Shopping street~
Outside Teuchi's Noodle Shop~
The shop's sign was very simple, with "Teuchi's Noodle Shop!" written on four white squares, which were then fixed to the wooden board above!
Below it hung two one-meter-long white-and-red windbreak curtains bearing Konoha's emblem. Whenever a breeze blew past, it also rang the wind chime above to alert the staff inside!
Inside, there were one-meter-high dining tables made from wooden rods and round yellow wooden tabletops, along with round seats constructed the same way!
Hyuga Mie brought Uchiha Lei, Uchiha Mikoto, and Kushina Uzumaki to the shop entrance. A sweet smile appeared on her face as she raised her right hand toward the shop and gently introduced it:
"Teuchi's Noodle Shop may be small, but the ramen here is delicious. You'll definitely like it!"
"So it's Teuchi's ramen. I'm really looking forward to it!"
Uchiha Lei's eyes shone as he suddenly blurted that out, glancing into the shop from time to time in hopes of seeing the familiar figure from the show!
Uchiha Mikoto and Kushina Uzumaki, who were in his arms, were slightly startled. They looked at Teuchi's Noodle Shop with some anticipation and couldn't help swallowing!
Inside Teuchi's Noodle Shop~
Teuchi, who was making ramen in the kitchen, glanced toward the entrance from time to time. He happened to spot his regular customer Hyuga Mie, so he raised his right hand and greeted her warmly:
"Mie, here for ramen again? The same as before?"
"Uncle Teuchi, I brought friends to support your business. Four deluxe tonkotsu ramen with eggs and sausages!"
"Coming right up! I'll make sure your friends are satisfied!"
After hearing Teuchi's reply, Hyuga Mie stood at the entrance, lifted the curtain with her fair hand, and warmly invited the three inside:
"Lei, Kushina, Mikoto, come on in!"
"Thank you, Mie!"
The three thanked her in unison, then entered Teuchi's Noodle Shop and found a sheltered corner on the right to sit down in!
Hyuga Mie sat down across from the three. Noticing Uchiha Lei's little hands around the two girls' waists, she asked with some puzzlement:
"Lei, we're about to eat ramen. Why are you still holding Kushina and Mikoto around their waists?"
"It's just a way for the three of us to grow closer. Don't tell me you're jealous, Mie?"
Uchiha Lei teased her with a smile, still showing no intention of letting go!
"I'm not... I'm not jealous at all. Hmph~"
Hyuga Mie gave a cold snort, her brows furrowing slightly. She puffed out her fair cheeks and pursed her pale-red lips, putting on an angry expression!
Kushina Uzumaki didn't have many friends. Seeing Hyuga Mie get angry, she nudged Uchiha Lei's shoulder with her little head and murmured:
"Lei, you said the wrong thing. Hurry and apologize to Mie!"
Uchiha Mikoto remained silent, merely tilting her head up slightly to see how Uchiha Lei would handle this. In any case, she would definitely follow his opinion!
"Ramen's here!"
Teuchi called out, then walked from the kitchen to their table carrying a tray with four large bowls of deluxe tonkotsu ramen. He set the ramen down for them, then said with a smile:
"Mie, and all you children, enjoy your meal!"
"Thank you, Uncle Teuchi. My name is Uchiha Lei!"
Uchiha Lei enthusiastically introduced himself, then released the two girls' waists and patted their shoulders on either side as he introduced them:
"This is Uchiha Mikoto, and this is Kushina Uzumaki. We'll come here often from now on!"
"Lei, Mikoto, Kushina, my name is Teuchi. I'll remember your names. Enjoy your meal!"
Teuchi smiled and nodded to Chiya Rai, then carried the tray in his right hand back toward the kitchen!
Chiya Rai looked at the deluxe tonkotsu ramen on the table. Its aroma lingered around his nose, and he couldn't help swallowing!
Still, he looked up at the angry Hyuga Mie and found her glaring at him with her beautiful eyes. It felt as though she were saying: Am I worse than ramen? You're actually ignoring me!
Chiya Rai knew this was a good opportunity to get closer to Mie Hyuga, so he stood up, turned and stepped over the stool, then went to sit beside Mie. He extended his right hand and calmly apologized:
"Mie, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made that sort of joke. Please shake my hand and make peace with me!"
"Fine, this young lady forgives you!"
Hyuga Mie's tone softened considerably, but she was still somewhat angry. She extended her fair right hand and shook Uchiha Lei's hand, then quickly withdrew it, picked up her chopsticks, and pressed her palms together as she said:
"Let's eat!"
Uchiha Lei stood up and moved his ramen to the table in front of him, then sat down naturally. He also picked up his chopsticks and pressed his palms together, saying:
"I'm digging in too!"
[Plundering Hyuga Mie's Main Family Byakugan through the normal method. Plunder value increased by 1%. Countdown starting...]
System, does the reward trigger as long as I make contact and then stay within one meter?
[Yes, host, but it's no longer just one meter. After you successfully plundered the possessions of three targets, the range increased to two meters!]
System, you're awesome!
[Keep it low-key, host. Hurry and eat your noodles before they get soggy and stop tasting good!]
Oh, thanks for the reminder, system. From now on, I can hug Mie before class and plunder her Byakugan!
Chiya Rai was very happy, but Kushina Uzumaki and Uchiha Mikoto kept watching him from across the table, as though they wouldn't eat unless he did. He immediately said with a smile:
"Kushina, Mikoto, go ahead. I'll eat right away!"
Chiya Rai immediately picked up his chopsticks, lifted some ramen, and took a bite. Then he exhaled in satisfaction and couldn't help praising it:
"This ramen is so delicious. It smells amazing!"
"I'll try it too!"
Kushina Uzumaki replied, impatiently picking up some ramen with her chopsticks and taking a small bite. Her eyes filled with delighted surprise, and she stopped worrying about being ladylike and began eating the noodles in big mouthfuls!
"I'll try some too!"
Uchiha Mikoto replied and slowly picked up some ramen with her chopsticks. First, she blew on it with her little mouth, then took a small bite. Her eyes suddenly widened, and she lowered her head to look at the ramen in disbelief before she, too, began eating in big mouthfuls!
Hyuga Mie, meanwhile, ate her ramen in small bites. Normally, she would have eaten just like the two girls opposite her, but with Uchiha Lei beside her, she couldn't let go of her pride and ate elegantly in small bites!
In the kitchen, Teuchi was delighted to see Uchiha Lei, Uchiha Mikoto, and Kushina Uzumaki eating their noodles in big mouthfuls. Turning to see Hyuga Mie eating in small bites, he couldn't help calling out a reminder:
"Mie, don't you usually eat your ramen in big mouthfuls? Eating like that will let the ramen go cold, and it won't taste good!"
With Teuchi exposing how she usually acted, Hyuga Mie felt three gazes around her. A blush rose on her fair cheeks, and she lowered her head, making a somewhat embarrassed excuse:
"I usually walk slowly, and I'm afraid of being late for class, so I eat very quickly. Don't mind what Uncle Teuchi said!"
"Mie, don't you always come here very early? Would you still be late even then?"
Teuchi mercilessly exposed Hyuga Mie's excuse again. Only after seeing Uchiha Lei shake his head did he notice steam rising from Mie's head, so he nodded to signal his understanding and stopped talking!
Hyuga Mie recreated Hinata Hyuga's famous scene of steam rising from her head. From her ears to her cheeks and down to her neck, she was entirely blood-red. She no longer knew how to explain herself, and a layer of mist had already covered her eyes. She felt that her life was over!
What should I do? Now my lie has been exposed too!
Will I become a liar in their eyes from now on?
They're friends I only just met! Am I about to be all alone again?
Seeing the embarrassed Hyuga Mie, Uchiha Lei noticed the sparkling tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. He reached out with his right hand and held Mie's hand, gently comforting her:
"Mie, it's all right. There's nothing wrong with eating something you like in big mouthfuls. We won't blame you!"
Uchiha Lei's voice was like a heavenly melody, pulling Hyuga Mie from the abyss of loneliness into a beautiful paradise. A tear slipped silently from the corner of her eye. She turned to look at Lei's gentle smile and felt instantly healed!
"Lei, thank you!"
"It's all right. That's what friends should do!"
Uchiha Lei replied with a smile, patting Hyuga Mie's fair hand with his other hand to soothe her wounded heart!
"Mm~"
Hyuga Mie replied in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, her gaze drifting toward Chiya Rai's little hand from time to time!
Hearing the mention of being late, Kushina Uzumaki offered an ill-timed reminder:
"Everyone, hurry and eat your noodles. Let's not actually be late!"
Only then did Hyuga Mie quickly pull back her little hand and continue eating her ramen with an embarrassed expression!
Then Uchiha Lei sighed and continued eating his ramen!
Uchiha Mikoto didn't mind. Seeing Uchiha Lei resume eating, she silently continued eating her ramen in big mouthfuls!
Before you continue