The next day, seeing his mother Hyuga Yuki's still-pale profile and the way she sometimes paused in the middle of her busy work, her gaze vacant, he made up his mind.
The compensation money would eventually run out. For the sake of making ends meet, his mother couldn't go out and find a job either, or she would wreck her health again.
So he decided to do something to ease their financial strain.
But he couldn't let his training slip, either. Strength was the key to revenge, and he needed a job that would earn him money without taking up too much of his training time.
After thinking it over for a long while, one place came to mind.
Ichiraku Ramen. Business was good there, but the shop was small, so they might need an extra pair of hands. And Teuchi seemed like one of the few older people in the village who didn't judge others.
More importantly, he even helped people like Naruto, whom the villagers despised. With a kind heart like his, perhaps he could help me.
He took a deep breath. Since he hadn't practiced with Neji today, he'd come straight home after school, so it was still early. Ning Xue set down his schoolbag, prepared dinner for his mother, and told her he'd be back late that evening. Then he headed for Ichiraku Ramen.
He lifted the shop's noren, and the rich aroma of bone broth washed over him. Together with the warm light inside, it drove away some of the chill clinging to him.
"Welcome!" Teuchi called out warmly.
When he saw who had come in, he paused, thinking the boy looked familiar.
Only after searching his memory did he remember the child from three years ago.
There was no other reason. The monotony of life made certain unusual incidents stick in one's mind.
"Oh, it's you, white-haired boy. Long time no see. What would you like to eat?"
Ning Xue didn't sit down to order. He stood at the counter and lowered his head slightly, as if finding it hard to ask. But his voice remained as calm as ever. "Teuchi, I'm not here for noodles. I wanted to ask... do you need a temporary worker? Someone to wash dishes, clear tables, that sort of thing."
Teuchi paused and studied Ning Xue carefully. He noticed that the boy's eyes had lost the brightness a young person ought to have, and his expression held a trace of gloom and barely noticeable weariness.
He couldn't help wondering if Ning Xue was another unfortunate child like Naruto.
"A temporary worker, huh..." Teuchi rubbed his chin. Ning Xue looked cold and distant, but seemed like a kind-hearted boy.
Remembering how he'd once used an excuse to treat Naruto to a bowl of noodles, he made up his mind.
He and his daughter could usually manage the little shop themselves, but during the evening rush, things sometimes got hectic.
"Yeah, we do get a little overwhelmed when it gets busy at night." Teuchi flashed a hearty smile. "If you don't mind the hard work, how about coming by every evening to help out until closing? You'd mostly be clearing dishes and wiping down the tables and chairs. When it's quiet, you could help prepare some simple side dishes, too. As for your pay... I'll make sure it's fair!"
Ning Xue hadn't expected Teuchi to agree so readily. He raised his head, a faint flicker passing through his eyes.
"...Thank you, Teuchi. I'll work hard."
"Then it's settled!" Teuchi clapped his hands. "You can start getting the hang of things today! Here, put on this apron first."
Ning Xue silently took the slightly worn white apron embroidered with the words "Ichiraku" and tied it on, a little awkwardly. When he picked up a cloth and walked over to the tables that needed cleaning, he officially began his first part-time job.
Although the job would cut into his training time, he liked the lively atmosphere here, even if it was still a little noisy.
At least here, he didn't have to pretend. All he had to do was work, and he could earn a meager bit of support to help him and his mother carry on.
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