The Fourth Wall

Chapter 6: The Meal

Boruto listened to Sarada lecturing him about how great the hokage was the entire way to his house. Thanks to her reminding him that he did in fact find her annoying and snobby most of the time, his appetite came back.

"I'm home," Boruto announced as he opened the door, taking off his shoes in the doorway.

"Ah! Onii-chan!"

"Yo, Himawari!" Boruto smiled at his little sister, but rather than smiling back, Himawari's eyes widened at the visitor behind him.

"Sarada-chan!"

"Pardon the intrusion," she said, taking off her sandals and smiling at the blue-eyed girl.

She smilied up at Sarada excitedly. "Sarada-chan, are you staying for dinner?" 

"If you don't mind having me." With that, she followed Boruto into the kitchen, Himawari at her side.

"It's almost ready, so just wait a little bit."

Sarada smiled. "I'll do what I can to help."

Boruto yawned, flopping himself down onto the couch and picking up his portable gaming device. It had been a while since his last visit to Dr. Katasuke since the whole scientific ninja tool scam during the chunin exams, but he still had a few games left to beat. And what better way to kill time before dinner than to play video games? Completely ignoring the conversation in the kitchen, he absorbed himself into gathering materials to beat the next boss.

"Ah dang it!" As the game over screen flashed into his vision, he sunk back into the chair. Was this boss even possible to clear without cheats? When he looked up, he noticed Sarada helping Himawari set the table. Maybe she doesn't know what else to do and is just busying herself, he thought, pressing the continue button.

"Onii-chan, dinner's ready!"

Boruto sighed. "Coming."

He sat down at the table and sniffed. "Smells great! What are we eating?"

"Tonight is pork-cutlet. There's extra, so feel free to take some home to your mom, Sarada-chan," Hinata said with a gentle smile.

"You're a life saver," replied Sarada, putting her hands together in front of her face.

"Ittadakkimaas!" Everyone said in unison before digging into the delicious meal.

"Hm?"

"Boruto, what's wrong?"

"Ah," he said, swallowing, "I was just thinking. This salad dressing tastes different than usual. Did you put something else in it mom? It's really good."

Hinata smiled. "I actually had Sarada-chan make that."

He blinked a few times.

"Onii-chan, this is the first time you've said someone's cooking tasted better than mom's!"

Boruto slumped down into his chair. "I take it back. Mom's is better."

"Onii-chan, lying isn't good!"

"I'm serious!"

Sarada just laughed. "It's mirin instead of vinegar. I like mine sweeter, so I asked if I could change it, but that's the only difference. You must really like your mom's cooking to notice."

"Of course I do," responded Boruto, his mouth full of rice. "No one cooks better than—"

"Boruto," said Hinata, her byakugan activating. "Swallow before you talk."

He gulped. "Yes ma'am."

.   .   .

The rest of dinner went by with lots of laughter, chewing, and most importantly, Boruto swallowing before he talked. When everyone was done, they all took their plates to the sink, and Boruto returned to his game.