DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (NOT UNLESS KISHIMOTO IS WILLING TO SHARE HAHA JK)
Ch.16 - Yamanaka Flowers pt.2
"Seriously, not again..." Naruto groaned.
"Come on, Naruto, relax. Asuma-sensei isn't here to stop you from using clones," Ino reassured him.
"Yeah, I know, but I still wouldn't have taken this part-time job if you hadn't kept bringing it up," Naruto complained.
"What's the big deal? You're getting paid, aren't you?" Ino argued.
"Yeah, the money is nice, but I feel like you pressured me into it," Naruto replied.
"I'm just trying to help you earn some extra cash," Ino defended herself, though secretly she was glad to have Naruto's help so she could work less.
"Okay, sweetie, I have to go now. Your father forgot his lunch, and I have errands to run. Take care of the shop while I'm gone, alright?" Noriko said to Ino as she prepared to leave.
"Yes, Mom," Ino replied obediently.
"Good. It's also your job to show Naruto the ropes around here. After all, it was your idea to have him work here. Understood?" Noriko asked.
"Yeah, I got it," Ino replied.
"Great, I'll be on my way. And Naruto-kun, it's nice to have you here. See you both later," Noriko said as she left the store.
"Your mom is really nice," Naruto commented to Ino.
Ino smiled at his words, feeling lucky to have her mother. But she also couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness for Naruto, knowing he was an orphan. She usually avoided discussing family-related topics out of consideration for his feelings, as she knew he didn't have the same experience.
Ino wasn't sure how to respond, but Naruto's comment reminded her of something. "Hey, Naruto... I know you're an orphan, but do you have people you consider family? You don't have to answer if you don't want to," she asked.
"It's alright, Ino. And to answer your question, yes, I do have people I consider my family," Naruto replied.
"And who are those people?" she inquired.
"Well, Hokage-jiji has been like a grandfather to me for as long as I can remember. And there's Teuchi-jiji and Ayame-neechan from Ichiraku Ramen. They've always been kind to me, even when others weren't. They're one of the only places I'm allowed to go. Shino, Asuma-sensei, and you are also like family to me," Naruto said with a smile.
"You consider me family, even though we argue all the time?" Ino asked, surprised.
"Yeah, I do! Despite our arguments, I know you mean well. Plus, who else would call me out when I do stupid things? So, yeah, I consider you family," Naruto answered sincerely.
Ino blushed, appreciating Naruto's perspective. Despite his difficult past, he always managed to find the bright side of things. It warmed her heart to know that Naruto valued her as family. 'Maybe Naruto isn't so bad after all,' she thought.
"Well, thanks, Naruto. I value you too, even if I smack you around sometimes," she said, smiling.
"No problem! And sometimes, I definitely deserve a smack for being an idiot. So, thanks for setting me straight," Naruto replied.
"Don't mention it. But let's get back to work, Naruto. We won't get anything done if we keep this up," Ino said.
"You're the one who started it, Ino," Naruto retorted playfully.
Ino was about to argue back until she noticed Naruto's smirk.
Ino recognized Naruto's smirk and knew he was trying to bait her into an argument. She wasn't going to fall for it. "Nice try, Naruto, but I won't fall for your tricks. You'll have to do better than that," she said confidently.
"Damn, you got me," Naruto admitted, chuckling.
And so, Naruto and Ino resumed their responsibilities of watching over the shop. They carried out various tasks, such as watering the plants, reorganizing items, and restocking supplies. It was a productive time for them, and they continued working diligently until it was time for lunch.
- Yamanaka Flowers: 11:00 AM -
"We're almost done. All we have to do is assemble this order, and then we can have lunch," Ino said, handing Naruto a piece of paper with a list of names.
Naruto took the paper and looked at the long list of names. He felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of flowers he didn't even recognize.
"What the heck?! Isn't this a bit excessive for bouquets?" Naruto asked.
"That's the list of flowers we need to make sample bouquets," Ino explained.
"Sample bouquets?" Naruto questioned.
"Yes, the client doesn't know much about flowers, but they gave us some preferences," Ino replied.
"And what are those preferences?" Naruto inquired.
"They requested the color pink, so we'll use different shades of pink and other flowers that go well with it," Ino explained.
"I see. So we'll mix and match these flowers and show them to the clients," Naruto summarized.
"Exactly! Looks like you're starting to understand how flower shops work, Naruto," Ino said, impressed.
"Hehe, well, I'm learning from the best," Naruto replied, grinning.
Ino smiled at his comment. "Flattery won't get you a raise, Naruto," she teased, and Naruto chuckled in response, giving her a foxy grin.
"But I do have a question," Naruto said.
"Hmm? What is it?" Ino asked.
"I don't know any of these flowers," Naruto admitted.
"Well, what I meant by 'we' is actually 'me.' What you're going to do is this," Ino said, searching for something in the drawer of the counter.
She found what she was looking for and placed it on the counter. "This is what you're going to do, Naruto," she said, opening a book.
"You mean read?" Naruto questioned.
"Yes, I mean, you did say you've started to enjoy reading, right?" Ino asked.
"Yeah, I did say that. I was just making sure," Naruto replied.
"Since you work here, you're expected to have some knowledge about flowers as well. What if a customer comes in when I'm not around? How will you help them choose?" Ino posed a hypothetical situation.
"I get it, but it seems like you're preparing me to work here full-time," Naruto was skeptical.
"What? I don't know what you're talking about, Naruto. So just shut up and start reading," Ino said, pretending to be annoyed.
Naruto decided to let it slide and eagerly took the book from Ino. "Hey Ino, do you happen to have other books about flowers?" he asked.
"What's this? Naruto showing initiative, huh? Well, I'm not complaining. Give me a sec, and I'll check," Ino replied, looking once more in the drawer.
Ino found two more books—one about gardening in general and the other about botany. Naruto placed all three books on the counter.
Naruto looked at the first book Ino had given him, which focused on flowers and their meanings. "Ino?" Naruto called out to get her attention.
Ino was busy creating the sample bouquets, so she didn't look away from her work but responded, "Yes, Naruto?"
"Do you mind if I use one of my jutsus?" Naruto asked.
"Sure, I guess. But what for?" she inquired.
"Oh, you'll see," he chuckled mischievously.
Ino didn't know what he was up to but decided to focus on her work instead.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique)!" Naruto performed the hand seals, and two clones of him appeared out of thin air.
Ino heard the jutsu and glanced at Naruto. She saw him giving his clone the other two books while he read the first book she had given him.
"What are you doing, Naruto?" she questioned.
"Oh, this? 'I,' well, I guess 'we,' are reading," he answered.
"So, you can use your clones to study?" she inquired
"Yep! Neat, right?" he replied with enthusiasm.
"That's so unfair! I wish I could do that too; you know?" Ino expressed her longing.
"Well, all you have to do is make a shadow clone, Ino," he answered, unaware that Ino didn't know how to perform the jutsu.
"All I know is the regular version," she replied.
"Oh, right! Sorry. Well, Asuma-sensei told me it's safe for me to do this since I have a lot of chakra. He also warned me not to share the jutsu carelessly. I wish I could teach it to you, but I don't want you to get hurt trying. I hope you understand, Ino," Naruto explained.
"I see. It's alright, Naruto. I understand. If Asuma-sensei said that, he's probably right. We'll continue with this arrangement while I work on the bouquets. We'll grab lunch once it's 12:00 PM," Ino suggested. Naruto saluted her and flashed a goofy grin, making her smile.
- Lunchtime: 11:58 PM -
Ino glanced at the clock on the wall and realized it was almost time for lunch. She turned her gaze towards Naruto, who was fully engrossed in the book she had given him. Impressed by his diligence, she couldn't help but think how much he had grown since their academy days.
"Naruto, are you ready to head out and grab something to eat?" she asked, interrupting his reading.
Naruto looked up from the book, a look of genuine surprise on his face. "Oh, already? Just give me a second, Ino. Let me finish this page," he replied.
Curiosity piqued, Ino decided to wait patiently as Naruto continued reading. She admired his determination to absorb the knowledge within the book.
Naruto closed the book and faced Ino with a smile. "Alright, done! Should I leave my clones here to watch over the shop?" he asked.
Ino shook her head. "No need, Naruto. I have to temporarily lock up during my lunch break anyway," she assured him.
Naruto seemed relieved and eager to join Ino for their meal. "So, where do you want to eat?" he asked.
Ino couldn't help but be surprised by Naruto's question. "Wait, let me get this straight. You're asking me where I want to eat?" she repeated, unable to hide her astonishment.
Naruto nodded earnestly. "Yeah, what's wrong with that?" he questioned.
"Well, I honestly thought you were going to suggest Ichiraku Ramen again," she confessed.
A playful grin appeared on Naruto's face. "I mean, I do want to eat there, but I've realized I keep dragging you there. It's time we try somewhere you like," he explained.
Ino's expression softened, touched by Naruto's thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Naruto. That's really nice of you. I know a place where we can eat," she responded gratefully.
"Great! Lead the way," Naruto said enthusiastically.
Before leaving, Ino turned the sign on the store's door from "We're Open! Please Come In" to "Sorry, We're Closed. Come Back Another Time." She then locked the door using a key from her pocket.
"All set. Let's go," Ino declared, signaling Naruto to follow her. They began their walk towards Ino's chosen eatery, heading to the bustling food joint in Konoha, where various food stalls and restaurants awaited them. The area was crowded with hungry individuals in search of a satisfying meal.
They both maneuvered through the bustling crowd, dodging people left and right until they reached their destination. The restaurant they entered had a charming atmosphere, with a sign displaying the words "Miyazaki's Kitchen" in an endearing font. Naruto's stomach grumbled audibly as Ino eagerly pulled him inside.
Naruto felt a bit apprehensive, unsure if he would be welcomed in this establishment. Ino noticed his unease and became concerned. She wanted to ask what was bothering him, but Naruto brushed it off, assuring her that everything was fine. Respecting his response, Ino didn't press further and led the way to their table, where they patiently waited for a server to approach them.
Naruto couldn't help but voice his curiosity. "So, this is where you like to eat?" he asked.
Ino nodded with a smile. "Yes, why do you ask?"
Naruto hesitated for a moment before answering. "Oh, it's nothing. I just assumed you preferred fancier restaurants, considering your love for shopping," he explained.
Ino chuckled softly. "I may enjoy shopping, but when it comes to food, I prefer simplicity. I tried dining at those fancy places before, but the meals didn't quite satisfy me," she replied.
Understanding Ino's perspective, Naruto nodded in acknowledgement. "I see, I see..."
However, Ino noticed Naruto's continued unease and decided to address it once more. Concern filled her voice as she probed further. "You seem nervous, Naruto. Seriously, what's wrong? I know there's something you're not telling me. So spill the beans," she insisted.
Realizing he couldn't hide it any longer, Naruto sighed and confessed. "Okay, fine. I'm not sure if I'm welcome here or not. I've been getting stares and glares from people around us," he admitted.
Ino turned her head to glance at their surroundings but didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. However, she trusted Naruto's perception. "Do you want to eat somewhere else, then? It's alright if you don't feel comfortable here," she offered, genuine concern in her voice.
Naruto shook his head, determination shining in his eyes. "No, it's alright, I swear. Let's eat here, Ino. So, what do you recommend?" he asked, shifting the focus of the conversation.
A smile returned to Ino's face as she enthusiastically shared her favorite dishes. "Oh! They have this incredible soup made with cherry tomatoes. It's absolutely fantastic. It might not be ramen, but I think you'll enjoy it as much as I do," she suggested.
Naruto nodded in agreement. "Alright, I'll give that a try. And what about you?" he inquired.
"I think I'll go for the salad with cherry tomatoes and a side of pudding," Ino replied.
Naruto couldn't help but tease her playfully. "You really love your cherry tomatoes, don't you?" he remarked.
A genuine laugh escaped Ino's lips, momentarily forgetting her earlier apology. "You bet I do!" she exclaimed before quickly clearing her throat and offering an apology. "Sorry about that. I don't often talk about my favorite foods."
Naruto waved off her apology with a grin. "No need to apologize! I don't mind at all. Go ahead and keep talking about it, dattebayo!" he encouraged. "I do remember our arguments about ramen and pudding," he added with a playful wink.
"Haha, yeah... Well, here comes the waiter," Ino remarked.
The waitress arrived at their table and greeted Ino with enthusiasm. "Ino-chan! It's so good to have you here again. What will you have today?" she asked cheerfully.
"It's nice to see you too, Miyazaki-san. I'll have the Salad with Spring Vegetables and Cherry Tomatoes, please. And one pudding as well. Thank you," Ino ordered with a smile.
The waitress scribbled down Ino's order on her notepad and then turned her attention to Naruto. However, upon seeing Naruto's nervous expression, she couldn't help but pause. Naruto could only manage a sheepish smile in response.
"I-I'll have the, uhmmm... Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup, please," he stammered, his nerves getting the best of him.
The waitress raised an eyebrow, sensing his unease. "Uh-huh... Okay," she replied, a hint of animosity in her tone, before retreating back to the kitchen to submit their orders.
- 45 Minutes Later -
"Here is your salad Ino-chan and don't forget the pudding" the waitress said, she then turned to Naruto and plopped down his bowl of soup without uttering a word
Ino began to dig in while Naruto just stared at his soup
"So, Naruto? How's the soup?" Ino asked after she swallowed one bite of her salad
Naruto didn't respond as he swirled his spoon around the bowl of soup
"Naruto?… Naruto?… Hello?…" she said to catch his attention
This took him out of his thoughts and back to reality, "Oh! Huh? Yeah, it's great. Mmmm… Delicious" he said though Ino noticed that Naruto barely touched his food.
"You barely touched it Naruto, is there something wrong? You can tell me" she reassured him
"No, I swear, it's alright" he said
Ino didn't believe him, "Is the soup under seasoned? Over seasoned?" she then took her spoon and tasted his soup. She was shocked that Naruto's soup was ice cold, no wonder no steam was emanating from his bowl.
"Why is your soup cold?" she asked
"It's okay Ino, don't worry about it"
"What do you mean it's okay?! You paid for it! There must be some kind of mistake" she said as she stood up from her seat
"No seriously Ino, you don't have to do this" Naruto pleaded
"No Naruto, you're a customer and my friend and I want to do this" she said as she went to the counter and ringed the bell multiple times
The same waitress showed up and asked Ino what was the matter, "Oh? Ino-chan, is there something wrong with the salad?" she asked
"No there's nothing wrong with the salad, but there is something wrong with my friend's soup! Why is it ice-cold?!" she demanded an answer
"I'm sorry but we don't serve people like him here" the waitress replied
Her answer shocked Ino, what did she mean by "they don't serve people like him". What was wrong with Naruto, she didn't know the answer to that but she realized that Naruto was right for being anxious whether or not he was welcome here or not.
"Well, if that's the case, I demand a refund. I don't care if I don't get my money back for my salad since I already ate some of it, but I demand that you give Naruto his money back!" Ino's voice seethed with anger as she stood her ground.
The waitress, feeling the weight of the situation and the growing attention from other customers, nervously sighed and returned Naruto's money. Ino snatched the money from her hand and grabbed Naruto, leading him outside the restaurant. "You can keep your crummy pudding as well. I am definitely never eating here again!" she declared, storming off with Naruto by her side.
Naruto and Ino walked back to their shop, hand in hand. Ino's anger was still palpable as she held onto Naruto tightly. "Ino, you didn't have to do that, you know?" Naruto said, trying to calm her down.
Ino huffed in response, her frustration evident. "Of course I had to do that! You're a paying customer, and you deserve to be treated properly. I don't know why some shops hate you, but I don't care. I'll never eat there ever again, and that's a promise!" Her voice was filled with determination.
Naruto was left speechless, touched by Ino's unwavering support. She had gone to great lengths for him, defending him even if it meant losing her favorite restaurant. "Thank you, Ino. I really appreciate you standing up for me back there," he said, genuine gratitude in his voice.
"Don't worry about it. I consider you family too, and that was the right thing to do," Ino replied, her anger slowly dissipating.
"Though we still haven't eaten yet, and it's almost past lunchtime," Naruto remarked.
"Don't worry about that. Let's head back to the shop. I have a stash of snacks there whenever I get peckish. That'll do for now," Ino suggested, and Naruto agreed, following her back to the shop.
- Extra -
As the clock neared 4:00 PM, the designated closing time of the shop, Noriko completed her day's errands. Eager to wrap up her tasks, she swung open the door and caught the faint sound of Naruto and Ino engaged in conversation from a distance.
"Be careful!" Ino's voice carried a note of caution.
"What did I do wrong?!" Naruto's voice brimmed with confusion.
"Don't force it, you idiot! You need to handle it gently," Ino advised.
"Sorry, it's my first time," Naruto offered an apology.
"Well, be more delicate this time. You can't just thrust it in like that. It's a delicate process, so exercise caution," Ino instructed.
"It doesn't fit, Ino," Naruto admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Wait, let me adjust it. There! It should fit properly now," Ino responded with assurance.
Hearing these snippets of conversation, Noriko was taken aback. Had she correctly heard what she thought she did? Hastily, she hurried to the rear of the shop, only to find Ino and Naruto carefully planting flowering dwarf trees into pots. Relief washed over Noriko as she realized her initial assumptions were unfounded. She couldn't help but laugh at her own misconceptions while simultaneously feeling disappointed in herself for entertaining such lecherous thoughts.
"It's far too early for them to be engaging in such activities," she murmured to herself, shaking her head in amusement.
(A/N: Haha Ino's mom really thought they were doing "it" XD, welp that's it for this chapter, Just some wholesome stuff, and feel-good vibes. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I put to use the world-building chapter I uploaded earlier in this chapter, see? it can come in handy too haha. Well that's all I have to say, thanks for the support and show me some love and rate and review if you don't mind, that's all cheers ^^)