The two walked along the forest path, one behind the other. Naruto led the way, occasionally looking back to make sure Tsuki was keeping up. He couldn't help it; although he was only three, the memories in his body added up to over twenty years, and taking care of a child was an unconscious habit.
After passing through the last thicket of bushes, the view suddenly opened up.
Before them was a tranquil lake, its surface reflecting the changing colors of twilight. Reeds along the shore swayed gently in the wind, making a soft rustling sound. In the distance, the lights of Konoha village had begun to twinkle like scattered fireflies.
They sat side-by-side on a wooden dock by the lake, and Naruto took a light brown bento box out of his backpack.
Eating instant noodles every day was bad for his health. Even though Old Man Teuchi at Ichiraku never discriminated against him, even the most delicious ramen would get old after eating it for months. As for other restaurants... the owners would sell him food now under the Third Hokage's orders, but their stares still made Naruto feel uneasy.
Ever since he started cooking for himself, he had specifically requested that the Third Hokage send fresh ingredients from time to time.
The moment the bento box opened, a tempting aroma wafted out. Tsuki unconsciously sat up straighter, her obsidian eyes sneaking glances in its direction.
"Don't judge a book by its cover," Naruto said, noticing her small movements. "I'm actually pretty confident in my cooking skills."
Neatly arranged inside the bento box were a few simple dishes: golden-fried shrimp, vibrant green blanched vegetables, and rice balls shaped like a frog and a fox.
But the most eye-catching dish, taking up more than half the bento, was a red and yellow creation—tomato and scrambled eggs.
Bright red chunks of tomato were coated in glistening golden egg curds, with the sauce an appetizing orange-red. A few specks of green onion were sprinkled on top, shimmering under the evening sun.
Tsuki's pupils instantly dilated.
Tomatoes...!
As the daughter of the Uchiha clan leader, she had grown up eating exquisite traditional Japanese cuisine prepared by her mother. While it was always nutritious and beautifully plated, she had never seen a dish that combined tomatoes and eggs so simply and boldly. Most importantly, tomatoes were her favorite food.
It looks so good! I want to try it!
Her small hands unconsciously tightened on the hem of her clothes, and she swallowed quietly. But the pride of the Uchiha immediately sounded an alarm in her mind.
No! I can't just eat someone else's food! It's too rude!
But... it smells so good...
The internal struggle made Tsuki's cheeks flush slightly. She stared intently at the dish, her breathing unconsciously slowing.
Even for a tsundere, a child's desires are straightforward. Tsuki pretended to look away nonchalantly, but her gaze kept uncontrollably drifting back, her pink lips pursing unconsciously. Naturally, Naruto saw all of this.
"You don't see this dish much in Konoha, do you?" Naruto gently prodded the red and yellow dish with his chopsticks. "Stir-frying tomatoes and eggs together. The ingredients are simple, but the taste is something else."
Tsuki gulped, her body leaning forward slightly, yet she forced herself not to get too close.
Watching her reaction, Naruto thought of the food videos he used to scroll through in his past life. He cleared his throat and continued in a commentator's voice.
"First, you have to pick perfectly ripe, red tomatoes. Score the top, soak them in hot water, and then peel the skin."
"Why peel the skin?"
The question slipped out, her curiosity and appetite overpowering her pride. It seemed Tsuki had temporarily forgotten to maintain her Uchiha dignity.
"It's a little trick~" Peeled tomatoes release their juices better when fried, and the texture is much smoother.
The night breeze blew across the lake, making the reeds rustle. Naruto gestured with his chopsticks in the bento box as he spoke.
"Once you've prepared the tomatoes and chopped green onions, you can beat the eggs. Add a little salt to the egg mixture... and a tiny splash of white vinegar. That removes the egg's gaminess and makes the scramble more tender and fragrant."
Tsuki's eyes grew wider and wider. She never knew there was so much to cooking; her mother's dishes were always so perfectly exquisite that she thought cooking was just a matter of course. Now, listening to Naruto's enthusiastic explanation, the ordinary ingredients suddenly came to life.
So this... is how food is made.
"First, you scramble the eggs. Once they're golden and fluffy, set them aside. Then, stir-fry the tomatoes separately until the flesh breaks down and releases its juices..."
"For seasoning, just the simplest soy sauce and salt, with a little bit of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Finally, add the eggs back in, and wait for the two flavors to completely merge—"
Grumble.
A faint sound came from Tsuki's direction. She hurriedly covered her stomach, but it was too late. It was clearly the sound of her stomach protesting. Her fair little face turned beet red, even the tips of her ears matching the color of the sunset.
Oh, no...
As the young lady of the Uchiha clan, even as a child, she had been taught to always maintain elegance and strength, to uphold the Uchiha pride. But now, not only had she been staring at someone else's lunch, but she had also made such an embarrassing sound!
This wasn't just a physiological reaction to hunger. When humans see or hear about ingredients being carefully cooked and transformed into a delicious meal, the brain unconsciously starts to imagine its taste. Especially when the dish uses one's favorite ingredient, the anticipation is like seeing a beloved toy just out of reach, making one's heart itch with desire.
Naruto held back a laugh and pushed the bento box a little closer to her. "Well, want to try some?"
"Ah! This..."
Tsuki's fingers twisted the hem of her clothes again. This wasn't her usual feigned arrogance; this was genuine embarrassment.
Reason told her she shouldn't accept. She was the one who said she'd keep Naruto company, and now she was about to share the bento he had carefully prepared. It felt too shameless.
But as the aroma of egg and sweet-and-sour tomato filled her nostrils, all her reservations began to crumble. She secretly glanced up at Naruto and saw that there was no mockery in his blue eyes, only sincere expectation.
"Just try a little. I made a lot, it's okay."
Ugh... he's insisting...
The scales in her mind began to tip. Since he was the one who invited her, then... then having a little should be fine, right? Okay, if he absolutely insists I eat... I'll just have to treat him to a meal next time.
"No, it's okay... it's too much trouble for you..."
Her words lacked any conviction. Her eyes were glued to the bento box, unable to look away. She was clearly starving but still trying to act composed. This adorable sight made Naruto's heart melt.
I hope I have a daughter this cute someday...
He resisted the urge to ruffle her black hair. His initial desire to tease her vanished. He knew the Uchiha pride all too well; if he actually accepted her refusal, this little girl would probably stubbornly go home hungry.
"Just have some," Naruto said, softening his voice. "I usually don't have anyone to eat with. It would... make me really happy if someone could appreciate my cooking."
That sentence gently unlocked the final barrier in Tsuki's heart.
"...Is that so!" Her eyes instantly lit up, and she even forgot her trademark tsundere lines. "W-Well then, I'll just have a little!"
Almost impatiently, Tsuki took the spoon Naruto handed her. The moment the first bite of tomato and scrambled eggs entered her mouth, the sweet and sour juices exploded on her tongue, making her unconsciously close her eyes in bliss as her small legs dangled and swayed gently over the edge of the dock.
So delicious!
In that moment, all thoughts of Uchiha pride and a young lady's composure were temporarily tossed aside. The power of food was truly great.
-------
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