After finishing the entire bowl of beef ramen, Iruka could only sigh in satisfaction, this was hands-down the most delicious meal he'd ever had.
What could be better than a meal that reminded you of family?
He leaned back, one hand on his round, full stomach, basking in the lingering warmth.
All of Iruka's previous doubts and hostility toward this little shop had dissolved along with that bowl of noodles, as if they'd never existed at all.
Seeing Iruka's satisfied expression, Naruto puffed out his chest and grinned proudly.
"I told you, didn't I, Iruka-sensei? Big Bro's cooking is- "
Naruto gave a thumbs up, flashing a row of white teeth.
"-the best!"
Iruka chuckled and flicked a finger against Naruto's forehead.
"Don't act so smug. You didn't make it."
"Haha! Still, he's my big bro!" Naruto said, crossing his arms behind his head with a smug expression. His pride as Yuuta's little brother nearly made Iruka burst out laughing.
"Pardon me, Naruto, your ice cream is ready,"
Yuuta's voice cut in, drawing their attention immediately.
After that bowl of legendary ramen, how could this mysterious "ice cream" possibly compare?
With rising anticipation, the two of them locked eyes on the crystal glass in Yuuta's hand.
Inside were two smooth, round scoops of pale yellow ice cream. At first glance, it didn't look impressive at all.
But after the bombshell that was the ramen, neither of them felt let down. They'd already learned, Yuuta's dishes may look plain, but the flavor? Otherworldly.
In fact, they now felt it was normal for his food to look ordinary.
After all, if he could make it taste this good, expecting more would be greedy, and maybe even a little unrealistic. No one that freakishly talented could actually exist... right?
As the ice cream was placed on the table, Iruka suddenly turned serious.
"Naruto, I have a very serious question to ask you."
"Huh?" Naruto blinked, spoon in hand, confused.
Iruka narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, have I been a good teacher to you?"
Naruto was still confused but nodded without hesitation.
"Iruka-sensei's the best!"
"Good," Iruka said, and without warning, snatched Naruto's ice cream.
"Then I'm claiming this ice cream as payment."
"You tricked me!" Naruto yelled, lunging toward him.
But Iruka had already vanished, leaving behind a wooden log in his place.
Substitution Jutsu!
The man had used a ninjutsu, just to steal an ice cream.
Watching this unfold, Yuuta's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Seriously, Iruka... where's your dignity?
Yuuta and Naruto silently screamed the same thought.
Iruka didn't care. He was now huddled in the corner of the shop, gripping the cup like a precious gem. This was his moment, he had to savor it while it lasted.
But the moment he picked up the special spoon, Iruka froze.
The spoon was forged entirely out of gold.
Yes, gold.
Gold.
GOLD.
He repeated it in his mind three times for emphasis.
And from the gleam and weight of it, it looked like pure 24-karat.
Iruka's heart trembled.
When I proposed to my wife, I couldn't even afford a gold ring…
Yet now, here he was, scooping ice cream with a gold spoon.
This… this was luxury beyond comprehension!
He made a mental note: no one must ever find out about this, especially not his wife.
If she knew, he'd be sleeping in the living room for a week, minimum.
Gulp.
Iruka's throat quivered as he nervously scooped out a spoonful and raised it to his lips.
Hiss!
So cold!
The moment the cold touched his warm tongue, it was like a wave of ice water poured over his head, shocking and refreshing, chilling him to the bone.
In this blazing summer heat, it was heavenly.
Then came the second wave.
As the ice cream began to melt and swirl across his tongue, a rich, creamy sweetness spread through his mouth. The flavor lingered, warm and intimate, like,
Like a first kiss.
It reminded him of his first love. That quiet night long ago when he'd stolen a kiss from someone dear.
The same sweetness.
The same tenderness.
The same unforgettable warmth.
Time had passed. That person was long gone.
But now, with this single scoop of ice cream, Iruka found himself lost in memories once more, sweet at first, then hollow. As if someone had reached into his chest and scooped out his heart.
While Iruka was dazed, Naruto seized the moment to snatch back the cup.
Unlike Iruka, Naruto didn't overthink it. His only thought was:
Eat it before Iruka-sensei steals it again!
So without hesitation, he dug in with a heaping spoonful.
"Mmm! Mmm! Mmmm!"
The cold was brutal.
With such a massive scoop shoved straight into his mouth, the icy blast exploded across his tongue like a tornado. His whole body began to shiver.
In this blazing summer heat, seeing someone shiver so violently felt… surreal.
But then, as the cold retreated, warmth returned.
The sweetness that followed was gentle and comforting, like a spring breeze soothing the scorched earth.
It swept through Naruto's chest and warmed his heart.
Suddenly, Naruto realized: his whole life up until now had been a lie.
All the bubblegum, all the lollipops, trash.
This was the real deal.
In that moment, Naruto's entire soul belonged to the ice cream.
It truly lived up to its reputation, a dessert reserved for nobles and dignitaries in the Land of Snow!
For the first time ever, Naruto and Iruka silently reached an understanding.
This was divine.
…But it was gone too fast.
With only two scoops, it took just a few bites for the glass to be emptied. Even the melted cream at the bottom was slurped up by Iruka before Naruto could get to it.
"Iruka-sensei, that's cheating! You said you'd treat me, and then you steal my ice cream?!"
Naruto stood with hands on hips, fuming.
"Ahaha... well, uh, looks like it might rain today," Iruka said sheepishly, shrugging and waving.
Naruto turned to glance outside.
…Clear skies. Not a single cloud in sight.
But by the time Naruto turned back to question him,
Iruka was gone.
Only a Shadow Clone remained sitting in his place.
Naruto felt something inside him shatter.
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
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