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Best Friend
He was deeply in love with her; she had no idea.
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Chapter 2: Let's Hang Out, Hyūga
It was s just like old times; the Hyūga and the Uchiha's reunited, just like old times. Usually, his mother and Hinata would start the conversation, and then it would extend to the rest of them. However, he quickly realized the Hyūga matriarch wasn't around, instead, there was a man that looked his age with long brown tresses, almost like a younger version of Hiashi; the man looked back at him, but he was never one to coward, he conjured a pointed look towards him. This... intruder had some guts to be looking at him like that in his own territory, his home. Just by that interaction, he knew that he did not like him, and the feeling was mutual. Just who was he?
The tension dissipated when his mother took the word.
"Is so nice that we are all together, right?" she smiled, and he ignored the warning in his mother's eyes. She always caught on whenever there was something bothering him, no doubt his mother knew what went down seconds ago with the unknown Hyūga.
"Yes, thank you again for the invitation, Mikoto-san," always proper Hiashi Hyūga spoke. His nephews were being instructed to eat by his sister-in-law, while Itachi was watching in case he needed to intervene. Hinata was carefully watching the interaction as well with a soft smile.
'She still likes kids,' he mused to himself. That thought was refreshing to him, they haven't spoken in a while, but having snippets of the facts he knew about her was comforting to him. He remembered how attentive she was to her little sister, who was sitting beside her, and of course, did not like him at all, and judging from her face that was still apparent.
To be fair, he was the younger sibling too, so, of course, he always wanted his Nisan's attention at all times, which Itachi always provided rewarding his bratty tendencies, but he got over that when he became a teenager and did not think that being on top of his brother was cool anymore. However, it was not the case with Hanabi Hyūga, who as soon as she saw that they were about to engage in a conversation she had taken her older sister away and further from him.
He had the suspicion that she knew why she felt the need to pull Hinata everywhere but to where he was; it was kinda amusing, but also kinda annoying. But, said brunette was annoyed at the fact that he was sitting across from them.
"Hinata-chan..." her mother took the word again. "Beauty queen, huh?"
She laughed nervously.
"I did not know you had those plans, how did that happen?" there was a sparkle in her eyes, which he knew pretty well. His mom was amazing, but it was true that she liked to gossip. Although, he could understand her curiosity, since he tended to be the same; he will not deny nor confirm if he liked to gossip too though.
"Well, I was scouted and some promoters offered to support my candidacy..."
"Ohhh..." she gushed. "So they just offered to be part of it?"
"Sorta," she said. "I wasn't really sure of its legality, but Neji Nissan helped with that," she smile at the guy beside her.
'Neji-nissan?' he raised an eyebrow at that while taking a bite of the salad his mother promised over the phone in order to get her to come. Since the moment, she knew Hinata, he'd always known there was just Hanabi and her, who is this guy, and why all of a sudden she called him 'Brother'?
Sasuke did not know how to feel about that.
"Did you have to audition? I heard those people are ruthless..." commented Izumi.
"No, well, almost, I did some practice before going to any official castings," she said.
"Apparently that was enough because not a lot of promoters were willing to support Hinata's candidacy for Konoha at first," Neji commented with a hint of pride.
"That's a shame," Mikoto said, "But you still made it!" she said excitedly.
The girl laughed nervously at his mother's boisterous excitement. "I guess,"
"I've always wanted a girl so we could do pageants, get dressed up, get our hair done..." she commented. "The most I could do was to tie ribbons in Itachi's hair,"
The man in question just laughed while his kids looked at his father in surprise a second later let out some giggles.
"Anything for my mother," he commented not bothered by that fact at all; he recalled that memory with fondness.
"You were always so quiet and gentle," she gushed. "My little fireball Sasu would never let me put ribbons in his hair,"
He rolled his eyes at that, he knew the story of Itachi and him being total opposites while growing up. It was his mother's favorite.
"I do recall that he did wear a crown of flowers though," commented Fugaku to his disgrace.
"That's true! Hinata-chan always convinced Sasuke," she said laughing at the memory. His ears got a little warm, and he could see that pink dusted Hinata's cheeks. "My baby is so cute..." she cooed.
"Mom stop," he was embarrassed at that fact. During that time, he played along with Hinata's activities at first he did not want to be blamed if she cried, but later on, he discovered that she was a very calm child, doing things like pressing flowers, gardening, and baking, which were things he tagged along. However, Hinata always played with him as well, so it was not completely unilateral, whenever she wanted she let him show her competitive streak; maybe that would explain one of the reasons for her being in a pageant.
"Are you hopeful of winning the title?" Izumi asked.
"Nee-san is going to win," Hanabi spoke with a conviction that commanded the whole table.
Hinata laughed again looking at her lap; he could get she was trying to get the nerves under control. The other Hyūga, who was on the other side of her, discreetly took her hand. That made him frown, just who was this guy? The last time he felt like this was when he saw Naruto put an arm around Hinata in school.
"I'm surprised you allowed that, Hiashi," she talked to the man that just before was giving a look to his youngest for the outburst.
"It came in handy for future endeavors," as ever, everything Hiashi said was some sort of cryptic code; which he did not know how to take as most of the time. Fugaku, his father nodded in agreement. These two were always in some sort of venture for business, he could care less, but just one look at Itachi's posture let him know that maybe he should care. He made a mental note to talk to his brother.
"Well, Hinata-chan, we will be rooting for you to take the crown..." she said with a big grin. "I'm sure Hiromi will feel the same," she finished with a sad smile.
"Thank you, Mikoto-san." Hinata smiled, and then looked at Sasuke, which was confused by that last phrase; did something happen?
Well, a lot can happen in five years, he mused. They've been apart long enough for things to shift permanently. He tried to meet her eyes, his questioning, but she evaded. He had no right, whatever happened with Hinata's mother was their personal business, but thinking about what was let out in the air was enough to understand what had happened.
He felt bad, she must've needed someone, but because he was so proud...
"I want a crown too!" Makoto screamed excitedly effectively breaking the tension in the air and gaining some laughs in the process.
Sasuke never liked awkward silences, but he did find use in them because they pressured you to act. You see he was a very proud individual, it was probably a genetic quality, because his father was just like that, along with his uncle and any Uchiha that influenced him growing up. Another thing was that he would've gotten a way out by now. But this was Hinata. He hadn't been around her for so long, and he was sure as hell he did not want to let her go, but he did not know what to say.
When Hinata sought him out after offering to clean the plates, he couldn't really say no. Eventually, they were going to have an opportunity to talk and catch up. He looked over at her who was concentrated on her hands full of bubbles trying to catch any spots. She was there waiting patiently, her brows furrowed in concentration. On the other hand, his mind was a complete chaos, he wanted to ask a lot of things,
How was she?
Why hasn't she talked to him before?
Was she happy?
Was she dating someone?
What happened to Hiromi-san?
His position was always to demand and outside a certain small amount of people, he would have no qualms in asking all these thoughts in his mind. The reason he didn't do it now, was because he respected Hinata. She was someone he hold in very high regard, and second, because he was feeling out of his element. Before their five years Hiatus, he could ask pretty much anything he wanted, there was trust between them. But, after he treated her the way he did in the last months of school, ignoring her, evading her conversations, messages, her visits, simply because he was ashamed of saying that to her; he would understand if she was not receptive to his advances.
His Adam's apple was bobbling discreetly under his blue turtle neck in nervousness, he fisted the towel to dry a little too hard.
"How you've been?" the tension was present but a little less palpable.
"I've been good..." he paused. "you?"
He suddenly remembers how adorable she looked with her widened eyes trying her best to evade the direct eye contact manner she used to give when she did not want to appear nervous. God, he felt like he was fifteen all over again when he realized that he liked his best friend a little bit too much.
"Me too," she said, she looked at her feet before giving him a plate.
There was silence again, the strained quietness; he gave himself some props before saying anything. Hinata tried before and maybe now it was his turn.
"I saw you on TV yesterday."
"Oh God!" she would put her hands on her face if it weren't for the soap. She scrubbed a small plate before answering. "I couldn't see it." she shared.
"Why not?" he asked drying the small plate. "You did ok"
What he actually wanted to say is that she looked amazing, she was a natural, with such a grace that a dancer could never.
"Thanks," she said. "We recorded for a whole day, and we did a lot of takes,"
"Sounds tiring,"
"It was, I still have blisters for walking on those death traps,"
He laughed at that. Hinata always made him laugh with ease. Everything with her was always effortless.
"I never thought you would be in a beauty pageant,"
"Believe me, it wasn't my plan,"
He frowned. "Then how did you end up in it?"
She froze for a bit, she scrubbed some utensils before replying. "It was a suggestion,"
She knew he knew she wasn't sharing the whole truth. So she resumed her movements. "Your mother tells me you are in Tokyo too,"
He'll let that inquiry go for now, besides he was pretty sure Itachi will give more information, based on the look they gave each other during brunch. "Yes, I'm studying,"
"Computer science, right?"
He nodded, a little surprised she remember what he wanted to study in their High School years. " Writing my thesis,"
"That's amazing Sasuke!" she looked over at him with genuine happiness. "So soon, well no surprise you've always been so smart," she complimented.
He smirked discreetly. One of the best things about her compliments is that they are genuine, which gave him a warm feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Thanks," he said. "You live in Tokyo too." he wanted to ask but came more like a statement.
"Yes," she said with a smile. "I've been studying too, but now with the pageant, everything is a little easier to get by,"
He nodded again concentrating on on the glass she handed him. "Literature was it?" he asked unsure.
"Interior design,"
He felt his eyes widened. "How did that happen?" he asked curiously, he would never think she would take that kinda route. His memories were filled with her always having a book in their peaceful times, while he was making some katas, and she was under a tree her nose buried in a new book every week.
"Well," she grabbed more soap to make some bubbles, "Father, wanted me to stay in the business, so although I love literature when I went with Neji-Nissan to Italy I love the architecture of places, the castles the homes, it came natural to me and it's like I had an epiphany, besides you know mother was always changing the furniture around the house and we used to tag along and help her," the light in her eyes diminished at the mention of her mother.
"My condolences for Hiromi-san," he murmured while looking at her directly in the eyes.
"Thank you Sasuke," she said.
His mind went into chaos, 'Don't say my name like that, you witch,' when he wanted nothing more than to kiss her. He shouldn't because they were just talking about something that was so vulnerable, the way she pronounced those words, how her lilac pearlescent eyes shined and her mouth looked so appetizing.
"Hinata..." The vision was interrupted by a baritone voice.
Both of them looked at the third party, with both with very different feelings. There, looking mostly at him, was Neji; he could tell this Hyūga perceived him as a menace. He didn't care the feeling was mutual.
"Oh Neji-Nissan," she said very happy.
"I came to check if you were ok," he said.
"Yes, Nissan, we're just catching up," she turned to him. " This is Sasuke," introduced. "My best friend,"
There was a knot in his throat, plus his guilty conscience was accusing him of how before he was just lusting over her, this pure soul, who just saw him as a friend.
"You mentioned him before." he let on.
"We are wrapping up and we should join you guys shortly," she smiles.
Oh, so he had been a topic of conversation before, he mused rather arrogantly. That must've been torture for this stuck-up Hyūga.
"Don't take long," the man had the audacity to throw an icy glare at his way
Neji nodded in acknowledgment, and he did the same, just throwing his trademark Uchiha stare.
'Asshole...' his mind conjured. He definitely did not like him, at all.
"I'm sorry for my cousin, he takes a while to warm up to," Hinata said apologetically when they were alone again.
"Cousin?" he asked instead. "Distant one, right?" he has never heard of a 'Neji-Nissan'
"Actually, he's Uncle Hizashi's son,"
He raised about this uncle, the black sheep of the family that lives in Scotland and did want nothing to do with Byukugan's enterprise. He knew the story from his family, and he had a little more insight from Hinata over the years, but it was a secondary topic between them.
"Neji came to train under Father," he's the new heir, it will be announced in three months, and in a year he'll be the CEO.
Those were major news, that would explain a lot of things, starting as to why he was so familiar with his family he frowned. "But that's your birthright," he mentioned.
"Ah..." she stopped as if thinking better about what she was going to say. "You know I was never any good," she said a little lower.
"Are you okay with that?" he pressured.
"Yes, I have a lot on my plate right now," she said. "Besides once I graduate, I won't be completely far away, I'll probably be helping with decorating and designing any future projects," she smiled.
"What about your sister?" he wiped the counter when he inquired.
"She's going to create her own path on her terms," she said with conviction.
The frown was ever present because there was something that was not being said between them. It was not the right time to ask, because they recently reconnected. However, there was something else going on, and he was willing to find out.
"You still have the same phone number?" he asked suddenly.
"Ah no, some fans were ruthless so I have this new one," she said with a chuckle. "Now I know how you feel," she joked.
He rolled his eyes while both of them took their phones out to exchange their ten digits number.
"There," she sends a smiley face.
"Let's hang out," he said writing a contact name; he was kind of evading her reaction to his suggestion.
"I'd like that," she said and he realized how much he missed this girl and these moments of serenity.
"Sasu-chan!" his mother called. "We have a bonfire in three weeks," she said while he was getting ready to leave.
"I'll think about it," he said.
"Hinata-chan are you comming?"
"I'll do my best to come," she promised.
"Tch, as always making me look bad," he nudged.
She scoffed. "Be nice, Sasu-chan," she nudges back.
Mikoto was looking at them with a glint in their eyes. "I'm so glad you guys are still friends," she looked like she wanted to add something more but abstain from it.
Both families were outside saying their last goodbyes, his nephews were running around following a stray cat that most likely hung around because his mother put plates of food in the front garden. Hanabi was with Neji waiting for Hinata, both their father were in deep conversation, while Itachi and Izumi were keeping an eye on their offspring.
"We've always been friends," she said.
"That's good to hear," Mikoto said. "Who could say no to that pretty face,"
Both of the ladies giggled while he instinctively groaned which caused her companion to laugh. He felt better about that. "I'm leaving." he signaled to her with his head.
They would have time to catch up in Tokyo, besides they were in touch. "See you around,"
"Bye Sasuke," she kissed his cheek.
Which made him open his eyes in surprise, he didn't remember the last time she did that.
He smiled a little when she walked back to her family, it felt nostalgic.
Just like old times.
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Message from the Author:
Ok, I took my sweet time with this chapter, but I take these first interactions really seriously, I left a couple of Easter eggs that will help to thicken the plot, as well as to present some issues our protagonist will face. Again I'm not going to overcomplicate it, it should be easy to resolve, and of course eventually for them to come together.
Edit: June 30, 2023
-LaCrazyWriter
