Liking someone does not necessarily mean you are obligated to confess your feelings.
Minato casually offered a simple inequality as he spoke to her. Don't worry, I have no intention of causing Sister Mikoto any unnecessary trouble.
Mikoto puffed out her cheeks slightly in a show of mild frustration. What do you mean by saying you won't cause me trouble? Now that I know something like this, how could I possibly not feel troubled by it?
Minato adopted a helpless tone as he looked at her. But haven't you been the one pressing me with questions this entire time?
And? If I had not asked you directly, were you planning to keep it hidden away like this forever?
Mikoto pressed him further, a clear hint of a pout coloring her voice.
This particular pout did not arise simply because Minato liked her, but because his careful concealment made her feel as though she had almost walked past a winning lottery jackpot without noticing.
I probably would have kept it to myself.
Minato let his voice grow softer as he gave a sheepish, boyish chuckle. After all, this kind of thing is a bit difficult to talk about openly. Besides, Sister Mikoto, you are older than I am, so I always harbored the feeling that you would not be interested in someone like me.
How could that even be possible?
Upon hearing his words, Mikoto felt a sudden surge of genuine joy, and her tone softened considerably toward him. Even though you are younger than me, your personality is far more mature, you possess more knowledge than I do, and your physical strength is much greater too. I am not blind to the world; how could I not see how truly outstanding you are?
So, Sister Mikoto, are you truly angry with me because of my concealment?
Hmm—not entirely.
Mikoto curled her lip in thought. It just feels so unfair! Minato-kun, you show such obvious favoritism toward Kushina, yet you treat me like I am just an ordinary friend.
Minato could not help but let out a small laugh. But normally, if I showed a playboy side to my character, I would only end up being hated, right? Wouldn't Sister Mikoto find that kind of behavior disgusting?
I would not go so far as to say I would hate it, I just feel like it is not quite right—actually, I am still quite happy, especially since Minato-kun is so outstanding.
Mikoto felt a bit conflicted and a little dejected as she spoke. Besides, since Minato-kun kept this hidden for so long, doesn't that mean you have already made a firm choice in your heart?
Minato remained silent; he knew that haste often makes waste in these delicate matters. Inside, his mind calculated the $95\%$ probability of her eventual submission. He maintained his mask of innocent contemplation while his internal thoughts remained cold and pragmatic.
To his surprise, seeing him remain silent caused Mikoto to grow anxious first. That is how it is, right?
I don't know the answer to that either.
Minato shook his head with a look of helplessness. Maybe it is because my talent is simply too good? Everything in life seems to go my way, which has made it very hard for me to ever learn the difficult lesson of giving up on something I want.
You...
Mikoto's face flushed a deep red, and an irrepressible spark of anticipation rose within her heart. Then what exactly do you plan to do about it?
What can I really do?
Minato could not help but laugh at the situation. I don't even know what Sister Mikoto truly thinks of me.
Then— Mikoto pursed her lips tightly. What if—I like you too?
Hmm...
Minato pretended to be deeply lost in thought, his eyes drifting away as if considering a complex problem. I have heard that those high-ranking Nobles and the Great Daimyo often have more than one wife—
Ah~ I see. So Minato, you want to be a Noble?
Mikoto immediately flashed a dangerous, sharp smile, dropping his honorifics entirely. She just stared at Minato with a beaming, frozen smile, looking as if she might pull out a heavy Machete or a jagged Saw from behind her back at any moment.
Minato did not panic at all, looking back at Mikoto with a steady grin. It is just a hypothetical scenario. Would Sister Mikoto really like me?
W-Why couldn't I?
Mikoto countered his question quickly. Haven't I said it already? I have always seen how outstanding Minato-kun is compared to everyone else.
Minato was slightly taken aback by her forwardness.
Mikoto was being much more honest and vulnerable than he had originally expected her to be.
That is why I said Minato-kun is being unfair. You and Kushina are childhood friends; doesn't that mean I have no real chance to compete for your affection at all?
Mikoto felt a bit dejected as she looked down. Although I know you are not technically in the wrong, I also hope to be the one who is firmly chosen above all others. But then that would be unfair to Kushina—and what girl would ever be truly willing to share the person she likes?
At least I know I can't do it. Honestly—Minato-kun is just so greedy—
Mikoto lowered her head, her voice trailing off into a soft whisper.
I'm sorry—
Minato gently comforted her, his voice like silk. But I don't think Sister Mikoto needs to be so troubled right now. After all, the future is still very long, and none of us knows what it will eventually be like.
Mm—
Mikoto gave a small, quiet response, but her mood was still inevitably a bit downcast despite his words.
How about I perform a little magic trick for you?
Minato crouched down to her level and looked up at Mikoto, holding a simple wooden chopstick in his hand to catch her wandering attention.
Then, with a quick, blurred swipe of his other hand over the chopstick, it suddenly transformed into a beautiful, blooming red rose! In reality, his $100\%$ control over his light-based Pika Pika no Mi powers allowed for such trivial parlor tricks, but he kept the technicality hidden.
Ta-da!
Minato held the vibrant rose out to Mikoto. Well? Is it pretty?
How is this a magic trick? This is clearly just Ninjutsu!
Mikoto burst into a bright laugh and pouted playfully at him, but she still reached out and accepted the rose.
Sniffing the faint, sweet fragrance of the rose, Mikoto suddenly felt a wave of curiosity wash over her. By the way, Minato-kun, when exactly did you start liking me?
From the very first moment I saw you.
Minato did not hesitate for even a single second. He really did have a soft spot for Mikoto's specific type, both in terms of her physical looks and her yielding personality—or you could simply say it was just basic human nature to appreciate such refined beauty.
From the very first moment...
Wasn't that just a roundabout way of saying she was beautiful?
Mikoto felt a bit of sweetness in her heart, yet also a small prick of dissatisfaction. Then isn't it just because of my looks?
There is a saying: it starts with looks and it ends with character.
Minato spoke candidly, maintaining his warm facade.
That's more like it.
The corners of Mikoto's mouth curled up uncontrollably, her beautiful black eyes narrowing slightly with joy that was impossible to hide.
It was very clear that Minato's targeted praise was extremely effective on her.
Starts with looks, ends with character—
Mikoto softly repeated Minato's words to herself, her lips curving up unconsciously. Is that line from some famous book?
It is just my own personal understanding.
Minato did not say he had read it in a book from his previous life to avoid being unable to answer if she asked for the specific title. I just felt it suited Sister Mikoto very well.
""
Minato-kun is always like this, saying things that make it completely impossible for me to stay angry with you.
Mikoto's cheeks reddened slightly under his gaze. She placed the red rose carefully on her lap and gently cupped her teacup with both hands, feeling the warmth in her palms as her chaotic, swirling thoughts began to settle.
Then this saying belongs to me now!
She looked at Minato with burning, intense eyes. Minato-kun, you are not allowed to say this to anyone else!
Minato was slightly startled by her possessiveness, then gave a gentle, obedient smile. Alright.
Having received his firm answer, a moving and genuine smile appeared on Mikoto's face.
Minato-kun—
Hmm?
""
Have you ever given flowers to anyone else before?
No.
Hearing this, Mikoto looked even happier than before.
She suddenly felt a bit invigorated by the realization. From the look of it, had Kushina just benefited from the simple advantage of proximity?
Living together for so long and still having no real progress—what a total waste of resources!
Looking at Minato's gentle smile, Mikoto suddenly laughed. Is Minato-kun really only eight years old? You feel even more mature than some of the adults I know.
I'm just a bit precocious for my age. Aren't you exactly the same, Sister Mikoto? In some ways, you are even more mature than Teacher Tsunade.
Of course, Minato would never reveal that he was a Transmigrator from another world.
Not at all! You shouldn't use a word like 'mature' to describe a young girl!
Mikoto paused for a moment, then said as if casually mentioning the weather. Besides, you are already very greedy. While I am still considering this, Minato-kun, you are not allowed to go around provoking any other girls, okay?
Minato: "???"
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