I bit down on another skewer of sweet dango, savoring the perfect balance of chewiness and sugary goodness. Life was good.
Sure, my system progress was still crawling along at a snail's pace, but I had finally unlocked Six Eyes and Cursed Technique: Blue. Not bad for a five-year-old, right?
Just as I was about to take another bite—
"Oi! You! Stop right there! You trying to skip the bill?!"
A voice, as loud as a thunderclap, shook the shop.
I turned my head slightly, only to see a furious girl in a red kimono charging straight at me, broom in hand.
Damn, the momentum on her was impressive. Her skirt flared dramatically with her movements, and her eyes blazed with the determination of a shinobi on a mission.
I clicked my tongue and exaggeratedly adjusted my blindfold.
"Whoa, whoa, hold on, lady! Do I look like the kind of person who'd run off without paying?"
The girl didn't look convinced.
I grinned, throwing an arm around the nearest unfortunate soul—Itachi.
Before my dear brother could even process what was happening, I casually shoved him forward like a human shield.
"There, see? The guy paying the bill is right here!" I declared cheerfully.
I patted his back in encouragement.
"Itachi, my beloved big brother, go ahead—fulfill your duty as the responsible sibling."
"Huh?" Itachi blinked, caught completely off guard.
"Don't thank me too much! I believe in you." I shot him a thumbs-up, internally snickering.
The girl hesitated for a moment, eyes flicking between me and my brother.
Then, as if a sudden realization dawned on her, her expression froze.
"U-Uchiha..." she murmured.
Her face paled as if she'd just seen a ghost.
"T-The Nine-Tails... Y-you're Uchiha..."
And just like that, the mood shifted.
My lazy grin vanished, and my normally mischievous eyes turned cold.
Ah. So that's how it is.
It wasn't me she was afraid of. It was the name Uchiha.
After the Nine-Tails attack, suspicion and resentment toward our clan spread like wildfire. People whispered behind our backs, casting wary glances, avoiding us like we carried the plague. Then came the "brilliant" decision to shove the entire Uchiha clan to the edge of the village, as if isolating us would make the tension disappear.
It was laughable, really.
The girl's reaction wasn't anything new, but it still left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I let out a dramatic sigh, rubbing my temples.
"Madam Boss, are you seriously letting my devastating good looks fluster you so much that you're offering me a free meal?"
The girl snapped out of her daze, blinking rapidly.
I smirked, switching back to my usual playfulness.
"I mean, I totally get it. Handsome men have that effect on people. But unfortunately, I'm a man of integrity. I can't just live off my face alone, you know?"
She stared at me, utterly baffled.
I tapped my chin in fake contemplation.
"Aha! I know! Let's just have Itachi pay! If he refuses, we can make him dress up as a girl and work off the debt!"
I clapped my hands together, nodding seriously.
"Trust me, boss, my dear brother is ridiculously pretty in a kimono. You won't regret it."
At that exact moment—
[Ding! Play Points +100!]
I nearly choked.
Wait, seriously?! A whole 100 points just for throwing Itachi under the bus?!
I should do this more often.
Beside me, Itachi let out a slow exhale, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Satoru."
Uh-oh. Full name. That's never a good sign.
I turned to face him, putting on my best innocent expression.
His brow twitched. "Do you ever stop?"
"Nope."
His sigh deepened.
The girl, meanwhile, had finally relaxed, a small smile forming at the corner of her lips.
She studied us for a moment before shaking her head. "No need. I'm not running a scam shop. Just pay the bill properly."
Well, that was unexpectedly wholesome.
She wasn't wrong to be wary at first, but at least she wasn't a lost cause.
With a resigned sigh, Itachi fished out his wallet and handed over the money.
The girl snatched it up like a hawk grabbing its prey, holding it close like it was her life's savings.
"Good! All mine now!" she declared before bolting off at top speed, probably afraid we'd change our minds.
Itachi, staring at his now-empty wallet: "..."
Me, grinning from ear to ear: "Great teamwork, bro!"
Ah, what a good day.
Even better—I was 100 points richer.
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(A/N: Don't Forget To Add In Your Collection And Support via Powerstone)