Little Hinata, Big Eater!

Kiba Inuzuka scribbled away furiously.

"Damn it, there's no way I'm losing to that guy Naruto!"

Shino Aburame was working hard in secret, too.

At last, Naruto had stirred up a complete wave of change throughout the classroom...

Iruka-sensei had of course sensed it.

But he was simply deeply proud of Naruto.

The moment he heard the answer, Iruka was first stunned, then a warm feeling surged through him.

"Naruto, congratulations..."

"You got it right."

With a gentle, radiant smile, he was genuinely, sincerely happy for Naruto.

Naruto was stunned for a long while, then finally threw both arms up and jumped.

"Yay!"

"I finally got one right!"

Iruka smiled. "Even so, you don't need to get so excited. This is only the beginning."

"Yes, thank you, Iruka-sensei!"

"And Hinata..."

He glanced at Hinata, and everyone's eyes immediately turned to her.

Hinata's little face flushed red at once, even the tips of her ears turning crimson. She hurriedly lowered her head and spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

"It's, it's nothing..."

"This was all thanks to Naruto-kun's own hard work..."

Naruto's heart stirred, and he remembered that he still hadn't properly thanked Hinata.

"Right, Hinata, I'll treat you to ramen after school!"

Hinata's heart gave a little flutter.

"Y-you'll treat me to ramen..."

This wasn't tutoring, but an actual...

A date?!

Iruka-sensei drew a deep breath and put on a stern expression again.

"Naruto!"

"Although it's certainly worth being happy that you got the answer right, still..."

"The classroom isn't a place for you to chat!"

Naruto scratched his head. "Ahaha, I forgot. We'll talk after school, then, Hinata!"

"...Okay."

Iruka-sensei: "..."

Though he said that, hearing Naruto get the answer right and seeing him invite Hinata out actually made him happier than anyone...

It was almost like the feeling of watching your own child finally grow up and make something of himself...

That was the resolve of a proud father.

After school, with everyone watching, Naruto boldly invited Hinata again.

Hinata's heart raced, and her face turned red with embarrassment, but she still nodded.

"...Okay."

Naruto remembered System Bro saying that he was allowed to eat ramen, but just to be safe, he asked for confirmation first.

[Host may have ramen for dinner, but training must not be neglected. On the way to Ichiraku Ramen, travel by weighted frog jumps!]

Naruto: "..."

"Fine, fine, I got it!"

"Hinata, let's go."

"...Okay."

So, to the astonishment of Hinata and everyone else, Naruto used his backpack as a weight and, with Hinata beside him, frog-jumped all the way there...

Hinata felt shy and giddy inside, but Naruto frog-jumping beside her attracted far too much attention. In particular, people couldn't help looking at her, too.

For someone as shy and low-key as she was, it subjected her to unprecedented pressure.

It was a complicated feeling, impossible to describe in words...

So when she saw Ichiraku Ramen, Hinata felt even more relieved than Naruto did...

It had been a long time since Naruto had eaten Ichiraku Ramen, too.

The moment he saw the sign, his mouth was already watering and his eyes were practically glowing.

"Hinata, I'm afraid I'm going to devour everything today!"

"I'm going to eat a lot, so don't be scared..."

Hinata nodded gently.

"Okay, I won't."

She wondered to herself, H-how do I tell Naruto-kun...

I actually eat quite a bit, too...

Chapter 21: Little Hinata, Big Eater!

"Yo, Naruto!"

"Long time no see!"

The owner of Ichiraku Ramen, Otsutsuki Ichiraku... whose real name was Uncle Teuchi, saw Naruto appear and gave him a friendly smile.

Beside him, Ayame blinked and looked toward Hinata.

"Huh, Naruto didn't come alone this time. He even brought such a cute girl."

She secretly leaned toward Naruto's ear and teased him in a playful voice.

"Is this a date?"

Hinata heard her and immediately blushed.

But Naruto just scratched his head carelessly. "No!"

"Hinata helped me with my studies, so I have to treat her to thank her!"

"Oh, so that's what it is..."

Though Ayame said that, she could easily see what Hinata was thinking from the look in her eyes.

That Naruto really is still a kid. He has no clue at all...

Uncle Ichiraku didn't say anything. He had the two of them sit down, then asked, "Naruto, Hinata, what kind of ramen would you like?"

Naruto blurted out, "A big bowl of pork miso chashu ramen, of course!"

"Oh! Your favorite, as always!"

"What about you, little Hinata?"

Hinata spoke softly. "Th-then I'll have the same as Naruto-kun..."

"Please."

"Coming right up!"

Naruto was so excited that he rubbed his hands together.

"Come to think of it, it's been ages since I came to Ichiraku Ramen."

"After a hard day of training, there's nothing better than a bowl of ramen!"

Hinata smiled softly.

"Yeah."

Only then did Naruto remember that he was there to thank Hinata.

"Ahaha, Hinata, make sure you eat plenty today. It's my treat, to show you how grateful I am!"

"...O-okay, I'll try..."

"Two bowls of ramen, coming up!"

While the two of them were chatting, Uncle Ichiraku had already brought over two huge bowls of ramen.

Naruto's mouth started watering. He immediately forgot all about Hinata and began wolfing down his ramen.

"Slow down, Naruto. You can order more if you're still hungry."

"...Mm, I know... Om nom nom..."

Hinata giggled to herself and began eating a little bashfully, too.

The contrast between their table manners was striking.

One devoured his food like a whirlwind, while the other ate with gentle grace.

However...

When Naruto finished his huge bowl of ramen like a starving man, he was surprised to discover...

Hinata had finished long ago and was waiting for him!

"...Huh?!"

Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief. "Hinata, you ate way too fast!"

Hinata lowered her head in embarrassment.

"S-sorry..."

"Hahaha, what are you apologizing for? Eating so heartily just shows you've accepted my thanks!"

"Uncle Ichiraku, bring Hinata and me another huge bowl!"

"Coming right up!"

Hinata hurriedly said, "N-Naruto-kun... you don't have to spend so much..."

Naruto waved a hand grandly. "What are you talking about? Do you think I'm that stingy?"

"Today, I'm going to eat until I'm completely full!"

"And I'll make sure Hinata gets her fill, too!"

Hinata said softly, "Th-then I won't hold back..."

"That's the spirit!"

And so...

A scene that left Naruto, Uncle Ichiraku, Ayame, and every customer staring in shock unfolded...

Hinata's movements remained graceful and gentle, yet the ramen seemed to vanish from her mouth as if by magic.

One bowl, then another, and another...