Shin Uchiha had just left the Root Base and was about to take a stroll around Konoha. But just as he reached a street, he unexpectedly ran into a pretty young woman carrying an assortment of vegetables. From the look of things, she had just returned from the market.
"Shin, what are you doing here?"
The young woman's eyes lit up when she saw Shin Uchiha. Her steps quickened, and she hurried over to him.
Shin Uchiha had only been wandering around. He paused briefly at the sight of her, then his expression softened considerably as he said with a smile:
"Ayame, did you go shopping for vegetables?"
At Shin's words, Ayame's pretty face flushed slightly before she answered with a smile:
"Yes. We were running low on ingredients at the ramen shop. Dad went to buy flour, so I went to the market to pick up some vegetables."
Ayame looked Shin over carefully, then seemed to think of something and asked:
"Shin, you haven't eaten yet, have you? How about I treat you to some ramen?"
Seeing the hopeful look in Ayame's eyes, Shin Uchiha paused briefly, then smiled and nodded.
"Sure. I'm hungry anyway. This will be a good chance to try little Ayame's cooking."
Ayame's face grew even redder at his words, and she protested:
"Shin, c-could you stop calling me little Ayame? I-I've grown up already."
Shin Uchiha was briefly taken aback by her words. Looking at the lovely young woman before him, he said with a smile:
"That's right. Our Ayame has grown up, so I can't call you little Ayame anymore. I'll try your cooking today and see whether you've caught up with Teuchi. If it's good, I'll fund a branch for you."
Ayame's eyes lit up at Shin's words. She did not really