For someone as shy as Hinata to say she felt comfortable meant her favorability had already risen.
Tobirama sat behind the counter and silently wrote down a line.
[Underage customer base worth developing.] [Main offerings: pastries, juice, cola.]
Zhang Yu caught a glimpse and nearly burst out laughing.
The Second Hokage really threw himself into whatever work he did.
He had even started analyzing the teenage girl customer base.
After finishing a fruit tart, Ino leaned back in her chair in contentment.
"I feel like coming here today was so worth it."
"We delivered the flowers and got to eat such delicious pastries."
"It's just that I still haven't seen the flower catalogue."
Zhang Yu smiled. "You're still thinking about the flower catalogue?"
Ino was unapologetic.
"Of course I am."
"That flower catalogue is out of print!"
"I spent a whole month thinking about it after I went home."
Hinata glanced at her and quietly gave her away.
"Ino mentioned it every day."
Ino blushed.
"Hinata!"
Zhang Yu was amused.
"All right, I'll let you see it again if there's a chance."
Ino immediately sat up straight.
"Do you promise?"
"That depends on how you behave."
"I helped you gather a hundred kinds of flowers today!"
"And that's why I'm treating you to pastries today."
Ino was at a loss for words.
She wanted to argue, but she couldn't find anything wrong with what Zhang Yu had said.
Beside her, Hinata gave a soft laugh.
It was a faint smile, but it made her look much gentler.
Izuna brought over another plate of cookies.
"These just came out of the oven."
The moment Ino saw them, she put the flower catalogue out of her mind for the time being.
"There's more?"
Zhang Yu said generously, "It's all on the house today. Eat as much as you like."
Looking at the pastries on the table, Ino was thoroughly delighted.
"Boss Zhang Yu, your shop is definitely going to be a hit."
"I guarantee it."
Zhang Yu smiled. "I hope you're right."
The two girls ate to their hearts' content.
Ino was outgoing, and the longer she stayed, the more relaxed she became.
One moment she asked about the drinks in the freezer, the next whether the pastries would be regular offerings, and then whether Zhang Yu was accepting other flowers too.
Hinata didn't say much, but whenever Ino handed her a pastry, she thanked her earnestly and finished it in small bites.
Watching them, Zhang Yu felt reassured.
Wasn't this exactly what it meant to linger and not want to leave?
After they finished the pastries, the summer heat began to seep in through the door.
Zhang Yu turned and opened the freezer.
A blast of cold air rushed out.
He took out two bottles of chilled cola.
Through the clear bottles, fine bubbles shimmered in the dark drink, and icy droplets covered the sides.
Ino immediately leaned closer.
"What's that?"
Zhang Yu placed one of the bottles in front of her.
"Cola."
Ino studied the bottle for a while.
"Cola?"
"Is it alcohol too?"
At the word "alcohol," Hinata looked at Zhang Yu a little nervously as well.
Zhang Yu shook his head.
"It's not alcohol."
"It doesn't contain any alcohol."
"It's just a chilled drink."
Ino still wasn't entirely reassured.
"Really?"
Zhang Yu simply twisted off the cap.
Pssst-
A fizzing sound burst out.
Ino jumped a little, then immediately stared at the bottle's mouth with curiosity.
"It makes a sound?"
Zhang Yu poured the cola into a glass.
The ice clinked crisply against the sides.
The dark liquid flowed into the glass, fine bubbles constantly rising to the surface.
Ino watched without blinking.
Hinata couldn't help leaning a little closer too.
Zhang Yu pushed the glass in front of Ino.
"Try it and you'll see."
Ino sniffed it first.
There was no smell of alcohol.
It was a little sweet.
There was also a strange aroma she had never smelled before.
She looked up to make sure one more time.
"It really isn't alcohol?"
Zhang Yu nodded.
"It really isn't."
Only then did Ino relax.
On that scorching summer day, with the glass cool to the touch and bubbles churning inside, she lifted it with curiosity and took a small sip.
The moment the icy cola entered her mouth, Ino's eyes widened.
The sensation was incredible.
It wasn't sweet like ordinary juice, nor was it mild like tea.
The cold burst across the tip of her tongue first, and the fine bubbles danced and crackled in her mouth like a string of tiny firecrackers.
Sweetness followed close behind, but it wasn't cloying at all.
Best of all, as the chill slid down her throat, it felt as though she had stepped straight out of the summer sun and into a cool pool.
Ino felt completely refreshed.
"Mm!"
She held the glass, her face full of astonishment.
"Wh-what is this?"
"It's so delicious!"
Hinata watched from the side, a little curious.
Ino immediately pushed the glass in front of her, her voice brimming with excitement.
"Hinata, hurry and try it!"
"It really isn't alcohol!"
"It tastes even better than juice!"
Hinata blinked, accepted the glass with both hands, and said softly, "Th-then I'll try a little..."
She lowered her head and took a gentle sip.
The next second, Hinata froze.
Icy.
Sweet and fragrant.
Fizzy.
The sensation, unlike anything she had ever drunk before, washed away much of her earlier reserve.
She swallowed the small mouthful, her fair cheeks turning slightly pink, and her voice grew even softer.
"S-so delicious..."
Leaning against the counter, Zhang Yu couldn't hold back his smile.
Ino had completely relaxed by now and took another large gulp from the glass.
"Boss Zhang Yu, will you be selling this cola from now on too?"
"Yes."
"How much for a bottle?"
"That depends."
Ino immediately grew wary.
"You're not going to charge a lot, are you?"
Zhang Yu smiled. "Don't worry. At least it won't be so expensive that you can't afford it."
Only then did Ino nod in satisfaction.
"That's more like it."
Hinata held the glass and took another tiny sip.
She drank slowly, as though savoring it.
The chilled cola gradually drove away the summer heat, and even the fine sweat on her forehead disappeared.
She looked up at Zhang Yu, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"Boss Zhang Yu... thank you."
"This drink is really delicious."
Zhang Yu waved a hand.
"It's nothing."
"I'm glad you like it."
Ino immediately chimed in. "We do!"
"We really like it!"
"The pastries are delicious, and so is the cola."
"If your shop were a little closer to school, I'd come every day."
Something stirred in Zhang Yu's mind.
Wasn't that just what he wanted to hear?
Looking at the two girls' satisfied faces, his smile grew a little warmer.
"If you like it, come by often."
"You can bring your friends."
"As long as you don't drink alcohol, order whatever pastries and drinks you like."
Ino's eyes lit up.
"Then I'll bring Sakura next time!"
At that, she paused.
"But Sakura seems to have been going on missions with Kakashi-sensei lately."
"I'll ask her when she gets back."
Hinata also said softly, "I... I can bring Kiba and Shino too."
Hearing that, Ino couldn't help looking at her.
"Hinata, would you really take the initiative to bring someone here?"
Hinata blushed.
"I-if they're willing..."
Zhang Yu almost laughed out loud.
Hinata Hyuga really was still the same Hinata Hyuga.
She spoke softly, and her personality was gentle too.
But that earnestness made her all the more likable.
He turned, took two more bottles of cola from the freezer, and placed them on the table.
"These two are for you."
"Take them home and enjoy them."