After returning home and enjoying a delicious lunch, Chizhao was about to go out for a walk when Naruto, as if on cue, appeared outside her door.
"Good afternoon, Chizhao!"
Seeing Naruto's smiling face, Chizhao was a little surprised: "Naruto? Do you need something?"
Naruto rubbed his fingers against the tip of his nose, a bit embarrassed.
"Actually, I was just bored and wanted to hang out with you. I figured you might be feeling the same, so I came."
Well, she had something else to do this afternoon anyway.
Chizhao called out to Keiko in the inner room, then pulled Naruto out the door.
Naruto looked at the retreating figure in front of him, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved up even more.
The two of them strolled through the streets, occasionally tempted by the snack stalls along the way.
Chizhao felt her coin purse; it contained the money she needed to return to Shikamaru.
After her experiences in her previous life, Chizhao now hated being in debt the most, so she had to return the money to Shikamaru today, no matter what.
In that instant, Naruto keenly caught the longing for takoyaki in Chizhao's eyes.
So he took her small hand, happily ran to the stall, and flashed a big smile.
"Uncle, two servings of takoyaki for us!"
"I don't need any..."
Chizhao waved her hand, trying to refuse.
"Yesterday you treated me to ramen, so this time I'll treat you to takoyaki!"
The boisterous Naruto in front of her gave her a warmth like sunshine. She nodded, gladly accepting his suggestion.
Since Naruto was treating, she might as well accept.
But she still felt like something was a little off.
Soon, two steaming servings of takoyaki were placed before them.
Chizhao happily took the takoyaki, looking at the rich ingredients and fragrant balls on top, eager to start eating immediately.
But seeing Naruto frantically fumbling around on himself, she finally understood where her earlier uneasy feeling came from.
On a stone bench, the two sat together, each holding a serving of takoyaki.
"I'm really sorry, Chizhao..." Naruto held the takoyaki in one hand and scratched his golden hair with the other, his face full of guilt.
"I was in such a hurry to leave today, I didn't realize... I didn't bring my wallet. This time, you ended up treating me again..."
Chizhao looked at the takoyaki in her hand and suddenly felt it wasn't as appealing.
But she wasn't sad about the money; it was just that her hope of completely repaying the debt today was gone.
"It's okay... there will be plenty of other opportunities, and besides, if you don't eat it soon, it'll get cold."
Chizhao speared a ball, reminding Naruto while putting the ball into her mouth.
Naruto regained his spirits and nodded.
He also focused on the takoyaki in his hand, his eyes sparkling, and happily speared a ball into his mouth.
"Delicious!"
"Delicious!"
The two smiled at each other, then devoured all the takoyaki in their hands.
"That guy's eyes are white!"
"They really are, it looks like Byakugan. I wonder who's stronger, them or us!"
At this moment, several familiar voices came from not far away. Naruto looked up and saw the three children who had scolded him earlier Surround around a girl, talking non-stop.
"Hey, Chizhao, look over there!"
Chizhao swallowed the last bit of food in her mouth and squinted in the direction Naruto was pointing.
Isn't that the Rookie Trio? What kind of trouble are they stirring up now?
Her gaze then fell on the girl.
That cute short hair, delicate expression, and distinctive Byakugan.
Hinata?!
"Those bullies are picking on someone again! How annoying!"
Naruto clenched his fists indignantly, pulled Chizhao, who was sitting stay on the bench, and rushed over.
"Come on, let's have a match. Let's see if your Hyuga Clan is stronger or if our Uchiha is stronger!"
Uchiha Toru pushed Hinata to the ground. Looking at the disheveled Hinata on the ground, Uchiha Toru laughed loudly.
"What's the big deal? The Hyuga Clan isn't all that special..."
"You guys stop right there!"
At this moment, Naruto was the first to jump out, blocking Hinata. Chizhao went to Hinata's side, helped her up from the ground, and looked at the three with an angry expression.
The Rookie Trio saw Naruto, who had appeared out of nowhere, and all frowned: "Monster..."
The words were on the tip of their tongues, but then they saw Chizhao, with a face full of dark lines, staring at them menacingly, and swallowed their words back.
Why do they always run into this violent girl everywhere!
"Damn it! Let's go!"
The memory of being beaten was still vivid. Uchiha Toru angrily threw out this sentence, then quickly disappeared from sight with the other two.
"Hmph! Cowards!"
Naruto made a face at the direction they disappeared.
"Th-that... thank you..."
Looking at the soft Hinata in front of her, it truly evoked a desire to protect her from the bottom of one's heart.
She really didn't know how those idiots could be so heartless!
Chizhao patted the dust off Hinata's sleeve and smiled brightly.
"It's good that you're okay... Those guys are just idiots who like to seek attention everywhere, don't take it to heart."
Hinata nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear like a well-bred young lady, a little embarrassed as she fiddled with the hem of her clothes.
Seeing that the bullies had run far away, Naruto clasped his hands behind his head, looking relaxed.
"Since everything's fine, we'll be going now!"
"Wait... wait a minute..."
Naruto turned his head curiously, expressing confusion.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know your names yet..."
At this, Naruto perked up, pointing to himself with a confident look, his eyes sparkling.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, the one who will become Hokage in the future."
"I'm Shiratori Chizhao."
Hinata showed a shy smile, her voice soft and sweet: "I'm... Hyuga Hinata, nice to meet you."
What a cute child. She's really a bargain for a guy like Naruto.
Looking at the two in front of her, Chizhao decided to play matchmaker and tie a red string between them.
"Naruto, why don't you help take Hinata home first?"
Naruto was stunned, looking at Chizhao in confusion.
"Why? Aren't you coming, Chizhao?"
"N-no... it's okay... I can manage myself."
Hinata shyly waved her hand.
"No, that won't do. It's dangerous for a girl alone. Naruto, you take Hinata home first. I'm going to find Shikamaru to pay off my debt, and we'll meet at the park later."
Before Naruto could respond, Chizhao turned and ran off.
Naruto looked speechlessly at Chizhao, who had "abandoned" him, the curve of his mouth drooping, looking exactly like a wronged puppy.
After a while, he finally shifted his gaze to Hinata.
Since Chizhao had instructed him, he had no reason to refuse.
Hinata looked at Naruto, who was completely different from a moment ago, and also showed an awkward but polite smile.
It seemed Chizhao and Naruto were very good friends.
"Where is your home? I'll walk you back."
.......
After much winding around, Chizhao finally arrived at Shikamaru's doorstep.
This residence exuded the elegance and solemnity of Japanese style, and its private backyard added a touch of tranquility and refinement.
As expected of a rich young master, they all lived in luxurious villas.
Chizhao walked lightly to the door, nervously pressing the doorbell.
After all, it was her first time at a rich person's house, so she was a little nervous...
After a while, no one answered the door.
She hesitated for a moment, then pressed the doorbell again, but it remained silent.
"What are you doing?"
A sudden male voice from behind startled Chizhao, making her whole body tremble involuntarily.
She turned and glared at the person, only to see Shikamaru, hands in his pockets, looking at her in confusion.
"You scared me... Don't you make any noise when you walk?"
Shikamaru looked at Chizhao's reaction, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up: "You just didn't hear me. So, what brings you to my house?"
Remembering the purpose of her visit today, Chizhao deftly pulled out her bird-shaped coin purse, poured all the coins into her hand, and offered them.
"Here ~ The money I borrowed from you yesterday... I'll return part of it now... I'll return the rest later."
Shikamaru took the money and weighed it in his hand.
"You don't need to return the rest of the money, consider it..."
"No! I must return it," Chizhao interrupted him, a determined expression on her face.
"I hate owing people money the most!"
Seeing Chizhao's serious demeanor, Shikamaru sighed helplessly:
He had originally wanted to say "consider it my treat," but seeing Chizhao's strong reaction, he had no choice but to compromise.
"Tsk, how troublesome. Fine, whenever you want to return it is fine."
"Don't worry, I'll definitely return it!" Chizhao patted her chest confidently.
Just then, the large door behind them slowly opened, and a black-haired woman appeared before them.
She first looked at Shikamaru and Chizhao with a curious gaze, then blinked at Chizhao, and then her eyes sparkled with surprise.
"Oh my, what a cute girl. Shikamaru, why didn't you tell me you knew such a cute girl?"
Without guessing, Chizhao knew this was Shikamaru's mother.
She politely bowed to Yoshino and greeted her:
"Hello, Auntie..."
Shikamaru frowned and said a little impatiently: "Mom, I just met her yesterday."
Yoshino didn't seem to mind Shikamaru's attitude; instead, she became even more excited: "Then why don't you stay for dinner before you leave?"
"Hey, Mom!" Shikamaru called out helplessly, a suspicious blush appearing on his face.
Chizhao understood Shikamaru's mother's enthusiasm, but she remembered a certain little fox waiting pitifully for her to return, so she politely declined the invitation:
"No, thank you, Auntie. I still have to go find another friend, so I won't bother you any longer."
With that, she smiled, bid farewell to Shikamaru and Yoshino, and then jogged away, disappearing at the intersection.
Yoshino looked at Chizhao's retreating back, sighed in disappointment, then turned to look at the dazed boy entering the house, wishing she could see what else was in this kid's head besides shogi!
Oh right! She also forgot to ask the girl's name!