Accidentally in Love
Chapter 10
"...will you help me answer it?" Naruto asked.
"Of course. I've already finished answering it. I can guide you step by step. Just bring out your book and a piece of paper." Hinata replied in an instant.
"Thanks a lot. I wouldn't know what to do if you didn't offer. I asked my sister but she didn't wanna help me and I can't understand the videos on YouTube. I hope this isn't too much of a bother to you Hinata."
"It isn't. I'm glad to be able to help you Naruto-kun." she said in a cheerful tone. Naruto could swear he could almost see her smiling on the other side of the phone.
"Well, my book and paper's already out. Let's start."
"Okay, let me just get my homework and we'll start."
...
"Finally, we're done." Naruto let out a huge sigh of relief. There were 3 problems in total but around 2-3 questions to solve in each problem. Naruto wouldn't say he's fully confident in answering future problems by himself but thanks to Hinata guiding him through every problem and solution, even if just through the phone, he's got down the basics and just needed practice. "Thank you so much Hinata. You're such a great help. I definitely understood it better than when those YouTube guys tried to explain it."
"You're welcome Naruto-kun. It was no problem." Hinata said then paused for a bit. "If you need any help with future lessons, just... feel free to ask me."
"Really? Thanks for the offer. I'm really having a hard time with Physics and Trigonometry and I need to pull my grades up." Naruto said naturally in response. But in the end he realized he shouldn't have said that because he shouldn't be trying to get more time with Hinata. That was not the plan. He should be asking her about whether or not she's interested in someone, and what she thought of Kiba.
It's already been four days. Four missed opportunities to ask her. But what should he say? How should he initiate that conversation? He wanted to save it for tomorrow but thinking about how impatient Kiba was getting, he also felt that he should just ask her now.
"So, you're okay now with the homework? Do you still have anything to ask me?" Hinata said, making Naruto realize that she was about to end their conversation. They've been talking for more than half an hour already and there was still school for tomorrow.
"Uhm..." Naruto thought about what to say. Hinata asked her if he had any more questions. She definitely meant regarding the physics homework but since she asked him if he had any more questions, Naruto thought maybe he could slip his real question in.
"...I do have a question. It's not about the homework though. I was meaning to ask you a while ago but I wasn't able to."
"Oh, okay. Wh-what is it?" she responded with curiosity.
"It's kind of personal. I know we're not that close yet, but as Kiba's friend, I want to ask about... what do you think of him?"
"About Ki-kiba-kun?" he heard Hinata gasp about the mention of his best friend's name and the question that came along with it.
"Uhm, yeah. I know I shouldn't be asking but I'm concerned about him. I know that he's been asking you out and that it… doesn't go well. Kiba tells me about the times he uhm... you know... gets denied." he said, whispering the last two words. "He's always talking about what he might have done wrong, or might not have done. But you know, he's not one to just ask you about it. He just wants to know if he has a chance."
"Oh."
It was the only response he heard from Hinata. Naruto thought of how she must have been shocked about his question that came out of nowhere and right now was thinking of what to answer. The silence however that came afterwards was almost half a minute already and Naruto thought that maybe he shouldn't have asked that question.
"I'm sorry that I asked that. It's too personal, I know. I shouldn't have..." he tried to apologize but Hinata cut him off.
"It's okay Naruto-kun."
"Oh... well, but if you don't want to answer, it's okay. I just don't want to make you feel obligated."
"I understand. I know I should have just told Kiba-kun straightforward. It's not that I didn't consider agreeing to go out with him. Kiba-kun is kind, courteous, always offering to help me, and he doesn't force himself on me. I know other girls might want to be in my position, to have someone like him like them but... if I did agree to go out with him, I don't think it would go well in the long run."
"The long run? Why?"
"Because... be-because I..."
"Because you?"
"Because I already..."
"Because you already..."
"I already..."
"Already have some other boy that you like?" Naruto supplied and he heard Hinata gasp. It was the real question he wanted to ask. He didn't know how to insert it in the conversation but from how Hinata was responding, he deduced it must have been the reason.
"I... yes. There's this bo-boy that I like, for a long time. I ju-just don't think it would be fair to Kiba if I go out with him when I'm thinking of someone else." she confessed, confirming Naruto's hunch.
'That's me.' Naruto thought to himself but smacked himself upon realization of what he thought. 'Ah, what the heck are you thinking? Bold of you to assume it's you she's talking about.'
"I see. Well at least Kiba will know the real reason. He's been thinking about it a lot too. He actually wanted me to ask you about it because he felt you might not tell it to him face-to-face."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You shouldn't be apologizing to anyone. You know, it kinda goes the same with me and Sakura. I've asked her out like over a dozen of times and I always get rejected. I know it's likely because she likes that bastard Sasuke and still I try asking her out and of course I get rejected. Then again, at least I know why. I'm just a bit stubborn, you know. So, is it okay if I tell him?"
"I suppose. I wanted to tell him but I couldn't. It will be easier if you told him for me." she requested of him.
"I will." And finally he got one of the questions answered but there's still that one remaining mystery. "Anyway, any chance you might tell me who this guy that you like is?" Naruto asked in a joking-like tone.
"Yo-you want t-to know who he is?" Hinata clarified, the panic in her voice evident to which Naruto expected. After all, Hinata's the shiest girl he's ever met. He didn't even think Hinata had a crush on a boy with how shy she is.
"Just… curious."
Curious to know if it was him. And deep down, he was actually dying to know, hoping that it was him. That part of him that his still rational mind was trying to suppress.
"Uhm… I can't tell you."
"Why not? It's just the two of us. I won't tell Kiba."
"N-no, I can't tell you." she said again, her response becoming more and more panicked but with firmness. Naruto chuckled at her reaction. He couldn't deny how cute she sounded. Her stutter, her high-pitched voice, it tempted him so much to keep pushing on asking her just to be able to listen to her.
But he shouldn't. He was probably going too far.
"Okay. Sorry I… anyway, I don't have any more question about the homework. So I suppose I'll just see you again tomorrow."
"Yes, tomorrow."
"So, good night?"
"Good night, Naruto-kun?"
And after a few seconds Naruto saw the call has ended. He laid back on his study chair to take in all that happened in the past half hour, and even the events that happened back at Hinata's place.
How he was staring at her when they were doing the project, how he was captivated by her lavender eyes, how he enjoyed feeding the kois with her, talking with her, how his heart was now reacting just by the thought of her, how he wanted so desperately to know who was this boy Hinata liked and how he was secretly wishing it was indeed him.
"Aw man! Don't tell me I'm starting to like her." he asked himself out loud. But this feeling, he's only ever felt it once before. For Sakura.
'What am I gonna do now? Why does it have to be you Hinata? Kiba's already got dibs on you.'
Such cruel fate. Why does he have to also like the girl his best friend was trying to get?
'But Hinata already said why she wouldn't go out with Kiba. She already likes someone else so it's not like Kiba can be with her. But how am I gonna face my best friend like this? If he ever finds out… it could mean our friendship.'
…
The next day, the first thing that greeted Naruto was Kiba, who came running towards him as soon as he was spotted in the hallway.
"Hey, so how did it go?" Kiba immediately asked.
"Oh, that. I managed to ask her." Naruto replied, and he saw how Kiba's eyes lit up. He's been dying to know the answer to his question for the past week.
"Finally. But damn… I'm kinda scared to hear the answer. I probably know already."
"You want me to tell you now, or later at lunch?"
"Just put me out of my misery already. Let's go outside." Kiba instructed and led the way for Naruto. Once they've found a free bench to sit on where there were no bystanders, Kiba ordered Naruto to spill out the news.
"Okay. I tried to ask the question as casually as I could, like bringing it in between a normal conversation but I had a hard time finding it so, I just kinda asked her out of the blue." Naruto told him. He didn't have to tell him how he arrived at the question but telling it to Kiba was making him very nervous. No one wants to be the guy who tells their best friend that the girl he likes is infatuated with some other guy.
"Oh-kay?" Kiba scrunched his eyebrows, unsure of why Naruto was telling him this. "So, what did you ask her? What did she say?"
"I asked her what she thinks of you. Then she told me that she thinks you're kind, polite, always ready to offer her help, and that you don't force yourself on her. She appreciates it and… she said any girl would be lucky to have someone like you. But then she said that she already likes someone else. She said it wouldn't be fair if she agreed to go out with you when she's thinking about some other boy." Naruto said softly, not really wanting to be delivering the bad news to Kiba.
A short moment of silence fell between them, until Kiba gave out a deep breath and spoke.
"I kinda expected that." Kiba gave a sad smirk. "Did you ask her who it is?"
"I tried but… she didn't want to tell me. I didn't try to pry too much. If you want to know, you need to be the one to ask her."
"What's the point anyway? It looks like I won't be getting her."
"Why not?"
"As you said, she already likes someone else."
"So you're just gonna give up on her like that?" Naruto asked shocked. He didn't think Kiba would just give up on Hinata just because he learned she likes someone else.
"It's not just like that. I've always kind of felt that I wouldn't be able to get her, you know. The past few times I've tried to ask her out, I could feel it. She was trying her best to be polite. It's like I've just been searching for an assurance, something to tell me she's just not the girl for me, and maybe I'm not for her."
"You don't sound like the Kiba I know."
"Yeah, I know. But I've been thinking about it a lot. That favor from you, that's my last chance. I tried to be enthusiastic about it even though I kinda know how it will end." he admitted. "So, I just wanna say thanks for asking her."
"Uhm, no problem." Naruto replied in almost a whisper. His mind was being occupied by a lot of different thoughts because of the things Kiba said. He didn't know what to say next. Should he tell Kiba about his feelings for Hinata that has been building up since he's been paired with her? Kiba did say he was not gonna pursue Hinata anymore.
It might be a good idea right? Except for the fact that 'HE'S YOUR FREAKING BESTFRIEND!', he reminded himself. This would have been much easier if Kiba was just some other guy who gave up on Hinata and then it was Naruto's chance to swoop her. How the hell would Kiba react if he learned he's been crushing on the girl he likes, felt her boobs, even though it was an accident and even fed kois with her like she's his girlfriend?
Stay away from Naruto? Break their friendship? Never speak to him again? He didn't want any of those things to happen. He's been friends with Kiba since elementary.
But what should he do? His feelings for Sakura has dulled through time, after many rejections and especially after that exchange the day before. And this feelings for Hinata that has been growing was also a big part of why he's not even thinking of Sakura today, which was unheard of.
His head was hurting so he decided to just think about it later. He hasn't even gone to his locker to get his books for the first period. It was a good thing Kiba was thinking about the same thing.
"Come on, let's go to your locker. We can talk later at lunch."
"Good idea."
…
At lunch the cafeteria was packed. Things were usually the same but that day, a lot of whispers were being shared at each table and the reason for that was because Karin was sitting next to Sasuke and more than a dozen of girls, sophomores to seniors were glaring daggers at her. It was a widely known fact that Sasuke never sits with a girl during lunch. It was always only with Juugo and Suigetsu, his group.
It was different for the boys however, because at last the Sasuke guy whom their crushes has been crushing on finally has a girlfriend, so they think. And that was what Naruto should be feeling too right? Sasuke's already with Karin so that opens up his chances with Sakura. But he didn't feel so when he saw the new couple. The week before he may have been jumping for joy, minus the fact that the bastard was dating his sister but this was the thing he's been hoping for a long time.
But deep down he's come to accept that even if Sasuke was already taken, Sakura would still not bat an eye on him. That exchange he had yesterday with her indicates that.
"Why is your sister sitting next to Sasuke?" Kiba asked him, curiosity filling him also. "I know she's his Physics partner but she wasn't sitting next to him yesterday."
"Well, as unbelievable as it may sound, the bastard's dating her."
"What?! For real?" Kiba looked so shocked at hearing his response. "But Sasuke hates her right? And isn't he asexual? And seriously I thought he might have been gay."
"Well he's not, or at least from what it looks like. I don't even know how these two got together in just a few days of working over that project at our place."
"So, are you okay with that? Sasuke, guy you hate the most dating your sister."
"Of course not. I don't trust him. But it's not like I can do anything about it. Karin's liked him for years and while I don't approve of him, I should at least respect my sister's choices. I suppose I just have to keep a close eye on him."
"Well, it's not like Sasuke's a bad person you know? He may be stuck up, sometimes arrogant and anti-social but the guy's the top of the class, doesn't have any school offenses and definitely not a playboy like those other guys in the football team."
"I can't believe you're praising that guy."
"I'm not praising him, I'm just telling facts. And speaking of this, doesn't this situation help you with Sakura?"
"No, it doesn't."
"Why not? I thought you said you wished Sasuke had a girlfriend so Sakura can…"
"I told you… it doesn't help me." Naruto cut him off. Kiba was taken slightly aback by it.
"Why are you so negative?"
'I'm not gonna go out with you no matter how many times you ask me. You're not my… type.' Sakura words from the day before echoed in Naruto's mind. He remembered how he still tried to ask her to give him a chance, how he grabbed her arm when she walked away, and how forcefully she pulled it away and looked at him with contempt. He remembered how much his heart hurt after being so hopeful and how embarrassing it was to be rejected and seen by his classmates like that.
He didn't want it to ever happen again.
"I told you yesterday, Sakura doesn't like me. There's nothing I can do about it. Even if Sasuke's taken, nothing will change. She'll just wait until they break up, probably even try to break them up. That's just how it is. She won't give me a chance as long as Sasuke's here. And I don't want to keep hoping on that she'll one day change her mind. It's just like what you said earlier, the girl you like is in love with another guy. You don't plan on going after Hinata anymore, right? It's the same for me. I don't plan on going after Sakura anymore."
"I understand." And indeed Kiba understood. Kiba never really saw Sakura as a girl fit for Naruto. He didn't like her one bit. But as Naruto's friend he was supportive for what Naruto wanted. Right now, he didn't have to deal with Sakura anymore and he was thankful that Naruto was finally seeing how she wasn't the girl for him. "So, do you have any other girl in mind?"
"Wh-what?" Naruto was shocked by the question his best friend threw out. He couldn't stop the blush that appeared in his cheeks as his mind filled with thoughts about Hinata. "O-of course not. I've only started moving on from Sakura, so why would you think there's already another girl that I like."
"You stuttered. Your cheeks are red. There's some other girl that you like." Kiba smirked at him.
"No, there isn't." Naruto reaffirmed, this time trying his best to sound calm.
"That you say."
…
Kiba's suspicion of him already liking another girl dwelled in Naruto's mind for the afternoon. He dreaded Kiba learning that he now likes Hinata as well, and there was a part that just screamed, 'Screw it! Just tell him already.'
But he didn't have that courage. If he was ever to tell Kiba, it was probably after a lot time has passed, and maybe when Kiba finds himself liking another girl too. It was Physics class already and they were just waiting for their teacher to come in. Naruto still had to ask Hinata about what they were gonna do later regarding the project so he walked towards her seat and greeted her.
"Hiya Hinata, so are we gonna be finishing our project later?"
"Na-naruto-kun." Hinata stuttered in surprise when she suddenly heard Naruto's voice. "Well if you want to. Just be at the parking area after class. Ko will pick us up as always."
"In that case, can you just wait for me a bit? There's just something I need to get later."
"O-of course. We'll wait for you."
"Thanks." Naruto looked to his left and saw their teacher entering the classroom.
"Good afternoon class, please bring out your homework and we'll be checking it."
"I'll be going back to my seat then. See you later Hina-chan." Naruto quickly said as he dashed back his seat which was next to Kiba. To his obliviousness, he didn't realize that he just called Hinata by a shortened version of her name, like a nickname, with a -chan suffix to add. This left the Hyuuga girl with a big blush on her face.
…
The bell has already rung which signaled the end of the last period. As usual, Naruto and Kiba were in toe as they went for their lockers. Naruto already knew Kiba wasn't going to be working with Sakura because they were already done with the project. Kiba on the other hand asked Naruto if he was going to Hinata's place to which Naruto confirmed. Before the project was assigned to them, they usually walked together going home.
"Good luck then." Kiba told him. "And by the way, just to remind you, I'm not gonna be asking anymore, okay?"
"Asking for what?"
"You know, what I asked you before. I'm okay with what you've told me. You don't need to dwell into it more and pressure Hinata."
"If you say so."
"I just had to say it because I know you'll probably question her again. I already know she doesn't like me the same way I do for her and I don't want her to be annoyed if she gets asked again, even it if it was you who's asking."
"So, you're truly moving on?"
"I said it earlier Naruto, that's what I've been doing even before I asked you to do this."
"But what if some other guy suddenly appears and asks her out? You're not gonna do anything about it?" Naruto asked, the question coming out of him before he could think about it.
"No."
"Re-really? Not even gonna feel jealous?"
"No. Come on, enough with the questions. I thought you need to meet up with Hinata."
"Oh yeah. Well then I gotta go." Naruto then quickly returned the books he used back in his locker as Kiba did the same. "See you next week Kiba."
"Yeah, see yah."
And with that Naruto hurriedly went out the campus and headed for the convenience store. Aside from Kiba's suspicion of him, he's also been bothered by the same thought that he's been pondering on since his call with Hinata ended last night. This thought of something he needed to do, and that he decided that he was gonna be doing this. He just couldn't deny it anymore how excited he was to go to Hinata's house and work with her again. To go walking around that garden and feed the kois just as they did yesterday.
He knew that whatever he was doing was gonna be a stab in the back to Kiba but he couldn't help it anymore. Hinata was slowly and steadily reeling his heart. And because of that he bought a big loaf of bread, for the kois and 5 cinnamon rolls to which the two of them could share. He already knew Hinata liked the cinnamon rolls that he by chance bought the other day. He placed them inside his spacious backpack and headed for the parking lot where he saw Kō standing by the car. Kō waved at him and he opened the door. Naruto saw that Hinata was already seated inside and he then hopped in and sat next to her. Without wasting a moment, Kō started the car and drove to the Hyuuga estate.
On the way, all that Naruto could think about was that he was going to be with Hinata again, imagining the two of them feeding the kois.
…
A/N:
I'm so disappointed with myself that it took a year for me to produce this chapter. It's just that fanfiction has not been a priority for me as it did back then when I first started writing 6 years ago. I'm trying to find the motivation but it's too little. I feel very bad to leave a story hanging so I'm pushing myself to write this even though it's harder for me. I'm not gonna be making promises on the next chapter. Anyway, thanks for reading.