Chapter Text
I remember the night we met.
The morning air was crisp. My breath came out in a puff of cloud. I had switched out my usual coat for a much thicker coat. My father gently held my hand, and in his other hand, he held a shopping bag. We were heading home after picking up some ingredients for dinner. The main streets are empty except for a few early risers. The sun was barely over the Hokage mountain.
"Hello!"
Are they speaking to me?
I turn to face the person, stop, and stare into their eyes.
They had such unique eyes, ones I have never seen before, but I couldn't help but compare them to grass-filled mountains with clear blue skies. Truly unique eyes, almost make me envy them. But now that I'm looking at the girl, I can see she's wearing an apron with a logo. She held up a wooden plate with small steaming cups inside. I look at her face. She had a large scarf wrapped around her neck, her childlike cheeks flush from the morning air. Her brown hair glinted with gold as she wore a big smile.
But it was her eyes that kept his attention.
She grabs a cup from her tray and holds it out. Her brown hair flows in the wind. "Here! Would you like to try a free sample?"
I stare into the cup and see it filled with broth and a large chunk of daikon, with a wooden stick jabbed into it. I glance back at the girl, then to the cup.
I took the sample.
Her smile brightens, and like a signal going off, she starts talking.
"My dad and I just moved here a few weeks ago!" She gestures behind her to the unopened eatery. There was a sign announcing its grand opening later this month. "My aunt Hina used to own this place, but when she died and none of my cousins wanted to continue her restaurant, they gave it to my dad!"
As she talked, I took a bite out of the daikon. It was warm and soft. The broth was rich and savory, perfect for the weather. I look over to my father and see him nodding along to the little girl. Noticing my gaze on him, I held out the sample to let him try.
The girl was still talking, gesturing animatedly with her hand. "—So I told him now is his chance to give his dream a try, and who knows. Like—I want to own my own restaurant one day, why not learn some experience along the way, right?"
I nodded, not sure what she was saying, but felt it would be rude to interrupt her.
She smiles and leans in close. Too close.
"So what do you think?" She looks over to the tray of samples. "Dad's been working hard on the menu, and let me give out some samples before opening day to let you guys get excited for the grand opening!"
She puffs out her chest, a wild grin on her face. Her eyes were sparkling with excitement and determination.
"… It's good. Why? Because the broth is savory and the daikon is soft."
She blinks at him. Does she think he's strange? He can't help but think about the other kids' reaction to him. They always call him weird for the way he talks and for his bloodline.
"You talk like an old person."
"You're weird."
"Stop talking like you know it all!"
"Eek, a bug! Kill it!"
"Bug boy! Bug boy!"
I brace myself for cutting comments, only to be surprised instead.
Light pearls of laughter tumble out of her mouth, the cold air misting in front of her as she laughs. As she composes herself, she stares right at me with her unique eyes. A warm expression on her face.
"Thank you."
I'm not sure what happened next; I can see my father say something to her, and the next thing we're walking back to the clan compound. My mind was still stuck to the words she said and that smile on her face.
When my father asks why my ears are still red, I lie for the first time and say It's from the cold.
The next few days that follow are the same. Every day on my way home, I make a point to pass by the main street. Like always, there she is. Same apron, Same smile.
"Good evening!" She said while a wave. Her sample tray was held in another hand as she cheerfully greeted me.
I nod my head and wait for her to present today's sample. Yesterday's gyoza were delicious, and I hope to sample them again whenever possible.
She holds the tray out to me, and in it I can see it full of different colored beverages. "Today's sample is our homemade juice!" She lifts up her other arm and points to the tray. "This one is strawberry lemonade, lime lemonade, lychee tea, and honey tea." As she speaks and points to each one, then once she's done, she mischievously looks around and leans in close.
I can't help but notice her hair bouncing lightly with the motion.
She whispers close as though she's about to spill the ultimate secret—which is null because all shinobi are trained to hear the softest murmurs—and looks around her shoulder. "However, if you don't want to try any of these, you can try my own special drink I made with my own two hands.
Curious, I look at her. "I will, why? Because it sounds interesting."
She grins brightly, then grabs a cup from behind the most cups and hands it to me. "Here you go! One hot [Or]—[cha]—[tan] ready to drink!”
I grab the cup and peer into it while she explains the drink.
"It's made with rice, milk, sugar, and cinnamon sticks! It's first boiled together and then you can either drink it warm or cold, but it tastes so good!"
The name was foreign, and it was nothing he had ever drunk before, but it was warm. The beverage was white as rice, and the smell wafting from it was sweet and unique. I took a small sip. Surprisingly, it was creamy and sweet. I didn't know why, but when I put the cup down, I noticed it was empty.
It's delicious.
"It's delicious."
Oh, I said it out loud. When I looked at the girl's happy face, I couldn't take it back.
"Really?!" She practically vibrates with giddiness. "You're not pulling my leg now?"
I shook my head and looked at the empty cup. It was terrific and I hope to have some more soon.
"Here!"
I look at the cup of warm beverage she serves and then at her warm eyes. Gently, I curl my hand around the offered cup, letting the warmth of it seep into my skin. Her eyes twinkle in delight.
The days that follow are full of good food and nice company. Slowly, like melting ice, their conversation becomes more casual.
"Wait, Kiba is the boy, right?"
"Yes."
"But you just said he bit the loud one in the leg!?"
"Yes, he did, why? Because it was a tactical move against his opponent."
"Pwuah!?"
We have not properly introduced ourselves. The girl was so easy to speak with, there wasn't a moment I could stop and ask, and at this point, it felt meaningless to try.
That was until today.
"—but if you want to try something else, I made something from scratch!" She said while puffing out her chest and grinning like a maniac.
I was with my father again. We stood in front of her as she went off to introduce her new menu idea, half of which I can't pronounce or recognize as coming from. I ignore my father's gaze on me, knowing that he'll find amusement in my attempt to lead us to the main streets just to speak to the girl. Today's sample was fried chicken, but, as always, she had somehow created something unique.
The last one, being a meatball filled with boiled egg bits, was surprisingly tasty but heavy on the stomach. I hope to drink that sweet drink soon. The girl could make something with winter melon. I can ask, seeing how passionate she is about cooking.
I reach for the cup, ready to test her new food, which, from her description, was spicy, when a loud male voice sharply cuts in.
"MIZUKI! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO TAMPER WITH MY MENU!"
I look as the cup is snatched from my hand and an older man with rusty red hair and muscular arms roughly ruffles the girl's hair.
“ OW OW OW!” She—Mizuki screams as she tries to stop the man with one hand. "DAD! YOU'RE MESSING UP MY HAIR!"
The now identified man ignores his daughter and instead moves from tussling her hair to pinching her cheek.
"BAH! YOU'RE NOT EVEN DENYING IT!" He holds up a sheet of paper that has a few crossed-out items. "HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT ONE SALAD IS ENOUGH!"
Mizuki pulls away from her dad and rubs her now red cheek. "BUT DAD! IT'S TOO BASIC! WE NEED [Say] [Sauce] SALAD! CHICKEN SALAD!"
"ENOUGH WITH THE SALADS YOU FOOD FIEND!"
"THEN WHAT ABOUT—
"—NO!"
"—BUT WITH RICE WE CAN—
"NO! NO MEANS NO!" Her father palms his face as Mizuki sulks. "God, why is my daughter so obsessed with the weirdest food combos?"
I look at Mizuki's face turn red with indignation at the insult, and just as she's about to respond, her father finally notices us and sheepishly bows his head.
"Sorry for that." He snatches his daughter, forcing her to bow her head as well. "My daughter tends to make the weirdest foods, and since I'm so busy setting up the restaurant, it seems that she took it upon herself to show off her weird creations."
"They're not weird!"
"Shush!"
I watch them bicker back and forth. Feeling that I need to defend Mizuki, I respond. "It's not a problem. Why? Because her food never tastes bad, unusual, yes, but not bad."
Mizuki smiles brightly at the compliment, but her dad only sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.
"See! There is a person who enjoys my food!"
"Then let him enjoy it when you get your own restaurant ." He then pinches his daughter's cheek, who yelps. "Until then, you leave my menu out of it! Am I clear?!"
“ Ow ow ow! Yes! I understand!" Mizuki whines, and when he finally lets go, she rubs her cheek with teary eyes.
Her father sighs before turning back to them. He looks at me, then at my father, before his eyes widen and a friendly smile crosses his face.
"Ah, you must be the boy who has been eating all of my daughter's weird creations, right?" He said while looking at me.
I nod my head. "Her food is not that bad. I like her sweet drink the most."
The father groans and shakes his head while his daughter sheepishly whistles. "Of course it's that weird rice drink."
He straight up and pats his chest. "Knowing my daughter, she probably hasn't introduced herself."
“…”
"Right." He rolls his eyes. "My name is Shima Natsu." He gestures behind him. "This is my restaurant, 'The Island.' And this—
He pulls his daughter forward.
—Is my youngest child and only daughter, Mizuki."
She flushes red and meekly nods. "Nice to meet you."
I look up to my father, who, during this time, hasn't said anything. As calm and polite as ever, my dad greets them.
"Likewise, I am Aburame Shibi, and this is my son Shino."
I bow quickly and watch Mizuki smile and look right at me.
"Shino, huh?" She surprised me again and jerked out an arm to shake. "Nice to meet you!"
I ignore her father's groan of annoyance and my own father's teasing eyes. I focus only on Mizuki, who smiles as if it's the easiest thing in the world, while I do the most challenging task of my life.
I shake her hand.
From that simple introduction, Mizuki became more open, and whenever we met, she would drag me to the few tables in front of her father's restaurant, and we would talk about our days and have small discussions. She mostly held those small discussions, mostly to complain about the lack of flavor—or, as she calls it, seasoning—in The Hidden Leaf Village.
"We do have an annual market day. They come from outside of the Fire country."
"Really! How far? When is it! Is it soon!"
I couldn't help but flush whenever she got too excited and came close to my face. That was another thing about her. After her father introduced them, she became more casual with her touches. From grabbing my hand to getting into my face whenever she got too excited, it always sent my heart racing. Is this what friendship is like?
As time passed, I soon heard whispers between other students about Mizuki. I was unaware that others hadn't heard of her, since she was always in the main streets, but the closer it got to her family's restaurants' opening day, the more people spoke about her.
"My mom wants to go to The Island when it opens!"
"Really? The one with the sample girl?"
"Oh! The weird eyes girl, right?"
"Mhm, I liked the katsu sandwich."
"Oh, I didn't try that. How did it taste?"
I sat far away as my classmates talked over lunch about Mizuki and couldn't help being excited for her.
"They said that?" Mizuki said.
It was after school, and as usual, I went to try one of Mizuki's samples while also sharing the news about her restaurant.
" Yes. Why? Because there haven't been any new restaurants popping up in the last few years." I said while munching on the food.
"Really!" She smiled brightly and happily got up from her chair, spun around, and cheered. "I'm so happy! My dad is going to be so excited for next week!"
"Hm." I nod, letting her chatter as I try her [Ma] [Shu] [Pou] [Tai] [Tou] when she suddenly leans in with a warm, friendly smile and softly whispers to me.
"Don't worry, you're still the only one who gets to try my own menu dishes!" She whispers in my ear. It tickles my ear, and then she moves back with a cheerful laugh. "You can brag to all the others that you were the first to ever try Mizuki's special food!"
The once smooth food felt oddly heavy for a moment. My tongue refused to move, and I felt my heart thump unsteadily. My hold on my Kikaichu slips for once, and I can't help but feel cold dread as they float away toward Mizuki.
'It's all over, she'll swat them away while calling me a freak.' I can't help but tense up, thinking about how hard I tried not to show her my Kikaichu, just for a sliver of a chance at making a friend.
"Ah!"
I open my mouth to try and explain how they aren't harmful, but instead watch her gently wave a hand over them.
"Shoo! Shoo!" Mizuki scolds them. The wooden tray was held far away from them. "This isn't for you! Now go away!"
I grew used to seeing people swat and squash my Kikaichu, but this is the first time that I've seen someone gently flutter them away.
"My apologies," I say without thinking. "They are my insects. Specifically, my Kikaichu."
Mizuki stops waving her hand to look at me with a look of surprise, "Huh? Your insects?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
“….”
She doesn't say anything for a while, which terrifies me even more. What if she decides that I'm too creepy and calls off our friendship? Or will she revoke her offer of trying all her original dishes? The silence has me panicking to the point of trying to get my Kikaichu back. But then she looks down at her arm, the same arm a few of my Kikaichu are resting on.
"So, can you control them? Or do they do what they want?" She leans closer to them, and with her other hand, she goes to poke at them. She laughs as one actually crawls onto her finger, and then she brings it close to her face. "Hey there! Did you come out because of my food?"
She… She's not scared.
I can barely hear myself respond to her as a wave of emotions sweeps past me. I want to thank her or answer her question, but what comes out is neither.
"Aren't you disgusted?" I breathlessly asked her. Why isn't she running away?
She turned to me and gave me a look like I was the odd one. "Disgusted? No, why would I?" She twists her hand around, letting my kikaichu crawl around her arms. "This is a ninja village, right? There are those brown-haired guys with their big dogs and those blondies with mind-reading powers, so aren't your bugs normal then?"
A flush of emotions rushed through me. How is it that this one civilian has more kindness than most of my peers? I can't help but feel grateful for her once more.
Seeing that as permission, the rest of Kikaichu took the liberty of leaving me to openly greet Mizuki, who let out a squeak as she was swarmed
"Eek! Shino! Your bugs! Why are there so many!?"
My father was not amused when I had to get him to help calm down the swarm, and on our way home, he was lecturing me about proper kikaichu maintenance and how civilians aren't us and don't like being swarmed.
"I know you're excited about being around your friend, but you must learn to control those emotions or you'll scare away my future daughter-in-law."
"Father!"
How mortifying.
Finally, the day of the grand opening. I was absolutely excited to visit her restaurant, and from my classmate leaning farther away than usual, I realized my excitement wasn't as contained as I thought. Behind me, I can hear two other classmates talking about me.
"What's up with Shino?" Choji whispers. Seconds later, Shikamaru answers.
"Who knows, but it's distracting me from my nap."
The minute the bell rang, I was, for once, the first one out of class. I ignored the gasp and shout of my name as I ran out of the classroom and headed outside. Once I pass the academy gates, I spring up to the roofs and book it to the main streets. My kikaichu flutter around me in excitement as I near the restaurant.
I touch down softly and look up to an open door with a giant banner announcing its grand opening. I take a deep breath and walk inside.
Inside the restaurant, it was packed with different people. A group of men laugh and drink, all sitting on stools at the open bar. On the sides were private booths where I saw families crammed inside, enjoying plates of omurice and fried chicken. But out in the open, couples were seated across from one another, each in their own world. On the ceiling, a scatter of small lights made it look like a swarm of fireflies. In between customers, I spot Mizuki weaving around, getting orders, while other employees hand out plates of food, and in the far back, I can see her father cooking up a storm and another boy with rusty red hair cooking next to him.
I take a seat at the empty table and grab the menu from the middle. I skim the items; a few catch my eye, but none are the reason I am here.
Before I even notice, my kikaichu stirs when a sweet angelic voice speaks up.
"Hello!" Mizuki said. Her eyes twinkled with familiarity. "What can I get for you?"
I can't help it.
"What do you recommend?"