While the Hyuga family was sitting down for dinner…
At the very same time, Aoba Hayashi’s home was equally filled with the aroma of freshly cooked food.
In the kitchen, Uzuki Yugao and Aoba Hayashi were busy preparing dinner together.
Meanwhile, Tenten, Ino, and Sakura had gathered in the living room, whispering among themselves.
They seemed to be discussing something…
Though judging by the expressions on their faces, it clearly wasn’t a pleasant conversation.
Naturally, neither Hayashi nor Yugao had the spare attention to worry about what the three girls were plotting.
“I never expected little Hayashi to know so many things.”
Yugao expertly flipped the fish sizzling in the pan before casually reaching into the cupboard for a handful of seasonings.
She had been coming over to look after Hayashi ever since she was around ten years old.
In many ways…
She was more familiar with this house than either Hayato Hayashi or Hayashi himself.
“Haha…
I just overheard all that from the ninja who came to the ramen shop.”
Hayashi replied with a slightly awkward smile.
Fortunately, the wisps of steam rising from the stove hid his expression, so Yugao didn’t notice.
“I see.”
“I guess ramen shops really are great places to gather information.”
“I should start visiting them more often.”
“I’ve been a ninja for so long, yet I never knew Lord Third Hokage and Elder Danzo…”
She suddenly paused, too embarrassed to finish the sentence.
Instead, she smoothly changed the subject.
“I wonder who started those rumors.”
“If Lord Third Hokage ever found out…”
“They’d definitely be in for a beating.”
“Heh.”
“They’d probably commit suicide by getting stabbed eight times in the back with shuriken.”
“Huh?”
The two continued chatting back and forth.
It was a familiar routine they had shared for years.
Meanwhile…
The three girls in the living room finally abandoned their discussion.
One after another, they peeked into the kitchen.
Three little heads poked around the doorway as they curiously watched what was happening inside.
Just as Hayashi finished transferring the stir-fried pork with green peppers onto a plate, he noticed them.
One thing worth mentioning was that most of Konoha’s green peppers were bitter or slightly sour.
However, spicy varieties did exist…
They just weren’t particularly hot.
“What are you three doing?”
Hayashi chuckled at the sight.
They looked exactly like curious little kittens peeking around a corner.
“It smells amazing!”
Ino reacted first.
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes in bliss, then hurried over.
Standing beside the stove, she grabbed the edge of the counter and stretched onto her tiptoes, trying desperately to see what Hayashi had cooked.
Since Hayashi wasn’t tall enough to comfortably use the stove yet, he had to stand on a small platform.
Ino, who was even shorter than he was, couldn’t even see into the serving bowl.
“Wow!”
“What is this?”
“Is this green pepper?”
“I’ve never seen green peppers cooked like this before!”
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
She truly resembled an inquisitive kitten.
To be fair, Hayashi’s style of stir-frying over high heat and skillfully tossing the wok was still quite rare in Konoha.
Especially for a young lady from a prominent clan like Ino.
Hayashi had just opened his mouth to explain…
When Tenten rushed over right behind her.
She promptly grabbed Ino and pulled her back.
“Don’t disturb Hayashi while he’s cooking.”
“I was just curious!”
“It smells so good!”
Ino struggled in protest.
“No.”
Tenten tightened her grip.
“You’re too short.”
“If you keep jumping around, you’ll get in Hayashi’s way.”
“I’ll look first, then tell you later.”
“Pfft.”
Neither Hayashi nor Yugao could hold back their laughter.
“What are you laughing at?”
Tenten asked in confusion, still firmly restraining Ino.
“I just thought of something happy.”
“What?”
“Tonight’s dinner…”
“…might be unlike anything you’ve ever eaten before.”
“Really?”
“But I remember green peppers tasting awful.”
“That’s because you’re using a different kind of pepper.”
“And besides…”
“Green peppers are nutritious.”
“You shouldn’t be picky.”
As he spoke, Hayashi scooped up a small bite with his cooking spatula.
He gently blew on it until it cooled slightly.
Then he held it toward Tenten.
“Tenten.”
“Want to have a taste?”
Tenten’s bright eyes immediately lit up.
She eagerly opened her mouth.
Only to realize…
She couldn’t get any closer.
Something was pulling her backward.
“Ino!”
Tenten immediately became annoyed.
She hadn’t expected Ino to sabotage her at a time like this.
The moment Tenten paused…
Ino lunged forward, trying to steal the bite.
Only to be blocked by Tenten again.
Watching the two girls begin wrestling over a single bite of food, Hayashi stood there holding the spatula, completely speechless.
Then…
He noticed Sakura.
She was still standing timidly by the doorway, uncertain whether she should come in.
Their eyes met.
Hayashi silently raised his eyebrows as if asking,
Do you want some?
Sakura’s face immediately brightened.
She happily skipped right past the struggling duo.
Running into the kitchen…
She leaned forward.
Chomp.
She ate the slice of pork right off Hayashi’s spatula.
Carefully chewing it, Sakura’s eyes suddenly sparkled.
“It’s spicy…”
“A little salty…”
“And just a tiny bit sweet…”
“It’s delicious!”
Receiving such heartfelt praise instantly put Hayashi in a great mood.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Then make sure you eat two big bowls of rice later.”
“Mhm!”
Sakura happily narrowed her eyes.
Then…
A sudden chill crept up her spine.
Stiffly turning around…
She discovered her two “good friends” standing directly behind her.
Flames practically seemed to be burning behind them.
“Sa-ku-ra!”
“Haruno Sakura!”
The next moment…
The two girls dragged Sakura out of the kitchen for what could only be described as an utterly inhumane punishment.
Poor Sakura.
Hayashi could only watch helplessly.
Soon…
The kitchen was quiet once again.
Only Hayashi and Yugao remained.
After plating the stir-fried pork with green peppers, Hayashi prepared to make one more vegetable dish.
Suddenly…
He felt someone gently poke his cheek with a finger.
Curiously turning around…
He found a pair of chopsticks being pushed toward his mouth.
“Mmph!”
Before he could react…
The piece of fish on the chopsticks was already in his mouth.
The fresh, tender flavor spread across his tongue.
“Well?”
“Is it good?”
After swallowing, Hayashi immediately gave Yugao a big thumbs-up.
“Delicious!”
Yugao smiled warmly.
But after Hayashi turned back to continue cooking…
She quietly sighed to herself.
Her gaze lingered on the little boy she had practically watched grow up.
Little Hayashi …
You’re really popular.
Watching how close Hayashi had become with Tenten, Ino, and Sakura…
There were moments when Yugao couldn’t help entertaining dangerous thoughts.
Like locking him away somewhere…
Or simply driving those three girls away.
Before long…
“Dinner’s ready!”
Hayashi called toward the living room, where the three girls were still wrestling on the sofa.
“Go wash your hands and serve yourselves some rice.”
Then he noticed Sakura’s face.
She was smiling…
But tears still clung to the corners of her eyes after whatever Tenten and Ino had just done to her.
Hayashi couldn’t help adding,
“Sakura…”
“Go wash your face first.”