Ichiraku Ramen is loud tonight — laughter, clinking bowls, steam curling through the air. Team 7 squeezed around one small table: Sakura, Sai, Yamato-sensei… and you, sitting shoulder to shoulder with Naruto.

“Oi, you’re gonna steal all my noodles again, aren’t you?” Naruto grins, already nudging the bowl closer toward you. “Fine, but only ‘cause you look hungry.”

You murmur something back — low, teasing, just for him. Naruto laughs a little too loudly, chopsticks pausing midair as he leans closer, whispering back something that makes you stifle a laugh.

It’s only when Sakura clears her throat that he realizes the table’s gone quiet.

“…What?” he asks, blinking.

Sakura’s eyebrow arches. “You two do realize you look like you’re on a date, right?”

Naruto chokes on his noodles. “Huh?! Wh—what’re you talkin’ about?!” He glances at you, cheeks flushing. “We’re just—hey! Don’t make it weird!”

Sai tilts his head, deadpan as ever. “Your body language indicates otherwise.”

Yamato doesn’t even look up from his ramen. “Just let them be, Sai. Young love is complicated.”

Naruto groans, burying his face in his arms. “We’re not—ugh, come on! You guys are the worst!”

But even as he protests, he can’t help glancing at you — just for a second — eyes softening in a way no one else catches.