Rin hadn't seen Kushina for several days.
The last time they met was when Kushina had asked Rin about Makoto.
Bringing some gifts with her, Rin visited Kushina's home.
However, when the door opened, she was shocked to see Kushina looking utterly haggard.
"Kushina-nee, are you sick?" Rin asked in alarm, immediately concerned.
Kushina weakly replied, "Maybe…"
Several nights of sleeplessness and endless overthinking had left her mentally and physically drained.
Combined with barely eating, she had no strength left.
"You look terrible. Have you been to the hospital? Has Minato-sensei come by?" Rin grabbed Kushina's arm, her voice full of worry.
"..."
At the mention of Minato, Kushina's nose stung, and she choked out, "Rin…"
She stepped forward and tightly embraced Rin, burying her face in Rin's shoulder, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.
"Kushina-nee…" Rin was completely confused and gently stroked Kushina's back.
"Did you have a fight with Minato-sensei?"
"No…" Kushina responded hoarsely while holding onto her.
"If something's bothering you, Kushina-nee, you can tell me. I'll help you," Rin offered earnestly.
"..."
But there was only silence in response.
Kushina's hand unconsciously gripped the back of Rin's clothes tightly before slowly releasing it.
She seemed calmer now and let go of Rin.
"What did you bring? Is there any food?"
"Are you hungry? I can make something for you, then we'll go to the hospital," Rin suggested.
Kushina slowly shook her head. "I'm fine, no need for the hospital. Just a bit hungry."
Rin saw that Kushina was unwilling to say more, leaving her feeling helpless.
She wondered—was Minato-sensei unaware of Kushina's current state?
"Let me make you something to eat," Rin offered.
Opening the fridge, she found some vegetables and meat, but they had all spoiled.
After rummaging through the kitchen, she only managed to find a few cups of instant noodles.
The trash bin even had leftover noodle cups that hadn't been thrown out.
Kushina sat dazed on the sofa, her eyes blankly fixed on the cup on the coffee table, lost in thought.
Rin brought over the cooked instant noodles. "Eat something first."
Seeing the noodles, Kushina's eyes finally showed a glimmer of life.
Without concern for her image, she devoured the food ravenously.
Sitting beside her, Rin watched Kushina, who was usually cheerful and strong-willed, now reduced to this state.
She couldn't help but wonder what had happened.
"Kushina-nee..." Rin spoke cautiously, "Did something happen between you and Minato-sensei?"
In her view, the only person who could affect Kushina this much was Minato.
Judging from Kushina's reaction earlier when his name was mentioned, there was an obvious issue between them.
Kushina froze momentarily but then continued eating without a word.
Rin pressed on, "Don't worry. If Minato-sensei bullied you, I'll teach him a lesson! Not just me—Kakashi and Obito would stand by your side too!"
Kushina finished the noodles in a few big bites, even drinking the broth to the last drop.
Letting out a long breath, she looked down at the noodle cup in her hands.
"Don't worry. Minato and I didn't fight. Nothing happened."
"Then why are you like this?"
"…Just some adult troubles, that's all."
A forced smile appeared on Kushina's face as she recalled the events of that afternoon.
The memory had lingered in her mind like a haunting shadow over the past few days, keeping her restless and sleepless every night.
What tormented her the most was that the whole situation had happened because of her own initiative—her compromise and agreement...
Afterward, Kushina was filled with overwhelming regret.
She felt as if she had betrayed Minato.
Even though what Makoto had done hadn't gone all the way, what was there to feel relieved about? Didn't it still count as a form of humiliation?
Thinking about Minato, Kushina was consumed by endless guilt.
Minato was surely preoccupied with planning their wedding, and yet she had done something like this...
"Rin, thank you for visiting me."
"..."
After eating something, Kushina seemed to look a bit better.
Rin, still worried, decided not to leave and helped tidy up the house.
Kushina took a shower.
Apart from the faint sorrow lingering between her brows, she looked more like her usual self.
This reassured Rin, confirming that Kushina was physically fine.
Rin mentioned that living off instant noodles every day was unhealthy and suggested cooking a proper meal that evening.
She proposed they go to the market together to buy some fresh ingredients.
Kushina knew that wallowing at home wouldn't help, so she agreed to Rin's suggestion.
The two went out together.
With Rin constantly initiating conversation, chatting and laughing, Kushina felt much better.
Over the past few days, she had been filled with inner conflict.
Staying home alone, she longed for Minato's presence and support, but when she thought about seeing him, she instinctively recoiled, unable to face him.
After browsing the market and buying some groceries, they passed by the shopping district and unexpectedly encountered two familiar figures approaching them head-on.
It was Makoto and Ayari, shopping together.
Kushina's brief moment of good mood instantly vanished.
"Kushina!"
Before she could turn away or pretend not to see them, Ayari's voice called out from across the way.
Faced with Ayari, Kushina had no choice but to force a smile and approach.
Rin, standing beside her, also inwardly muttered about their unfortunate timing and followed Kushina forward.
"Rin?"
"What a coincidence! You're here too," Ayari greeted warmly with a smile.
"Mrs. Ayari."
Rin glanced at Ayari's rounded belly, feeling a complicated mixture of emotions.
Inside was his child...
Both Kushina and Rin deliberately ignored Makoto, who was standing next to Ayari, leaving him a bit frustrated as he had been about to greet them.
Ayari didn't seem to notice anything strange and continued chatting cheerfully.
"Are you two here grocery shopping? Planning to have dinner together tonight?"
Kushina responded, "Ah, I'm counting on Rin to cook for me at my place tonight."
After a moment of hesitation, she stepped forward and took Ayari's other arm.
"Is it okay for you to be walking around like this? Are you tired?"
"I'm fine. The doctor said I need some exercise. And if I get tired, Makoto's here to help. But what about you, Kushina? I haven't seen you at my place lately. It's not very convenient for me to go out."
Kushina deliberately swept a quick glance at Makoto and replied, "I've had some things to deal with lately… I'll visit you soon, with Mikoto."
"Great, it's a deal."
Ayari then leaned closer and whispered in Kushina's ear, "Is it because of Minato?"
Kushina froze.
Ayari immediately showed an understanding expression.
"I get it. Makoto told me a couple of days ago—looks like Lord Hokage has softened his stance."
Kushina was momentarily stunned and quickly looked at Makoto. "Is that true?!"
Makoto replied calmly, "More or less."
Ayari was surprised. "You didn't know?"
She then turned to Makoto and scolded him lightly. "How could you not tell Kushina this good news earlier?"
Makoto replied, "I already informed Minato-senpai."
Kushina was left speechless, a whirlwind of thoughts flashing through her mind.
Lord Hokage had softened his stance? Did this mean she and Minato could get married now? Why hadn't Minato come to find her...
In that moment, she felt that everything she had done up until now had been worthwhile.
Kushina was lost in her emotions, unsure whether it was joy or something else, and she became distracted during the conversation with Ayari.
Ayari, understanding her state, smiled and said, "Well, we should be going now."
She leaned in and whispered to Kushina, "Looks like you'll need to get ready. Who knows, Minato might surprise you soon."
The two groups parted ways, and as Makoto turned to leave, he noticed Rin quietly watching him.
He glanced back at her.
His gaze was subtle yet playful, and he even licked his lips, which made Rin feel like she had been teased.
She was filled with a mix of embarrassment and frustration.
Unable to express her feelings in the current situation, she shot him a sharp glare instead.
As she watched Makoto walk away, Rin felt a deep sense of disappointment.
If that jerk remembered her, why hadn't he come to find her?
After the things he said that day, there had been no follow-up...
Was it because his wife was pregnant and he couldn't leave?
Ugh! What's so special about a scumbag who's already married?
Rin gritted her teeth in anger.
She looked up at Kushina, who was also speaking.
"Kushina-nee, are you okay?"
"Huh?"
"What were you thinking?"
"Me? Oh... nothing," Kushina smiled and looked around, noticing there wasn't much to see.
She felt a little lighter and more at ease.
"Let's go home and cook," she suggested.
"Mm."
Minato... Minato, when are you coming to find me?
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