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“I wonder what Kushina and the others are doing. They’re probably slacking off now that we’re gone,”
Shin muttered to himself as he sipped the tea Konan had brewed for him.
He was sure Kushina and Tsunade weren’t training seriously. And Mikoto probably couldn’t focus on training either, with Kushina and Tsunade around.
But it didn’t matter. He could protect them if there was any danger.
There was nothing in this world that could threaten him now. Even if the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, was still alive and came looking for trouble, Shin was confident he could take him down.
“Shin-nii, are you thinking about Tsunade-nee, Kushina-nee, and Mikoto-nee?”
Konan’s quiet voice carried a hint of melancholy as she gazed at him.
Shin set down his tea and smirked.
“Konan, you’re practically radiating jealousy right now.”
“I… I just feel a little uncomfortable.”
Konan wasn’t the type to act like a tsundere—if she felt something, she would say it outright.
“Shin-nii, you’re with me right now, but you’re still thinking about them,”
She pursed her lips, her voice barely above a whisper.
Shin sighed inwardly. She probably knew she had no real reason to be jealous, but she still couldn’t help it.
“Then how about I only think about you when I’m with you?” Shin asked with a smile.
Konan’s eyes widened as if her brain had short-circuited. She stood frozen, her index fingers fidgeting against each other. Steam practically rose from her head.
…So she’s the type that overheats easily, huh?
“Konan, your face is so red it looks like I could cook an egg on it. Are you alright?”
His teasing snapped her out of her daze, though she immediately turned even redder.
Thankfully, Konan wasn’t as shy as Hinata. Otherwise, she would have fainted.
“Shin-nii… were you joking just now, or were you serious?”
She mustered the courage to look straight into his eyes, searching for his answer.
“Of course I was serious.”
Her breath hitched.
“Then… Shin-nii, do you like me? I don’t mean the way an older brother likes his little sister. I mean the way you like Mikoto-nee and the others.”
She clenched her fists, nervous but determined to hear the truth.
Even though she had always felt that Shin loved her, she feared that he might only see her as a little sister.
She wanted him to like her romantically.
“Of course I do.”
Shin answered seriously. He did like Konan romantically.
Her eyes shimmered.
“Really? You’re not lying? You have to promise me, Shin-nii!”
She threw herself into his arms, burying her face against his chest.
Konan felt so overwhelmed with joy that her body trembled. She didn’t have to envy Kushina and Mikoto anymore.
“I would never lie to you, Konan.”
Shin kissed her forehead gently.
Konan tightened her grip on his clothes, her voice barely audible.
“Then… I-I want to be with Shin-nii too. Just like Kushina-nee and Mikoto-nee…”
Konan hid her blushing face in his chest, feeling incredibly embarrassed. She couldn’t believe she had said that.
Shin was surprised. He and Konan had just established their relationship. Was it too soon?
“You… you don’t want to?”
Konan looked up at Shin with disappointment when he didn’t answer.
“It’s not that it’s not okay, but isn’t it a bit too fast?”
Shin said, stroking her hair. He wanted to, but he also wanted to respect her feelings.
“Only then can I believe this isn’t a dream. Only then will you not abandon me, Shin-nii.” Konan said, looking at him with pleading eyes.
“Abandoning my woman is a grave sin. I would never do that.”
“Konan, have you really made up your mind?”
Konan nodded shyly.
“Then you won’t regret this?”
“Never.”
….
….
By the time morning came, Konan woke up early out of habit.
“You’re awake.”
Shin looked at her. He had woken up even earlier.
“Mm.”
Konan’s voice was so soft that Shin almost couldn’t hear her. He knew she was shy.
“I’ll go make breakfast. You rest for a bit longer. I’ll wake you up when it’s ready,” Shin said, getting out of bed.
“Shin-nii, let me do it,”
She tried to sit up, but Shin gently pushed her back down.
“No, you’re not in any condition to cook. Just lie down and rest,”
He wouldn’t let her overexert herself. He went to prepare breakfast.
As soon as Shin left the room, a small, blissful smile spread across her lips. She closed her eyes and relaxed, completely at ease.
….
Shin finished making breakfast, but seeing Konan sleeping soundly, he couldn’t bring himself to wake her up.
“Guess I’ll let her sleep a little longer.”
He sat beside her and waited. Konan, as if sensing his presence, reached out and grabbed his hand, as if afraid he would disappear.
“I’m going to be ripped to shreds by Tsunade and Kushina.”
Shin muttered to himself.
He had slept with Konan without telling them. Mikoto might not mind, but Tsunade and Kushina would definitely be angry.
He could already imagine the scene—one of them coming at him with a massive boulder, the other swinging a kitchen knife.
But looking at Konan, he felt it was worth it, even if he was chopped to pieces.
….
A while later, Konan finally woke up, rubbing her eyes sleepily before glancing around the room.
“Konan, do you think I’ll run away?” Shin asked, noticing her gaze.
Konan blushed. She was still a bit unsure if this was real. Only by seeing Shin could she believe it.
Her wish had finally come true. She was Shin’s woman now.
“Are you hungry?” Shin asked.
Konan nodded.
“Then let’s eat. Can you get up?”
“Y-yes. But, um, Shin-nii, can you leave first? I’m embarrassed.” Konan said shyly.
Seeing her blushing face, Shin chuckled and left the room.
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