Chapter 5

The familiar scent of rich broth and fresh noodles filled the air as they entered Ichiraku Ramen. Naruto immediately ordered several bowls, while Sasuke, as usual, kept his order simple.

As they ate, their conversation took an unexpected turn. "Seriously, though, who keeps buying your plushie?" Naruto mused between bites. "It's just a giant glowing warrior. I mean, kinda cool, but not exactly 'huggable.'"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "And yet, it's selling."

Naruto nearly choked on his noodles, laughing. "Yeah, but mine's selling more!"

Sasuke didn't bother responding. Instead, his thoughts briefly drifted back to that moment this morning—Hinata's quiet explanation. "Yes. But I just liked the color."

It was such a simple reason. Yet, for some reason, he kept remembering it.

Naruto, still enjoying his victory over the plushie debate, stretched his arms behind his head. "I bet the kids at the orphanage have more sense than whoever's buying yours."

Sasuke glanced at him. "Orphanage?"

"Yeah, Hinata volunteers there all the time. She's great with kids. You should see them—those little guys adore her."

Sasuke didn't reply, but he listened.

Meanwhile, at the orphanage, Hinata sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, surrounded by a lively group of children. She had just finished helping with lunch and was now listening to their usual excited chatter.

"Nee-chan, nee-chan! Look at my Kurama plushie!" one boy exclaimed, holding up a large, stuffed nine-tailed fox.

A girl beside him pouted. "I have a Naruto plushie and a Kakashi one! Kakashi-sensei's mask is so cool!"

Hinata smiled warmly. "Oh? And what do you all think about Sasuke-san's plushie?"

For a moment, the room went quiet.

Then—

"It looks serious."

"Kinda scary."

"It doesn't even smile!"

Hinata giggled at their honesty. "But isn't his Susanoo really strong?"

One of the younger children, a girl hugging a Shukaku plushie, tilted her head. "Maybe… but it's so big and glowy."

A boy crossed his arms thoughtfully. "It'd be cooler if it had a sword!"

Another child chimed in, "No, no! It needs a cape! All the strongest shinobi have capes!"

Hinata covered her mouth to hide her soft laughter. Leave it to children to have the most creative ideas.

"Then maybe the toy makers should design a new version, hmm?" she suggested playfully.

The children nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Sasuke-nii needs a cape plushie!"

Hinata smiled. She couldn't help but wonder—what would Sasuke think if he heard all of this?

Something told her he wouldn't care. Or… maybe he would, just a little.