Disclaimer: I simply just own the plot.
Chapter 5
«Rosy Feather»
§cene of §pring
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A love like a tree
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It started as a seed, you see
Hopeless, looking so tiny
Don't know if it'll push through the soil
or
Stay buried, like water in oil
I didn't use bows or arrows
I watered it until it flows
In a daze, I watch as it grows.
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If Sakura has one favourite view, it is certainly the scenery she can view from the windows of her classroom. The combination of unique trees, dominantly the ones with the red, gold and bronze-coloured leaves, was truly worthy of being beheld as art. Other than its lovely appearance, it represents some beautiful meanings such as growth, death, and revival.
And love, Sakura adds, peacefully eyeing the trees through the classroom's window.
She has arrived thirty minutes before class. Expecting to be met with a loud crowd, she found an empty room instead.
Small, cautious footsteps echoed through, signalling someone's entry.
Straight black hair with frontal fringe, lilac eyes, purple hoodie—
"O-Ohayō gozaimasu, Hyūga-san..." Sakura greeted with a small bow.
The young woman paused her slow pace, offering a tiny smile in reply, and sat on her respective seat: after the front row of chairs, beside the window opposite to the other classroom's window, which is across the narrow hallway.
Hinata glanced at the other classroom opposite of theirs. Sakura didn't see her facial expression but when Hinata turned around to get something from her bag, she saw her joyful smile.
Curious, she looked at the classroom. And there, she saw the same blonde-haired male just from last time.
Everything about him seems so bright. Hair as yellow as a sunflower's petals. Irises that are as vivid as the sky. Face brightened by endless smiles.
Sakura shifted her eyes back to the dark-haired girl, watching her write on a notebook. Hinata looked up from her notebook to glance at the man again, then proceeded to write.
She's writing about him, the rosette presumed as she continued to watch the scene before her.
She wanted to initiate a conversation with Hinata, to know her better and help her grow close to the blonde-haired man. After all, that was her duty, right?
However, it wasn't as easy as before. She can't use her bow and arrow. Arrows of Eros or Pragma can't be used upon them. They're too young. So, all she could do to help was to bring them together and develop their relationship into something more.
Doki, doki, doki.
Soft inhales and exhales. Nervousness gradually drops to a calm state of preparedness.
Just as she was about to stand, a person sauntered into the room, startling her.
"Kyaa...! O-Ohayō gozaimasu, Sasuke-san...!"
Embarrassed at her sudden outburst, lime eyes looked down at her desk table and closed tightly as amused vantablack eyes attended to her abashed form.
"...Ohayō," a quiet reply. A wind of motion passing her and an abrupt sitting on her left side, she faintly heard.
Bespectacled eyes still closed, Sakura peeked through an eye to look at her seatmate.
Sasuke has his back turned to her, looking through the windows once again like somehow it was his duty to look outside.
Her curious gaze landed on his arm, bent by the elbow to support his head, and dragged up to his bizarre-looking hair. With its black colour, it reminds Sakura of the raven she usually sees resting on cherry blossoms back from the orphanage.
"Sa—" about to ask why his hair was like that, she saw his reddened ear.
Oh, Sakura looked away and glanced down at her hands, realizing, he's embarrassed.
For a quiet guy like him, it may be his first time to respond to a greeting. That should be the reason for his embarrassment.
But—
Doki, doki.
Her face warmed, and she couldn't help but smile.
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The class was dismissed for lunch, with the students dashing out of the classroom to eat and hang out with their friends.
Hinata sighed in contentment, finally having to keep the room to herself. But she was mistaken when she turned around: Sasuke and the new student was still in their seats, eating their bento. It appears they're having a conversation, but she can barely hear anything.
Afraid to get caught staring, she quickly took her bento from her bag, as well as her notebook and ballpen. Opening her notebook, she continued her unfinished writing.
((April 27 — 8:17 AM.
Today's weather is quite nice. I was able to wear my purple hoodie comfortably. As I entered the class, the new student greeted me. I could only smile at her, not quite knowing how to respond. Till now, I'm still surprised to have such a young classmate. I still can't believe she's only eleven years old... O _ O She must be very intelligent. And friendly, hehe. I wish to be her friend if only I have the courage... (/ω\) Anyway, I saw Naruto-kun today and he was still as bright as the day I saw him. He was laughing with Kiba-san; knowing them, it probably has something to do with pranks. Oh, Sasuke-san has entered... Oh my, he had startled her. Wah... she squealed with such cuteness...! She's so adorable... (ovo ).｡ｏ They're so cute together! (/v\*)｡o Oh! It's time to read the short preview of our lesson. So, jā ne~! ヽ(o_o)ノ))
Lightly giggling at her morning recall, she started to write her noon panorama.
((— 12:33 PM
Konnichiwa! Itadakimasu! I'm having bento, as usual, hehe. And, plenty of cinnamon rolls! ( ' v ' ) Neji-nī-sama has been nicer to me these days. Arigatō, Ten-chan! ( ‾́ v ‾́ ) By the way, today's rather unusual. Sasuke-san is staying with our new classmate, Sakura-san! He never bothered himself with anyone; always minding his own business. Probably trying to be nice because Sakura-san is a new classmate...? Hmm... He's once seated beside Naruto-kun, but he never tried to be nice hehe. I've also been his seatmate once, but he never bothered to even look at me (O_O). Till now, we haven't even conversed, not even once. So... I doubt he's being nice just because... Could it be he has special feelings for Sakura-san?! Σ(O_O) Woah, when I talk to Sakura-san someday, I will tell her about this, hehe! Oh, have to eat my lunch. Jā ne!))
Reading the content with a small grin of satisfaction, Hinata closed the notebook and proceeded to eat her lunch.
Lavender eyes glance over the window, watching a few people whisper to each other. Their eyes were set on something— or someone— behind her. She smiles, knowing what it was about.
Hinata looked at the crowd again, but the smile didn't come out anymore as she saw him staring at the pair.
Her heart skipped a beat. This time not because she was nervous seeing the blonde-haired man, but because of the feeling she can't describe. Because it is indescribable, she felt afraid. And she never liked this feeling of uncertainty, like being lost in complete darkness.
Naruto has always got this positive attitude, never letting any emotion of negativity pass his face. Always so, so happy.
But now he looked so sad. So bitter that it was unbearable to see him. He looked as if he lost something that he adores. Something great.
Is it because... he likes...
The dark-haired girl has never thought swallowing could be this painful. Afraid of realizing that. Afraid of accepting that.
She was just so happy earlier, even planning eagerly to speak to Sakura. How could it easily bend into this...?
Grabbing her bento, she left the scene, smiling weakly.
She dashed to a nearby cherry blossom tree, sitting underneath it.
Finally, no more people.
She fed herself hastily.
This is alright. Everything is alright. I am alri— liar.
Lips tremble, breath shaky.
I knew it. He'll never like a weirdo like me. After all, that's what he always thinks of me: a weirdo.
She fails to hold a tear.
This is how it's supposed to be. Who am I to ask for something that seems so impossible?
A hand quickly wiped the tear away. Lungs forcing out a giggle.
Why am I being like this? I should be happy for him, to have found his one. Though she's still not his, he would surely capture her heart with his cheery character.
Her small laugh dropped to silence.
I should stay away for good. To avoid people getting affected by me. So that no one will get hurt. And I won't get hurt anymore.
Hinata let out a tiny sigh. "Guess that was my last 'konnichiwa', Naruto-kun."
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Delayed sleep routines, classes no longer accompanied with such devotion, and no more enthusiastic writing sessions. For a few days, it was quite hard for Hinata to adapt to this.
She may have liked being alone, but not being lonely.
But doing this was alright, so far. Avoiding Sakura has been successful because they still weren't having a conversation with one another. Trying to avoid Naruto was also a success since they weren't classmates.
"U-Uh, Hyūga-san...?"
Ignore, avoid, ignore...
However, her polite mentality betrayed her.
"Hai...?" she asked, glancing at the rose-haired girl who holds a piece of bread wrapped in plastic.
"Umm..." Her movement was hesitant. Slowly, Sakura handed her the bread with both hands, saying, "M-May I ask you a favour...?"
All she could give was a small nod.
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Hinata gently held the wrapped bread in a hand, walking to the destination Sakura have asked her to go to.
C-could you give this to Konohamaru-san? You do know him, right? Ebisu-sensei wanted me to give it to him on my way to the library since he knew I always visit there. But I-I have something important to do today so I won't visit the library anymore. I was told he usually eats at the Ichiraku ramen shop, s-so he should be there. Can you give this to him at the start of lunchtime?
A gentle smile was plastered on a small face. Initially, she thought Sakura would be asking a favour too hard for her to accomplish. Like perhaps sending a love letter to Naruto. (It was nothing unusual for her to see Naruto accepting several love letters from her female schoolmates because he played as the university's most admired varsity player.)
The dark-haired girl halted before the small establishment, in hopes not to glimpse the extremely familiar blonde-haired man. Everyone knew this was Naruto's favourite place. So if someone's in search of him, it's very likely to spot him in this store.
Fortunately, she only found Konohamaru eating in the store with a few people. She stepped in as the child softly greeted her.
"Ebisu-sensei wanted to give you this," Hinata said, pushing the wrapped bread into his hand.
Konohamaru grins, "Arigatō, Hinata-san! Ebisu-san's too nice, hehe. Oh, your way here must've been so long. Please sit here for a while. Do you want to have ramen as well? For your generosity, the pay's on me."
She shook her head with a polite smile, declining the child, replying, "Iie, I'm good. I have lots of food in my lunch box. Have to eat it all."
Nodding in understanding, he asked for her to stay for a while and may leave when his friend comes, to which she agreed to and sat beside him.
"So, how have you been, Hinata-san? These days have been fun. But since I'm still in elementary, I don't know if that goes the same with you."
"A-ah, it's quite alright," she says, smiling lightly and elaborates, "Exam week is coming, so I just have to finish some activities and prepare for the exams."
Konohamaru slowly nods, chewing his food and took a bite of the bread.
Comfortable silence soon comes after but there was an immediate disruption.
"Umm, by the way, if it's okay to ask: who is the friend you're waiting for…?" Hinata asked, hands fidgeting anxiously. She had to make sure it wasn't Naruto; she is still not prepared for that situation.
"Oh, I think you'll like her. She's very cool and pretty. Her name's Sa—"
"Hello there, Konohamaru!!" A familiar jolly voice interrupts their chat.
Hinata didn't have to take a look at the source of the voice to know who it was. Standing on her feet promptly, she tried to walk away from the two.
"Ah, hello, Naruto!! Eh, wait, Hinata-san! Where are you going?"
"Hinata…?"
At this, the dark-haired girl turned. Lavender eyes meet sky-blue ones; feet that tried to run were stuck in place.
A sharp chime of notification emitted from Konohamaru's phone. Taking the phone from his pocket, Konohamaru scanned its notification.
Naruto and Hinata took notice of the sudden rise of his eyebrows.
"Oh, it seems my friend needs my help with something… Got to go! Thanks again for the bread, Hinata-san!"
A wave of farewell, and he dashed away.
Hands fidget. "Umm—"
Once again, she was cut off.
"Do you eat ramen?"
Her hesitancy was clear with her way of motion. However, she can't find herself refusing his offer either. "I— yes."
"Great!" exclaims Naruto, giddily taking the seat before him. Hinata slowly follows, sitting on the stool beside his.
The blonde-haired man lifted a hand, successfully catching the attention of one of the busy crew.
A brown-haired man heartily regarded them with a smile, "Ah, I see you've brought a lovely friend, Naruto-san! How many bowls would you like me to get for you?"
"Three, please!"
"Three it is, then!"
Hinata watched the two exchange genuine smiles. It was quite nice to see how Naruto communicate with people. Especially when she gets to see his smiles. Just one smile from him makes her day brighter.
The man came back with their order and set them gently on their table. "Here's your order; please enjoy your food."
Bows of gratitude. The brown-haired man retreated to serve the new customers.
"Itadakimasu!" Naruto grins, grabbing his chopsticks and went for his meal.
Beside him, Hinata ate her meal also. But unlike him, careful and not as noisy.
A few moments, a bowl of ramen was now empty. Feminine hands reached for the other bowl.
With all these under the gaze of impressed cornflower-like eyes.
In a minute or two, she finished the bowl.
"That was supposed to be mine," Naruto grinned playfully at her ashamed face, blushing bashfully.
"Ahh, gomen...! I'll order another fo—"
"Oh, no. It's fine, dattebayō!! I was just kidding!" he laughed lightly, picked the bowls to put them in a pile, and turned his head to Hinata.
"More ramen, Hina-chan?"
She doesn't know what to think of; her faintly beating heart, his astonishing smile, or his smiling eyes. It's not like she's never seen Naruto like this, being able to gaze at him a million times in daylight. But she was only always at the back, just watching as he speaks to people with such happiness, positivity.
But now, he was speaking to her. Smiling at her. Talking with her.
Her chest felt so light that she thinks she just lost her heart. However, she thinks it's not her heart, but her anxiety. Because he has already captured her heart from the moment she first caught a glimpse of his smile.
"Yes." She let him come into her life once again.
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A brown-haired and a rose-haired child eats on a large bench in the floral garden, with a heap of books beside them.
"I still don't understand why you have to read these. I mean, there's so many of it. I've never even read a single book in my life, nor will I read anyway. It's so boring."
Instantaneous regret was clearly shown on his face.
"Oh, I didn't mean it was boring—"
"Iie, it's alright. People have different opinions, so I understand why you see books as boring." the rosette said in reassurance.
The statement didn't seem to console Konohamaru, still sweatdropping. "A-ah, right, right."
"By the way," he changed the subject as Sakura looked down at the book on her lap, listening as he proceeds, "I just left my friend with his crush at Ichiraku's. That guy has liked her for years."
A sigh escaped his lips and he resumed, "But… I don't know. I think they'll make a great couple."
Sakura didn't stop the smile that threathens to escape from her soul.
"Same opinion."
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"Sometimes, we plan a trip to one place. But something takes us to another."
— Rumi
Sakura planned Naruto and Hinata's trip to one another. But in the road of planning, she found new friends; new, important people. And she welcomed them warmly into her life.