Chapter 20

Kushina Uzumaki stomped her foot in frustration as she walked through the crowded market, her arms crossed tightly. "That guy is so irritating!" she grumbled under her breath.

She had gone to the tea shop earlier, expecting to see Souta, only to find it closed. That wasn't unusual, but it still annoyed her. He had a habit of doing things on his own time, without explanation. And worse, it bothered her that she actually cared.

Why was she even thinking about him?

Shaking her head, she grabbed a few items from the stall and handed the vendor some coins. As she turned to leave, a familiar voice stopped her.

"Kushina!"

She turned, blinking as she saw Mikoto approaching, looking as composed as ever. But there was something different about her. Kushina couldn't quite place it, but she had been friends with Mikoto long enough to notice when something had changed.

"Mikoto! What's up?"

Mikoto gave her a small nod, glancing around. "You seem annoyed."

Kushina huffed, puffing out her cheeks. "Tch. Just… annoyed at a certain someone."

Mikoto raised an eyebrow. "Souta?"

Kushina stiffened slightly before quickly recovering. "H-He's just weird, you know? Always saying things that get under my skin. And then, his shop was closed today. Just disappeared, as usual."

Mikoto hummed, a slight smirk on her lips. "I see."

Kushina narrowed her eyes. "You see what?"

Mikoto shook her head. "Nothing."

Kushina wasn't buying it. She leaned in, eyes suspicious. "You've been acting kinda weird lately too. Something happen?"

Mikoto met her gaze evenly. "Nothing worth mentioning."

Kushina pouted, clearly dissatisfied with the vague answer. But before she could press further, Mikoto smoothly changed the topic. "You're overthinking about Souta. If he's not at the shop, he'll be back eventually. No need to waste energy on it."

Kushina frowned, but Mikoto had a point. Still, it wasn't that easy to ignore.

"Hmph. Whatever. I just wanted some tea."

Mikoto smirked, shaking her head lightly. "Then go tomorrow. He'll be there."

Kushina sighed but nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Guess I'll do that."

That night, Souta stood in the clearing by the river, the wind carrying the scent of damp earth and fresh leaves. He ran a hand through his hair, smirking slightly as he waited.

And, just like the nights before, Mikoto arrived.

No words were exchanged at first. She simply sat down on the usual rock, her gaze on the water.

"Thought you might not come this time," Souta mused.

Mikoto scoffed. "And let you tell the ending however you like? No chance."

He chuckled. "Fair enough."

They sat in silence for a while, the night settling around them.

Then, Souta spoke. "The queen realized something."

Mikoto didn't look at him, but he knew she was listening.

"She had spent so long telling herself she had no choice, that duty was everything. But when the traveler left… she felt something she hadn't before."

Mikoto's fingers twitched slightly. "Loss."

Souta nodded. "Exactly. And when he returned, she knew."

A pause.

"Knew what?"

Souta smirked. "That she had been waiting."

Mikoto's lips parted slightly, but no words came out. She turned her gaze away, watching the ripples in the water.

Souta leaned forward slightly. "So, what do you think?"

Mikoto exhaled, shaking her head. "I think… she was foolish."

Souta chuckled. "Maybe. But sometimes, foolish people are the ones who change things."

Mikoto's gaze stayed fixed on the water, lost in thought. The ripples carried her mind elsewhere, far from the weight of responsibilities, far from the expectations that always loomed over her.

Without thinking, she shifted slightly—and before she knew it, her head rested lightly against Souta's shoulder.

Souta froze for a moment, his smirk fading just slightly. 

It took a few seconds before Mikoto blinked, realizing what she'd done. Her breath hitched, and she straightened up, a faint crease forming between her brows.

"I didn't—" she started, but Souta only chuckled.

"Guess even queens need a break sometimes."

Mikoto scoffed lightly, shaking her head. "Don't flatter yourself."

Souta smirked but said nothing, letting the moment settle between them.

Mikoto glanced at the water again, her expression unreadable. "That story of yours… it's just a story, right?"

Souta hummed in amusement. "Of course. Just a story."

She turned to him, searching his face for something. "And the traveler? Does he stay? Or does he leave again?"

Souta leaned back on his hands, tilting his head as if considering. "That depends. Maybe the queen gives him a reason to stay. Or maybe she lets him go because she thinks she has to."

Mikoto exhaled, something flickering in her eyes before she pushed herself up from the rock. "It's late. I should go."

Souta didn't stop her, but as she turned, he said, "Tomorrow night?"

Mikoto hesitated, then gave a small nod before disappearing into the trees.

 ...

The next day at the tea shop, Kushina was already there, tapping her foot impatiently as Souta wiped down the counter. "You ditched yesterday."

Souta raised an eyebrow. "I had things to do."

"Yeah? Like what?"

He smirked. "You're awfully interested in my schedule, Kushina."

She huffed. "Please. I just came for tea."

As she sipped her drink, she eyed him curiously. "You've been acting weird. Even Mikoto's been weird. You guys hiding something?"

Souta kept his expression neutral. "Mikoto's always serious. That's not weird."

Kushina narrowed her eyes, but before she could dig further, the door opened, and Mikoto walked in. She paused upon seeing Kushina, but with practiced ease, she strode forward as if unaffected. "Tea."

Souta smirked. "Of course, my lady."

Mikoto gave him a flat look, but a hint of something else lingered in her eyes—something only Souta seemed to notice.