Hinata's head was nearly buried in the snow beneath her.
Aoba couldn't see her expression at all, but he could feel her embarrassment from the bright red tips of her ears.
It looked like smoke was beginning to rise from her head.
Was it really that awkward?
Thinking about Hinata's personality, maybe it was.
"Gurgle…"
After a long while, Aoba still didn't see any Hyuga guards approaching. Instead, he heard Hinata's stomach making noise again.
"Sigh…"
Aoba sighed.
"Sorry… I'm sorry…"
Hinata thought Aoba was displeased with her because of something she'd done.
"Do you have money?"
"Yes, I do!"
Hinata hurriedly answered, already frantically rummaging through her small bag to find some.
"Stop, stop, stop! I'm not asking for your money."
Aoba quickly stopped her actions. Hinata clearly misunderstood something. Although he did want her money, it wasn't the right time for that.
"Let's go eat ramen together."
Aoba had initially wanted to invite her home to eat. His house was nearby, after all. But then he thought about Hinata's appetite and realized the food at home wouldn't be enough for her.
And as the heiress of the Hyuga clan, she certainly didn't lack money.
"Huh?"
Hinata stopped rummaging and looked up in confusion, only to see Aoba turning his back and walking away.
"Follow."
"Oh, okay."
Hinata, who didn't know how to refuse, carefully followed behind him.
"Um… excuse me…"
"Hm?"
Aoba heard a tiny voice, like a mosquito buzzing, and looked around. Everything was blanketed in white snow—there couldn't possibly be mosquitoes here.
He stopped and turned around, seeing Hinata still speaking.
"Was that you?"
Hinata instinctively looked away, but forced herself to calm down and look at him.
"My name is Hinata Hyuga…"
Her voice was soft and sweet, almost like something begging to be teased.
"My name is Shirakumo Aoba."
He said it and turned back around, leading the way.
But after a few steps, he asked again.
"Since you're from the Hyuga clan, you must be strong. Why were those three guys bullying you?"
Hinata hadn't expected Aoba to talk to her, so she blurted out her thoughts without thinking.
"My father taught me to treat everyone in the village kindly."
"But they weren't kind to you."
"That's because… because…"
"Because you're easy to bully?" Aoba cut in immediately.
Hinata's face flushed again.
"Your father tells you to be kind, but that doesn't mean you should let people bully you without resisting. If you stay like this, even though I helped you today, the next time you run into them, they'll bully you again. Who will help you then?"
"I think even your father would be more disappointed in you if he knew you wouldn't even fight back."
That last sentence hit the mark. Hinata immediately thought of the disappointed look her father often gave her, and her small hands clenched tighter.
After a long pause, Hinata's soft voice finally returned, still shaky.
"I… I won't do that next time."
"I hope so."
Aoba said it casually. Whether she listened or not was up to her.
While they were talking, they arrived in front of a ramen shop.
Seeing the sign reading Ichiraku Ramen, Aoba led Hinata inside.
"Welcome…"
The moment they entered, they heard Ayame's clear, bright voice.
By the time they sat in the corner, Ayame had already come to their table.
"Ah, it's little Aoba! Oh? This time you brought a new girlfriend I've never seen before."
Ayame clearly recognized Aoba.
Hearing her tease him immediately, Aoba couldn't help rolling his eyes.
"I've told you before—she's not my girlfriend. She's just a normal friend. Pure friendship."
Hinata didn't understand what "girlfriend" meant yet, but she felt the way Ayame was looking at her was strange, and she lowered her head shyly.
"Aoba, I'm just worried you'll get cut someday. I read novels where scumbags always end up dead—without a head."
Ayame spoke in a sincere, advisory tone.
But Aoba didn't want to deal with that topic and cut in.
"I'll have a bowl of the signature tonkotsu ramen."
"Hinata, what would you like?"
"Ah? I-I'll have the same as Aoba-kun."
Hinata was startled by the sudden attention. Her voice was soft and sticky, and this was her first time eating dinner outside.
"Then two bowls of signature ramen, please."
"Understood."
After ordering, Ayame returned to her work. It was dinner rush hour, after all—she had only come over to greet them quickly.
"Your signature tonkotsu ramen."
Soon, two bowls appeared in front of them.
Aoba pushed Hinata's bowl closer to her. The rich aroma immediately filled her nose.
"Thank you. I'll start now."
Hinata clasped her hands together briefly, then began eating.
Aoba didn't bother with any formalities and dug in happily.
Mmm!
Delicious!
Hinata's eyes lit up as she ate.
Besides the fact she was genuinely hungry, the ramen was truly tasty.
The food she ate at home was always balanced for nutrition, usually mild in flavor. She rarely had anything as rich and flavorful as this ramen.
Before long, her bowl was empty.
She stared blankly at the now-empty bowl.
She instinctively licked her lips, stained with oil, like small cherries.
The thought of eating another bowl rose up in her mind—but she quickly shook her head, dismissing the idea.
She couldn't be so rude in public.
Aoba, still slurping his noodles, watched Hinata for a moment. He set down his chopsticks thoughtfully.
"Hinata."
"Have you eaten enough?"
Aoba asked quietly.
"I… I…"
Hinata froze and looked up timidly.
She really wanted to say she was full—because she'd never eaten this much at home.
If she ate more, would it seem abnormal?
But looking at Aoba's serious expression, she began to stammer again.
Aoba's face grew even more earnest.
She wanted to gather her courage but was afraid.
And although she was shy, she couldn't explain why she felt a little happy—this was the first time someone had noticed she wasn't full yet.
"I'm… not full."
Her voice was very small, but Aoba heard it, and a gentle smile appeared on his face again.
"How many more bowls?"
"…"
Hinata clenched the hem of her clothes again, trying to say as little as possible but not wanting to upset Aoba.
Since there were no guards around, eating a bit more without being noticed shouldn't be a problem…
"F-four more bowls should be enough."