Chapter 3 Kushina, Mikoto And Hinata Mother

Souta's plan needed a foundation, and the first step was securing a stable income. He couldn't survive on charm alone—at least, not yet.

If he could integrate into the village, he'd have more freedom to move and gather information. With that in mind, he made his way toward the commercial district, where various vendors and businesses lined the streets.

He noticed a small teahouse with a help-wanted sign near the entrance. The establishment looked modest but well-kept, and more importantly, it was busy. A steady job in a place like this could provide him with income, a place to overhear gossip, and a chance to make himself known to locals.

Stepping inside, Souta was greeted by the aroma of fresh tea and grilled mochi. A middle-aged man behind the counter eyed him with curiosity, and the servers—mostly young women—gave him side glances, some whispering among themselves.

"Looking for work?" the man asked, wiping his hands on a towel.

Souta nodded. "I saw your sign outside. I'm good with people and quick to learn. I just need a chance."

The man studied him for a moment, then sighed. "We could use an extra pair of hands. The festival rush is coming up, and we're short-staffed. Ever worked in a teahouse before?"

"Not exactly," Souta admitted, "but I'm a fast learner, and I know how to keep customers happy."

The owner grunted. "Flattery won't get you far here, boy. But…" His eyes flicked to the nearby servers, some of whom were still staring at Souta. "You've got a face that'll keep the customers coming. Alright, I'll give you a trial shift."

Souta grinned. "Deal."

His first shift. Carrying trays, taking orders, and dealing with impatient customers was exhausting, but he adapted quickly. More importantly, his system was proving its worth. Women lingered longer at their tables when he served them, and even some male customers were noticeably friendlier. The other servers took notice, whispering among themselves, but none seemed hostile—just intrigued.

As the night wound down, the owner clapped him on the shoulder. "Not bad, kid. You've got a way with people. Show up tomorrow, and we'll talk about keeping you on."

Souta exhaled in relief. Step one: complete.

 ...

Souta quickly settled into his new routine at the teahouse. Each day, he arrived early, helped with preparations, and stayed late to clean up.

The work was physically exhausting, but it had its perks. He was starting to get recognized by the regular customers, some of whom specifically requested him to serve their tables.

His natural charm, along with the subtle assistance from his system, made him popular among patrons.

The other servers, initially wary, began to warm up to him. A few even tried to teach him tricks to balance trays more efficiently or handle difficult customers. The owner kept a close eye on him but seemed pleased with his work ethic.

One evening, after closing, Owner called him over. "Souta, you've done well these past few weeks. You've got a knack for handling people, and I can see you're serious about sticking around."

Souta wiped the sweat off his forehead and nodded. "I appreciate the opportunity."

Owner chuckled. "You're lucky you're easy on the eyes, too. Half our customers stay longer just to chat with you."

Souta grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Owner nodded, his expression turning serious. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about. The Hokage Anniversary Festival is coming up in a few days."

Souta's ears perked up. He'd overheard people mentioning it, but he didn't know the details.

"What exactly happens during the festival?" he asked.

"It's a major event," Owner explained. "A celebration of the Hokage's leadership, a time for the villagers to show their appreciation. Important figures from all over will be attending, from clan heads to high-ranking shinobi. We've been invited to serve tea at the main venue. It's a huge honor."

Souta processed the information quickly. This was perfect. 

"I assume you want me to help?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral.

Owner smirked. "Right. You've got a way of making people feel comfortable, and that's exactly what we need. But listen, this isn't just about serving drinks. We'll be working directly at the VIP section. That means being on your best behavior. No slipping up, no eavesdropping, and absolutely no getting involved in things that don't concern you."

Souta nodded, but internally, he knew he'd be doing the exact opposite. This was his chance to get to know.. some helperss..... hehee...

"Understood," he said, giving Owner a confident smile. "I won't let you down."

As he left the teahouse that night, Souta's mind raced with possibilities.

 ...

Time Skip - 2 Days 

The festival had transformed the village into a vibrant spectacle of color and sound. Lanterns lined the streets, casting a golden glow over the bustling crowds.

Performers juggled flaming torches, children ran between vendors holding sticks of dango, and the air carried a mix of grilled skewers and sweet sake.

Souta weaved through the crowd with a tray balanced expertly in one hand. The VIP section was set up near the main stage, a raised platform surrounded by dignitaries and high-ranking shinobi.

Even without looking directly, Souta could feel the weight of powerful gazes scanning the crowd.

His job was simple: serve tea, stay out of trouble. But he was already breaking one of those rules.

As he approached one of the more prestigious tables, his gaze locked onto an unexpected sight—Hiashi Hyuga, the stoic head of the Hyuga Clan, seated with a woman he had never seen before.

She was elegant, her features delicate yet striking, carrying the signature pale eyes of the Hyuga. But there was something different about her compared to the others in her clan. Her expression was softer, her presence less rigid.

Souta almost faltered mid-step. His mind raced. Could this be… Hinata's mother? Back in his world, he had always wondered about her. In the Naruto series, she was never mentioned, never shown. Just a blank spot in history. Yet here she was, right in front of him, alive, real.

He forced himself to keep moving, placing a porcelain cup of steaming tea in front of Hiashi. The Hyuga head barely acknowledged him, murmuring a polite thanks before returning to his quiet conversation.

Souta risked a glance at the woman. She smiled softly as she accepted her cup, her expression warm—almost too warm for what he expected of a Hyuga.

For a moment, he was tempted to say something, to ask her name, but that would be reckless. Instead, he simply nodded respectfully and moved to the next table.

Souta moved through the VIP section, his tray steady as he maneuvered between the tables. The night was lively, filled with laughter, conversation, and the occasional burst of festival fireworks. But at one particular table, the mood was different.

Kushina Uzumaki sat alone.

The seat next to her was empty. She wasn't sulking, but there was a tension in her posture—the way her fingers tapped impatiently against the table, the way she stared off into the distance, eyes slightly narrowed.

Minato's not here.

Souta could recognize it for what it was. He had seen enough people in his past life waiting on someone who never showed up.

Still, that wasn't his problem. His job was simple: serve the tea and move on.

He carefully lowered the tray, picking up the porcelain cup—

As he approached her table, Kushina, lost in her thoughts, didn't immediately notice his presence. His face came into her line of sight, but she initially ignored it, caught up in whatever was troubling her. Then, in a sudden reflex, she turned toward him, her eyes sharp and focused, as if something about his appearance had caught her attention.

For a brief moment, their eyes met. She stared at him for a second longer than usual, then quickly looked away, returning to her thoughts as if the interaction hadn't happened.

Souta paused, slightly thrown off by her reaction.

"Huh. Is my charm not working on her?" he thought, raising an eyebrow. "Well, it's Kushina Uzumaki. If just being handsome were enough to impress her."

Souta gave himself a mental shrug. "No big deal. There'll be other opportunities. This one wasn't it—no point in forcing the issue."

He glanced around. There were too many people here, too much attention. He couldn't risk being too forward now. His job was to serve tea, not strike up conversations. Besides, Kushina didn't seem in the mood for company, and it wasn't his place to interrupt her personal moment.

He placed the cup in front of her, bowing slightly. "Enjoy your tea, ma'am," he said in his usual polite tone.

Kushina didn't respond immediately. She simply nodded absentmindedly.

Hours later, Souta returned to his room, exhaling as he shut the door behind him. He had high hopes for this event, but in the end, nothing major had happened. No dramatic encounters, no breakthroughs—just a fleeting exchange of glances.

He leaned against the wall, running a hand through his hair. Guess I expected too much.

Still an amateur at this, huh?

The next day, he returned to work as a waiter. Well, well, not too bad. If my face card didn't work, then I'll just gather enough money, find somewhere safe, and live a good life.

Like that, the days passed. Almost a week had gone by when, one night, as the shop was about to close, Souta found himself alone. The owner had already left, handing him the keys to lock up. With no customers around, the place was quiet, the dim glow of lanterns casting long shadows across the wooden floors.

Just as he was about to start cleaning up, a voice called from the entrance.

"Is it still open?"

Souta turned his gaze up—and his eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Kushina?

What was she doing here?

And from the look on her face, she didn't seem very happy.

"...Umm, yes," he answered, hesitating for a brief second.

If it had been anyone else, he would've turned them away. But this? This was a godsend opportunity to get to know Kushina better.

There was no way he was letting it go to waste.