"Lord Ryujin… are you still not awake…?"
"…It's been over a month. Mikoto… really misses you…"
Just as Ryujin was about to open his eyes—
A soft, gentle voice drifted into his ears.
Mikoto.
That little girl…
She came every single day.
Bringing food.
Talking to him.
Even though—
He never responded.
"…So considerate."
Ryujin sighed inwardly.
Too considerate.
To the point it made his heart ache slightly.
"Lord Ryujin… I caught this fish myself…"
"I made soup for you… I'll feed you…"
Mikoto sat beside him, holding a small bowl.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she stared at his face.
"…Feed me?"
At first—
Ryujin didn't understand.
But then—
He saw it.
Mikoto carefully took a sip of the soup—
Then leaned closer.
Closer.
"…Wait."
"…That kind of feeding?!"
Just as he was about to open his eyes—
Ryujin immediately closed them again.
Absolutely not waking up now.
If he opened his eyes at this moment—
This poor girl might faint on the spot.
Her face was already flushed all the way to her neck.
Still—
He hadn't expected this.
For his sake—
She could go this far.
"…What a cute little girl."
The warm soup passed into his mouth.
Careful.
Gentle.
Mikoto glanced at him nervously.
Seeing his eyes still closed—
She quietly let out a breath of relief.
"…Good… he's still asleep…"
But what she didn't realize was—
If he's asleep… how is he swallowing the soup?
Too innocent.
Seeing that Ryujin was able to "drink"—
Her face lit up with joy.
"If he can drink… then he must be okay!"
"He'll definitely wake up!"
Encouraged—
She took another sip.
And leaned in again.
Ryujin, naturally—
Didn't refuse.
Free treatment like this…
Why would he?
Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly delicate—
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A sudden, urgent knock shattered the moment.
"Ah!"
Startled—
Mikoto panicked.
And accidentally—
Bit him.
"Ah! Lord Ryujin—I'm sorry!"
She quickly stood up, flustered.
Looking closely—
She saw it.
A faint mark—
On his lips.
Her bite.
"…He still didn't wake up…"
Relief.
And worry.
Even that didn't wake him…?
But there was no time to think.
Someone was at the door.
She hurriedly straightened her clothes, placed the bowl down—
And walked over.
Opening the door—
Her expression immediately turned cold.
"Uchiha Fugaku?"
"What are you doing here?"
Standing outside—
Was a young boy around her age.
Plain-looking.
Wearing the Uchiha clan uniform.
One of her classmates.
And—
One of her pursuers.
Also—
The one she disliked the most.
Because unlike others—
Who would back off after being rejected—
He didn't.
He persisted.
Relentlessly.
Even resorting to threats.
Mikoto had long lost all patience with him.
Fugaku, on the other hand—
Wasn't weak.
As an Uchiha—
Once his Sharingan awakened—
His talent would rise rapidly.
But even so—
Compared to Mikoto—
He wasn't worth mentioning.
Because—
She had Ryujin.
His guidance.
His training.
Her growth—
Had already surpassed him completely.
The only reason no one knew—
Was because she never revealed her full strength.
Except—
In front of Ryujin.
"Is Lord Clan Head awake?"
Fugaku asked, glancing inside.
"…No."
Mikoto shook her head.
"Good."
He paused briefly, then continued,
"I have something important to talk to you about. Come outside."
Mikoto frowned.
Inside the clan—
Everyone feared Ryujin.
This young Clan Head—
Was powerful.
Calm.
But terrifyingly strict.
Rules were absolute.
Those who broke them—
Were already dead.
Because Ryujin would never allow another traitor to appear.
Not in his clan.
Not again.
"No."
Mikoto replied coldly.
"I'm taking care of Lord Ryujin."
She didn't hesitate.
For someone like Fugaku—
She had no intention of being polite.
Better to be blunt—
Than give him false hope.
That was her way.
Fugaku's expression darkened.
His fists clenched slightly at his sides.
He was proud.
Extremely proud.
But time and time again—
Mikoto had rejected him.
And each rejection—
Crushed his pride further.
"I said I have something important to tell you."
He forced his tone to remain steady.
If this wasn't the Clan Head's residence—
He might have already snapped.
"I said no."
Mikoto's brows furrowed.
He's angry?
After being the one harassing me?
That thought only made her more annoyed.
And that—
Was the final straw.
"…Good."
Fugaku's eyes turned cold.
"Very good, Mikoto."
"You forced this."
He glanced toward the room—
Confirming Ryujin was still unconscious.
Then—
His eyes began to change.
A faint crimson hue—
Spinning slowly within.
Sharingan.
He had made his decision.
If words didn't work—
Then force would.
And this time—
He wasn't holding back.
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