Chapter 1
''I wonder how things have changed…'' Were the musings of a blond haired teen as he sat in the back of a car, eyes staring out of the window as he was being driven to his destination.
He idly ran his fingers through his spiky locks, continuing to stare outside as cars passed by and buildings came into view. His hand slowly slid down to his neck, gliding down over the thin rope where it came to stop at a small locket which he softly rubbed.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't even notice when the car came to a stop until he was spoken to. ''Namikaze-sama, we have arrived.''
He blinked as he straightened himself from where he was seated. Looking out to see a tall wooden gate accompanied by walls that stretched out far on either side.
''I see. Notify my father I've reached my destination. I will be looking around.'' Without waiting for a response he opened the door and stepped out.
Interestingly, he saw that no one else was around but didn't dwell on it for longer than necessary as he made his way to the gate that, surprisingly enough, was open as he entered.
Continuing making his way to the first building without seeing a single soul around him the blond reached out to open the door, only for someone else to do it for him.
''Hm?'' His two blue orbs followed the large hand that had opened the door before he could. Seeing it belonging to an elderly male clad in a olive green yukata that still showed his fit and muscular physique. ''Ah. Guess there goes that, huh old man?'' A hint of familiarity accompanied his voice along with fondness.
The older man gave a light chuckle as he stared back at the younger blond. ''You didn't really think you'd be able to walk in the world's greatest culinary school without anyone noticing, did you, Naruto?''
The younger blond sheepishly scratched his cheek as he entered. ''I did find it weird how empty it was, yeah.''
The elderly male hummed as he brought a hand up to comb his grey beard and the two began walking through the hallway. ''Your father informed me you'd come to visit today.''
''Really? Man, I told him not to as it was going to be a surprise.'' He hung his head depressed at the fact that he failed in his surprise. ''Oh well,'' Just like that he was back to normal. ''So, how have you been old man? It's been a while since I've seen you.''
''Oh I'm doing fine. You've actually come at a great time as today is the entrance exam for the start of a new year.''
''Right. I read something about that being around this time of the year. Seen anyone notable so far?''
''I have not. But, that's because I'm not the one overseeing the exams this year.''
''You're not?'' The blond looked at the man with a raised eyebrow. ''Who is it then? Wait- Don't tell me it's Erina!'' He actually sounded a bit worried for the poors souls that have to deal with her.
''Ohoho. You make it sound like a bad decision. I trust her to grade them based on merit only.''
''Hmm. If you say so old man.'' Naruto relented though he didn't sound very convinced. ''Is Erina actually around here? Since I failed my initial surprise I can try with her. ..You didn't tell her I was arriving though, right?''
''Oh no, I've kept it to myself. As for my granddaughter, she's overseeing the exams though it should be done-
''IT'S DISGUSTING!''
Both paused as a familiar sounding scream reached their ears. They shared a glance and wordlessly decided to check it out as it was rather uncharacteristic of Erina to be this loud.
The two made their way through the long hallway, it was mainly Naruto following for he had no idea of the layout of the building.
They paused in their steps when a door not far from them was opened and out came a red haired boy. Blank eyes and open mouth who simply turned to his right and walked away, not even noticing them standing there.
''Guess we know who was on the receiving end of Erina's scream…'' Naruto muttered while missing the older male's narrow eyed look at the red haired boy's back. ''Must be hard hearing it from the Erina Nakiri herself. Do wonder what he made, though.''
The blond teen then continued to march on as he walked to the opened door and simply entered the room it belonged to. He immediately came to a stop when seeing two people there, though his eyes were focused on one of them.
Puberty had done her well, Naruto admitted as he continued to look at her. Honey blonde hair that ran down her back with sidebangs that curled inwards to her cheeks. Her purple eyes still shining as bright as ever.
Her school outfit was really highlighting her figure, though he tried not to stare too long. Those thigh high socks were a nice touch, he'd admit.
So as he moved his eyes back up to her face, he was caught off guard when he clashed with two wide purple orbs, surprise seen within them along with parted lips.
The pink haired girl beside her seems to take notice that Erina wasn't paying attention to her. Following her friend's gaze, her eyes landing on the blond who stood in the doorway before her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.
''You! Who are you and what's your business here!'' She demanded of him as she kept looking at him with narrow eyes.
Naruto blinked at the rude manner she spoke to him, never before had he been addressed in such a manner. Breaking eye contact he had with Erina and shifting his gaze to the pink haired girl, he opened his mouth to answer before it was done for him.
''N-Na-Naruto?'' Once she uttered out his name, Erina wasted no time moving towards him. She didn't walk but it wasn't quite running either, regardless, he was unprepared as she collided against him and brought her arms around him in a hug.
It caught him off guard, her show of affection, as he was motionless in her hold. And he wasn't the only one as he saw the pink haired girl's equally shocked expression that her face held while staring at them.
''Erina..'' Her name left his lips softly as he got over the shock and returned her embrace, idly noticed the way her body was pressing up against his own but didn't mull over it too long as she ended their embrace, he could see the reluctancy reflected in her purple orbs.
''...You look.. well.'' Naruto told her as an awkward moment of silence followed after their hug.
''Y-You think so?'' She looked unsure as she questioned him, fingers curling around an extending strand of her sidebangs.
''Mhm.'' He nodded. ''You look really pretty.''
The casual manner of how he said it caused her cheeks to burn crimson. Little distance away from them, the pink haired girl heard the words exchanged by her superior and this blond who apparently was an acquaintance of her, she was at a loss of words upon seeing how demure Erina was acting all the sudden. All from a couple words she must've heard hundreds of times by now.
''E-Ehm, Erina-sama, who's this?'' She spoke up eventually and garnered their attention.
''O-Oh, right..'' Erina mumbled, momentarily having forgotten they weren't the only ones in the room. ''Hisako, this is my childhood friend, Naruto Namikaze. Naruto, this is my.. assistant I suppose, Hisako Arato.''
''Childhood friend?'' Hisako questioned. ''You never told me about him. Hold on, Namikaze? As in Minato Namikaze, the 'Kiroi Senko' for his reputed speed at which he's capable of when cooking to the point he's said to be nothing but a yellow flash in the kitchen?''
''Yep. The very same.'' Naruto confirmed.
''And Kushina Uzumaki, nicknamed 'Akai Chishio no Habanero' due to her expertise in spicy dishes, her famous signature dish being her 'Uzumaki Ramen,' a Ramen dish so spicy it has chefs all over the world attempt to eat it in one sitting. So far only a dozen have managed to actually do so.''
''Correct once more.''
''I-I see. My apologies for my behavior earlier. If I had known you were a childhood friend of Erina-sama I never would've acted that way.'' Hisako bowed her head towards him.
''Uhm.. It's fine, I guess.'' A bit unsure how to respond to Erina's assistant. Really, bowing was a bit much in his opinion. And why does Erina have an assistant in the first place?
''What brings you here?'' Erina turned her attention back to the blond. ''I wasn't informed of you arriving or else I'd make sure I would be there to greet you.''
''Ah, that.'' Naruto scratched his cheek. ''It was on purpose as a surprise. One that partially succeeded.'' The expression on her face was asking him to elaborate, which he did. ''Your grandfather managed to find out I was arriving. It appears my father told him I was coming here. I'm glad he didn't tell you so I kind of achieved my goal.''
''Mhm.'' Erina hummed as her expression morphed into.. He wasn't quite sure how exactly to describe it though the way she looked as she slightly narrowed her eyes was rather alluring. ''So my grandfather knew huh.''
''Apparently.'' Naruto shrugged, inwardly apologizing for throwing him under the bus. ''Mind if we continue our conversation somewhere else. This room is nice and all but somewhere more comfortable would be preferable.''
''I suppose we could. I'm done here anyway. Those who passed the test will be notified as the next year will start one month from now.''
''One month, really? Oh well, you lead as I have no idea where anything is.''
''Of course!'' Erina almost reached out for his hand but stopped herself at the last moment, instead motioning for him to follow as she led him out of the room.
With his back against the wall, Senzaemon watched his granddaughter lead the son of Minato away along with Hisako.
Earlier he had seen a familiar red haired boy walk right past him, not even acknowledging his presence with each stumbling step he had taken. Of course he was quick to figure out that he was the one responsible for his granddaughter's scream.
And while normally he wouldn't pay it any mind, the red haired boy struck something within him and was curious what food he might have cooked that caused such a reaction. Watching the three turning the corner at the end of the hallway, Senzaemon entered the room the tests were being held, his eyes immediately landing on the bowl of rice and egg not too far away. His nose twitching as the smell entered his nostrils.
This was what Erina had called disgusting? While it indeed looked rather simple, just the smell alone told him there was no possible way it could be as bad as it appeared. Grabbing a hold of the chopsticks lying beside the dish, he caught a small amount of it and brought it to his lips.
For a moment time seemed to slow down as he let it sit in his mouth, the variant of flavors assaulting his tongue even after he swallowed it. Without a warning he undid the top part of the yukata he wore and laughed, long and loud before snatching the paper near it which showed the boy's name along with his fail status and crumpling it.
''Looks like this year will be very interesting.''
''So Naruto, do you have a place to stay?''
''Huh?'' He paused in the lunch he was eating, the three of them were in what he assumed was a private location of sorts, given that no one other than them were here. ''Oh.. I don't.'' He answered before going back to his food, missing the way Erina's eye twitched. ''Mhmm. This is good. Not as good as the food my mom makes but more than enough to sate my hunger.''
''You uh, you can stay in the Nakiri Mansion. If you want of course!'' She added quickly as her cheeks gained a rosy hue.
Naruto raised an eyebrow, while Hisako sitting beside her looked at Erina with shock. ''You sure? Don't you need to discuss this with your grandfather first?''
''It'll be fine. He knows you, your parents and you're also a childhood friend. My best friend.'' The latter was spoken only in her mind.
From a young age she had issues making friends. People either feared or admired her for her looks, status and talent. Of course, she wasn't without blame, not that she'd ever admit so. She could come across as rather egoistic, partly due to her upbringing at her 'God Tongue' which could make or break a chef's career. And while there were definitely plusses to her name, having people fear her upon only hearing her name had quickly lost its fun after the first few times.
Which is why to Erina, Naruto was her best friend. How even after she had rudely dismissed him when they were younger he persisted on being friends with her. To him, name and status meant nothing. It was one's actions on which he judged. And maybe, those years ago it was what allowed him to see a little girl putting up a tough front.
It's why Hisako was second on her list of friends. She greatly appreciated her presence, even if it could be a bit much at times, but she helped her get through some rough times throughout middle school and Erina was glad to have her.
Erina would never tell either of them this, though. For while being second normally isn't bad, it could be considered so given that her list of friends didn't move past that number.
''I guess, if you're offering, it would be rude to decline the invitation of The Erina Nakiri.'' A cheeky smile on his face as he said this almost brought forth an urge to smack him.
End chapter.
Just something I had in mind. Due to the fact that there's a 1 month timeskip in between the entrance exam and the point things are actually starting, I kept this chapter short. Not that this means I have a specific length in mind for any furthur chapters, just that it's why this one is around 2.3k words.
Probably will be something I work on when I feel like it. Am still working on the chapter for A New Home which hopefully will be done soon. Not that I'm going to hurry it.