Short chapter that should have been included in previous one.
It feels surreal being back in Hinata's dorm. Especially being here when the sun is still out. After everything, he didn't think she would grant him the luxury of her time.
The dorm is larger than he remembers it, and with more feminine decorations that he previously noticed. Hinata's roommate stands next to the hallway seemingly blocking their path to the bedrooms.
"Are you serious, Hinata?"
"He's just here to talk, Karui" Hinata placates, her voice gentle "Could you give us a few minutes, please."
"Fuck no," the fiery red head pushes back, "and don't give me shit about it 'not being my business'. I've been up since eight since this ass started knocking on our door. On a Sunday morning. So he's made it my business."
"I don't need a chaperone."
"Uh, I think you do, if you're stupid enough to even listen to a word from his idiotic mouth," Naruto winces, but not at the words directed at him; he's used to this and in this particular situation, he knows he deserves it. Hinata, though, is anything but stupid and he feels remorse for ever placing her in a situation where her close friends would scrutinize her decisions.
Hinata sighs and shifts her gaze to Naruto, her expression conveying a sense that she's helpless to sway Karui's determinedness.
Not wanting to escalate an already charged situation, Naruto calmly states, "That's fine.I know I'm intruding, I only need five minutes."
He really would have preferred privacy, but knowing that he was already being offered more than he anticipated or deserved, he has no choice but to make the best of the situation.
"Hinata, I'm truly sorry."
"What are you sorry for?" Karui rudely interjects, "For ghosting Hinata, or for using her while you were waiting around like a love sick puppy for your pink trash whore?"
"Karui!" Hinata gasps, her dainty face tightening in what Naruto assumes is a mixture of discomfort and hurt.
Naruto arrived with every intention to confess that he exploited their friendship and Hinata's trust. But never did he think his darkest crimes against her would be laid bare like this, leaving him feeling utterly exposed and remorseful.
He's stunned into silence. An admittance of guilt in its own right.
Hinata's gaze is downturned, white teeth pressed harshly against her delicate bottom lip. The instinct to reach out and physically comfort her is strong, but the instinct to protect himself is stronger. He knows without a doubt that if he tries to reach out, the red head will break his hand.
Naruto knows he should have been smarter than to allow Sakura to use him as a puppet in her never-ending games with Sasuke. While his desire for Sakura has been blooming for over a decade, the sliver of attention and affection she spared him from time to time wasn't worth the backlash.
"Karui, please stop. There is no need to chastise him. Naruto never promised me anything. It was my decision to be involved."
Before Karui could jump in again, Naruto finally finds his voice, "No, Hinata. Karui is right. You were my friend and what I did was awful. I never meant to hurt you. I just wasn't thinking right."
"You were thinking with your dick," Karui mumbles loud enough for them both to hear.
Naruto ignores Karui and continues, "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I thought at the very least you deserve an apology."
Hinata evades his gaze as he searches her eyes for a sign of forgiveness.
"I miss you Hinata."
From the corner of his eyes, he sees Karui visibly balking at this, "You mean you miss her warming your dick."
Even in the severity of their predicament, Naruto finds it endearing how quickly Hinata turns a dark shade of red in embarrassment.
He shakes his head, "No, that's not what I mean." Karui is like an annoying mosquito but there is truth to her accusations. However, his feelings went further than lust.
"I miss our friendship. You're one of my closest friends and the only one to ever view me as a person and not judge me for my shortcomings. It's unforgiving that I took that for granted."
Hinata keeps her head down, while Karui interjects once again, "That sounds like a 'you problem.' Figure that shit out on your own. Don't think a pitiful apology means you'll get her to stroke your ego."
Naruto is ready to defend himself, when Hinata speaks softly and barely discernible but it cuts right through his heart, "I don't think we can be friends, Naruto."
He prepared himself for this outcome, but the reality of losing a close friend is almost unbearable and he's not ready to give up on her.
"I understand. But can you at least come back to our econ class?" The neutral change in topic finally earns him a confused look in his direction, "I've been signing your name for participation points, but I think the TA is getting suspicious."
"You didn't have to do that, Naruto."
"But I wanted to, it's the least I can do for you helping me out last semester."
"Thank you, Naruto."
Naruto smiles, finally seeing a tiny hint of a smile on Hinata's face. He takes it as a small win, even as Karui chimes in, "Oh, get over yourself. Stop acting like you fucking gave her a kidney."
Four days later, Naruto groggily slumps down in the lecture hall getting ready for his economics class. He hates this course and can't wait for it to be over. Resting his chin on the desk, he watches as his classmates filter in. His eyes narrow at the sight of a petite woman in an oversized hoodie. The woman glances in her direction but quickly looks away and walks toward the far end of the lecture hall. While it's clear that she's still avoiding him, at least his presence isn't preventing her from moving forward in life.
He takes this as a big win.
I was hesitant to include Karui in this scene because she's so aggressive and heavily involved in a relationship that's not her own. But then I remember how she beat Naruto to a bloody pulp in canon over his Sasuke-simping. So I went full steam ahead.
