Seeing Sasuke Uchiha's grimace, Naruto Uzumaki coughed awkwardly and tried to explain.
But as he picked up a bit of ramen with his chopsticks and tasted it, his face turned liver-red. The cloying sweetness nearly made him gag.
"Sis… why's the ramen sweet?"
Naruto's lips twitched. Swallowing that bite was his limit.
Setting down his chopsticks, he made it clear that Uchiha Izumi's cooking was, frankly, awful.
Hearing Naruto call the special ramen sweet, Sasuke's expression shifted.
He'd been willing to try it, but now he promptly drop off his chopsticks.
"Uh, how about we eat at my place instead?"
Sasuke coughed, glancing at Izumi.
Clearly, staying to eat at Naruto's wasn't a wise choice.
Sasuke even wondered if Naruto skipped school because of Izumi's cooking.
"Your place?"
Izumi's expression turned odd. She wanted to decline, but Naruto's hopeful gaze stopped her.
She nodded, but as they left the table, Izumi glanced at the pot. Scooping a spoonful, she tasted it.
"Tastes pretty good…"
Izumi mumbled, then hurried to catch up with the boys.
The trio left Naruto's apartment, heading toward the Uchiha clan compound.
With Sasuke leading, the security team didn't interfere.
They only cast curious glances at Naruto.
But at the doorstep of Sasuke's home, Izumi made an excuse to leave.
Neither boy thought much of it, and Sasuke brought Naruto inside.
"Mom, I'm back!"
Like any normal kid, Sasuke called out for his mother as he slipped off his shoes.
The sight filled Naruto's eyes with envy.
"What's up?"
Noticing Naruto's longing, Sasuke felt puzzled.
He even wondered if Naruto envied his big house.
"A big house isn't always great, you know."
Sasuke, a bit tsundere, turned away and muttered.
But Naruto, missing his meaning, froze.
"Sasuke, you're back?"
Before Sasuke's mother could respond, a teenager emerged from a side room.
Seeing him, Sasuke's cool facade melted into a grin as he rushed into the boy's arms.
"Big brother! No missions today?"
Sasuke beamed at Itachi Uchiha.
Since Itachi joined the Anbu, he was rarely home.
"Yeah, I finished early today."
"Is this your friend?"
Itachi's gentle smile reminded Naruto of Izumi.
Suddenly shy, Naruto hesitated.
"Sorry for intruding. I'm Naruto Uzumaki."
"Sasuke's classmate."
Naruto snapped out of his daze after a few seconds, politely greeting Itachi.
"Naruto Uzumaki? The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
Itachi's pupils flickered at the name.
His warm smile faded briefly but quickly returned.
"I see. Thanks for looking out for Sasuke at school."
Itachi smiled, returning the courtesy.
He led the boys inside, where Mikoto Uchiha, busy cooking, smiled at her sons' return.
She was especially pleased that Sasuke had brought a friend home for dinner.
"Our Sasuke's a bit reserved outside."
"I thought he'd be like his brother, avoiding friends."
"Please keep looking out for him, Naruto."
Mikoto smiled, pouring Naruto a cup of hot tea.
As exquisite dishes were served, Naruto's face lit up.
"Just simple home cooking, so don't be shy."
"Make yourself at home, Naruto."
Unaware of Naruto's Jinchuriki status, Mikoto was just a mother caring for her family.
She was thrilled to see Naruto, as her sons rarely brought friends over.
"Mm, thanks, Auntie! I won't hold back!"
Naruto nodded with a grin, eyeing the food eagerly.
"Naruto, my mom's cooking is amazing."
"Oh, Mom, isn't Dad home?"
At home, Sasuke was lively, a stark contrast to his cool school persona.
But when he mentioned his father, Fugaku Uchiha, the family fell silent.
"I'm back."
At that moment, a robust middle-aged voice came from the doorway.
A man in a kimono, hands tucked into his sleeves, entered the dining room.
His stern, unsmiling face unnerved Naruto.
"Uh, Father."
"This is my friend, Naruto Uzumaki."
Sasuke, visibly intimidated, stood and spoke stiffly.
The warm, laughter-filled atmosphere shifted with Fugaku's arrival.
"Naruto Uzumaki."
Fugaku's pupils contracted noticeably.
"Hm, sit and eat."
Taking his seat, Fugaku gave Naruto a few extra glances before starting his meal.
The table grew heavy. Itachi finished first and left without a word.
Neither Sasuke nor Naruto missed the odd tension.
Fugaku followed, and only then did Naruto lean toward Sasuke, whispering.
"Your brother… does he not get along with your dad?"
Naruto's question made Sasuke shake his head.
"No, Dad really likes Itachi…"
(End of Chapter)
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