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Time flies. Years are like a shuttle. In the blink of an eye, a year has passed.
During one year, since the news that Naruto became the chief student this year was widely spread, the villagers’ attitude towards him gradually became more friendly. Moreover, over time, people have found that Naruto seemed to be not a danger. Some people have even forgotten the matter of Naruto’s “demon fox”.
This led Naruto to finally enjoy the good life he should have as the son of Fourth-Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
And time has come to the 2nd year class, the first day after the start of school.
Naruto did not apply for graduation in advance. However, he enjoyed his current Academy career very much.
……..
The bell of the school had just rung.
Not waiting for Naruto to leave, in his mind, Li Yaoxiang’s voice appeared: “Naruto, you and Hinata have been working so hard recently. Have a rest and go roam around. Also, invite them to come to your home. I will personally reward you with my cooking.”
Naruto, hearing this was overjoyed: “Really? Big brother, really?! Very good! I haven’t eaten big brother’s dishes for a long time! I will tell Hinata now!”
“Hinata, Sasuke. After you come out, we’ll go to the market to buy food! Come to my house today, and I’ll cook for you guys!” Naruto said to Hinata and Sasuke, who were sitting next to the door.
Sasuke looked suspicious: “You can cook? Why haven’t I heard that before?”
Hinata rejoices: “Okay! It’s an honor to eat the food you cook, Naruto.”
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“Che, you won’t go? If you don’t want to come, then you won’t have your share today! I’m going to the grocery market with just Hinata then!”
“Wha—! Sure! Why not, then? I’ll see if you can really cook!” Sasuke was reluctant to hear that Naruto wants to abandon him just to let Hinata’s romantic couple world happen!
It was boring to stay at home anyway.
‘Look at me be a third wheel to this couple!’
After a burst of laughter, they went back to their home.
……..
After taking a bath, everyone changed clothes. Then, they gathered in one place. That is the park they used to go to.
Three people chatted and walked towards the market.
Sasuke: “Naruto, why did you suddenly think of cooking? And, what are you going to cook?”
While holding the small hand of Hinata, Naruto said: “Aish, you have too many questions. It’s not on a whim. I want to cook in person to celebrate our friendship after many years! You won’t understand it even if I say it. Anyway, it’s gonna be delicious!”
Naruto followed Li Yaoxiang’s instructions. They bought the specified vegetables, meat, condiments, etc. Even how to choose which is fresh, Li Yaoxiang also taught that Naruto.
This scene secretly surprised Sasuke. He was constantly questioning Naruto, why are you doing this, and why is it like that. Naruto was hesitating and didn’t know how to answer him. Simply, he just made an excuse at random, and it was right to prevaricate.
Not much time, all the necessary purchase was complete.
……..
They arrived at Naruto’s house.
Naruto took the two to the living room: “You wait here. I will cook now.” Naruto’s original bright smile suddenly converged, letting go of Hinata’s little hand.
Hinata asked kindly: “Naruto, is there anything I can help with?”
Naruto turned his head and smiled slightly at Hinata: “No need. You can just wait here.”
After that, Naruto turned and left.
This time, even Hinata felt strange. She couldn’t explain it, but she felt that Naruto just now… seemed to be a little different. Not to mention Sasuke. From the moment Naruto said he was going to cook in person, Sasuke had been suspicious.
The two in the living room looked at each other in blank dismay. For a while, they couldn’t understand what was going on. After that, there was no discussion of this topic. They were afraid that Naruto would be upset when he heard it.
Soon, the sound of the knife colliding with the cutting board was heard in the kitchen, then the sound of cooking and so on. Immediately afterward, there was the scent of food.
This made Sasuke and Hinata even more surprised.
‘Unexpectedly, Naruto can really cook?’
The two people, with great curiosity, were unable to bear it and went to the kitchen to see what happened.
Naruto was standing on a stool.
All kinds of dishes were processed exactly.
Sasuke, unable to bear it, came behind Naruto: “Wha——! Are you really good at cooking? Let me try if it tastes good.”
With that said, Sasuke wanted to reach into the pot, but Naruto patted his palm: “Don’t touch it. Go outside and wait. It will be done soon.”
Sasuke’s face was full of grudges, and he was mumbling something. Hinata looked deeply at the back of Naruto.
…….
Not long after, the foods were ready.
Three dishes and one soup were set on the living room table. They were stir-fried cabbage with mushrooms, lemon fried chicken, mapo tofu, and tomato cabbage soup.
Looking at this table of delicious dishes, the most delighted were not Hinata nor Sasuke, but Naruto, the guy who cooked it himself. His hearty smile came back. “Wa——! It smells so good! It looks delicious~”
Naruto’s reaction made Sasuke’s eyes wide open incredulously: “Are you sick? Why do I feel like you’re a different person when you’re cooking?”
Hinata did not ask, but she was also curious about this issue. She turned her head, waiting for his response.
“Wh… what! … What’s the difference! Don’t worry about it! Eat quick, eat quick. If the food is cold, then it won’t taste good.” Then, Naruto handed the tableware to the two, motioning them to start soon.
Naruto, who was already impatient, folded his palms together and squinted his eyes, “Itadakimasu!”
The two were not the type to get entangled in this problem. Anyway, as long as Naruto is fine, it’s whatever.
Three dishes and one soup were quickly swept away by the three little brats.
All three people lay on the ground holding their little bellies.
Sasuke: “Hu~ It’s so delicious. I haven’t eaten such a dish before.”
Hinata: “Well, me too.”
Naruto: “Hu ~ so satisfying ~, I haven’t had such a satisfying meal in a long time.”
Seeing that it was getting late, Hinata and Sasuke said goodbye to Naruto and left. Naruto happily sent the two people away from home and gazing at the back of the two leaving.
After their figures faded away, Naruto didn’t return home but instead jumped outside a few times in a row and came to a random roof. He sat on the edge of the roof, looking towards Hokage Rock not far away. Gazing at his father’s picture filled with emotion.
Today, for him, he felt so happy…
“Big brother, if I can stay like this forever, that would be great…”
He thought the big brother would make fun of him, but Li Yaoxiang said something strange to him at this time: “Naruto, do you really think the village is as beautiful as it looks on the surface?”