Chapter 3 We're friends now, right?

How exactly did things develop into this...?

Standing at her front door, with her nervous and excited golden retriever dog beside her, Haruko felt like crying as she took out her keys and opened the door.

"Mom and Dad, I'm home."

Click!

That's the sound of a camera taking a picture.

"Dad!" Haruko Hayama said, sounding annoyed.

"This is a record of my little Haruka's 12th grocery shopping trip." This morning, Dad couldn't help but wiggle his hips while holding his camera. "My little Haruka is just too adorable!"

Haruko Hayama's parents loved taking pictures of her from a young age, ostensibly to record every little detail of her growth. But no matter what Haruko Hayama was doing, they loved taking pictures with their cameras.

It wasn't until one day when Haruko discovered that their bedroom cabinet, which was almost as big as a wardrobe, was filled with her photos that she finally realized their obsession with taking pictures of her.

Only after a strict ban were they reduced the number of times they took photos; otherwise, it wouldn't just be "Xiao Qingzi's 12th time running errands to buy groceries."

"Little Haruko is so cute coming home from grocery shopping, hehe...wait, what's that blond guy?"

When Dad checked the pictures on the camera this morning, he discovered that Naruto Uzumaki was also in the photos. He quickly composed himself and greeted him warmly, "Hello, little friend."

"Hello, Uncle, my name is Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto Uzumaki smiled slightly, though he seemed a little reserved.

Since the fact that she was going to be a guest was already set in stone, Haruko decided to do a good deed by feeding the golden retriever puppy in the morning.

She explained, "Dad, Naruto is my classmate. I ran into him on my way to buy groceries, so I'd like to invite him over to our house, is that alright?"

Naruto nodded in agreement, glancing nervously at his father in the morning, fearing he might refuse.

In the morning, his father smiled and patted his head, agreeing without hesitation, "Of course, Naruto, come in quickly."

"Yoshi!" Naruto clenched his fists, making no attempt to hide his joy.

"I'm starting to eat."

Haruko blew on the hot spoon and ate it in one bite. Her mother's cooking skills were truly impeccable.

Sitting next to her, Naruto Uzumaki was also very supportive, stuffing curry rice into his mouth one bite after another without fear of getting burned.

And the morning mom across the street is...

"So cute! Haruko and Naruto's first time eating at home!"

Before anyone knew it, Mom had taken out her personal camera and, along with Dad, started taking pictures from both sides of the table, creating a constant clicking sound.

Haruko held her rice spoon in the morning, but simply couldn't bring herself to eat a second bite.

It's alright with the door closed; she's used to it, but...

She glanced silently at Naruto Uzumaki, who was eating heartily without being disturbed at all, and couldn't help but sigh at the lazy person's dedication to eating.

Look how hungry the child is.

Remembering the protagonist's pitiful past, Haruko patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him, "It's okay, Naruto, there's more if you're not full. Eat as much as you want, eat as much as you want!"

Although he didn't know why Haruko was filled with a loving glow, Naruto was deeply moved and nodded at her, making "mmm" sounds with his mouth full of rice.

Because of Naruto's cute appearance and endearing personality, as well as the obsessive-compulsive filter of his parents, Haruko's first friend to visit home—Naruto—has already become their "Naruto baby."

Naruto Uzumaki felt particularly embarrassed, but after Haruko Hayama comforted him as usual, he accepted the nickname.

Haruko Hayama: You've already followed me to my house, aren't you embarrassed?

"I've finished eating! It was so delicious!"

Naruto finally let go of the spoon from his mouth. When he looked up, he found them all smiling at him. A faint blush crept onto his face, and he awkwardly scratched his cheek with the hand that had just put down the spoon.

"It's so good to have your taste!" Mom covered her mouth and laughed in the morning, clearly pleased by his compliment.

In the morning, his father had already taken his plate to the kitchen to get him a second serving.

Haruko Hayama, who was sitting next to him, leaned closer and whispered, "Naruto, you're amazing! Your parents will be so happy for a long time."

"Really?"

Did I... really make them happy?

After receiving her affirmation, Naruto's eyes gradually welled up with tears, covering his sapphire-like pupils with a crystalline layer. He clenched his hands tightly, trying hard not to let his tears fall.

A real man doesn't cry!

but……

Haruko's parents are both very kind. They don't look at me strangely, they speak to me softly, they stroke my head with their warm hands, and they encourage me to eat more.

Is this what family love is?

If I had parents, would they be as gentle as Haruko's parents?

Will they still look down on me as their child, just like other adults...?

"Naruto?"

Seeing the tears sliding down his cheeks, Haruko hurriedly pulled out a tissue to wipe them away. "Did I say something wrong?"

Hearing the commotion, Zaojian's parents rushed over. Zaojian's mother squatted down and asked him worriedly, "Did you eat something you don't like?"

"No...no..." Naruto sobbed, shaking his head. "I was just...just too happy..."

In the morning, his parents looked at each other, both noticing something unusual about his reaction.

In the morning, his father patted his back and comforted him in a cheerful voice: "Boys are supposed to be strong, but it's okay to be too happy!"

"Dad." Haruko Hayama sighed helplessly.

Seeing Naruto's trembling body, she gently comforted him, "It's alright..."

...

The cool moonlight from the sky intertwined with the warm glow emanating from the room as Haruko stood at her doorstep to see Naruto off.

"Haruko, thank you for your hospitality. I will definitely repay you in the future!" Naruto Uzumaki looked at her earnestly and made a promise to her.

Haruko felt an indescribable sadness. The golden retriever stood under the moonlight, its expression resolute, yet it was because of a meal that it was determined to repay her.

"It's alright..."

Naruto Uzumaki stubbornly interrupted her, "I must repay Haruko! I will stay by Haruko's side and help her get better!"

"..." Haruko's heart skipped a beat with emotion.

If she hadn't emphasized that she was fine at home, Naruto would probably still be anxious about not being able to spend time with her, especially since she didn't dare to explain that she was lying to him.

So, can we forget about this?

Bye-bye, Haruko!

After waving, Naruto's figure slowly shrank in her sight and disappeared into the distance.

Perhaps it was because the moon was particularly cold tonight, casting a long, thin shadow of Naruto Uzumaki. Haruko stared blankly as he walked step by step into his former lonely world.

"Naruto!"

Just before Naruto Uzumaki disappeared, the words to stop him had already slipped out of his mouth.

"What's wrong, Haruko?" Naruto Uzumaki turned around immediately upon hearing her voice.

After a constant internal struggle, I finally chose to follow my heart.

Haruko shouted in the morning, "Tomorrow! I can never finish the bento my mom makes. Can you eat with me tomorrow?"

Naruto Uzumaki was stunned for a few seconds, then his face lit up with joy. "Of course! I'm so glad I can help you!"

Seeing Naruto's radiant smile, Haruko Hayama felt relieved and smiled too.

Naruto raised his hands and waved them in the air, hopping and skipping, loudly confirming with her again.

"We're friends now! Right?"

"……Um!"