Uzumaki Naruto absolutely hated ramen. The noodles were saturated with a salty taste. It made his stomach turn and he wanted to throw up so bad. But it was the first time someone offered him food and for free, without expecting anything, without a price, without a threat or a glare. And as the old man, (Teuchi, his name was Teuchi), looked at him eagerly for his reaction, he couldn't help but devour the whole bowl. Because no one had looked at him like that before. No one had looked into his eyes hopefully like the old man, people mostly shot him glares of disgust with utter loathing in their depths. But this-this was different. He liked being looked at in that way.
He raised his head once he was finished and spoke, "Another, please". Teuchi smiled and gave him another and another and another. Before Naruto had even realized it, he had eaten fifteen bowls of different flavoured ramen. His stomach was about to burst...he wasn't used to eating something so much and with such flavouring. It made him sick. But he pasted a smile on his face and he talked to the old man once again, "This is the best food I've ever tasted, dattebayo! It must be the food of the gods!", he tried to convey to the old man that he greatly enjoyed his cooking.
The food wanted to come up but he kept the food down...he had to for this kind old man who took pity on him. "I'm glad you like it, with the way you chow on my food, I'll never go out of business.", he chortled. He leaned forward, hand reaching toward him and Naruto flinched, only to feel the man's large hand cover his head. He ruffled it slightly. "You should come by more often, I'll feed you all the food you want."
The blond boy couldn't keep his eyes from widening in surprise at the offer. He gazed at the man's dark brown eyes searching for lies, but found nothing but warmth. He tried not to cry but he couldn't help the few tears that escaped his eyes. Teuchi started to pet his hair, not saying a word.
Naruto broke the comforting silence with, "Just so you know, I-I'm not crying, dattebayo. Something just got in my eye!" The old man just laughed and said, "It's okay to cry when you're happy, Naruto. Don't forget that. Next time you come, I'll introduce you to my daughter. She would love to meet you." His eyes softened upon the look of wonder that graced the young boy's face. "R-really?", Naruto couldn't help but ask. "Absolutely, no doubt about it. Anyone who loves ramen as much as you is someone we both love."
Naruto tried not to flinch at the old man's words. As much as they do, huh.
I hate ramen, I hate it so much, but if someone will love me over it then I'll eat as much as I can, as long as I can.
Naruto clenched his fists in his lap. "Ne, jii-san can I have another bowl?"
If this will guarantee me your love and friendship, I'll do anything. Even eat what I hate the most.