Ever since she was a little girl, Ino has known that she was going to be a ninja when she grew up. She has trained to achieve that goal since she was old enough to know that training is what ninjas do. That absolute confidence in herself, in her future, has always been a part of her. It has made her the person that she is today.

She knows with absolute certainty that neither she nor Sakura ever had a chance with Sasuke. You would have to be blind to miss the determination in his eyes, the way that he jumps at the slightest opportunity to test his strength. She sees without a doubt in her mind that he is just not interested in her, or any girl for that matter.

She still competes with Sakura over Sasuke, but she is removed enough from the whole mess that she is aware of the truth. She doesn't need to be a mind-reader to know when she's lost, but being the loser stings just a little less when you know that your rival has lost right along with you.