[There are different ways to not be good around people, he thinks. She seems shy the way Hinata had been- the kind of person who struggled not just with their own feelings, but with saying anything at all. Naruto is precisely the opposite. He knows that he's always opening his mouth before he's thought things through and that sometimes it gets him into trouble and most of the time people think he's an idiot. He thinks that being shy is probably even harder, because then no one gets to know the real you- the person hiding underneath.

His expression wrinkles thoughtfully and then, as a group pass them bubbling with laughter, his face brightens. An idea!]

Hey hey I know! [The difference in their respective heights isn't so much that he needs to bend down to her, but Naruto closes the distance between them instead, his voice quieting- as if he's sharing a secret. In a way, maybe it is.] While we're in there, if you start to feel weird, you can just hold my hand. It'll be like a secret code! I'll just find a reason for us to have to go somewhere else. I can even be a distraction so you can sneak away!