Shihui Aburame and Ino Yamanaka walked down the street.
Each carried two large bags of groceries.
Combined with their picture-perfect looks, they attracted quite a few glances.
Shihui Aburame paid them no mind.
Ino Yamanaka, meanwhile, kept stealing looks at him.
So handsome! What a delight! So happy!
This weekend was wonderful. It was her lucky day.
Shihui Aburame had asked Naruto Uzumaki beforehand, so he found his home without any trouble.
Just like in the original story, it was an ordinary, somewhat rundown apartment building.
He lived on the top floor.
Shihui Aburame went upstairs and arrived at his door.
He had just raised his hand to knock when he suddenly looked at Ino Yamanaka, who had been grinning foolishly the whole way.
"Turn around."
Shihui Aburame spoke in an even tone.
"Huh?"
Ino Yamanaka blinked, looking puzzled.
Could Shiki-kun have a surprise for me?
With that thought, she obediently turned her back to him.
Shihui Aburame knocked.
"Coming!"
Naruto Uzumaki's excited voice drew closer.
He opened the door and saw Shihui Aburame, whom he had been eagerly awaiting, but soon noticed Ino Yamanaka too and gave a little sound of surprise.
"Tidy up your room."
Shihui Aburame glanced inside.
Sure enough, it was a mess.
But that made sense.
Single men, regardless of age, could hardly keep cleaning all the time and maintain a tidy home.
"Sorry, I went training with Uncle Guy first thing this morning and forgot to clean up."
Naruto Uzumaki scratched his head and spoke with some embarrassment.
"I'll help."
Shihui Aburame set down the bags in his hands and went inside.
Naruto Uzumaki hurried to get a broom.
Ino Yamanaka understood why Shihui Aburame had asked her to turn around.
He's so considerate!
She had to hold on tight to a man like this. She absolutely could not let him get away.
"What time did you get up today?"
Shihui Aburame asked casually.
"Four thirty."
Naruto Uzumaki looked smug as he said, "I've seen Konoha at four thirty in the morning, you know."
As expected of Might Guy, the most hardworking and diligent person in the original story.
But Naruto Uzumaki was pretty absurd too.
Anyone else would have been unable to take it even at eighteen, let alone six.
Being from the Uzumaki Clan and having nine-tails chakra really did let him do whatever he pleased.
"What's this?"
While clearing the dining table, Shihui Aburame discovered a book underneath some instant noodles.
He picked it up and flipped through a couple of pages. It turned out to contain notes on taijutsu.
"Uncle Guy gave it to me."
Naruto Uzumaki gave a thumbs-up and said, "I'm willing to call it the Youth Training Manual."
The handsome fellow was speechless.
Shihui Aburame could not keep a straight face.
Who taught you to name things like that?
"Once I master it all, I'll understand the true meaning of youth!"
Naruto Uzumaki flashed a toothy smile, looking exceptionally sunny and cheerful.
Does a smiling boy count as a boy too?
You really are a damn genius!
Once they finished cleaning, Shihui Aburame went to the door.
He picked up the two large bags of groceries and said, "Ino, come in."
Ino Yamanaka immediately turned around. She was just about to say something, but Shihui Aburame had already gone to the kitchen.
She hurried after him.
"Naruto, which dish do you want to learn?"
Shihui Aburame poured water into the pan to wash it.
"Fire Release Flashing Spiral Solar Disc!"
Naruto Uzumaki rattled it off in one breath.
"Say the second name."
Shihui Aburame turned off the tap.
"Fried eggs."
Naruto Uzumaki paused, then asked in some confusion, "Don't you like the first name? I think it's really cool."
Definitely his father's son.
Shihui Aburame turned on the heat and began warming the pan.
He glanced at Naruto Uzumaki and Ino Yamanaka and said expressionlessly, "Watch closely and learn."
Both immediately fell silent, watching his movements intently.
Frying eggs was quite simple.
Before long, they were done.
"Delicious!"
Naruto Uzumaki picked up a piece with his chopsticks and exclaimed, "That's Shiki for you."
"It's not that amazing."
Shihui Aburame's cooking could only be called decent.
Naruto Uzumaki simply had never eaten anything good.
Ino Yamanaka picked up her chopsticks and took a piece too. Her eyes narrowed slightly. It really was good.
I'll let Shiki-kun be the head chef at home in the future.
I'll work hard to earn money and support the family.
As she thought about it, she could not help smiling.
"Naruto."
Shihui Aburame stepped aside and said, "Repeat the steps I just showed you."
"Watch me!"
Fighting spirit blazed in Naruto Uzumaki's eyes.
He was not fighting alone. At this moment, he also had Might Guy and youth with him.
Soon, a fresh batch of fried eggs was ready.
"It's edible."
Shihui Aburame took a bite and spoke.
"Yes!"
Naruto Uzumaki trembled with excitement.
What a strong sense of déjà vu.
Shihui Aburame thought of Might Guy sobbing with tears and snot streaming down his face.
Compared with Naruto Uzumaki, Ino Yamanaka followed the procedure very precisely.
The second dish was tempura, or deep-fried vegetables.
Fried eggs made for too small a portion and were suited to breakfast.
Tempura could be eaten for lunch or dinner.
And like fried eggs, it was not difficult.
Three plates of fried eggs and three plates of tempura went on the table.
Shihui Aburame regretted not bringing Hinata Hyuga along.
"I'm so full."
Ino Yamanaka rubbed her little belly and said blissfully, "I'm all filled up with Shiki-kun's delicious food."
"Me too."
Naruto Uzumaki happily agreed.
Shihui Aburame carried the bowls and chopsticks to the sink with an expressionless face.
By the time he finished washing up, the two had recovered.
"Are you leaving?"
Naruto Uzumaki asked reluctantly.
"Aren't you going to train?"
Shihui Aburame asked in return.
"Oh, right! I have to go find Uncle Guy!"
Naruto Uzumaki's downcast expression brightened.
[Achievement "You're the True God of Cookery" unlocked. Reward obtained: Fire Oil Gu.] [Fire Oil Gu: Rank One Gu, consumable. When thrown into a flame, it explodes into a large quantity of fire oil, further intensifying the fire.]
What a shame.
He did not know any Fire Release Ninjutsu.
Shihui Aburame and Ino Yamanaka left Naruto Uzumaki's home.
Even after walking quite a distance, they could still hear his voice.
"Shiki-kun, it's still early. How about coming to my house?"
Ino Yamanaka looked at him expectantly and asked, "The sunflower you gave me last time is still blooming beautifully. Would you like to see it?"
"I'll walk you home."
Shihui Aburame turned his head slightly, glanced at her golden bangs, and spoke.
"Okay!"
Ino Yamanaka replied happily.
Since he's walking me all the way home, he'll have to have a glass of water before leaving.
It would be even better if I could get him to stay.
All according to plan!
After crossing the Konoha River, they spotted the conspicuous Yamanaka Flower Shop.
"Welcome..."
Mrs. Yamanaka paused, then broke into a broad smile.
"Mom."
After greeting her, Ino Yamanaka hurried upstairs.
"That girl! Where are her manners?"
Mrs. Yamanaka looked at Shihui Aburame and asked apologetically, "Ino must have caused you a lot of trouble, hasn't she?"
"No."
Shihui Aburame replied unconcernedly.
Mrs. Yamanaka gave a slight inward nod.
So far, so good.
She was happy to see Ino Yamanaka and Shihui Aburame together.
Mainly because their families were well matched.
Of course, they were both too young. Whether things would work out was still unknown.
"Shiki-kun!"
Ino Yamanaka reappeared, carrying a vase with a sunflower in it.
"No wonder you treasure it so much."
Mrs. Yamanaka immediately understood.
"You've taken very good care of it."
Shihui Aburame looked it over and spoke.
"Of course."
At his praise, Ino Yamanaka lifted her little head, looking very pleased with herself.
So cute.
Shihui Aburame smiled.
There's another chapter, updating at noon.
(End of chapter)