"Hey, Lock, did your meatball shop change its name?"
Crossing the street, Obito pointed at the storefront sign in surprise. The words Yuzu Snack Shop were written neatly on the board.
He remembered that before the break, it had still been called Fujiwara Meatball Shop—named by Lock's mother, Yuzu, in memory of her late husband.
Lock shrugged. "These days, if you don't change things up, you'll starve."
It was true. Meatballs were popular in Konoha, but the problem was that there were too many meatball shops. On their street alone, three stores sold the same thing. It was just enough to scrape by, but making real money was impossible.
Lock had suggested a new approach to his mother: turning the small meatball shop into a snack bar. Not only meatballs, but also oden, rice noodles, and other simple dishes. Unlike before, the food could be filling enough to serve as meals.
At first, Yuzu had run the shop alone, but now business was so lively she had even hired a neighbor, Aunt Mio, to help. The two women worked from dawn to late at night to keep up. Even if the taste wasn't top-notch, the novelty and generous portions had made the shop far busier than before.
"Mom, I'm back! I brought some classmates."
Lock led Obito and the others inside. The shop wasn't big—maybe thirty square meters after the kitchen was taken out. Six tables filled most of the space, and at this noon hour, five were already occupied. Seven kids squeezing into the last table made it feel even tighter.
"Ah, you brought classmates!"
Yuzu looked up from behind the counter, sweat on her bro, but a warm smile on her face. She nearly called Lock over to help, as she usually did, but seeing his friends with him, she bit her tongue.
Though she was strict with her son and often scolded him at home, in front of outsiders, she always defended him fiercely. Lock knew that better than anyone.
"Sit first, I'll help."
Lock guided Kakashi, Rin, Kurenai, Guy, and Genma to the last table, then turned and kicked Obito lightly. "Who told you to sit? Get up and help me."
"What?!" Obito groaned, but he got up and followed anyway.
"Yo! I'll help too!" Guy shouted with his usual energy, standing.
"Sit down," Lock waved him off. "Our place is too small. If more of you squeeze in the back, it'll just get in the way."
Yuzu brought out a steaming bowl of noodles to a nearby table, then hurried over to greet the kids. "You're all Lock's classmates? Sit tight, Auntie will whip something up for you soon!"
Kurenai smiled politely. "Don't worry, Auntie, we're not in a hurry." Kakashi and the others nodded in agreement.
"It'll just be a bit," Yuzu reassured them, then hurried back to the kitchen.
It wasn't until over an hour later that the rush finally slowed. Lock was used to it, but Obito looked ready to collapse. Even Kakashi and Rin ended up helping to carry dishes when it got too hectic.
"Alright, everyone, dig in!"
Two tables were pushed together so the group could sit side by side. Bowls of noodles, rice, oden, and meatballs were spread out before them.
"Mmm! Aunt Yuzu's cooking is amazing!" Obito said through a full mouth, throwing in flattery between bites.
The others weren't as dramatic, but they all thanked her politely and admitted the food was delicious, especially since it was their first time trying it.
Yuzu laughed heartily. "Good kids! Come often, Auntie will make sure you're fed well. Not like my brat—every day I cook for him, and he still acts picky, saying my food's no good. Raising a wolf at home, I swear."
Lock pretended not to hear, focusing on his oden. He had been the one who suggested these dishes—simple to prepare, cheap to make, and filling.
"You're all Lock's classmates," Yuzu said, her tone softening. "Take care of him at school, alright?"
Kurenai smiled brightly. "He doesn't need us to take care of him, Auntie. He's number one in our class now—he even beat Kakashi."
"…What?" Yuzu froze, staring at her son. "Number one? He beat Kakashi? Don't joke with me."
She knew her son. To her, he was still the boy ranked second-to-last, only above Obito. And Kakashi… that was the genius son of the White Fang. The idea sounded absurd.
"It's true, Auntie," Obito chimed in eagerly. "Lock beat him fair and square! If he hadn't, I would've been the first to—"
"Sure," Yuzu muttered, clearly unconvinced.
But Kakashi himself spoke up, calm as ever. "It's true, Auntie. Lock defeated me. I'll work hard and challenge him again, but he's the strongest in our class right now."
Yuzu blinked, stunned and silent for a moment, her ladle still in hand. Then she looked at her son with new eyes—half disbelieving, half proud.