[Ichiraku Ramen Shop]
This was the place where Aoba had arranged to meet with Hinata and Yakumo.
Although Aoba had just eaten breakfast, with his current appetite, eating another bowl of ramen wasn't a problem at all.
At the entrance of the ramen shop.
Aoba saw the two from afar.
Mainly because the two of them were just too eye-catching.
Yakumo had changed into a white short-sleeved shirt.
Below was a blue-and-white plaid pleated skirt that reached just above the thighs, slightly above the knees, revealing her fair and slender calves, and she wore a pair of white cotton socks.
Her brown hair hung over her shoulders, with a light touch of makeup on her face, and a cute small crossbody bag slung diagonally across.
The energy of a teenage girl came rushing straight at him.
Hinata, on the other hand, was dressed completely differently.
She wore a white-based yukata adorned with pink and blue spherical floral patterns, looking extremely cute.
Her tied-up hair was adorned with a white flower.
Her small feet in wooden clogs were also wrapped in white cotton socks.
It seemed like she had carefully dressed up as well.
'Is this two wishes fulfilled at once?'
The contrast between the two also made them the most dazzling presence in the crowd.
Aoba quickly walked up. Upon seeing him, both Hinata and Yakumo smiled.
"Aoba!"
"Aoba-kun!"
Aoba naturally held both their hands, "Why did you come so early?"
"Because we wanted Aoba to see how well we dressed up, as early as possible," Yakumo casually hit a straight ball.
"Aoba-kun, what do you think?", Hinata asked softly.
"Both look great," Aoba answered sincerely.
But he was a bit worried about them wearing white clothes to eat ramen, what if they accidentally spilled some soup?
The three entered Ichiraku Ramen together.
"Ayame-nee, give us the usual."
Ayame only glanced once and immediately knew it was a big customer.
"Aoba, you haven't been here for a while."
"We went out of the village on a mission together."
"Out-of-village mission?", Ayame was slightly surprised and, seeing the three of them, was slightly dazed.
"What's wrong, Ayame-nee?"
Ayame shook her head and smiled, "Just feels like time flies. In the blink of an eye, you've all become outstanding ninjas."
"Ayame-nee should be about ready to inherit Uncle Teuchi's skills, right?", Aoba also smiled.
After a few more words of small talk, Ayame went off to serve other customers.
"By the way, where do you plan to start hanging out this afternoon?", Aoba asked the two girls for their thoughts.
Yakumo's lips curled up, "We're not planning to go shopping anymore."
"Then what are you planning to do?", Aoba asked in confusion.
Yakumo smiled mysteriously and then pulled out three paper items from her bag, "Tada!"
"What's this?"
Aoba took a look, "Princess Gale?"
It was movie tickets for Princess Gale.
Didn't get to see it yesterday, now they would today.
"This movie is supposed to be super popular! My mom even recommended it!", Yakumo explained with a smile and then handed another ticket to Hinata.
They had already planned it out.
The ramen came quickly.
As usual, Aoba and Yakumo each had one bowl, while Hinata ate eight bowls by herself.
After finishing the ramen, the three walked around a bit, buying some snacks to eat during the movie.
When the time came, they headed to the cinema together.
Originally, Aoba thought that watching a movie with his little girlfriends would be a romantic, lovey-dovey experience.
But it was only sweet at the beginning. Soon after, Hinata and Yakumo became fully immersed in the movie.
Perhaps because the movie was from a female protagonist's perspective and had a classic, passionate storyline. It made it very easy for the two of them to get into it.
So Aoba quietly started eating snacks.
Still, he wasn't bored, he was also watching with interest.
Because Kazehana Koyuki was indeed beautiful, and her acting was indeed great.
Facts proved that even if a movie's plot was cliché, if other elements shined, it still wouldn't be bad.
After the movie ended, Yakumo and Hinata were still immersed in the film.
"I will definitely become a capable ninja like Princess Gale and revive the family," Walking down the street, Yakumo suddenly clenched her fists and encouraged herself.
"You can definitely do it," Aoba gently squeezed her hand and smiled to encourage her.
"Mm!", Yakumo smiled happily, even skipping a bit as she walked.
"Do you two plan to go anywhere else? There's still some time before sunset," Aoba asked again.
"Aoba-kun!", Before Yakumo could answer, Hinata spoke first.
"Hmm?"
"Wanna drop by my house? Hanabi, she…"
Only now did Aoba remember he had a loli disciple.
Yakumo pouted upon hearing this, 'Using the little sister as an excuse again?'
But she also knew that Hanabi was now Aoba's disciple.
"Aoba, take me home first."
"Sure."
The three of them walked to the Kurama clan's compound.
"Yakumo…", Just as Aoba was about to speak, he felt a breeze brush his cheek, leaving a soft touch behind.
"Yakumo, you…"
Yakumo made a silly face at them, then ran back toward her home.
"Heh…", Aoba could only smile bitterly and helplessly.
Then looking at Hinata, whose eyes were wide open, "Hinata…"
"Let's go!", Hinata interrupted him and pulled him toward the Hyuga clan's territory.
Along the way, Hinata didn't say a word.
But Aoba could still feel her unstable emotions.
Because the palm that was originally cool was now covered in sweat.
Eventually, at a street corner still some distance from the Hyuga compound, they stopped walking.
She turned to look at him.
No other pedestrians were around.
"Aoba…"
Looking into Hinata's ice-white crystal eyes, Aoba understood her intent.
He held her small face and lightly kissed her on her smooth, soft cheek.
Then he watched her face gradually turn red.
"Not… enough," Hinata said those two words with some difficulty.
Today's Hinata was unexpectedly sharp.
What she wanted wasn't to be like Yakumo, she wanted to surpass Yakumo.
After all, it wasn't the first time.
The first time is unfamiliar, the second time easier, the third…
How could Aoba possibly refuse the rare moment of boldness from Hinata?
He moved in again.
After a while, lips parted.
Hinata clung to Aoba like a sloth, breathing lightly, though her mind was already somewhat blank.
Aoba could only carry her helplessly as they walked toward the Hyuga compound.
———
In the shadows.
A figure with purple hair silently watched the scene that had just unfolded, then silently turned and walked away.
As for what kind of storm might follow that silence, that is easy to guess.
Aoba had already carried Hinata into the Hyuga compound.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y