It's been three days.
The Gyoza I made with different spices brought a lot of customers that I never saw before. I also made a square opening near the cashier so that my customers could order takeout without lining up with the dine-in customers.
"That Gyoza really brought our restaurant a lot of money, Ken! Wait, I feel like the Gyoza somehow rivals the Ramen as our main course."
The lunch rush hour has passed.
Ayame thought that it made sense for me, "Not really, the new customers try the ramen too. I mean, our restaurant also had a bad reputation for long queues during lunch and dinner times, Ayame. So, I was right about the new takeout walk-up window."
Ayame hummed, "We also never thought about this walk-through before, Ken. How did you come up with this?"
I laughed, "It just came out when we had a lot of trouble with their complaints that the queue was too long."
I have to thank someone who came up with the drive-through. But since this world doesn't have cars, we just call it a walk-up window.
As for Ayame, Dad has agreed that she'll study for a year at the Land of Lightning as a student of Cooking-nin.
Therefore, I have to find someone to take her place.
Tring!
"Welcome!"
Someone just lifted the banner curtain that caused the bell to ring.
"Hello, Ken and Ayame-san."
"Oh! It's Iruka-sensei."
Iruka sat on the dining chair, "Hahaha! I heard there's something new here so I wanted to try it really soon."
"That's right, Iruka-san. Ken just came up with this aromatic Gyoza. Finally, besides our ramen, everyone orders our side dish too!"
"That's fantastic, Ken. Actually, my fellow teacher said that there's a fragrant aroma coming from this place. And it was true! Honestly, it really makes me hungry now."
Iruka then ordered Tonkotsu Ramen along with the side dish, Gyoza. He ended up ordering another bowl, as the Gyoza really increased one's appetite.
"Iruka-sensei, do you have any specific information about when Naruto would come back?"
Iruka widened his eyes slightly before laughing, "So you miss your best customer already?"
"Oh, absolutely. Do you have any news about him?"
Of course, I do! Especially when Naruto is my valuable asset. Kuhum! My favorite customer.
"He'll be back within three months."
So, it begins.
The plot for Shippuden will start within three months.
In the meantime, I have to be at least as strong as Sakura.
Yeah, I knew it. In my past life, she wasn't a likeable character, but now, she's my standard as a fellow civilian.
"Three months. That's really close. I wonder how his progress will be since it's been three years he's trained under Lord Jiraiya."
Iruka nodded, "Yes, that'll be fun to watch him grow up."
I smirked, then placed two packs of Gyoza that had six dumplings each, "That's true. Here's for you, Iruka-sensei."
Iruka was a little bewildered, "But I didn't order that."
"It's on the house. Just say it's a token gift for that information."
Iruka laughed, "Kids these days. Alright, I'm going to share this with my students too."
It was then Iruka left the Ichiraku.
Ding!
(C) Umino Iruka is satisfied with the service.
You receive 100 AP and a Random Gift.
Ding!
Congratulations!
You have received Konoha Blue Headband.
I was expecting something, but I have to get used to it being just a random gift.
Like, I got 300 Kunai already in my inventory now!
---
It's dinner time.
There are a lot of customers lining up to dine in and order takeout.
After some time, Ayame finished her day before me, and it was time for me to close the shop because there wasn't anything left either. It's surprising that I had to close it early.
Ding!
You've had a great sale today, host.
Today, you sold the entire menu.
The restaurant has received 151 customers: 150 D-rank, and 1 C-rank.
Congratulations!
You've accumulated 1,600 AP.
Not bad at all.
Alright, I'm going to spend my whole night training my chakra control!
"Ken! Hah... hah... are you still... open?"
A lady barged in, her face looking pale. With her rough breathing, she looked at me anxiously. I looked at the woman with short hair. She wore a black yukata and brought a little piggy in her arms.
"I'm sorry, but all the menu items are out of stock, Shizune-san. But what's happening? You look troubled."
"I'm in trouble, Ken! I've been looking around all the restaurants and they're out of stock too! NOO! If I come back empty-handed, Lady Tsunade will eat my Tonton!"
"Oink! Oink!"
Seeing her panic like that, I gestured for her to take a seat first.
"Please have some tea first."
She nodded. I then sat next to her, "What is the problem?"
Shizune then sighed, "I was trying to find a restaurant to book. Then I found that they're either fully booked or out of stock. This happened because Lord Kazekage has a sudden urgent visit to Konoha for the upcoming Chuunin Exams."
"I see. Because it's unscheduled, you had a hard time finding a restaurant. That makes sense why you'd ask a small Ramen Shop like Ichiraku."
"Yes, I don't know what to do. Lady Tsunade might finish the meeting with Lord Kazekage soon. Ken, I know you have a lot of connections, so could you arrange a restaurant for us?"
HELL YEEEEEEEEEEES! With shining eyes, I grabbed her hand tightly, "Of course! I'm willing to arrange that. But I've got a better offer, Shizune."
"U-uh sure? What is that?"
"Just come to Ichiraku. I'll cook something for them."
Shizune was stunned, "You said that you emptied your stock, right?"
With a serious face, I got up from my seat and tapped her shoulder, "Trust me."
Her cheeks turned slightly red before she said, "Alright then, I'll leave it to you, Ken."
Watching her leave with the pig, suddenly, the system reacted to this.
Ding!
The customer (A) Shizune has requested a Special Order!
Mission: Impress Lady Hokage and Lord Kazekage with your cooking.
Reward: 50,000 AP, and +10 Chakra Level
I already guessed that as long as someone comes to Ichiraku, the system will treat them as a customer. And if they ask me a favor, a mission, or an order outside the menu, it will become a Special Order!
Hey system, can I marry you?
Ding!
Not a chance.
You son of a b—