, gradually growing louder.
Hearing the footsteps, Hayato Ren and Kushina exchanged glances, both wearing relieved expressions.
They had ultimately managed to preserve their righteous and dignified image.
Konan twitched her small nose slightly, then looked at the stiffly seated Kushina and Hayato Ren with a puzzled expression.
"Why is there such a strong smell of air freshener at home?"
"That's because we just killed a rat (bat)."
Hayato Ren and Kushina glanced at each other, both wearing peculiar expressions.
Although they hadn't coordinated their stories beforehand, they were remarkably in sync, even subconsciously coming up with 80% similar excuses.
Though Konan had some doubts about their answers.
After all, whether killing a rat or eliminating a bat, it shouldn't require such heavy use of air freshener.
But after seeing the somewhat unnatural expressions on Hayato Ren and Kushina's faces...
The sensible Konan didn't press further. After nodding slightly, she went upstairs to her room to do her homework.
Watching Konan's obedient retreating figure, Kushina couldn't help but sigh:
"What a sensible child. I hope our future daughter will be this well-behaved too."
Hayato Ren nodded in agreement beside her.
However, at this stage, Hayato Ren had no thoughts of having children.
After all, the Shinobi World was still too dangerous in the coming period.
Moreover, as the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki, Kushina would be at her most vulnerable during childbirth.
Although Kushina and the Nine-Tails had reconciled by now, to be safe...
Hayato Ren decided he would only consider having children after he had eaten the Divine Tree Fruit and become the God of the new era.
....
Though eating her favorite Three-Colored Dango, Mikoto was deeply experiencing the meaning of the phrase "tasteless as chewing wax."
What could be more awkward than stealing your best friend's love interest?
Yes, there was something - when your best friend was feeding you with a gentle smile.
"Mikoto, are you feeling unwell? You seem a bit strange," Kushina asked cheerfully while retrieving the fork from Mikoto's mouth.
Seeing the concerned expression on Kushina's face, Mikoto involuntarily lowered her head, while the sense of guilt toward Kushina grew heavier in her heart.
Meanwhile, Hayato Ren, who had witnessed everything from the side, took a deep sip of the milk tea in front of him.
How had he never noticed before that Kushina had such a sly side to her?
She clearly knew the whole story, yet now she was pretending nothing had happened just to tease Mikoto.
However, Hayato Ren had no intention of helping Mikoto out of this predicament. After all, he was like a clay idol crossing a river—barely able to save himself.
In the end, Mikoto couldn't withstand the torment in her heart any longer. She stood up, bowed to Kushina, and apologized:
"I'm sorry, Kushina. Ren and I did something that betrayed you. It's all my fault—I was the one who tempted Ren. Whether you want to hit me or scold me, I'll accept it."
Seeing Mikoto suddenly confess everything, Hayato Ren's expression froze in shock.
Mikoto-san, you're truly too kind. Even at a time like this, you're taking all the blame on yourself... Hachikin, you...
Kushina glared fiercely at Hayato Ren, the root cause of all this, then quickly stepped forward and embraced Mikoto, whose body was trembling slightly from guilt, comforting her:
"It's okay, Mikoto. I already know everything. It's all that guy Ren's fault. I don't blame you."
Mikoto raised her head, looking at Kushina in disbelief, and asked:
"You don't blame me?"
Kushina responded with a gentle smile:
"You're my very best friend. How could I possibly blame you?"
At that moment, in Mikoto's eyes, Kushina seemed to radiate a holy light.
So, Mikoto hugged Kushina back and couldn't hold back her tears.
"┭┮﹏┭┮, Kushina, you're truly too good. I want to be your friend forever, and no matter what happens, I'll never betray you..."
Unlike the carefree Hayato Ren, after returning home that day, Mikoto, with her high moral standards, continued to torment herself.
She had already prepared herself for Kushina turning against her, and for having to go through countless hardships to earn Kushina's forgiveness before they could reconcile.
She truly hadn't expected Kushina to forgive her so easily.
Thus, the emotions that had built up over the past few days suddenly burst forth.
Kushina gently patted Mikoto's back while softly comforting her:
"It's okay. This is actually perfect. Once we become family, we can be together for a lifetime..."
After a long while, Mikoto, her eyes slightly red, finally lifted her head from Kushina's embrace, her face showing a deeply moved expression.
Later, to celebrate the occasion, Hayato Ren took the two girls to a barbecue restaurant for a big feast.
After this incident, the bond between Kushina and Mikoto not only remained unaffected but grew even stronger. Truly something to be celebrated.
...
"It's already so late. Let's call it a day here. Thank you for your hospitality, Kushina."
Mikoto glanced at the high-hanging moon in the night sky outside and spoke to Hayato Ren and Kushina in front of her.
After dinner, the trio of adults laid out a picnic blanket on the lawn outside the house, lying side by side as they admired the brilliant starry sky.
As for Konan, she went to bed right after finishing her meal and taking a bath.
Unlike the three idle adults outside the house...
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