Chapter 39: Naruko and Sasuko's First Extreme Tug-of-War
Sasuko felt mentally exhausted and simply went along with it: "Mm... I also like ramen."
"That's great!" Naruko cheered, grabbing Sasuko's small hand. "When you get better, let's go eat ramen together!"
Sasuko frowned: "Who said I'm sick?"
"Yu-nii said so~" Naruko tilted her head with an innocent expression.
"I'm not sick!" Sasuko reflexively protested, but her words got stuck halfway. "I'm just..."
"Eh?" Naruko blinked her big eyes and leaned closer: "But when I arrived, your face was super— red!"
Sasuko's expression stiffened, then she resignedly dropped her shoulders: "...Yes, I am indeed sick."
Seeing Sasuko's somewhat pale complexion, Naruko immediately understood—no wonder Yu-nii was always carrying her, it really was because of poor health.
Such a cute girl having to suffer from illness was truly pitiful...
Her small face unconsciously showed a sympathetic expression as she said softly: "You should rest well~" She even thoughtfully helped tuck Sasuko's blanket corners.
"Yu-nii even said on the way here that if I came to chat with you, maybe your illness would get better right away!"
Hearing this, Sasuko gently bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth. She now strongly suspected that this golden-haired little dummy was brought by Yu specifically to torment her.
But seeing Naruko's sincere eyes, she could only force a stiff smile: "...Thank you so much."
Naruko smiled with her eyes curved like crescents: "You're welcome~ We're good friends after all!"
Sasuko's eye twitched slightly.
When did I agree to be friends with you?
But looking at Naruko's blindingly brilliant smile, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to say those words, only turning her face away and muttering quietly: "...Think whatever you want."
Outside the door, Yu was pressing his ear against the door panel to eavesdrop. Initially hearing Sasuko's distant tone, he was a bit worried the two little girls might not get along well.
But as the conversation progressed, his furrowed brow gradually relaxed and his lips unconsciously curved upward.
Indeed, that child Sasuko was just too indirect. Deep down, she must really like having such a sunny and cute friend like Naruko, right?
After adjusting his expression and deliberately stomping twice on the floor, he raised his hand to knock gently on the door: "Sasuko, Naruko, are you done chatting? Time to come out for dinner~"
Then he turned and headed to the kitchen to heat the dishes.
The moment Yu's call ended, Naruko jumped up like a cheerful little bird: "Yu-nii is calling us!"
She turned to pull Sasuko's hand, her eyes sparkling: "Let's go out quickly, Yu-nii bought lots of delicious food~"
Through this interaction, Sasuko had figured out Naruko's personality—she was simply a naive little dummy who radiated innocence.
But hearing her constant "Yu-nii" this and "Yu-nii" that still felt like a thorn in Sasuko's heart.
She grabbed Naruko's wrist firmly, saying with a stern face: "We can go out, but you can't call him 'Yu-nii' anymore!"
"Eh?" Naruko tilted her head, her golden twin tails swaying with the movement. "Then what should I call him?"
"Same as me—just call him 'Yu' directly," Sasuko said decisively.
Naruko blinked her big eyes in confusion: "Won't that be too rude..."
Sasuko rolled her eyes internally: Are you really planning to keep calling him that forever?
She deliberately made her voice cold: "If you don't agree, I'll never talk to you again." She even turned her face away proudly after speaking.
Naruko immediately panicked, her small face scrunching up: "Eh eh? How can that be..."
She anxiously twisted her fingers: "What if Yu-nii thinks I'm rude and doesn't like me anymore..."
Hearing this, Sasuko narrowed her eyes. So this little dummy really harbored such thoughts?
She forcibly suppressed her displeasure and waved her hand as if it were nothing: "How could that be~ I've always called him 'Yu' directly, and he doesn't mind such small things."
Seeing Naruko still looking hesitant, Sasuko's eyes rolled as she suddenly put on an affectionate smile: "Maybe... he'd even find you more direct and cute for calling him that?"
"Really?" Naruko's eyes lit up as she grabbed Sasuko's small hand.
Sasuko smiled innocently and nodded vigorously: "Of course it's true. How could I lie to you~"
It would be best if Yu found this dummy disrespectful and kicked her out directly.
Looking at Sasuko's suddenly brightened smile, Naruko naively nodded: "Mm! I trust you~" She cheerfully jumped off the bed. "Then let's go eat quickly!"
Sasuko unhurriedly put on her jacket, watching the bouncing golden-haired little dummy with a triumphant smile on her small face.
The two lolis walked out of the room one after the other.
Yu was currently busy in the kitchen, with the soup pot on the induction cooker bubbling with hot steam.
Although using magnetic field power to heat food would be more convenient, he always felt that dishes made that way lacked soul—ingredients had to roll around in the pot to develop their aroma.
Sasuko led Naruko to the living room. Looking at the elegantly decorated space, Naruko unconsciously tightened her fingers.
This was her first time dining at someone else's home. That ANBU sister hadn't taught her these etiquettes.
She gently tugged at Sasuko's sleeve, asking quietly: "Sasuko, what should I pay attention to when eating at your house?"
Sasuko was currently resting her chin in her hands, gazing toward the kitchen. Hearing the question, she waved dismissively: "Don't worry about those things, just act like you're at home."
Seeing Naruko's dubious expression, she added: "Really, the more relaxed you are, the happier the host family will be."
Though Sasuko, who had received etiquette education since childhood, said this without blushing or skipping a beat, Naruko still felt something was off: "Is that so..." She nodded hesitantly.
Soon after, Yu manipulated magnetic fields like performing magic, making dish after dish of aromatic delicacies float from the kitchen to the dining table, landing steadily.
The braised pork's sauce was still bubbling, the steamed fish's scallions were vibrantly green, and the aroma instantly filled the entire dining room.
"Wow—" Naruko's eyes sparkled as she watched, unable to help clapping in admiration. "Yu-ni..." Just as the words left her mouth—
"Ahem!" Sasuko suddenly cleared her throat, her small eyes glancing over.
Naruko startled and quickly corrected herself: "Yu... Yu is amazing!"
Only then did Sasuko satisfiedly curve her lips, her small face full of pride.
Heh, little dummy, easily handled.
Yu, who was serving dishes, heard Naruko's cheer. Though somewhat puzzled by her sudden change in address, he still responded with a gentle smile: "Thank you for the compliment~"
Naruko immediately blushed and lowered her little head.
Sasuko on the side narrowed her eyes, her small mouth unconsciously pouting.
Once all the dishes were served, Naruko eagerly tried a bit of everything.
She blissfully squinted her eyes, her small cheeks puffed like a hamster's: "Mm mm~ This is super delicious! Yu... Yu, you should try this too!" She even clumsily tried to serve Yu food with her chopsticks.
In contrast, Sasuko seemed uninterested, just poking at her rice listlessly while occasionally stealing glances at Yu.
"Sasuko," Yu served both little girls some food, saying helplessly, "Look how happily Naruko is eating. Being picky will stunt your growth~"
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