Sunlight in Konoha filtered through gaps in the leaves, scattering patches of light across the streets.
Uchiha Ying strolled leisurely along bustling Shimizu Street in Konoha, his attention drawn to a ramen shop.
A small child was busily helping out in front of the shop. It was Teuchi.
The corners of Uchiha Ying's lips lifted slightly as he watched the busy child with interest.
Teuchi's tiny body seemed to contain endless energy and enthusiasm, making him instantly likable.
Uchiha Ying slowly walked up to Teuchi and greeted him with a smile. "Little guy, you're quite hardworking!"
Hearing him, Teuchi looked up, a trace of reverence flashing through his eyes. He answered softly, "Lord Uchiha Ying, hello. I'm helping my father with work."
Uchiha Ying nodded in understanding, then turned toward the busy Teuchi inside the shop and called out, "One large bowl of char siu ramen."
Teuchi replied, "All right, please wait a moment. That'll be three hundred yen."
Uchiha Ying casually took out some loose change from his pocket, handed it to Teuchi, and told him to keep the change.
Then he found an empty seat and sat down, quietly waiting for his ramen.
Before long, Teuchi brought a steaming bowl of ramen to Uchiha Ying, carefully setting it on the table. "Lord Uchiha Ying, your ramen. Please enjoy." After saying that, he stood to one side, waiting for Uchiha Ying's evaluation.
Looking at the bowl of ramen before him, perfect in color, aroma, and flavor, warmth welled up in Uchiha Ying's heart.
On this bustling street, a simple bowl of ramen could bring him such a deep sense of satisfaction.
He could not help recalling his childhood. Whenever he was hungry, his mother would bring him here for a delicious bowl of ramen.
Though he had grown into an adult, his love for ramen had never changed.
Uchiha Ying picked up his chopsticks and gently stirred the noodles, letting the steam rise as the fragrant aroma rushed toward him.
He took a deep breath, savoring the rich scent of noodles and meat.
Then he picked up a mouthful of ramen and placed it in his mouth, carefully savoring its flavor.
Teuchi watched Uchiha Ying nervously, waiting for his reaction.
When he saw the satisfied expression on Uchiha Ying's face, he finally let out a breath.
After finishing his meal, Uchiha Ying set down his chopsticks and smiled at Teuchi. "Teuchi, your family's ramen has always tasted this good."
Teuchi scratched his head a little sheepishly and replied with a smile, "Thank you for the praise, Lord Uchiha. We'll keep working hard to make good ramen."
Uchiha Ying sat in the ramen shop, happily eating a steaming bowl of ramen.
As he enjoyed his meal, he gazed through the window at the bustling street outside.
Sunlight spilled across the street, illuminating the crowds passing by.
Every face bore a happy, contented smile, as though all of life's worries had been cast aside.
This atmosphere of peace and tranquility comforted Uchiha Ying. He knew such beauty did not come easily; it needed everyone working together to protect it.
Just as Uchiha Ying was immersed in his thoughts, a childish yet resolute voice suddenly came from the entrance. "One bowl of tonkotsu ramen!" He looked up and saw a little girl of around seven with long blond hair entering the shop. She wore a school uniform, though it was somewhat disheveled, as if she had just gone through a fierce battle.
Teuchi smiled at Tsunade. "So it's Tsunade. Why did you skip class again?" Tsunade lifted her chin and answered dismissively, "Those classes are too boring. You can't learn anything from them at all."
Uchiha Ying looked over at the sound and saw a lively little girl standing there, her blond hair especially striking.
Her eyes held a wild confidence that naturally drew people's attention.
A faint smile appeared on his face. He found the little girl quite interesting.
Teuchi quickly brought a fragrant bowl of tonkotsu ramen before Tsunade.
Tsunade eagerly sat down and began eating in huge mouthfuls.
She wolfed it down as though she had been hungry for a very long time.
After finishing, she licked her lips in satisfaction and gave Teuchi a thumbs-up, showing how pleased she was.
Uchiha Ying watched Tsunade, the corners of his mouth lifting into a gentle smile. "Little girl, skipping class isn't a good habit."
His tone was filled with an elder's concern and guidance for a junior.
With her mouth stuffed full of noodles, Tsunade answered indistinctly, "Hmph, I don't want to listen to those old fossils nagging me!" As she chewed, she nodded vigorously, making her dislike of class clear.
Uchiha Ying gently shook his head but said nothing more, continuing to focus on the ramen in his own bowl.
Tsunade quickly finished the last bite of noodles, wiped her mouth, and prepared to leave.
However, Teuchi suddenly called after her. "Tsunade, you haven't paid yet!" His voice carried a hint of anxiety, as though he feared she would take the chance to slip away.
Hearing that, an awkward expression appeared on Tsunade's face. She scratched her head and said, "Ah, I'll pay next time!"
With that, she hurriedly ran out of the ramen shop, leaving Teuchi looking helpless.
Teuchi could only shake his head helplessly and complain to Uchiha Ying, "Tsunade always does this, never paying." His eyes showed both affection and exasperation.
Uchiha Ying smiled and comforted Teuchi. "She's a child. Being a little lively isn't such a bad thing." Understanding and tolerance flickered in his gaze, as if he had seen his younger self.
Then Uchiha Ying put down his chopsticks, took out his wallet, paid an extra two hundred yen, and told Teuchi, "Settle Tsunade's bill for her too."
Afterward, he slowly stood up, left the ramen shop, and continued strolling along the lively street.
Tired from walking around, Uchiha Ying sat down on the grass.
Suddenly, the blond little girl rolled down the slope and landed in Uchiha Ying's arms.
Caught off guard by the collision, Uchiha Ying accidentally pressed Tsunade beneath him, and the momentum caused their lips to meet.
For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.
Uchiha Ying's eyes widened as he looked at Tsunade so close to him, his heartbeat quickening uncontrollably.
Tsunade froze as well, her little face instantly turning bright red.
A moment later, Uchiha Ying hurriedly got up and scratched his head awkwardly. "Um... sorry."
Tsunade got to her feet angrily and wiped her mouth. "What are you doing?!"
Uchiha Ying was at a loss. "I didn't mean to. You suddenly rolled down the slope..." Tsunade huffed. "Even so... you can't... can't do that!"
The two fell into an awkward silence.
After a while, Uchiha Ying broke the silence. "Why are you running around again? Rolling down a slope like that is dangerous." Tsunade pouted. "None of your business."
Yet after that accident, the atmosphere between them seemed to have changed in a subtle way.
Looking at Tsunade's stubborn expression, a strange feeling rose in Uchiha Ying's heart. "Don't be so mischievous in the future. Go to class properly."
Though Tsunade remained stubborn with her words, a different glimmer appeared in her eyes.
As the sun set, golden afterglow fell over them.
This unexpected encounter seemed to plant a special seed in their hearts, waiting to slowly sprout in the days to come...
Before you continue