My eyes opened slowly. I blinked, shaking off the drowsiness as light flooded into my eyes from the window.
I moved to get out of bed but quickly realized I couldn't.
Looking down, I saw a familiar blonde with her head nestled against me.
Memories from yesterday rushed back: after Shiina and I confessed our feelings, we returned to the orphanage together. Since my room was closer, we decided to sleep in the same bed.
She looked so adorable while sleeping, her soft breaths creating a calm rhythm that filled the air. Unable to resist, I reached out and playfully poked her cheek.
I had no plans for the day; training was off due to Christmas. Something I decided for them. And except for Hinata, who would be training with her clan, we were all free.
So, I opted to spend the day with Shiina.
Her eyes opened slowly, her lime green met my dual-coloured eyes.
"Morning, sleepyhead."
Shiina's eyes fluttered as she adjusted to the morning light, a sleepy smile spreading across her face. "Morning, Akari," she murmured, stretching her arms above her head like a cat.
I couldn't help but smile back, feeling a warmth in my chest. "Did you sleep well?" I asked softly.
Her head bobbed up and down, light strands of hair falling over her face. She brushed them aside with a small hand. "I did! It's nice waking up next to you," she said, her cheeks flushing. My heart raced at her words.
I thought about the events of yesterday—the wonderful, exhilarating rush when we finally admitted what we felt for each other. It felt surreal to take that step. Was it too soon?
"Do you think everyone will be okay with it?" I asked making sure she was thing with it.
Shiina shrugged, her bright green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Who cares?"
"Eh, true."
I laughed.
Shiina flopped back onto the bed, stretching out like she owned the place. "So, what should we do today?" she asked, her voice still heavy with sleep.
I sat up properly, running a hand through my messy red-and-black hair. "I dunno. It's the day after Christmas, so there's probably still some decorations up in the village. We could go check them out?"
Shiina hummed thoughtfully, then grinned. "Only if we can stop by a that place Naruto always goes to."
"Ichiraku's? I've been there before actually,"
"Wait you have?!" She shouted sitting up instantly.
With a smug smile, I explain.
"In the series, it was shown to be incredibly good ramen, then again that might have just been Naruto. Curious on if it was that good, I visited on my first village outing."
Shiina's jaw dropped. "And you didn't tell me?! What kind of girlfriend experiences something first and doesn't share it?"
I smirked, crossing my arms. "We just got together yesterday, and you only knew this world was fictional yesterday."
She gasped, clutching her chest like I had just gravely wounded her. "Betrayal! I can't believe this! My own girlfriend, keeping life-changing ramen experiences from me!"
I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Okay, okay! Let's go today, and I'll make it up to you."
Shiina's pout quickly transformed into a victorious grin. "Good. But I expect you to pay."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what exactly gives you that impression?"
She leaned forward, tilting her head cutely. "The fact that you have money, and you love me."
My face heated up instantly. "T-That's dirty tactics."
She giggled, poking my cheek. "You love it."
"Fine," I huffed, turning away dramatically.
Shiina wrapped her arms around me in a quick, excited hug before hopping out of bed. "C'mon then! The sooner we go, the sooner I get to judge whether or not this ramen is as life-changing as Naruto claims."
I sighed, shaking my head with a smile as I followed her. Something told me she was going to be just as obsessed with Ichiraku's as Naruto after today.
I loved it after all. The feelings produced by being there the first time were unforgettable to me.
Matsuo, if you could see where I am right now, what would you say?
(Meanwhile, on the other side of the village: Third Person POV)
Naruto scratched the back of his head, shifting nervously. "Uh… s-so, Hinata, you sure you wanna go on this date thing today?"
Hinata nodded shyly, her white eyes full of warmth. "Of course, Naruto-kun. I… I want to spend time with you."
Naruto's face turned a little pink, and he grinned, trying to act cool. "W-Well, yeah! That makes sense! I mean, who wouldn't wanna hang out with me, right?"
Hinata giggled softly, covering her mouth. "Yes… who wouldn't?"
Naruto cleared his throat. "A-Anyway! I planned something really cool today! We're gonna—" He suddenly froze, looking around frantically. "Wait. Uh. I actually forgot to plan something…"
Hinata tilted her head. "Oh?"
Naruto quickly crossed his arms and nodded. "Yeah! But don't worry, 'cause I totally meant to do that! That way, it's more of a surprise!"
Hinata blinked, then smiled. "Then, shall we walk around and decide together?"
Naruto's grin returned. "Yeah! That sounds like a plan! Uh… you lead the way, 'cause I totally trust your judgment!"
Hinata giggled again, her cheeks pink. "Alright, Naruto-kun. Let's go."
As they started walking side by side, Naruto stuffed his hands into his pockets, trying to act casual. His heart was thumping in his chest, but he ignored it. It was just Hinata, right? Nothing to be nervous about.
"So, uh… Hinata," he began, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "Is there anything you wanna do? Like, anything specific?"
Hinata tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… well, the village is still decorated for the holidays. Maybe we could walk through the market district? It's always lively this time of year."
Naruto grinned. "Oh! Yeah, good idea! There's always cool stuff at the stalls. And—" His stomach grumbled loudly, cutting him off.
Hinata blinked before covering her mouth with her hands, giggling. "A-And maybe we should get something to eat first?"
Naruto laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Heh, guess I can't argue with that. Ichiraku's?"
Hinata hesitated for a second before nodding. "O-Okay! If that's what you want."
Naruto raised an eyebrow at her reaction. "Wait… you don't like ramen?"
Hinata shook her head quickly. "N-No! I do! I just… I've never been to Ichiraku's before."
Naruto stopped walking. "Wait, WHAT?! You've never been to Ichiraku's?!"
Hinata fidgeted, poking her fingers together. "M-My clan doesn't eat out very often… and when we do, it's usually somewhere more, um… formal."
Naruto gawked at her. "Hinata, this is a tragedy! You've been missing out on the best ramen in the whole world! No, in the whole universe!"
Hinata giggled at his dramatics. "Then… I'd love for you to take me there."
Naruto's heart did that weird little flip again. He cleared his throat, puffing up his chest. "Well, you're in luck! 'Cause I happen to be an Ichiraku expert! I know all the best combos!"
Hinata smiled warmly. "Then I'll trust your recommendation, Naruto-kun."
Naruto grinned. "Alright! Let's get moving before I pass out from hunger!"
As they made their way toward Ichiraku's, Naruto couldn't help but sneak another glance at Hinata. She looked happy, and for some reason, that made him feel… really, really good.
Both groups were unprepared for what was about to happen.
Teuchi Ichiraku was a simple man. He had seen many things in his years of running a ramen stand, but nothing—nothing—could have prepared him for what was about to unfold.
It began with the arrival of two figures.
One was a small purple haired girl he swore he met once before. One simply could not forgot the onyx and sapphire eyes of the young girl, who right now had a very smug expression, walking with her hands in her pockets like she owned the whole street. The other was a bright-eyed platinum blonde, skipping alongside her like a puppy.
"Shiina, you're hyping this up too much," Akari said as her girlfriend practically vibrated with excitement.
Shiina turned to her, eyes sparkling. "You don't understand, Akari. This is the ultimate ramen experience. Naruto swears by it, and if that boy swears by anything, it's food."
Akari raised an eyebrow. "You do remember that Naruto also eats like a starved feral animal, right?"
Shiina gasped. "How dare you imply my future favourite restaurant is anything less than divine?"
Akari rolled her eyes but smiled as the two of them stepped inside.
"Welcome to Ichiraku's," Teuchi greeted with a warm smile.
Shiina inhaled deeply, as if she could absorb the ramen smell into her very soul. "Oh yeah… that's the good stuff."
Akari chuckled and took a seat beside her. "It's been a while since I was here."
So he was right, he had served the purplette before.
Naruto was practically bouncing as he led Hinata toward the ramen stand, his hand occasionally reaching up to scratch his nose in excitement. "Oh man, Hinata, you're gonna love this. I swear, this is gonna change your whole life. Like—BOOM—new era of Hinata."
Hinata giggled softly. "I… I believe you, Naruto-kun."
Naruto grinned. "Good! 'Cause I'd hate to lose my title as the official Ichiraku Expert."
Hinata tilted her head. "Is that… an actual title?"
Naruto crossed his arms, puffing out his chest. "It is now."
Hinata just smiled, amused. Naruto's enthusiasm was contagious.
As they approached the stand, Naruto lifted the curtain with a dramatic flourish. "Alright, Hinata! Welcome to—"
He froze.
Hinata peeked inside.
Akari and Shiina turned in their seats.
Four pairs of wide, 7-year-old eyes met.
A long silence stretched between them.
Teuchi Ichiraku was a simple man. He had seen many things in his years of running a ramen stand. He had watched Hokage come and go, shinobi rise and fall, and had even borne witness to Uzumaki Kushina's legendary pregnancy cravings (something no man should ever be forced to endure twice).
But this?
This was a first.
Two pairs of seven-year-olds—two dates, apparently—staring each other down like a dramatic battlefield encounter.
"Ohhh, you've gotta be kidding me," Akari groaned, dragging a hand down her face.
Teuchi recognized her she had come in once before—expressionless, quiet, and oddly composed for a child. But now? She was bickering like an old married couple with the light blonde girl beside her.
Naruto's brain took a solid second to catch up. "WAIT. YOU GUYS ARE HERE TOO?!"
Shiina smirked. "Well, well, well. If it isn't my dear friend Naruto… and his date."
Hinata blushed instantly, looking down. "U-Um…"
Akari sighed. "Oh great, she's going to combust."
Naruto pointed dramatically. "You two are on a date too?!"
Shiina winked, leaning on the counter. "That's right. We were so inspired by you and Hinata getting together that we simply had to follow suit."
Naruto gawked. "YOU'RE COPYING US?!"
Akari leaned back. "More like 'you accidentally triggered Shiina into a whole crisis that resulted in her making a move on me because she couldn't handle being left behind in the romance department.'"
Shiina pouted. "Akari, you wound me. I'll have you know my confession was very heartfelt."
Akari sarcastically replied. "Sure, it was. You sort of blurted it out."
Shiina gasped. "Lies and slander."
Teuchi fought the urge to rub his temples. He had just opened for the day. He was not paid enough for this. Actually, he wasn't even sure why he was listening to this. But when Naruto Uzumaki was involved, things just happened around you, whether you liked it or not.
Hinata, despite her embarrassment, smiled a little. "T-That's… kind of cute."
Shiina beamed. "See? Hinata gets it."
Naruto slumped into the seat next to Akari. "Man… I thought I was about to show Hinata the best ramen in the world. I didn't think I'd walk into a weird double date scenario."
Teuchi, who had been listening this whole time, cleared his throat. "Uh… should I still take your orders, or are you all too busy having a relationship summit?"
Akari sighed. "Miso Ramen. Large. Extra pork."
Shiina nodded. "Same as her."
Naruto shot up. "Two miso ramens, Teuchi-ossan!"
Hinata hesitated. "U-Um, I'll have what Naruto-kun's having."
Teuchi chuckled, shaking his head. Kids these days.
As he started preparing their food, he couldn't help but reflect.
Naruto had been coming here for years, always loud, always starving, always alone. But now? Now he had people. A family that wasn't just him and the old man at the orphanage.
The fact that this hyperactive little blonde was on a date—or whatever this was—was proof of just how much had changed.
Even Akari, the strange little girl with the too-sharp eyes, was different from the last time she came in. She looked… softer. Happier.
Teuchi smirked to himself as he stirred the broth. He'd been in this village long enough to recognize the start of something good.
And if nothing else, at least these four knew where to get the best ramen in town.
It started with a completely harmless conversation.
"So, Naruto," Akari began, taking a sip of her tea. "Since you're such a so-called 'Ichiraku Expert,' what's your go-to recommendation?"
Naruto grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Oh, I got this—you want the miso ramen, extra chashu, a bit of spicy oil, and definitely an extra egg."
Shiina gasped. "Extra chashu and egg?! A man of taste!"
Naruto smirked. "Of course! Only the best for me!"
Shiina turned to Akari. "What about you?"
Akari raised an eyebrow. "I stick with the classics. Tonkotsu ramen, extra pork, little bit of garlic."
Shiina fake gasped. "Garlic?! Akari! What if I wanted to kiss you later?"
Akari deadpanned. "We're eating ramen."
Shiina waggled her eyebrows. "And?"
Akari sighed. "Why am I dating you?"
Shiina grinned. "Because you love me."
Akari took a long sip of her tea. "Unfortunately."
Naruto snorted. "Pfft—man, you guys are already bickering like an old married couple."
Shiina smirked. "Give it time, you and Hinata will get there too."
Naruto turned pink. "W-What?! No way!"
Hinata, equally flustered, twiddled her fingers. "I-I wouldn't mind…"
Silence.
Naruto.exe has crashed.
Shiina wheezed. "OH MY GOD, NARUTO'S DEAD—"
Akari sighed, patting Naruto's shoulder as he sat there, blue-screening. "RIP buddy."
When Teuchi finally placed their bowls in front of them, the mood shifted.
Shiina took a deep breath. "Alright. Moment of truth."
Akari watched as her girlfriend lifted her chopsticks with reverence. It was like watching a warrior prepare for battle.
Shiina took a bite.
She chewed.
She swallowed.
She slammed her hands on the table. "THIS IS AMAZING."
Naruto grinned. "RIGHT?!"
Akari just chuckled, taking a bite of her own. "Told you it was good."
Shiina was already halfway through her bowl. "I take back all previous slander about you withholding information. This is life-changing."
Hinata, taking her first bite, smiled softly. "It's… really good."
Naruto grinned. "See?! What did I tell you, Hinata? BOOM. New era of Hinata unlocked."
Hinata giggled. "You were right, Naruto-kun."
Naruto looked incredibly proud of himself.
Akari leaned back. "Well. This has been… a day."
Shiina smirked. "Best double date ever?"
Akari rolled her eyes but smiled. "Best chaotic double date ever."
Naruto grinned. "Yeah, yeah. But you guys better not copy us again."
Akari smirked. "You mean like how I beat you to Ichiraku's first?"
Naruto gasped. "TRAITOR."
Hinata giggled as the two began bickering.
Teuchi just shook his head, muttering under his breath.
Kids these days.