Ah, It Smells So Good!

Curiosity killed the cat.

The same rule applied to women and girls.

When someone of the opposite sex had no interest in getting to know you, it meant you had no chance. No matter how hard you tried, it would all be in vain.

But as long as their desire to explore was piqued, you had already succeeded by one-third. All that remained was to display yourself like a peacock spreading its tail and make her deeply fascinated by you.

It was a cliché piece of dating advice, but it was practical, with a certain back-to-basics feel to it.

With a new bet in place but no winner decided yet, Chishima Chiba and Tsunade's interaction ended there.

After all, they had known each other for less than half a day. It was impossible for them to become that close so quickly. Even if Chishima Chiba wanted to, given Tsunade's personality, she would not let him have his way. If he acted too excessive or deliberate, it might even backfire.

Keeping things relaxed and measured, neither clingy nor overbearing, and gradually deepening their relationship was the way to make it last.

Everything had to happen naturally. A little strategy at the beginning was fine, but too much would seem deliberate and only make him look cheap.

Ninja Teacher Takezawa Masahiro returned and gave the students their first lesson of the school year before dismissing them early.

After all, the first day was only for familiarizing themselves. Normal classes would begin on the second day.

Beneath the sunlight that had just begun to dip westward, Chishima Chiba and Tsunade walked side by side, both with puffed cheeks and candy in their mouths.

"Are you going home after school?" Chishima Chiba asked.

"Yes." Tsunade had returned to her aloof self, answering concisely.

"Then..." Chishima Chiba waved at the school gate. "See you tomorrow!"

"But the bet isn't over yet..." Tsunade's expression shifted, and she spoke a little faster. "How could you..."

"Just consider me the loser." Chishima Chiba smiled gently. "I only wanted to make you happy. The bet wasn't that important."

"But..."

Tsunade still wanted to say something, but Chishima Chiba interrupted her.

"Tsunade, smile more. Don't let outside factors ruin your good mood. And besides... you look beautiful when you smile. Really!"

Tsunade's Bright Brown eyes met Chishima Chiba's clear, sincere gaze, and her heart skipped half a beat.

He looked good when he smiled too, and he was so gentle...

Whoosh.

A faint sound of something being tossed rang out. Tsunade instinctively reached out and caught it. When she opened her palm, two brightly wrapped candies lay in it.

"Remember, have one when you're unhappy, and anything can pass. Have one when you're happy too, and your joy will double."

Chishima Chiba withdrew his hand, struck what he thought was a carefree pose, shoved both hands into his pockets, and walked away on his own.

But after only a couple of steps, Tsunade followed him, her eyes holding back a smile.

Chishima Chiba was momentarily dumbfounded. Had things progressed between him and Tsunade that quickly?

The idle Dog System hadn't given him any notification either...

Tsunade said nothing. She merely caught up to Chishima Chiba in a few steps and once again walked beside him.

"My house is that way."

Tsunade tried her best to keep her voice calm, but her Trembled Eyelashes gave her away.

"..."

Chishima Chiba was speechless. He had laid so much groundwork at the school gate, only to find out they were going the same way?

What the hell!

"Ahem." He coughed sharply twice to hide his embarrassment. "Haha, going the same way is good. I was planning to weasel out of it, but now there's no escaping..."

"Wow, so you wanted to back out of the bet?" Tsunade's Bright Brown eyes widened at once. "You said all that because you saw you were about to lose, didn't you?"

"Cheater..."

"Fine, since you caught me red-handed, then... what do you want to eat? My treat!"

Chishima Chiba successfully eased the awkwardness and even managed to invite her to a meal, so naturally, he had to seem generous.

"Let's have Lotus Leaf Chicken!"

Tsunade immediately made the decision. "The chicken from that place is so tender, and it tastes amazing!"

"Then Lotus Leaf Chicken it is." Chishima Chiba waved a small hand. "Two chickens—one for you, one for me. We'll hold them and gnaw on them!"

"But... can I afford it?"

Chishima Chiba's abrupt change in tone caught Tsunade off guard. She could only lift her eyes slightly and glance at him.

"The Lotus Leaf Chicken at that place is a little expensive. How about... we go another day?" Tsunade's eyes dimmed slightly as she spoke, making her thoughts impossible to read.

"No, no, that's not what I meant." Chishima Chiba took Tsunade's hand. "I know a better place. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

"Really?!" Tsunade's eyes brightened again, temporarily ignoring the fact that Chishima Chiba was holding her hand.

"Of course. I wouldn't lie to you."

Chishima Chiba answered with a smile, then soon pulled Tsunade into a run. Before long, they disappeared around the corner of an alley.

At that moment, the Half-grown Children who had been watching their backs stood there with hollow eyes, looking utterly lifeless, as though someone had taken away the most important thing in their lives.

"Boss, two chickens."

"Boss, pack up these Spices for me."

"Boss..."

Chishima Chiba led Tsunade through streets and alleys, buying an enormous pile of ingredients.

Tsunade's initial excitement gradually faded into boredom. In the end, the anger in her heart and her little temper kept rising.

"Chiba!"

Tsunade puffed out her cheeks. "Can you stop stuffing everything you buy into my arms?!"

"Ahem, I forgot for a moment."

Chishima Chiba scratched his head awkwardly. "Mainly because you didn't say anything earlier, so naturally I..."

As he spoke, Chishima Chiba helped Tsunade carry some of the load, taking the two chickens that kept flapping from her arms.

"Hmph, you said the loser would treat the other to a meal, and this is how you treat me?" Tsunade pouted. "Are we supposed to eat the chicken raw with the seasonings you bought?"

"Chicken tastes more tender in its original flavor, doesn't it?"

"You're still laughing?!" Tsunade was close to breaking down. "Can you be serious for once?!"

"I'm not teasing you. With what we have here, we can definitely make something delicious later." He looked at Tsunade. "Have you ever had Beggar's Chicken?"

"No!"

Tsunade replied impatiently. Though she did not immediately turn around and leave in a huff, she stopped talking to Chishima Chiba.

Chishima Chiba was not annoyed. Once Tsunade tasted the Beggar's Chicken later, she would definitely swallow her tongue.

The two carried their ingredients in silence, while Tsunade kept a cold expression, fully displaying her aloof little-lady air.

Chishima Chiba did not try to make conversation to liven the mood. He simply led Tsunade in a light run all the way to the outskirts of Konoha.

As soon as they reached their destination, Chishima Chiba got to work. In less than an hour, he clapped his hands and declared the Beggar's Chicken complete!

Although Tsunade had initially watched Chishima Chiba bustle around with great interest, and the displeasure in her heart had gradually faded, she really had not experienced many picnics like this.

But when she saw Chishima Chiba dig the Beggar's Chicken out of the charcoal fire, she could no longer stay calm.

"How are we supposed to eat all that mud?"

"Break open the mud shell, and you'll experience the greatest delicacy in the world!"

Hearing Chishima Chiba boast so enthusiastically, Tsunade raised her dainty fist skeptically and smashed the mud shell with one punch.

However, she used a little too much force, and the mud shell shattered rather miserably.

She secretly glanced at Chishima Chiba. Seeing that he did not react in any particular way, Tsunade finally relaxed.

But the next second, a meaty fragrance mixed with the distinctive fresh scent of earth entered her nose, instantly pulling Tsunade's attention back.

"It smells so good!!!"

Her Bright Brown eyes flew wide open. She wiped her hand on her clothes, then ignored the heat and tore off a drumstick, stuffing it into her mouth.

"So delicious!"

This wasn't when you were looking down on it earlier...

Chishima Chiba curled his lips without saying anything and joined her in eating.