"Good morning, Hinata!" Naruto greeted cheerfully, catching up to her as they strolled down the hallway.
"Oh, good morning."
Naruto casually placed both hands behind his head as he walked alongside her. "So, I was thinking," he began, avoiding direct eye contact, "would you like to come to my dorm later?"
Hinata looked up, surprised by the invitation. "To hang out?" She clarified.
Naruto nodded, a hint of excitement in his voice, "Yeah, just hang out, watch a movie; you know, like friends do."
Hinata smiled warmly and agreed, "Sure! But this time, I get to pick the movie."
"Sweet! I'll see you after school, then." He waved as he walked away. However, as Naruto turned the corner, he accidentally bumped into Sasuke.
With a raised eyebrow and a smirk, Sasuke teased, "Going for the Hyuga, huh?"
Naruto's cheeks flushed slightly. "W-What? No! She's just a friend," he hurriedly explained.
Sasuke's smirk widened, his teasing tone persisting. "Just a friend, huh? Well, Naruto, it seems like there's more to this 'friendship' than meets the eye," he remarked knowingly.
Naruto's blush deepened, and he fumbled for words. "No, really, Sasuke! We're just hanging out, nothing more," he insisted, attempting to regain his composure.
Sasuke placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Whatever you say, Naruto." With a sly smile, Sasuke walked past him, leaving Naruto to contemplate his words.
Taking his seat next to Ino in class, Naruto let out a weary sigh.
In response, Ino leaned over, a bright smile on her face. "What's wrong? Sasuke being a pain again?" She whispered, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Naruto met her gaze and replied, "No, it's not that. I was just thinking about how I should ask Hinata to be my girlfriend." He made sure to keep his voice low, ensuring their conversation remained confidential amidst the other students.
Ino's excitement skyrocketed, and she couldn't contain her enthusiasm. "Oh my gosh! I've been trying since forever to get you two together!" She exclaimed, bubbling with joy.
Naruto smiled, appreciating her unwavering support.
"Well, spill the beans. How are you going to do it?" she inquired.
Naruto rubbed his neck, a hint of nervousness creeping in. "I was thinking of asking her at my dorm," he confessed, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
In a soft tone, Ino responded, trying not to let her true feelings slip, "I mean, that could be sweet, I guess."
However, Naruto overheard her and his face instantly contorted with worry. "Oh god! Would that make me look like a complete loser if I asked her out at my dorm?" He exclaimed, running his hands through his hair in frustration.
Ino placed a comforting hand on his back. "No, no! Naruto, listen; if it were me personally, I would love to be asked out at a beautiful restaurant or while gazing at the stars together. You would gently take my hand and say, 'Ino, be mine,'" she shared, her hand gesturing while holding her chest in an affectionate manner.
Naruto raised an eyebrow, surprised by Ino's suggestion.
"B-But Hinata isn't that type of girl, so I suppose asking her at the dorm is fine," Ino quickly added, clearing her throat to regain her composure. She knew that Naruto's decision should ultimately be based on Hinata's preferences, even if it went against her own romantic fantasies.
"Class, I hope you're comfortable with your partners because they will remain your partners for the rest of the semester," announced the teacher, her voice filling the room. As she paused for a moment, the anticipation in the air grew palpable. "Now, in order to get to know your partners better, I would like each of you to write a speech about them. This will be due tomorrow, so please make good use of your time," she instructed, her gaze sweeping across the classroom.
Interrupted by a brief cough, the teacher's eyes narrowed at a mischievous figure. "Uchiha," she addressed sternly, her disapproval evident.
Sasuke, ever confident, smirked and casually draped his arm over the back of Hinata's chair, leaning back with a self-assured aura.
The teacher rolled her eyes, not amused by his antics, before continuing with her instructions. "Now, we will have more activities like this throughout the semester. Consider this a trial run for the actual fun yet to come — midterms and, of course, the grand finale: finals week!" She declared, her voice dripping with sarcasm. A collective groan reverberated through the class, as the students already anticipated the upcoming challenges.
Sasuke leaned in towards Hinata, his voice low and confident. "I'll meet you at the front of the school when classes are over," he stated.
Hinata's gaze met his, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face. "I actually had plans with Naruto. Can we just message each other?" She suggested, offering her phone to Sasuke.
He accepted it, his fingers swiftly tapping out a message. With a smug smirk, he handed the phone back to her. "Consider it canceled on your behalf," he remarked, enjoying the shock on her face. "See you after school," he added, casually slinging his bag over his shoulder just as the bell rang, signaling the end of the class. He confidently walked out of the room, leaving Hinata to process what had just transpired.
Hinata glanced at her phone once more, reading the message that Sasuke had sent to Naruto. A sense of panic washed over her. "Oh no," she muttered.
Naruto let out a frustrated groan as he read Hinata's message: "Can't come over." He slumped against the desk, feeling disappointed.
Ino leaned in, peering over his shoulder, and sympathetically remarked, "Aw, man. That really sucks."
Naruto let out a heavy sigh, realizing he would have to find another opportunity to share his feelings with Hinata. "I guess I'll just have to wait for another day," he mumbled, his spirits dampened by the turn of events.
Noticing Naruto's dejected state, Ino reached out, gently rubbing his neck in a comforting gesture. "Well, since you don't have any plans now, how about we hang out? We could go get some ramen and cheer you up," she suggested, a warm smile on her face.
Naruto's eyes lit up at the mention of ramen, a flicker of enthusiasm returning. After the final bell rang, Naruto positioned himself near the front door, patiently awaiting Ino's return from her locker. As he absentmindedly glanced at his phone, before a familiar voice echoed through the hallway, causing him to snap his head up.
"So, are we going to the library?" Hinata's gentle inquiry caught Naruto's attention.
Sasuke, coolly sliding his hands into his pockets, responded with a casual air, "my house."
Unbeknownst to them, Naruto watched as they walked right by him, oblivious to his presence by the door.
Hinata persisted, her curiosity piqued, "why not the library?"
Naruto strained to catch Sasuke's reply, hearing the faint sigh escaping his lips. "Fangirls," Sasuke muttered, their voices fading into the distance as they moved further away.
Just as Naruto began to process what had just happened, he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder, prompting him to turn around. Ino stood there, her face adorned with a warm smile, her eyes radiating kindness.
"Hey! Are you ready?" She asked, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm.
Naruto mustered a smile in return, despite the lingering thoughts of Hinata and Sasuke. "Ah, yeah! Let's go!" He replied, determined to cherish the present moment and embrace the company of his friend, Ino.
As they arrived at the house, Hinata's eyes widened in awe, her voice barely a whisper. "Wow," she breathed, her amazement evident in her hushed tone. The sight before her was a grand spectacle; an expansive mansion that surpassed anything she had ever laid eyes upon. Standing next to Sasuke, she couldn't help but feel a sense of insignificance, dwarfed by the sheer opulence of his surroundings.
Sasuke caught her sidelong glance, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips as he decided to tease her a bit. "Never seen a house this big before?" He quipped, his tone laced with playful sarcasm.
Hinata pouted slightly, meeting his gaze before turning her attention back to the impressive structure. "Well…no." She admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of admiration and a touch of self-consciousness.
Sasuke unlocked the front door, extending a silent invitation for her to step inside. As Hinata stepped inside the house, she was greeted by an unexpected sight. A man stood before her, leaning casually against the wall with an enigmatic smile adorning his face. His presence exuded charm and confidence, and his eyes seemed to hold a hidden depth.
"Itachi, what are you doing here?" Sasuke asked in annoyance; his eyes avoiding his brother's gaze.
Itachi let out a low chuckle, his voice dripping with playful charisma. "I decided to take the day off and spend some time with my little brother, but I see you're busy," he replied mischievously.
Hinata found herself caught between the two brothers, her attention drawn to Itachi's mesmerizing aura. His flirtatious nature was evident as he turned his attention to her, his eyes locking with hers.
"And who might this beautiful young lady be?" He asked.
Sasuke let out an exasperated sigh, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. "Hinata."
Hinata's cheeks burned with a deeper shade of crimson as Itachi's lips met the back of her hand, leaving a lingering sensation that sent a shiver down her spine. She could feel her heart skip a beat at the unexpected display of gallantry. Her voice quivered slightly as she spoke, her words barely audible. "Um, nice to meet you, Itachi," she managed to say, her voice betraying her flustered state. She offered a small nod, her eyes briefly meeting Itachi's as he released her hand.
Itachi's smile widened, seemingly pleased by her reaction, before he gracefully stepped back, allowing Hinata and Sasuke to regain their composure.
Sasuke, visibly relieved by the slight reprieve, motioned for Hinata to follow him. "Let's head to my room," he suggested, leading her away from the captivating presence of his older brother.
"Yes, I'm sure you'll be doing lots of... homework," Itachi's teasing voice trailed off as he headed back towards the kitchen, leaving Hinata feeling even more flustered.
She followed Sasuke to his room, her cheeks still tinted with a rosy hue.
Hinata took a moment to observe Sasuke's room, absorbing the essence of his minimalist style. The grey walls created a sense of calm and serenity, while the touches of midnight blue added a subtle hint of depth. The sparse artwork on the walls, likely abstract line art, hinted at Sasuke's appreciation for simplicity and understated beauty. The dark curtains, drawn closed, revealed his preference for a dimly lit space, shielding him from the outside world.
Her eyes were drawn to his bed, the centerpiece of the room. The fitted sheets and pillowcases were the only elements that brought a semblance of white, although they were not completely pure. The dark grey, almost black, hue of the bed sheets reflected Sasuke's preference for darkness and solitude. It was a bed that exuded comfort and an air of privacy.
Sasuke's voice interrupted her contemplation, pulling her attention away from the room. "I'm going to shower," he stated, his words carrying a tone of detached politeness. With that, he disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Hinata alone in his room.
Hinata hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to make herself comfortable in this unfamiliar space. She glanced at the neatly arranged desk, contemplating sitting there to work on their project. However, a small part of her longed for a more relaxed setting, a place where she could truly feel at ease.
With a tentative step, she approached the bed, carefully lowering herself onto its soft surface. She nestled into the pillows, finding solace in their comforting embrace. The room's ambiance enveloped her, creating a tranquil environment that mirrored Sasuke's essence.
Hinata's heart raced as she lay in Sasuke's bed, the sound of water cascading from the shower filling the room. Just as she was starting to drift into her own thoughts, a knock on the door startled her, bringing her back to reality. She quickly got up and opened the door, finding herself face to face with Sasuke's older brother.
"Oh, um, hey," Hinata greeted shyly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes met his, captivated by his enigmatic presence. Itachi flashed her a smile, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he spoke.
"Hey, 'Hannah' was it? Can you let Sasuke know that I'm returning the book I borrowed from him a while back?" He requested, handing her a book with the front and back covered in duct tape. Hinata's brows furrowed in confusion, her shyness momentarily overshadowed by the mix-up.
"Sure...And it's 'Hinata', by the way, not Hannah." She corrected gently, her words laced with a touch of disappointment. She couldn't help but feel a bit offended by the mistaken name.
"Hinata! That's what it was. My apologies, it's just that Sasuke brings so many different girls home sometimes I get them all mixed up. Anyways, thanks again. See ya!" Itachi called out as he walked away, his voice fading down the hallway.
Hinata watched him go, a lingering sense of curiosity tingling in her mind. Examining the book in her hands, Hinata noticed the makeshift cover made of duct tape. Wondering about its contents, she couldn't resist the urge to peek inside. Her fingers carefully flipped through the pages, her eyes scanning the words that lay before her.
Lost in the world of literature, Hinata became engrossed in the story unfolding within the book's pages. But Hinata quickly realized something. This wasn't a thriller or a horror book. It was an erotic book. Time seemed to slip away as she read, only to be abruptly brought back by the sound of the bathroom door opening.
Startled, Hinata closed the book hastily, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. How much time had passed? It couldn't have been more than a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity.
"Are you ready to get this shitty assignment over with already?" Sasuke's voice broke through Hinata's thoughts, his towel-clad figure entering the room. However, her mind was still reeling from the sudden turn of events.
Hinata's heart skipped a beat as Sasuke's voice broke the silence, drawing her thoughts away from the book she had been engrossed in. Startled, she looked up to find him standing closer to her, his expression a mix of surprise and embarrassment. She had never witnessed such a swift transformation of emotions, as his pale complexion flushed into a shade of red that rivaled the ripest tomato.
Her hands stung slightly from the abruptness with which Sasuke snatched the book from her grasp. Shocked by his sudden outburst, Hinata watched as he stormed out of the room, his footsteps echoing in the hallway. The words he hurled at Itachi in frustration were barely audible, but the anger and mortification in his voice were palpable.
"Itachi! You dickhead!" Sasuke's voice reverberated through the house, carrying a mix of outrage and disbelief.
The distant sound of Itachi's laughter reached her ears, a boisterous and unapologetic response to Sasuke's accusation. "Sorry, little brother," Itachi's voice rang out, laced with amusement. "I just couldn't help myself. It was simply too perfect of a moment."
Hinata laid back on the bed, her face buried in her hands, a mixture of embarrassment and awkwardness washing over her. The room fell into a cacophony of argumentative voices as Sasuke and Itachi engaged in a heated exchange, their voices growing louder with each passing moment.