Naruto: Snow Cold

Heading out while atop my father's shoulder and accompanied by my mother, we walked through the streets, which were mostly repaired by now. You could see some genin grumbling and complaining as they worked on the roofing of a house, while the sensei just watched them. Funny.

I was in awe, my mouth agape, as this was the first time I'd gotten so far from the orphanage and because I wasn't used to being this tall once again.

Right, I'm on top of someone's shoulder right now. I'll just keep dreaming on...

I saw quite a lot of people going about their day: buildings, several shops, the hospital... Oh, is that Yakiniku Q? Interesting.

Then I heard my mother, Hikari, speak up.

"Like the view, Amai?"

I nodded and replied, "Mm! It's the first time I've gone so far out of that place. Konoha is beautiful."

"Right?"

I kept looking in different directions as we walked but found nothing. Around ten minutes passed by my estimates. Where's Ichiraku?! Wait, it's over there. I gotta ask them to take me there sometime!

"We are getting close," said Jun with a content smile on his face as he held me on his shoulder.

Huh. To where? Their house? It also surprises me how strong these people are. He's been carrying me like it's nothing, and I should weigh a little more than normal due to the presence of chakra, so that's quite something.

He let me down and said, "Aaaand we are here!"

"Whooaaaa..."

Before us stood an apartment-like building. We entered through the set of double doors and made our way to the stairs, climbing about two floors. As we walked down the corridor, my parents stopped at a room labeled "C3." They pulled out their keys, unlocked the door, and led me inside.

The room was spacious from what I could see. They promptly locked the door back up.

"Welcome to our home, dear," she said, rubbing my head lovingly.

I looked around at what seemed to be the living room. It featured a cozy-looking sofa adorned with colorful cushions and a coffee table in the center—perfect for resting.

The walls were painted in soft, neutral tones, and a large window let in plenty of light, illuminating the room and offering a view of the bustling streets below. There was a small dining area with a wooden table and some chairs, and a few plants sat on the windowsill.

The kitchen, although quite compact, had some familiar appliances, like a stove, refrigerator, and microwave, along with cabinets filled with dishware and cutlery. A small countertop provided extra space for meal prep and other tasks.

We moved further in through the small hallway that led to the bedrooms—two of them, actually. They showed me my own bedroom, which had only a bed, some bookshelves, a closet for clothes, and a small table with a chair. For now, I'll settle for this. I could easily train wall climbing in peace.

Then there was also a bathroom with a shower, sink, you know, the usual stuff for a small bathroom back in my world.

Jun saw me still looking at everything in shock, chuckled, and then spoke up, "How do you like it, Amai?"

"It's amazing! I love it!"

"Hahaha, that's good!"

Then his stomach grumbled. He looked at the clock, realizing it was already 10 AM, and said with a slight flush on his cheeks, "Uh, how about we go out for a bite before I go to my duties?"

A glint appeared in my eyes. Chance!

"Can we go to that place with the Ichiraku sign?! Please, Mom, Dad!"

"Of course, dear," said Hikari, my mother.

Yes! Finally! Who wouldn't want to try Naruto's favorite food?!

I left my belongings inside my room, and we headed out, walking through the streets once more toward the direction where I last saw the food stand.

Ramen, ramen, ramen! My mouth watered just thinking of the savory broth. I longed for that sweet, succulent bowl of noodles.

And arrive, we did.

We went up to the counter, and each of us sat down on a chair; I sat on a taller one. I hated being a child.

My dad saw the old man cutting up some pork belly slices in the back and shouted, "Good morning!"

The old man turned around and noticed us. "Ah, good morning, my friend! How's it going?"

"Good! The day is quite lovely, isn't it?"

"Of course! What will you three and the lovely little lady have?"

Oh. My. God. That word. Little.

"Can we have, uh..." He read the menu above, "Miso Ramen—one bowl for me and another for my wife. Amai, what will you have?"

"The Pork Ramen!" I replied in excitement. I couldn't hold myself back! I'm finally having it!

'She already knows how to read... Impressive!'

"Good choices, two bowls and a small one for the lady, coming right up!" He went back to his kitchen.

My dad turned to me and asked, "Amai, did you know what they served here beforehand?"

"Nuh-uh," I shook my head. "I read the menu above. There's Miso, Pork, Salt, and Soy Sauce."

"Wow, did you learn how to read by yourself?" asked my mother.

My smile faltered a little, and my shoulders dropped slightly. I stuttered a bit, "Y-Yeah. One of the caretakers, Hana, used to help me a lot with writing and reading exercises. She gave me a guide... I left it at the apartment." I said, keeping my smile.

"That's impressive, even for you. Most children don't even start until they're four or five. Anything else interesting?"

My dad looked pensive. What is he thinking about? Is it possible that he can read me through my bodily movements?

'Why did she suddenly lose her confidence? Used to? What happened to Hana...?'

I should tell them about what I've been doing... No, bad idea. Let's try something less suspicious.

"I can move the warm thingie in my gut throughout my whole body!"

"You already unlocked your chakra?!"

"Chakra?" I acted oblivious as to what "chakra" was.

"Honey, I think we lucked out."

"Indeed."

"What's chakra??"

"We'll tell you later, okay? For now, let's wait for the food. We are all starving, after all."

Right, the food! Ramen, ramen, ramen...!

I observed the old man Teuchi expertly assembling the bowls, transferring a portion of noodles into each one and placing the toppings artfully on top. Pork belly slices, runny egg, green onion, bamboo shoots, corn, seaweed... God, I'm so excited.

He then ladled a light, orangeish broth and poured it onto the two bowls, then ladled a thicker broth onto mine.

Finally, he came to us with two bowls in his hands, serving them to my parents, and promptly brought mine as well. It looks just like the show!

"Enjoy!"

"This looks so good!" said my mother.

My father and I were already salivating, but we knew we couldn't just eat right away. We had to do the ritual thing.

"Thank you for the food!" the three of us said, snapping our chopsticks.

I'm going to devour this like there's no tomorrow.