Inuzuka Kiba was writing furiously. "Damn it, I can't lose to Naruto!" Aburame Shino also worked hard in secret. The whole classroom was finally swept up in a wave of excitement, all because of Naruto.
Of course, Iruka-sensei also sensed this change. But he was just deeply proud of Naruto. The moment he heard Naruto's correct answer, Iruka was stunned at first, and then a warm feeling surged throughout his entire body.
"Naruto, congratulations… That's right." He had a gentle and bright smile on his face, genuinely happy for Naruto from the bottom of his heart.
Naruto was stunned for a long moment before he jumped up, his arms raised high. "That's great! I finally got it right!"
Iruka smiled and said, "Even so, there's no need to get too excited. This is just the beginning."
"Yes, thank you, Iruka-sensei! And Hinata…" He glanced at Hinata, and immediately everyone's eyes fell on her. Hinata's face immediately turned red with embarrassment, so much so that even the roots of her ears turned red. She quickly lowered her head and spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito. "N-no, nothing… This is all the result of Naruto-kun's own efforts…"
Naruto's heart moved, and he remembered that he had not thanked Hinata properly yet. "By the way, Hinata, I'll treat you to ramen after school!"
Hinata's heart trembled slightly. *'Please… please buy me some ramen…'* This wasn't just a make-up lesson, this was a real… date?!
Iruka-sensei took a deep breath and put on a serious expression again. "Naruto! Although I'm really happy that you got the answer right, but… the classroom is not the place for you to chat!"
Naruto scratched his head. "Aha, I forgot. Then Hinata, let's talk about it after school!"
"…Um."
Iruka-sensei was at a loss for words. Although he said that, when he heard Naruto's answer and saw him invite Hinata, he was actually happier than anyone else. It felt like his own child had finally grown up and become successful. He couldn't help but feel proud.
…
After school, Naruto casually invited Hinata again in front of everyone. Hinata's heart was pounding and her face turned red with embarrassment, but she still nodded.
"…Um."
Naruto remembered that the System had said before that ramen was edible, but just in case, he asked for its opinion in advance.
[The host can have ramen for dinner, but you still can't slack off in your practice. On the way to Ichiraku Ramen, please leap forward like a frog while carrying a heavy load!]
Naruto sighed. "…Okay, okay, I get it! Hinata, let's go."
"…Good."
So, in front of Hinata and everyone else's stunned eyes, Naruto carried his schoolbag as a burden and walked shoulder to shoulder with Hinata… by frog-hopping forward.
Although Hinata felt shy. Naruto's frog-hopping beside her was far too eye-catching, especially those judging eyes that couldn't help but fall on her. This put her, who had always been shy and low-key, under unprecedented pressure. This complex emotion was hard to describe in words. So, when Hinata saw the Ichiraku Ramen store, she felt more relieved than Naruto himself.
Naruto hadn't eaten Ichiraku Ramen in a long time. The moment he saw the sign, he was already drooling, his eyes shining. "Hinata, I'm afraid I'm going on a killing spree today! I'm going to eat a lot, so don't be scared…"
Hinata nodded slightly. "Well, I won't be." She thought to herself, *'How should I tell Naruto-kun… actually, I am a gluttony myself…'*
"Hey, it's Naruto! Long time no see!" The owner of Ichiraku Ramen Shop, Teuchi, saw Naruto suddenly appear and smiled kindly. Ayame, his daughter, blinked her eyes and looked in Hinata's direction.
"Hey, Naruto, you didn't come alone this time. You even brought such a cute girl with you." She snuck up to Naruto's ear and teased in a playful voice, "Is it a date?"
Hinata blushed when she heard it. But Naruto just scratched his head carelessly. "No! Hinata helped me with my studies, so I have to treat her to a meal to thank her!"
"Oh, so that's what happened…" Although Ayame said this, she could easily see through Hinata's thoughts from the look in her eyes. *'Naruto is really still a child, completely clueless…'*
Teuchi didn't say anything, just asked the two to sit down and asked, "Naruto, Hinata, what kind of ramen do you want?"
Naruto blurted out, "Of course, it's still a big bowl of pork miso pork ramen!"
"Oh! Still your favorite! And what about little Hinata?"
Hinata whispered, "Then… Naruto-kun and I should have the same… please."
"Okay!"
Naruto was thrilled and rubbed his hands together in excitement. "Come to think of it, it's been a while since I've eaten Ichiraku Ramen. After a hard day of training, a bowl of ramen is such a blessing!"
Hinata smiled softly. "Yes."
Naruto then remembered that he had come here to thank Hinata. "Ahaha, Hinata, you should eat more today. It's my treat, after all, and I want to express my gratitude to you!"
"…Okay, fine, I'll try my best…"
"Ramen is coming!"
The two were chatting when Teuchi had already brought two large bowls of ramen. Naruto immediately became salivating and no longer cared about Hinata. He immediately started to eat voraciously.
"Slow down, Naruto. You can always ask for more if it's not enough."
"…Mmm, I get it…slurp, slurp…"
Hinata chuckled secretly and started eating shyly herself. The two people's eating habits were in stark contrast. One was sweeping and powerful, the other was gentle and elegant.
However… when Naruto finished a big bowl of ramen like a starving ghost, he was surprised to find… Hinata had already finished eating and was waiting for him!
"…Ha?!" Naruto's eyes widened instantly, and he said in disbelief, "Hinata, you eat so fast!!"
Hinata lowered her head in embarrassment. "Sorry…"
"Hahaha, why are you apologizing? The fact that you can eat it so happily means you accept my gratitude! Uncle Ichiraku, give Hinata and me another big bowl!"
"Okay!"
Hinata hurriedly said, "Naruto-kun… there's no need to spend so much money…"
Naruto waved his hand and said, "What are you talking about! This is my treat and I am not stingy with my friends. I will definitely eat my fill today! Of course, Hinata will be well fed too!"
Hinata said softly, "Then… then I will do my best…"
"That's right!"
Then… a scene that left Naruto, Teuchi, Ayame, and all the other guests completely stunned occurred. Hinata's movements were still graceful and gentle, but the ramen disappeared into her mouth in an instant as if by magic. One bowl, then another bowl, and then another bowl…