Chapter 68: Treating Guests
Sasuko nervously clasped her hands, her big eyes blinking at Yu: "Did I pass?"
Yu deliberately pondered for a moment, and seeing Sasuko's eyes about to mist over again, finally said: "Eighty points. Though your method of expression was very... creative." He pointed at that equal sign arrow. "Next time use written explanations."
Sasuko happily raised her small hand: "Yay! I want to study ninjutsu next time too!"
Yu was amused by her sudden enthusiasm: "You love studying that much?"
"Yes!" Sasuko nodded vigorously, eyes sparkling. "I really, really love... studying."
"Is that so? Then starting tomorrow let's add two extra hours of ninjutsu theory questions daily."
Sasuko's smile instantly froze as she stammered to backtrack: "Actually... I don't love it that much..."
Yu finally couldn't help laughing aloud. He gently pinched Sasuko's reddening cheeks: "Do you actually love studying, or love finding excuses to act spoiled?"
Sasuko buried her burning face in his embrace, her muffled voice emerging: "...Both."
Yu held her for a moment before gently releasing: "Alright, time for lunch."
He glanced at the bright sunlight outside—the weather was quite hot, and he really didn't want to cook.
"Let's go out for cold soba noodles."
Sasuko didn't care what they ate for lunch, as long as Yu was with her: "Okay."
Space subtly distorted as their figures instantly vanished.
In front of Ichiraku Ramen, space rippled faintly as the black-haired youth's figure calmly stepped out, pushing open the shop door with its wind chime.
"Welcome!" Teuchi greeted enthusiastically. "What can I get you two?"
Naruko, who had been slurping noodles, suddenly looked up, her golden twin-tails bouncing excitedly: "Yu? What a coincidence, you're eating noodles too!" She sidled over to Yu with her large bowl, soup nearly spilling out.
Sasuko's face immediately fell in Yu's arms: "Yu," she tugged at his collar and complained quietly, "you said the place for soba noodles... was here."
And running into that most unwanted little dummy...
Naruko, completely oblivious, snuggled closer to Yu's other side: "The miso ramen here is super delicious! Want to try some, Sasuko?"
Sasuko silently buried her face in Yu's shoulder: "...I hate miso."
Sasuko pouted, thinking Naruko was so strange—they'd been arguing just yesterday, yet today she could cheerfully and shamelessly come over with a smile.
Naruko naturally greeted Sasuko then looked up at Yu with sparkling eyes: "Yu! I've wanted to treat you to noodles but never had a chance..." She patted her bulging wallet. "Last night for some reason, that ANBU sister gave me lots of living expenses. Let me treat you this time!"
Seeing the denomination of bills Naruko pulled out, Yu raised an eyebrow thoughtfully: "ANBU sister?"
"Yes! The sister wearing a fox mask!" Naruko gestured. "She said it was some 'special scholarship'..." She suddenly lowered her voice. "Actually I think they might have sent it to the wrong person, but she insisted it was for me!"
Teuchi laughed and chimed in: "Looks like little Naruko's become a little rich girl today?"
Yu gently ruffled Naruko's fluffy head, saying warmly: "Then we'll let the little rich girl splurge today."
Seeing Yu's smile, Naruko's face flushed slightly: "Mm-hmm! If Yu wants noodles, I can treat you every day!"
Hearing this, Sasuko in Yu's arms immediately frowned.
This little dummy sure knew how to push her luck...
She leaned close to Yu's ear, complaining quietly with a breathy voice: "Yu~ I don't like coming here." Her fingers twisted Yu's collar. "The soup smells so strong... and it's so noisy."
Naruko was completely oblivious to the atmosphere, still excitedly browsing the menu: "Want to try the new special char siu? I heard it's been marinated in secret sauce for three days!"
Sasuko buried her face in Yu's shoulder, letting out a muffled protest: "Yu... I want to eat your noodles."
Seeing his sulking sister in his arms and Naruko's enthusiasm beside him, Yu suddenly said to Teuchi: "Could we get this to-go please?" He gently patted Sasuko's back. "I'll make you cold soba at home with extra bonito flakes."
Naruko let out a disappointed "Eh," but immediately perked up: "Then I'll come too! I can bring char siu as an extra dish!"
Sasuko's grip on Yu's collar suddenly tightened.
Why was this little dummy so persistent and clingy? She couldn't help squirming slightly in Yu's arms, expressing her displeasure with her eyes.
But Yu thought eating together would be livelier, smiling warmly at Naruko: "Sure."
Naruko immediately swayed her twin-tails happily: "Great! This shop's char siu is super delicious!" She completely missed Sasuko's displeased gaze, still enthusiastically planning. "How about adding tamagoyaki? Sasuko likes it half-cooked, right?"
Sasuko blinked in surprise—this girl actually remembers my preferences?
Yu felt the little one in his arms suddenly quiet down, looking down to see Sasuko thoughtfully staring at Naruko's cheerful profile.
He smiled slightly, adding to Teuchi: "Please add a half-cooked tamagoyaki as well."
Soon, three packed meals were neatly arranged in food boxes and brought out.
Naruko immediately jumped off her chair, pulling bills from her ninja pouch first: "Uncle Teuchi, I'll pay today!"
Teuchi raised an eyebrow in surprise as he accepted the bills: "My, such large denominations. Naruko really has become a little rich girl, hasn't she?"
Naruko scratched the back of her head bashfully with a sheepish grin: "I was pretty surprised too..." She secretly glanced at Yu nearby, her voice gradually softening. "But being able to treat Yu to a meal feels really nice..."
Sasuko, who had been enjoying being held by Yu, immediately looked up alertly at these words.
But seeing Naruko's clumsy fumbling that nearly dropped the bills, she silently swallowed her complaints.
Whatever... it's just one meal.
Yu took the packed food boxes, naturally handing the lightest one to Naruko: "Then we'll trouble the little rich girl to carry the char siu."
Yu held Sasuko with his left hand and took Naruko's hand with his right. Space subtly distorted as the three figures instantly vanished from the ramen shop, leaving only the gently swaying door chime.
Teuchi paused slightly in his dishwashing, surprise flashing in his eyes. He gazed at the empty seats and murmured softly: "So young..." Then resumed his work as if nothing happened, though his dish-scrubbing became notably more vigorous. "Today's young people are truly remarkable."
Ayame's voice came from the back kitchen: "Dad, where did those three customers go?"
"They left already." Teuchi waved the bills he'd just received. "A little rich girl treated them."
Ayame: "Huh? That fast?"