"Let's all eat together!"
Shouta Kazuki didn't waste any time searching for a spot and instead placed his bento box right in the center of the gathered group, inviting everyone to dig in. His relaxed attitude made it clear that he had no intention of keeping the food to himself.
Just as he was about to join in, he turned toward Yamanaka Ino, offering her a warm smile.
"Thanks, Ino! You really put a lot of effort into this. The bento you made looks just as elegant and refined as you. I'm sure it'll taste just as amazing."
Ino felt her heart skip a beat.
Wait… what did Haowen just say?!
Did he just compare my bento to… me? Does that mean he thinks I look elegant?!
Her cheeks instantly flushed a shade of pink as she struggled to keep her excitement contained.
Ahhh! I can't believe he said that! I'm so happy!!!
The moment everyone was about to start eating, Shouta suddenly stood up, catching the entire group off guard. Even Uchiha Sasuke, who had been quietly eating at his own table by the window, took notice. His gaze followed Shouta as he started walking toward him.
"Oi! Sasuke!" Shouta called out casually, stopping in front of him. "Why are you eating alone? C'mon, join us! Everyone brought a bunch of good food, and it'll be way more fun than sitting here by yourself."
Sasuke froze. He wasn't expecting to be invited—at least not so openly. He felt a small sense of excitement bubbling within him, but his pride wouldn't allow him to show it. Instead, he simply crossed his arms and turned his head slightly.
"Hmph... I don't need—"
"Alright, let's go!" Shouta interrupted before Sasuke could finish his sentence. He grabbed the young Uchiha by the wrist and effortlessly pulled him toward the group.
Sasuke wanted to protest, but before he knew it, he was already standing among his classmates, and everyone's eyes were now on him. His body stiffened awkwardly, unsure of how to react.
"Oi oi! What do we have here?" Naruto Uzumaki smirked, quickly shoving a burger in Sasuke's face. "Here! This is Naruto's Secret Hamburger! The ultimate masterpiece that I made myself! You should be honored to try it!"
Sasuke eyed the so-called "secret hamburger" with suspicion. It looked… unusual, to say the least.
But more importantly, why was Naruto being so friendly all of a sudden?
For as long as he could remember, the only person in the class who didn't treat Naruto like an outcast was Shouta. Everyone else either ignored him or mocked him. And yet, despite always competing with Naruto in class, Sasuke never once treated him like some kind of monster. Maybe that's why Naruto was willing to share his food with him now.
Still… did he really have to shove it right in his face like this?
"Hmph! As if I'd eat something you made, idiot!" Sasuke scoffed, looking away.
"Oi! What did you just call me?!" Naruto fumed, his fox-like whisker marks twitching with irritation.
"You heard me, idiot."
"Why you—! You bastard, Sasuke!"
"Idiot, Naruto."
"Bastard, Sasuke!"
"Idiot, Naruto!"
"Bastard, Sasuke!"
The two of them went back and forth, escalating into an intense verbal battle. Naruto was already starting to lose his cool, his face contorting with frustration as Sasuke effortlessly countered his every insult.
"Damn you, Sasuke! You traitorous, evil thief! I challenge you to a duel!!!" Naruto dramatically pointed at him.
Sasuke smirked, leaning back slightly. "Hah. You? Challenge me?"
"AAAAHHH!! SASUKEEEE!!!" Naruto jumped up onto the bench, throwing his arms in the air with theatrical passion.
At that moment, something inside Sasuke snapped. He didn't know why, but Naruto's passionate screaming suddenly called to him.
Before anyone could process what was happening, Sasuke also jumped onto the bench, mirroring Naruto's stance.
"WHICH WAY TO DRAG!!!" he shouted.
"SASUKEEEE!!!" Naruto yelled back.
"WHICH WAY TO DRAG!!!"
"SASUKEEEE!!!"
The entire group sat frozen in shock, watching as the usually calm, reserved Uchiha suddenly transformed into an unhinged rival to Naruto's absurd energy.
When did Sasuke… become like this?!
Has he finally lost his mind?!
Shouta sighed, rubbing his temples.
Yep. This was exactly what he expected to happen when he invited Sasuke over. These two were always chaotic when put together—it was like their destiny or something.
"Just ignore them," Shouta muttered to the others. "These two have serious brain issues. Let's just eat while they scream at each other."
But before anyone could start eating again, Shouta casually dropped one more sentence.
"Oh yeah, my mom packed some fried chicken today."
Silence.
Then—
THUD!
Naruto, who had been mid-shout, immediately slammed his butt back onto the bench and turned toward Shouta at lightning speed.
"Fried chicken…?" His voice was almost reverent. His eyes glowed with pure, unfiltered excitement. "Fried chicken?! Fried chicken?! FRI—ED—CHI—CKEN?!"
The shouting match with Sasuke was forgotten instantly.
On the other hand, Sasuke finally sat back down as well, stuffing Naruto's so-called "secret hamburger" into his mouth without a second thought.
But the moment he bit into it—
"GAAAH! What the hell is this?!" He practically choked.
Naruto snorted. "Hmph! You uncultured fool. This is no ordinary burger! This is Naruto Uzumaki's Secret Sauce Special! Crafted with my own two hands, using over a dozen unique ingredients!"
"It tastes like poison!" Sasuke coughed.
"Tsk! And yet you're still alive, aren't you?" Naruto grinned.
Sasuke wanted to argue, but he suddenly felt… oddly unsatisfied. As if something was missing.
Something important.
His gaze shifted toward Shouta's bento, where the legendary fried chicken lay in all its golden, crispy glory.
Why was everyone looking at it like it was the greatest treasure in the world?
Fried chicken… it was just fried chicken, right? Was it really that good?
Before he could contemplate further, Naruto suddenly hopped up onto his seat, his butt sticking out as he made a small finger puppet walk toward the fried chicken on the table.
With a ridiculous melody, he began to sing:
"Chicken, you are so beautiful… Baby… The way you come to me makes my heart burn with desire… If I look at you one more time, I might just explode…!"
His body wiggled dramatically as he sang, his eyes locked onto the fried chicken like a starving wolf.
This wasn't just a song—this was a ritual.
A holy offering to the sacred art of fried chicken.
Sasuke was horrified.
What the hell had he just gotten himself into?!