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Inuzuka Kiba was writing furiously.
"Damn it, I absolutely can't lose to that guy Naruto!"
Shino Aburame was also secretly working hard.
Throughout the classroom, Naruto had finally stirred up a storm... Iruka-sensei, of course, also sensed this change.
But he was only deeply proud of Naruto.
The moment he heard the answer, Iruka was first stunned, then a warm current surged through his body.
"Naruto, congratulations..."
"That's correct."
He wore a gentle and bright smile, truly and sincerely happy for Naruto from the bottom of his heart.
Naruto was also stunned for a long time, then he raised his arms and jumped up.
"This is great!"
"I finally got it right!"
Iruka smiled, "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 also fell on Hinata.
Hinata's small face instantly turned crimson, her ears completely red. She quickly lowered her head and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"N-nothing..."
"This is all the result of Naruto-kun's own hard work..."
Naruto's heart stirred, and he remembered that he hadn't properly thanked Hinata yet.
"Oh, Hinata, I'll treat you to ramen after school!"
Hinata's little heart trembled slightly.
"T-treat me to ramen..."
This wasn't tutoring, but a real... date?!
Iruka-sensei took a deep breath and put on a serious expression again.
"Naruto!"
"While it's certainly worth celebrating that you got the answer right, however..."
"The classroom is not a place for you to chat!"
Naruto scratched his head, "Ah ha, I forgot. Well, Hinata, we'll talk after school!"
"...Mm."
Iruka-sensei: "..."
Although he said that, when he heard Naruto answer correctly and saw Naruto invite Hinata, he was actually happier than anyone else in his heart... He had a feeling that his own child had finally grown up and made something of himself... This was the realization of an old father... After school, Naruto, under everyone's gaze, boldly extended the invitation to Hinata again.
Hinata's heart pounded, her small face flushed, but she still nodded.
"...Mm."
Naruto remembered that Tong Zi Ge had said before that ramen was fine to eat, but just in case, he still asked for his opinion beforehand.
"[The host can have ramen for dinner, but training cannot be neglected. On the way to Ichiraku Ramen, please frog jump with weights!]"
Naruto: "..."
"Alright, alright, I know!"
"Hinata, let's go."
"...Okay."
So, to Hinata's and everyone else's stunned gazes, Naruto, with his backpack as weights, frog-jumped forward, shoulder to shoulder with Hinata.
Although Hinata felt shy and sweet inside, Naruto frog-jumping beside her was simply too eye-catching, especially those gazes, which also involuntarily fell upon her.
This put an unprecedented pressure on her, who was always shy and low-key.
This complex emotion was hard to describe in words... So, when she saw the Ichiraku Ramen shop, Hinata felt even more relieved than Naruto...
Naruto hadn't had Ichiraku Ramen in a long time either.
The moment he saw the sign, he was already drooling, his eyes sparkling.
"Hinata, I'm probably going to go all out today!"
"I'll eat a lot, don't be scared..."
Hinata nodded gently.
"Mm, I won't."
She secretly thought to herself, I... how should I tell Naruto-kun... actually, I also eat a little bit much...
Brothers, please give me a monthly ticket!!!
Chapter 21: Little Hinata, Big Eater!
"Yo, it's Naruto!"
"Long time no see!"
The owner of Ichiraku Ramen, Ōtsutsuki Ichiraku... whose real name was Teuchi, smiled kindly when he saw Naruto suddenly appear.
Ayame, beside him, blinked her eyes, looking in Hinata's direction.
"Oh, this Naruto guy isn't alone this time. He even brought such a cute girl."
She secretly leaned into Naruto's ear, teasing him with a playful voice.
"Is it a date?"
Hinata heard this and immediately blushed.
But Naruto scratched his head carelessly, "No!"
"Hinata helped me with tutoring, so I have to treat her to show my gratitude!"
"Oh, so that's what it is..."
Although Ayame said that, from Hinata's eyes, she easily saw through her thoughts.
"This Naruto guy is still a child after all, completely oblivious..."
Ichiraku's Uncle didn't say anything, letting them sit down and asking.
"Naruto, Hinata, what kind of ramen would you like?"
Naruto blurted out, "Of course, a large bowl of pork miso char siu ramen!"
"Oh! Still your favorite!"
"How about little Hinata?"
Hinata said softly, "Then, then I'll have the same as Naruto-kun..."
"Please."
"Alright!"
Naruto was incredibly excited, rubbing his hands eagerly.
"Come to think of it, I haven't been to Ichiraku Ramen in a long time."
"After a hard day of training, a bowl of ramen is simply too blissful!"
Hinata smiled softly.
"Indeed."
Naruto then remembered that he was here to thank Hinata.
"Ah ha, Hinata, you should eat a lot today. Anyway, it's my treat, expressing my gratitude to you!"
"...Okay, okay, I'll try..."
"ramen is here!"
As the two were chatting, Ichiraku's Uncle had already served two large bowls of ramen.
Naruto immediately drooled and, no longer mindful of Hinata, immediately devoured it in large mouthfuls.
"Slow down, Naruto. You can ask for more if it's not enough."
"...Mm, I know... Mmm, mmm, mmm..."
Hinata secretly chuckled and started eating a bit shyly herself.
The way the two ate formed a stark contrast.
One was like a whirlwind, the other gentle and elegant.
However... when Naruto, like a starving ghost, finished a large bowl of ramen, he was surprised to find that... Hinata had already finished eating and was waiting for him!
"...Huh?!"
Naruto's eyes instantly widened, and he said in disbelief, "Hinata, you ate too fast?!"
Hinata lowered her head, embarrassed.
"S-sorry..."
"Hahahaha, why are you apologizing? The fact that you can eat it so happily shows that you've accepted my gratitude!"
"Ichiraku's Uncle, another large bowl for both me and Hinata!"
"Alright!"
Hinata quickly said, "Naruto-kun... you don't have to spend so much..."
Naruto waved his hand, "What are you talking about! Am I, Naruto, such a stingy person?"
"Today, I will definitely fill myself up completely!"
"Of course, I'll make sure Hinata eats her fill too!"
Hinata said softly, "Then, then I won't be polite..."
"That's more like it!"
And so... a scene that left Naruto, Ichiraku's Uncle, Ayame, and all the customers dumbfounded occurred... Hinata's movements were still elegant and gentle, yet the ramen seemed to disappear into her mouth as if by magic.
One bowl, one bowl, and another bowl...