Less Than Your Average Bowl of Rice [Shikadai Story]

The New Salad Bar

Metal and Shikadai take a walk for their last lap around the village. Metal figured that the only way that Shikadai could shed his extra pounds was if he wasn't overworking his body so much on running. Okay. Maybe Metal didn't ENTIRELY realize this, but Shikadai's dad put some sense into the green-suited boy.

As the duo continued to walk, they realized a flashy new opening of this new restaurant that focused merely on salads. Such timing! Or perhaps, a coincidence?

"What a delightful choice! We shall dine!" Metal excitedly enters the restaurant, dragging Shikadai along with him. On the other hand, Shikadai looked down again, hoping no one will realize his hopes of a successful diet once he walks in to be the only one a bit out of shape.

Metal approaches the receptionist with Shikadai following behind him. "Table for two!"

The receptionist gives a welcoming smile before seating them to a window booth.

Each boy sat on either side of the booth, observing the menus. However, Shikadai was more self conscious of his side view being visible to the window.

'Man, what a drag,' He thought, and straightened up his posture as best as he could against the seat.

Shikadai looked down at the menu, reading in capital letters, 'THE SALAD BAR,' he would open up to the first page and think of his own custom salad.

A waitress then approaches their booth, greeting them with a welcoming smile. "Hello boys! Can we start off with some drinks or are we ready to order?" 

"I'm ready," Shikadai tells her, smiling then looks at Metal for approval.

"As am I."

"Great! What are we having today?"

Metal starts off, "I'll have my own custom salad with romane lettuce, cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken, and a side of balsamic vinegar!"

The waitress takes note, "Great-"

"Oh! And just water for me please!" Metal adds in.

"Alrighty," She writes down again, then looks at Shikadai whom proceeded to fix his posture by sucking in, "What can I get for you?"

"I'll have the same thing."

Metal looks at his friend, expressing a rather concerning look with a raised eyebrow.

The waitress smiles. "I will return with your food momentarily!"

As the waitress left to get their orders, Metal shared his thoughts to Shikadai. Without any words, Shikadai showed a language of disappointment and insecurity as he was focusing on nothing but his posture and if he'd see anyone familiar out the window. He was embarrassed to be seen at a salad restaurant.

"Shikadai."

No response.

"Shikadai."

Again, no response.

"SHIKADAI!"

Shikadai perks up, "Huh?"

Metal sighs, "You can breathe, you know!"

"I-I am!"

"No!" Metal kicks Shikadai from under the table, startling him and making his stomach bulge pop out from his shirt.

"Tah! Leave me alone, will you!" Shikadai exclaims.

"My friend, let everyone know you are capable of expressing your love of diet and a healthy lifestyle! But it doesn't mean starving yourself!"

Shikadai sighs. Before he can say anything else, the waitress returned with their salads. It wasn't anything special, it looked like a plain salad you could pick out from a family garden.

They both begin to eat, Shikadai eating slower than usual.

"This taste like grass."

                                    0o0o0o0

Shikadai walks into his house, kicking off his slippers. He walks into the living room to see his parents sit besides each other on the couch. Just by the looks of it, it seemed like he was in for a serious conversation.

Trying to avoid it, he quickly attempts to makes a U-turn.

"Oi! Sit down." Temari shouts.

Shikadai sighs, sitting on the couch opposite to the one his parents were on.

Both Shikamaru and Temari look at each other, nodding; exchanging a 'we have to do this' type.

Shikadai was aware of their shared chemistry. It was dangerous, for the most part. It's like they were able to talk without even talking to each other.

"Shikadai, talk to us." His dad says.

"Well, what do you want to know?"

Shikamaru hesitates, before giving a stern look. "Let us know what's on your mind, about your... insecurities- yes! Insecurities."

"Sometimes my hair gets greasy-"

Temari stands up, "Enough!" She then turns to her son, giving a firm opposition. "Shikadai! Enough with trying to do these daily runs and eating like a horse!"

The teenager looks up, a bit in shock. Temari sighs, facepalming. She sits next to her son, putting his hands into hers.

"I hate it when you get me all soft," She then lightly squishes his cheek, "Look, you shouldn't keep stressing yourself out about trying to maintain a slim shape."

Shikamaru nods, "Your mother is right. It can really keep you from focusing on what's really important, like becoming a great ninja. There's a lot of ninjas who are not in the best body shape, like Choji for instance!" He pauses just barely, realizing what he said could counteract as offensive.

Temari holds the urge to smack his husband silly, returning to Shikadai. "Look, we just want you to eat how you usually did. You're wasting your strength and focusing on the wrong things by letting a bit of stomach get in your way-"

"So that's what this is all about!" Shikadai stands from his seat, "All you care about is me living up to your standards, even if it means that I don't love myself when doing so! I-I don't deserve that!" Before his parents could say anything, Shikadai runs out of his front door, past his porch, through the gates, and ran. It didn't matter where to, he just ran. Ran like he's been doing for the past week. He kept running. He ran so fast and long to the point where his overworked limbs hurt, his face hurt, his hair hurt. He ran faster as his tears began to well up in his eyes and trail down. But he didn't care. He didn't want the company from the people he loved most.

                                     0o0o0o0

Temari buried her face into the chest of her husband. Her arms went limp, her legs sprawled on the floor as she bawled in his chest. Shikamaru did his best to comfort her while he rubbed her back assuringly.

"I'm a terrible mother."