Can't Help Myself 2.0

.14

Entering inside the ramen shop, Naruto and Shikamaru took a seat as Teuchi smiled at them warmly.

"Oh familiar faces! Welcome again boys, what can I get you guys?"

Naruto raised his hand high in the air, happily glowing at Teuchi. "One bowl of Miso Ramen please!"

"Give me the same as him please."

Teuchi nodded, beginning their order. "Coming right up!"

The two watched as the magic happened, Teuchi hand making the noodles and whatnots.

"Soo, Shikamaru, what was that whole thing about anyways? I'm still confused on why Sakura and Ino were acting like that." Naruto asked, turning his head to look at his buddy. Before he even stepped foot out of the tower, he could hear the girls' screaming and it scared him to leave.

Shikamaru sighed, not really wanting to let Naruto know about what they were screaming at him for. It was too embarrassing.

"Don't mind them, they were just being weird as usual. Nothing important." He answered, hoping so hard that the blond would just drop the subject.

Of course, Naruto squinted his eyes in suspension. "...But it looked like it had something to do with me, they were telling me to let them know what happened ya know.. and I don't even know what they want to know."

Shikamaru felt the back of his neck getting a little sweaty after hearing Naruto's tone. He sounded whiny and has a small pout on his lips. He needed to think of something to curve the conversation fast.

"Fine, they were shocked because I told them I wanted to-- to know the great and wonderful Naruto better!" He really tried his best but the way he spoke out didn't sound very convincing, making him cringe at his own act. However, Naruto's blue eyes widened in shock.

"Great and wonderful..? Me?" Naruto repeated the compliment, pointing at himself as he tilted his head a bit to the side.

"Yeah, you."

Naruto finger twitched, his face twisting around a bit as his lips wavered into a stupid looking smile. He looked away from Shikamaru, embarrassed to receive such compliment unexpectedly yet his chest warmed.

Somehow, Naruto believed him and Shikamaru mentally gave himself a pat on the back. Sometimes, Naruto could be a bit of an airhead and it is both good and bad. Yes he did lie but he did also spoke the truth, he did want to get to know him better so he did a good job on that one.

"Wait, why were they surprised though? Am I THAT bad of a person to them?"

Shikamaru held back a groan once hearing Naruto's question, cursing mentally at the two kunoichis for causing this conversation to happen. The way Naruto was staring at him with so much curiosity made him a little bashful and weirdly enough, the room felt hot.

"No, it's just-- Ugh believe me when I say don't mind them. They were causing unnecessary things, you are a good person Naru." Shikamaru tried once again, fanning himself with one hand to help cool off.

As he was doing this, the sound of Naruto's giggles entered inside his ears, like a cute melody.

"Heh! You're silly Shika."

Shikamaru simply made a tsk noise, laying his head on his arm to attempt to ignore him. Naruto whined lowly, leaning closer towards him with a pout. "Ey~ why are you being like this?"

As the two were in their own little world, the bowl of ramens were placed in front of them, gaining their attention.

"Here you two go! Enjoy your meal Naruto and his friend!"