Chapter 25: Absolute Resolution
The Big Sight Round was special. Just like before, the Imperial Committee instructed the contestants to again choose five photos from any of the previous months' festivals as long as they were new and not something the public had already seen. However, for this final stage, to make everything more dramatic, the photos were to be displayed in real life as part of an exhibition to celebrate the new emperor's Coronation. The best photographers in Japan, the top twenty, would get the royal treatment: photos would be wall-sized panels with their choice of lighting for embellishment. Photographers were given complete creative control to stage their work in the most appealing way possible.
Given this, Hinata knew she had to approach the final round carefully. Photos viewed on screen and on print looked much differently than when they were blown up and given artistic treatment.
Hinata agonized over her photos, choosing them critically, and making sure that the photos were instantly recognizable as her style. She wanted the picture elements' details clear and distinguishable, the colors and contrasts sharp when magnified.
In truth, she felt as if she'd exhausted her best photos. In order for her to get through the original rounds, she'd picked the ones she knew would make her stand out, those unconventional ones that made an impact on the viewer. But now she was left with the ones she thought were too generic, something that might blend in with everyone else's.
Her friends, though, disagreed, argued, and advised her while she scrolled through the screen of her computer, going through the rest of her photographs. In the end, she went on instinct and chose the ones that she particularly loved.
Hinata said a prayer, and with one last click of the mouse, sent her photos to the committee.
"There!" She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at her harem. "All done."
Her sister patted her on the back. Shino, Kiba, and Jiraiya raised their respective glasses filled with green tea and toasted her. It was in the middle of a workday during lunch so she'd strictly enforced the rules of no day-drinking in her studio. Shino still had to go back to the university and teach his afternoon classes. Kiba and Hinata still had the rest of their clients to photograph later. And Jiraiya had to go collect rents from his tenants.
"Otsukaresama!" they chorused.
Hinata nodded. "Thanks guys!" She looked at everyone, who probably shared how tense she was feeling about everything. "Now we wait."
Luckily, the waiting for the results went by in a blur. Like the typical Japanese family in December, the Hyuugas were caught up with end of the year traditions. They had to decide the design of the family nengajo—the New Year greeting cards that were sent out during Shougatsu to not only friends and family, but to social and business acquaintances, as well. After that was done, they had to be printed off in advance, with each member of the family writing personalized messages by hand on the cards before being dashed off at the local post office.
The Hyuugas, too, had to decide what to do for osechi-ryōri, the traditional Japanese meal eaten during the first three days of the new year. It consisted of large, layered stacks of bento boxes, packed with food thought to be auspicious. The delicately prepared ingredients of the meal meant it had to be ordered beforehand. Hanabi wanted to go for something less traditional, like Chinese or western cuisine-inspired youshoku, while Neji and Hiashi were adamant that they should stick to Japanese.
Hinata had to cast the deciding vote, and had upset Hanabi when she opted for the same as her brother and father. "I like the stuff we always get from Daimaru. I don't want to try something new and be disappointed. The last time we did, it was a let down."
Hanabi gave up, pouting. "Next year then?"
Hiashi relented. "Yes, Hanabi. Next time you can choose."
Before they could ask, Hinata asserted, "You guys are stuck with me for all three days of Shougatsu. I'm not going anywhere after."
Usually, couples alternated visiting with their respective families.
Hanabi was disappointed but she didn't say anything. Hiashi's brows only rose up a few centimeters.
Neji waited until the Huddle ended to approach Hinata discreetly. Hanabi was in her room having an animated video chat with her friends and Hiashi was in the kitchen getting the snacks ready for the night. Since Hinata was home more, he'd convinced his daughter to give some of his favorite 1980s tv shows a chance. Tonight, she'd reluctantly agreed to watch a couple episodes of The A-Team with him after she'd seen the four eccentric characters on the DVD's cover.
Neji watched as Hinata settled herself on the couch, making sure that her feet were tucked snuggly into the fluffy, warm blanket.
When she saw the serious look on his face, she stopped fussing and frowned.
He finally broached the topic of Naruto. "It's still a long way before you guys know who the winner is. Are you really not going to talk to him before that?"
She shook her head.
"You're a stubborn dumbass," Neji responded with a disdainful snort.
She sighed. "I already know that, right? Save your breath because I've already gone through a long list of words to brand myself an idiot."
"Just so you know, I'm only bringing him up because I miss having a fourth player on our trips to Akihabara. You can't introduce him like that and then take him out of the games so suddenly. Booo. Red card for you, Hinata."
Hinata laughed.
But Neji suddenly leaned down, wrapped an arm around her shoulders briefly, and gave her a little shake. Because they weren't looking at each other, he murmured, "I support you. Always. But remember that you're not the only one playing Tragic Hero, alright? Give the guy a break."
"You're right, Neji." Hinata sighed and then squeezed his arm reassuringly. "I'm just processing things. I'll figure it out eventually, but it needs time, I think. Something like this shouldn't be decided so carelessly."
He stared at her. "What, you're actually thinking?"
"Jerk!" She bopped him hard with the cushion, which he didn't bother dodging. He grunted.
She plopped the pillow behind her back. "Once I know what the results are, things might be clearer then? Naruto agreed to it, so technically, we're not really broken up. We just don't have a name for this situation…"
"Ugh, trust you to make everything so complicated."
Her shoulders slumped. "I feel like I'm right but I'm starting to doubt whose fault this is. If there's even blame to go around?"
She looked up to see the pained expression on his face. "I'm not letting you off the hook that easily. It's probably yours."
There was no heat in his tone.
"Unsympathetic ass." There was a smile on her face.
He shrugged. "Okay, then. I'll leave you to your processing."
She belatedly realized that he was dressed to go out. "Wait a minute! Where you going?!"
"Somewhere not here," he answered cryptically. Then he moved away from her and gathered the jacket he'd thrown over the sofa earlier. He shrugged it on. When he got to the door, over his shoulder, he called out, "Oh, and I'm not coming home tonight. I'm spending the night at Tenten's."
Hinata's jaw dropped and she sputtered something incoherent. Left speechless with surprise, she was unable to say anything back to him when he deliberately let slip that juicy bit of information.
The door closed behind him—but not before she saw the satisfied smirk on Neji's face.
The winter days blurred by, the Hyuuga members attending respective end-of-the-year bonenkais with friends and co-workers. Neji dutifully attended his company's office party, complaining all the while. Hiashi did the same with his own, but he was more relaxed about the whole thing because he was already counting down. Only three more of these to suffer through before retirement. Both men returned home in the dead of the night, bringing in the frigid winter air into their apartment.
Hanabi, a popular girl at school, had been obligated to attend parties for a couple of her university clubs. Unfortunately, these had her burning through her pocket money so quickly that she had to borrow money from her older siblings. Naturally, both Neji and Hinata slipped her more than she needed.
Still, even with their money loading her pockets, she was bummed because for Christmas Day—a family event the Japanese corrupted into a romantic holiday for couples—she was hopelessly single. The only way to make it better was to spend the night with her friends, who were just as single as she was.
"Say hi to Moegi and Udon for me, yeah?" Hinata called out, stepping out of the shower because she'd had to wash off the dirt from work that day. She waved her sister off, smiling as she imagined Hanabi enjoying being young and having fun with her friends.
The door closed, and Hinata sighed.
While here she was, the miserable older sister, huddling into her usual spot on the sofa, wearing her dilapidated Orochimaru shirt and getting ready to settle in for the night.
With her father.
With another one of his favorite shows from the 1980s.
He came into the living room, a frown on his face as he placed two mugs of steaming green tea, a pack of an-donuts, and senbei on the living room table.
She smiled at him. "Thanks, Tou-chan!"
He nodded and sat next to her on the sofa. He frowned at her one more time then picked up the remote to click on the DVD, this time MacGyver.
She blew at her tea, content and relaxed. "I think you might be right. These original shows are soooo much better than the remakes that've been popping up all over the place recently."
He grunted and fell into silence as the iconic synthesizer-infused intro song for the show opened with a montage of the titular character getting himself out of his scrapes with inventions invented on the spot. Several minutes rolled by, both of them seemingly engrossed with the scenes on the television screen. Suddenly, though, Hiashi picked up the remote again and paused it.
Hinata looked at her father with a puzzled expression. "Why'd you stop it? It was just getting good!"
"How do I say this nicely?" He tilted his head slowly. "Mmm…this is pathetic."
"Tou-chan!" Hinata sputtered. "The hell?!"
He laughed apologetically. "I'm sorry. I just meant, shouldn't you be out with your friends, too? Doing something else instead of hanging out with your dad watching really old shows?"
She laughed in response, not really taking it as an insult. "Well, I got nothing else to do, so." She shrugged. "Besides, I have to get up early for work tomorrow."
He looked at her sideways, started reaching for the remote, but then changed his mind. Hiashi leaned back into the sofa and his glance at her this time was more assessing. "I wish you were still going out on your dates with Naruto. You looked a lot happier then."
"Are you tired of my company?" Hinata complained with a pout.
"Yeah," he said with a straight face. "Get out of my house." But then he ruined the effect with a chuckle. "Just kidding, Hinata. I'm not tired at all of your company. I only wish you weren't hiding from your feelings. What happened to that girl who liked to confront things head on?"
Hinata smiled, honesty radiating from within. "She's tired."
He nodded. "Adrenaline out?"
She sighed deeply and then sank deeper into the sofa. "Yup. Mojo completely drained by the contest. I gave it everything."
He grinned at her. "Then you deserve to take a break."
Hiashi was about to reach for the remote again, but her next question stopped him.
"Tou-chan, was I wrong? Am I being harsh on him?"
Her voice, her tone reminded him once more of his little girl, the toddler who'd figured out a way to climb out of her crib, only to fall onto the carpet and sob in his arms. But there had been a trick to make her stop crying and smile again: a slow, soothing rub across her back, circular, and then up and down, then a couple pats on her head.
"No, Hinata. You don't want to be smothered. I don't think you're wrong for wanting that."
She only sighed and pursed her lips. Then she started gnawing on her lower lip. "It doesn't feel right."
"You miss him." Then he tilted his head and raised his eyebrows at her. "And sure, Naruto made a mistake, but he's trying to make it up to you now. He stayed to see this through, right? Just like you asked. Surely that counts for something?"
She nodded.
His tone approving, Hiashi added, "I like that about him. I just wish I could have met him."
Hinata suddenly blushed, a rare occasion because her father hardly admonished her for anything. She should have known that her indulgent father, who never demanded much, had wanted and even expected to meet Naruto.
He huffed with amusement when he saw the expression of chagrin on her face. Before she could answer, he said, "I'm pretty sure things will work out between the two of you. I'm just going to bide my time until you finally introduce me to him."
She smiled but didn't say anything. That was one thing she couldn't promise him since things between her and Naruto were still so uncertain. She just really hoped that her father would get that opportunity some day.
Hiashi didn't press any further. Still, before he finally turned the show back on, he said, "But I really did mean it when I said you don't have to waste your time hanging out with your old man. It's not too late to go out for the night. I'm sure Kiba or Shino would want to hang out if you called them right now."
She grinned at him. "Tou-chan, I'm not wasting my time here. I'm actually having fun, doing this with you." She laughed. "It kinda feels like we're catching up."
His answering laugh was slightly embarrassed, but she could tell he was pleased. He shrugged and finally turned the show back on. "Okay, then. You can re-live with me the nostalgia from the springtime of my youth."
The day finally came for the family to take the train from Kamata to the convention center.
As they walked the path approaching the building—four upside down pyramids supported by large columns of steel and glass—Hinata tramped down a flutter of nervousness.
She didn't know what to expect, but a part of her wondered whether Naruto would be here for the day. The exhibit was on display for a month at Big Sight, the voters given enough time to make their decision until the winner's name was to be revealed on January 6th.
Hanabi was the first to find Hinata's pictures, uttering a squeal of delight when she saw them. What separated Hinata's photos was the unconventionality of her angle shots, her ability to capture moments and slowing down time. Her father and Neji murmured appreciatively as they gazed at the photo of the dancer in Tokushima caught in mid-flight after the high jump she'd executed on wooden getas, the sleeves of her happi a dramatic flair behind her. Her Nagasaki photo was of an acrobat doing a handstand on one hand, balanced on a wooden pole, hundreds of red lanterns floating behind him like a sea of amorphous crimson jellyfish.
They moved on to the next display, the one of Temari's nebuta float dangerously teetering over on its side as it rounded a curve on the parade route.
"Woah!" somebody said behind them. "It looks like it was going to crash into that other one."
Hinata smiled to herself, grateful that she was able to depict that part so vividly that the viewers could see how much festivals, despite being a fun event, had some downsides to them, too. Accidents happened and people got injured. It was only natural when dealing with mikoshis and the adrenaline of the people manning these events.
Luckily, though, this particular shot ended on a happy note.
She loved the reaction she could hear from the crowd, a balm to her soul. It felt good to be recognized for her efforts.
Her Osaka Tenjin Festival submission was her best work, she thought as she inspected it. It was one of the fireworks masters, getting off the rickety boat, cannon held precariously on one shoulder, laughingly helped onto the docks by his friends. But the backdrop was a spectacular explosion of colorful rockets, like falling stars dripping slowly, dome-shaped, in the night.
"Hinata, they're actually really good." Neji nudged her with an elbow, making her laugh with happiness and filling her with confidence.
Hiashi nodded, too, agreeing. "I'm really proud of you."
She beamed at him, joy overflowing out of her. Hinata could feel it, the rise of giddy exhilaration, knowing her dream was just within her grasp.
Hinata Hyuuga, Imperial Photographer.
"Thank you, Tou-chan," she whispered.
The Hyuugas walked around some more, surveying the other photographers' works. Hinata grudgingly admitted that everyone had a reason to be proud of being in the top twenty, that the displayed photos proved how deep the talents were of her fellow competitors.
But she was happy to be sharing this aspect of work with her family. They chatted about the pictures, pointing out aspects they each liked, what Hinata would have done differently if she'd taken the shot herself. The wandering through the exhibition seemed aimless, but she knew it was their way of avoiding the elephant in the room. They were all wondering whether Naruto would be there, and which photos were his. Unlike her, they haven't seen his work at all.
But as they rounded another display, a photo that was lovely but not enough to leave an impression of her, Hinata suddenly came to an abrupt stop when confronted by a black and white photo of an elderly couple watching the festival parade, standing off to the side. The woman was in a wheelchair, her hand gripped in her husband's, who was standing beside her. He was stooped low, seeming to whisper lovingly to her, and pointing to something off the frame.
Instinctively, she knew it was Naruto's.
"Oh, how sweet they look together!" Hanabi said, her face lifting into a smile as she gazed at the expression on the woman's face, crinkled amusement, laugh lines prominent.
The next panel was a close up of two mikoshi men, their arms around each other's shoulders sharing a drink. Sweat dripped down their cheeks, their faces were a combination of exhaustion, satisfaction, and joy.
Hinata could hear the oohs and ahhs from the other visitors surrounding them.
Even Hinata felt sorrow when she saw Naruto's next photo of a young child, her heart-broken face staring at her fallen ice cream on the road, her mouth open, dismayed, on the verge of tears. Behind her, the mother was standing with an understanding smile on her face. In her hand, she was holding a hankie, ready to mop up her child's tears.
Like a dream, they approached the final photograph.
And then, she had to squeeze her eyes briefly before opening them again.
"Nee-chan…oh, my god…" Hanabi softly uttered, her voice awed as she gazed at the panel before her. "I just…holy shit…"
He must have taken it when they were in Nagasaki during the lantern festival, when she hadn't been paying attention because she'd been too busy working.
It was odd looking at a photo of herself taken by a professional with Naruto's skill. It was almost like she was looking at a glamor shot of a stranger taken at a festival.
The background was still festive, the suggestion of the hectic bustle of the crowd, vendors, and decorations, but it was hazy. The single point of focus was sharply on the woman in the center, who Hinata was still having difficulty accepting as herself.
But it was definitely her because those scars on her neck and shoulder were unmistakable, her camera strap had dislodged the collar of her borrowed blouse, exposing the marred skin there, but it hardly mattered because no matter how anyone tried, the viewer's eyes were unquestionably drawn to her face. The Hinata in the picture was standing, one hand wrapped lovingly, protectively, around her camera, the other reaching up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She was gazing, not directly at the camera, but to something, or someone, just above it, her lips poised in the beginnings of a smile, her eyes softly glowing, warm and welcoming, inviting, promising the viewer a world filled with joy.
"That's sooooome camera filter!" somebody in the crowd quipped, causing whoever was with them to giggle. "I want it!"
"Whoever took this photo is really in love with her," another person said with a sigh.
"I'm so jealous! I want someone to take a picture of me like that!" the first speaker said.
They both giggled one more time.
"What a lucky girl."
Her family heard the speakers, but they didn't mention anything to her.
Hinata stood before her own photo, suddenly wanting to cry, but she attempted to keep herself together. Neji and her father came within her periphery. "He said I was in one of his shots, but I didn't think I was the shot," she whispered.
"They do say a picture is worth a thousand words," Neji said, his tone was impressed as he gazed at the photo of his sister. He glanced at her and smiled, happy to see that Hinata was affected and not being aloof for once.
"That's what I look like to him?" She could barely ask it, her eyes fixed on Naruto's photo, touched to see how much care he'd taken to frame the shot just right so he could convey so many important and unsaid things.
"That's what you look like to everyone, Hinata," her father replied.
The call from her former boss at the newspaper was a surprise.
"Hisashiburi! It's been a while since I talked to you. Everything okay?"
Kurenai chuckled tiredly on the other line. "Yes, but I'm going stir crazy. All I do is sleep and eat. I'm on my maternity break. It feels strange not stressing out over deadlines."
"Congratulations, by the way. And I hope you're being pampered. You're ready to pop at any time!" Hinata laughed. "Is that the only reason you call me, because you're bored and need me to amuse you?"
"No," she answered. "It was a hastily thrown together idea, but the Sarutobis are having a party to celebrate my pregnancy, and Hiruzen wanted me to invite you. Everyone's going to be there. You think you can come?"
She paused at her desk, fingers arrested midway at sorting the photos for her clients this afternoon. Hinata's eyes suddenly gleamed. "The whole family will be there, you say?"
"Yes."
"Can I bring my sister?"
Kurenai wasn't even thrown off by the strange request. "Of course. No problem."
"Awesome! We'll be there."
Gloating was more fun when you put your whole heart and soul into it, she thought. She couldn't help the wide cheshire-cat grin that spread across her face as she walked in and saw Konohamaru Sarutobi first scowl at her in greeting. But then his expression changed when he laid eyes on Hanabi. She watched with satisfaction when he did a double-take, glancing back at hers and Hanabi's face, and then blinked rapidly. He didn't approach them, but he took a sip from the drink he was holding.
Hinata grinned at him, which caused him to glower at her again.
"Hinata!" a feminine voice called out, and she turned her head into the direction of the speaker.
She and her sister were ushered into the banquet hall that Hiruzen had rented by Kurenai herself, heavily pregnant at eight months. She waddled over to them and smiled when Hinata rubbed her belly.
"Thanks for coming, you guys," she yelled over the loud enka song playing in the background. She pointed to a corner of the hall, where Hiruzen swayed with a microphone in his hand, eyes following the karaoke words flashing over the screen. He was now putting his all into singing, embellishing the performance with a deep vibrato. He was cheered on by the other Sarutobis in the hall.
"He can't come to greet you personally because he's a little busy at the moment."
Hinata laughed. She'd forgotten that Hiruzen loved karaoke, and especially the enka songs popular with his generation.
"No worries," she replied as she took off her coat and handed it to the staff. Hanabi did the same to hers.
"Thanks for inviting me," Hanabi said with an adorable smile.
Kurenai's eyes widened when she saw the immaculate outfit she was wearing. Compared to Hinata's more casual jeans and t-shirt, Hanabi wore a long-sleeved, deep red, wrap-dress. "I love that dress! Where'd you get it?"
"BEAMS," Hanabi answered. "Thank you."
Kurenai sighed and looked down at her belly. Her laugh was rueful. "Maybe after I've given birth." But she shook her head and pointed to several tables at the far end of the room. "Anyway, food's over there. If there's something you guys want and it's not there, just tell the hotel staff and they'll have the chef make it for you guys."
Hinata nodded and then waved when she saw a couple of her former co-workers.
"I'll be back. I have to go find Asuma so we can tear his father away from monopolizing the karaoke," Kurenai said with a laugh. "He's been at it for thirty minutes."
Hinata and Hanabi were eating when Konohamaru suddenly showed up at their table.
He was stiff when he greeted Hinata. "Good evening."
Hinata's eyes danced merrily. She knew exactly why he was here. Almost tauntingly, she said, "Hi, Konohamaru."
He cleared his throat. "It's been a while since I last saw you. I hope you're good." He glanced briefly at Hanabi, but then he returned his attention back to her.
Hinata couldn't help the teasing tone in her voice when she said, "I'm surprised you came to talk to me since the last time we met you said not to ap—"
"I apologize. It was said in the heat of the moment."
She laughed. "I'm just kidding." She pointed to her sister, who was looking at him with interest. "Konohamaru, this is my younger sister, Hanabi. I told you, didn't I?"
Hanabi whipped her head to frown at her. "What?"
Hinata shook her head at her. "Nah, don't worry about it." But she pointed to Konohamaru and introduced him to her sister. "This is Konohamaru, Hanabi. He's Hiruzen's grandson."
"Oh!" Hanabi exclaimed and smiled at him. They both bowed to each other. "Yeah, Hiruzen's mentioned you before."
He drew back in surprise. "You know my grandfather?"
She nodded happily. "Yes, he came by a couple times to my sister's studio while I was helping out with her photo sessions."
His glance at Hinata was apologetic. "Again, I apologize for being really snappy with you the last time we met."
Hinata, who could see his blooming attraction to her sister, could afford to be magnanimous—because she was proven right. Her voice filled with relish, she said, "Don't worry about it." But she added a little wink for him, making sure Hanabi wouldn't be able to see it.
His nostrils flared with irritation, but he became distracted when Hanabi said, "So tell me what it's like working at your grandfather's company. I bet it's really interesting."
His lips creased into an easy smile, his blue eyes drinking in the charm that came naturally to her. "It is, actually."
Hinata fell into silence and let them talk to each other, inwardly sighing, her heart content. Mission accomplished!
But now, though, how to make sure that they really got to know each other more? They needed privacy.
She stood up suddenly. "I have to pee!" she blurted, bolting quickly before they could say anything.
Instead of the bathroom, though, her goal was the door that led out to the balcony—where she found Hiruzen Sarutobi crouched behind a plant, desperately trying to light his pipe but fighting the wind determined to snuff it.
She smirked at him when he realized he was caught. "Don't tell anyone. I'll double whatever you need for your next trip."
"So this is how retired CEOs spend their time at parties, huh? Hiding from their guests?"
He finally puffed at his pipe. Calmly, he only said, "I mistakenly promised Kurenai I would quit."
She shook her head. "You know I can't lie to her if she asks me directly. She's scary."
He moved and sat on one of the benches, patting the space next to him.
Hinata sat down and waited patiently. She knew he liked to take his time, his private contemplation punctuated with each puff on his pipe.
But the quiet was broken with his unexpected, and very undignified burp, which caused her to snicker with surprise.
"Ew!"
He groaned softly and patted his gurgling stomach. "I imbibed too much." He smacked his lips and sighed. "Hakkaisan sake. Always so good, always my weakness."
She was not a sake drinker, but she nodded. "I'll take your word for it, sir."
Hinata also noted to herself to make sure to send him a couple bottles in the future as a gift.
"Are you having fun?" he asked.
She smiled. "Yes."
"Your match-making seemed to have succeeded."
She glanced at where he was looking through the clear balcony windows. The couple were still at the table she'd left. Konohamaru was speaking, leaning close to Hanabi, who was flushed and laughing.
"You don't like it?"
Hiruzen blew out a puff and then humphed. "It's good timing. He just broke up with the floozy he was dating before. You know I've always approved of your sister."
Her grin shone brightly but her next glance at him was hesitant. Now was the perfect opportunity since they were both alone and nobody seemed to miss their presence at the party. "Sir, I never got to say I'm sorry." She swallowed thickly. "Or thank you."
Puff. Puff.
The sounds of the city echoed all around them, but Hiruzen was unperturbed.
"...for all that you did for me, that time. In Africa."
The silence continued. It was distressingly uncomfortable, and Hinata took it as her penance for her recklessness, her past sins.
Slow puff.
"I've said before that I never want you to lose your love for your art."
Hinata's heart squeezed. She nodded.
"If that's the case, there's nothing more to say, is there?"
He was smiling at her. Hinata could only be grateful for receiving this much grace and kindness—from all the people in her life.
"So let us continue as before, Hinata."
It was impossible, though. Hiruzen's words echoed in her mind as they inched towards January 6th, the day when the contestants would be notified of the results.
Continuing as before.
With her life? The way it was?
No. She doubted it very much.
But Hinata spent the holidays with her family. On the last day of the year, they were cleaning the house: Ōmisoka, a tradition to purge their home of evil spirits and bad luck. On the same day, they watched the annual musical contest on television, cheering on their favorite musical acts.
Hinata also enthusiastically stuffed herself with osechi, toshi-koshi soba to welcome the new year, and Hanabi's o-zōni,, the mochi soup served on the first day.
On the second day, Hanabi tried to get her older sister to join her, to brave the ravaging crowds prowling the streets, lining up at stores just to buy a fukubukuro, the mystery grab bags of discounted items.
Hinata shuddered and slithered further inside the kotatsu, the warm table and the blanket a protective cocoon around her. "Over my dead body! You're going to have to drag me out of here before I ever go shopping at a time like this!"
"Tch!" Hanabi scowled and then left with a flounce. "You're not borrowing anything from my closet anymore!"
Oh.
But Hinata shrugged and burrowed even deeper into her warm cave.
She was willing to pay that price.
On the third day, Hinata was still pondering Hiruzen's words while she washed the dishes and cleaned up the clutter in the living room that had built up from the family being home for several days. A feeling of certainty filled her as she tried to build up her own resolve, mentally preparing herself to accept the results of the competition.
The next day at work, the feeling only intensified as she got back into her daily grind.
She was recalling, too, Shikamaru Nara's words in the beginning, when he'd told everyone at the information session: How would you portray the new emperor to the people of Japan?
Because in her heart, she already knew she'd lost the contest. She'd known it as soon as she'd seen Naruto's photos at Big Sight.
She'd missed the assignment—literally.
She'd been too focused on capturing images that would differentiate her from the rest of the competitors, fixated too much on capturing and portraying strength. All her photos emphasized power. By extension, she'd hoped to convey that the new emperor was not only dependable and strong, that he was somebody the people could trust because of his vitality and energy. It was a hope for herself, because photos revealed a lot about the photographers taking those pictures, too: her refusal to be a victim of her own fate, how she didn't want to be considered an object of pity.
But Naruto…
He'd chosen to submit gentle, loving, intimate photos instead.
Hinata closed her eyes and remembered the picture of the old couple, the mom and child, how much his work emphasized bonds among the people, friendship and camaraderie, dignity and goodness.
That's what he hoped the emperor would accomplish during his reign.
And on the sixth day, her suspicions were only confirmed when the official missive came, beautifully embossed with the Chrysanthemum Seal of His Highness, the Crown Prince of Japan.
Honored Hinata Hyuuga, we regret to inform you…
The tears blurred her eyes even as she felt Hanabi's arms wrap around her, even as she felt Neji's heavy hand pat her on the head, even as she heard her father's voice saying, "We are still very, very proud of you, Hinata."
The people had chosen.
He'd done it. He'd won on merit.
Meanwhile, several kilometers away, in a high-rise building protected by stalwart security guards, Naruto was opening a similar document from the Imperial Staff, the words unreadable because his parents and friends were jostling around him, eager to see beyond his shoulder, each one trying to glimpse the message addressed to him.
Things only began to make sense when everyone reacted simultaneously.
His mom's high-pitched squeal pierced his ears, almost blowing out his eardrums. But he was too stunned and dazed to note that Sakura was doing the same, that her enthusiasm matched his mother's joy, that his father was shaking his hand, pumping it excitedly, that Sasuke was beaming at him, speaking, maybe congratulating him.
His blood thundered in his ears, disorienting him, causing a further sense of unreality.
His thoughts, though, were clear, his heart squeezing.
Because if he'd won, then that meant Hinata had lost.
And in the middle of all the noisy celebration, he heard his father gasp, which startled everyone, suddenly making them all realize the other reality.
His mom, tears in her eyes, expressed the feeling in the room the best when she said, "Shit! Hinata."