Within the Uchiha compound, Ryan walked toward the front gate with a blank expression. One arm cradled a bouquet of carnations, while the other dragged Sasuke along by the arm.
The carnations were something he'd picked up on the way back—meant for their mother.
Since he'd already bought so many sunflowers, grabbing a bouquet for her was hardly any extra trouble.
Besides, the flowers hadn't even cost him anything.
The shop owner had thrown them in for free, courtesy of a "big client."
Ryan hadn't forgotten about his father either.
He fully intended to hand Fugaku the bill afterward.
That way, at least the old man could feel involved.
Sasuke leaned his body backward with all his might, desperately resisting.
"Ryan! You said you wouldn't interfere with me!"
Ryan had promised not to disturb his training at the kennels.
As long as Sasuke was home before dinner, it was all good.
And right now, it was barely past two in the afternoon—at least three hours before dinner.
Being dragged away mid-training naturally sent Sasuke's temper skyrocketing. His stubborn streak flared up, and no matter how hard he struggled, he simply couldn't match Ryan's strength.
His heels scraped along the ground, leaving a long trail behind him.
"Wait a moment."
Ryan glanced apologetically at Ino, who was standing at the gate, then suddenly released Sasuke's arm.
Sasuke had already been leaning backward.
The instant Ryan let go, he spun a full 180 degrees.
If not for his quick reflexes—twisting at the last moment to land in a less painful position—his head would've slammed straight into the ground.
And with that impact, he probably would've turned stupid.
Sasuke scrambled back to his feet and angrily pointed at Ryan, who was unlocking the door, launching into his daily routine of "Reasons I Hate You."
Much like Ryan's habitual soul-searching interrogations of Itachi.
"I hate you!"
Ino stood there, painfully awkward. She'd never seen siblings argue like this before—let alone twins.
Her lips twitched slightly.
"Y-your… little brother is pretty cute."
That was all it took.
Sasuke exploded on the spot.
"Blondie, I hate you too!"
"And our Uchiha clan—"
"Doesn't welcome you!"
Compared to what he'd just said to Ryan, his tone toward Ino was icy and sharp.
"Don't mind him." Ryan turned the key and shoved the door open, not sparing Sasuke a single glance.
Ino had only wanted to ease the awkwardness—and maybe properly introduce herself.
She'd never imagined one sentence would set Ryan's brother off like this.
"I—I'll go carry the flowers inside!"
She blurted it out and immediately rushed off to move the stacked sunflowers, as if keeping busy might ease her guilt.
"Sasuke, help move the flowers."
Ryan ignored Sasuke's anger entirely and even started ordering him around.
Between brothers…
There was no such thing as brotherly affection.
Only a farmer—and his laborer.
That said, worried they might fall behind schedule, Ryan quickly formed hand seals and used the Shadow Clone Technique.
With a puff of smoke, three clones appeared beside him.
After a brief exchange of glances, the clones immediately understood and rolled up their sleeves to help.
"Sh—Shadow Clones?!"
Hearing the commotion, Ino froze when she saw the scene. Her surprise quickly turned into delight.
Among girls, there was a rumor—true or not—passed around in whispers.
The better-looking an Uchiha is, the greater their talent.
Good looks = Genius.
Ino had always thought it was nonsense.
Now…
It made perfect sense.
"It's just Shadow Clones. What's there to be surprised about?"
Sasuke lifted his chin slightly and snorted, forming seals of his own and casting the same technique.
This jutsu demanded a lot of chakra. He'd only managed to learn it recently, after completing tree-climbing and water-walking training.
He didn't like that blond girl at all. Using Shadow Clones wasn't about helping—it was about showing her the unbridgeable gap between ordinary people and a clan of geniuses.
Sasuke produced only two clones.
While carrying flowers with Ino, he wore a faint, smug grin the entire time.
Watching his brother's painfully obvious showboating, Ryan inwardly concluded—
This one's easy to handle.
"Ryan, Sasuke—are you back?"
The noise finally drew Mikoto out of the house. She softly called their names.
Sasuke, arms full of sunflowers, rushed inside and greeted her before heading straight for the backyard.
But after only a few steps, a tall, imposing figure blocked his path.
"F-father…"
Sasuke instantly straightened up. Unlike with his mother, he hurriedly set the flowers down and bowed respectfully.
Fugaku gave a low hum in response.
His gaze swept over the golden blooms in the courtyard, then lingered on the massive pile of sunflowers outside. His brow furrowed as he turned to look at Ryan.
At the same time, Ino peeked inside—and froze stiff.
Fugaku's fierce expression made him look like someone who could devour children whole.
Ryan was long used to it. He'd even started to suspect his father was born with that face.
He stepped over the threshold, picked up the bouquet, and handed it to his mother, who was still staring at the sunflowers.
"Mom. This is for you."
To be honest, expressing affection so directly still made Ryan uncomfortable.
He stuffed the flowers into Mikoto's arms and immediately turned around, ushering the frozen Ino back outside as if he were extremely busy.
Mikoto lowered her head to look at the carnations, warmth nearly spilling from her eyes.
"This child…"
Her voice trembled.
"Really…"
Then she glanced at Sasuke, covered in dirt, and sighed inwardly.
She'd noticed it long ago—she just hadn't known how to bring it up.
Behind her, both Fugaku and Sasuke darkened simultaneously.
Sasuke didn't even dare look at his mother.
Only now did he realize—he hadn't brought her anything.
Shame washed over him.
Fugaku snorted again, his displeasure clear.
He didn't even bother asking Ryan why he'd bought so many sunflowers.
With a sharp flick of his sleeve, he turned to leave.
But then Ryan's voice rang out from outside.
That single call made Fugaku step back into place.
He cleared his throat, straightened his collar, and reassembled his fatherly dignity.
His lips curved faintly, his expression solemn—as if awaiting something important.
"I bought the sunflowers."
"Settle the bill for me."
Ryan's tone was no different from usual.
But to Fugaku, those words felt colder than shards of ice carried on a winter wind.
"Get out!!!"
"Oh come on, dear—why are you yelling at the child?"
Mikoto immediately stepped in, smiling as she waved Ryan off. The bouquet in her hands swayed back and forth right in front of Fugaku, like a banner of victory.
Proud. Triumphant.
"Ryan, Mom's got this one."
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