The shop across from Konoha High was bustling as usual after school hours. The smell of grilled meat, bubbling sodas, and overly sweet milkshakes filled the air. Naruto Uzumaki walked in, his varsity jacket slung over one shoulder and his signature grin plastered across his face. He scanned the booths for a familiar face and stopped short, blinking at the sight before him.

There, in the farthest corner of the shop, sat Ino Yamanaka—head cheerleader, prom queen, and all-around queen bee of Konoha High—surrounded by an alarming number of empty plates.

"Ino?!" Naruto said a little too loudly as he bounded over. "Pigging out, are we?" He grinned mischievously, pulling up a chair without waiting for an invitation.

Ino froze mid-bite, cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk. Her face turned as pink as the strawberry milkshake in front of her. "Excuse me, Dummy! I'm just carb-loading for cheer practice," she huffed, trying to salvage her dignity.

"Yeah, sure," Naruto teased, tapping one of the empty plates. "Is this for practice or, I dunno, hibernation?"

Before Ino could retort, the door jingled open, and two familiar faces strolled in. Shikamaru, looking bored as always, and Choji, grinning from ear to ear as he scanned the menu.

Ino sank a little lower in her seat. "Oh no," she muttered.

Naruto followed her gaze and waved enthusiastically. "Yo, Shikamaru! Choji! Over here!"

"Great," Ino grumbled. She could handle Shikamaru—at least he was clean and quiet. But Choji? He was loud, loved food more than anything, and was... well, round. The thought of being seen with him made her cringe.

To her dismay, Shikamaru and Choji joined them at the booth. Shikamaru barely spared a glance at the menu before muttering, "Troublesome," while Choji immediately flagged down a waiter and started listing off half the menu.

Naruto, to Ino's surprise, seemed thrilled by their arrival. He leaned back in his chair, laughing along with Choji's food-related jokes and exchanging lazy quips with Shikamaru.

"Man, you guys are the best," Naruto said, clapping Choji on the back. "I don't know how you do it, but I swear you make everything more fun."

Ino blinked, her annoyance melting into something softer. Choji's hearty laugh was infectious, and even Shikamaru looked a little less bored than usual. Ino couldn't help but smile at their banter, realizing that maybe, just maybe, she'd been too quick to judge.

The door jingled again, and this time, the shop went quiet. A timid figure stood in the doorway, clutching her bag like a lifeline.

"Hinata?" Naruto was on his feet in an instant, his jacket forgotten on the seat. He waved her over, his excitement so palpable it made her blush even harder.

"Uh, h-hi, Naruto," Hinata stammered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the shop.

Naruto peppered her with questions, each one making her cheeks glow brighter. "How'd you know about this place? Did you come alone? Have you tried the ramen here? It's awesome, you've gotta—"

"Stop that, Naruto!" Sakura Haruno's voice cut through the chatter. She strode in, hands on her hips, and shot him an exasperated look.

Ino stiffened, her good mood evaporating. "Of course," she muttered. "The day couldn't end without her showing up."

Sakura's arrival was the last straw. Ino grabbed her bag and stood abruptly, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I'm done here," she announced, her tone icy.

Naruto blinked, confused. "Wait, Ino, where're you going?"

"Anywhere that's not here," she snapped, throwing one last glare at Sakura before storming out.

As the door jingled shut behind her, Choji sighed. "Guess the milkshake wasn't the only thing that was cold."

Naruto laughed, Hinata blushed harder, and even Shikamaru cracked a small smirk. The shop across the street was chaotic as ever, and summer school hadn't even started yet.