Hinata's wide eyes fixated on the school, taking in its captivating features. Cherry blossom trees surrounded the campus, painting a picturesque scene. Despite her lack of enthusiasm for school, she couldn't deny its aesthetic charm. As she glanced around, she spotted her brother engrossed in a conversation with his friends, while a group of girls huddled together in another area. She furrowed her brows in confusion, wondering what had attracted such a crowd. Before she could ponder any further, her friend, Ino, tapped her shoulder, drawing her attention away from the building crowd.

"Unlike me, you seem positively thrilled about the first day of freshman year..." Ino commented, her hand deftly tightening her ponytail as they both directed their gaze towards the imposing entrance of the school.

Hinata couldn't help but share a knowing smile with her friend.

"Well, Hinata, it looks like we're about to embark on our daring adventure into this 'prison' of education." Ino playfully remarked, linking her arm with Hinata's in a gesture of camaraderie.

Hinata's smile grew wider as she appreciated Ino's lighthearted spirit. "Ino, I truly believe it won't be as dreadful as you think." Hinata offered, her voice carrying a note of reassurance.

Ino chuckled in response, her laughter echoing through the air. "Oh, Hinata, just you wait. College is where the real trials and tribulations begin. High school will seem like a walk in the park compared to the mountains of homework and the endless challenges awaiting us. Don't worry though, we'll navigate through it together." She declared, her eyes glinting mischievously as she punctuated her words with a wry smile.

Hinata's smile wavered slightly as she considered Ino's words. The thought of navigating the treacherous waters of college filled her with a mix of apprehension and uncertainty. She had always been more comfortable observing from the sidelines — blending into the background rather than seeking the spotlight.

As they passed by the cluster of girls, Hinata's gaze unintentionally intersected with a young man at the center of their attention. His eyes, as dark as night, met her lavender orbs for an ephemeral moment. Swiftly averting her gaze, Hinata redirected her attention as Ino tugged her arm, pulling her towards the entrance of the school. She allowed herself to be swept along, leaving behind the enigma of the young man and the flurry of girls surrounding him.

As Hinata and Ino strolled down the hallway, their attention was drawn to the exquisite interior decor of the building. The pristine cleanliness of the surroundings gave the impression that the school had just been inaugurated, even though it had been standing long before their parents were born.

Spotting someone in the distance, Ino nudged Hinata playfully. "Hey, look, there's Naruto," she giggled as she teased Hinata. "Your boyfriend," she winked and kept poking mischievously.

A blush crept up Hinata's cheeks as she averted her gaze, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "You know him and I are just friends, right?" She responded softly, trying to hide her flustered state.

Ino gave Hinata a playful push, urging her forward. She then leaned in; whispering softly in her ear, "you know, if you two were friends with benefits, there's a chance that deeper feelings could develop."

Her words hung in the air as Naruto spun around, his eyes lighting up as he spotted the approaching girls. A genuine warmth spread across his face, accompanied by a radiant smile that reflected his true enthusiasm.

"Oh, hey! How are you ladies doing today?" Naruto greeted them, his voice filled with friendly cheerfulness.

Hinata couldn't help but feel a wave of comfort wash over her. Naruto was more than just a friend to her; he was her confidant, her rock, and someone she trusted deeply. She cherished their friendship and the unspoken understanding that existed between them.

Ino, ever the playful instigator, couldn't resist chiming in. "We're doing great, Naruto. Just exploring the halls of this 'prison' called college." She once again nudged Hinata in an attempt to have her make a move.

Hinata's cheeks flushed again, her embarrassment resurfacing at the mention of their previous encounter.

Naruto, unaware of the underlying dynamics, laughed heartily. "Ah, you two always know how to keep things interesting," he smiled, his blue eyes shining with genuine affection. "Well, if you need any help navigating this 'prison,' you know I've got your back."

Ino, seizing the opportunity to play cupid, leaned closer to Naruto, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hey, Naruto, you should take Hinata out sometime. She could use a break from all the stress in her life and you know..." She snickered and raised her eyebrows; she was trying to get her point across without saying it outright. Hinata would make sure to get back at her later.

Naruto blinked in surprise, his expression momentarily caught off guard. He glanced at Hinata, studying her reaction, and a flicker of realization crossed his face. "Oh, uh, sure! That sounds like a great idea," he replied, his tone slightly awkward but tinged with excitement.

Hinata's heart skipped a beat, a mix of anticipation and nervousness fluttering within her. She hadn't expected Ino to be so persistent in her matchmaking efforts, but deep down, a part of her wondered if perhaps there was something more between her and Naruto.

"Hey, let me see your schedule, and I'll show you to your classrooms." Naruto offered, extending his hand to receive their papers.

Hinata and Ino handed them over, their eyes filled with anticipation. Naruto quickly scanned the schedules before breaking into a wide smile.

"Hey, guess what? We're in the same class!" he exclaimed with genuine excitement. "Let's head there together, and I'll give you a quick tour along the way." Leading the way, Naruto pointed out different rooms and described the classes they were designated for; offering a friendly and informative introduction to the school.

Upon arriving at the classroom, Naruto's eyes lit up as he spotted his friend Sasuke. Nonchalantly leaning against the corner of his desk with his hands in his pockets, Sasuke appeared disinterested and bored.

"Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto called out, walking towards him and gesturing for Hinata and Ino to join. "This is Hinata and Ino," Naruto introduced with enthusiasm, hoping for a warm reception.

Sasuke glanced at the girls with an indifferent expression, offering no acknowledgement of their presence.

Ino couldn't help but scoff softly under her breath. "What a jerk," she muttered, unimpressed by Sasuke's apathy.

Meanwhile, Hinata stood there awkwardly, uncertain of how to react to the icy reception.

Naruto laughed, attempting to diffuse the tension. He turned back to the girls, his friendly demeanor undeterred. "Hey, sorry about that! Sasuke here is compensating for something he doesn't have: a dick." He quipped, his playful remark accompanied by a lighthearted chuckle. Sasuke let out a scoff in response.

Naruto's playful remark hung in the air, momentarily breaking the ice. Hinata's lips twitched, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, appreciating Naruto's attempt to lighten the mood. Ino couldn't help but giggle, finding solace in their shared amusement.

Sasuke, though still wearing a stoic expression, couldn't hide a hint of amusement flickering in his onyx eyes. He folded his arms and spoke in a low, sardonic tone. "Leave it to you, Naruto, to turn a simple introduction into a comedy routine."

Naruto grinned, unbothered by Sasuke's deadpan response. "Hey, someone's gotta keep things interesting around here!" He replied, his voice infused with lightheartedness.

Hinata mustered the courage to speak up, her voice soft yet determined. "Um, nice to meet you, Sasuke," she said, offering a polite nod.

Ino chimed in, her tone teasing but friendly. "Yeah, nice to meet you, Mr. I'm-too-cool-for-school," she quipped, causing a playful smirk to surface on Sasuke's face.


As Hinata and Ino strolled down the bustling hallway, Naruto's voice filled the air, recounting his friendship with Sasuke. He made it explicitly clear that Sasuke held little interest in pursuing romantic relationships, his focus primarily directed towards other endeavors. Hinata and Ino absorbed Naruto's words, intrigued by the notion of Sasuke's disinterest in girls.

Yet, as Naruto continued his animated storytelling, their attention was abruptly diverted beyond his friendly gestures. Their eyes widened in astonishment as they beheld a scene unfolding in the distance. Sasuke, his figure silhouetted against the bustling crowd, had cornered a girl against a locker. The girl's lips curved into a flirtatious smile, twirling her lustrous pink locks; clearly captivated by Sasuke's presence. Although their conversation remained out of earshot, their silent communication spoke volumes.

Hinata's and Ino's jaws dropped in disbelief as they witnessed the girl's arms encircling Sasuke's shoulders, pulling him closer for an intimate kiss. In that instant, the truth was unveiled before their very eyes: Sasuke Uchiha was undeniably a player — skilled in the art of captivating the hearts of unsuspecting girls.