"That dish… with the tomatoes. It was nice."
Hinata could swear her heart almost stopped when she heard that voice behind her, the next day at the academy before classes started, with no one else around. Trying to calm herself, she placed a hand over her chest and inhaled and exhaled softly. After a few seconds of doing this, she carefully turned around, finding her eyes locked with a pair of black ones.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. He shook the bento box he had been holding, the one she had given him yesterday, and that Hinata did not notice because of her surprise. She embarrassedly took it and thanked him.
"Um, S-Sasuke-kun… what d-dish with to-tomatoes?" she asked shyly.
"There was a side dish with fried tomatoes… there weren't much but they were tasty" he explained. Hinata blinked.
"Ah… ehm, S-Sasuke-kun… do you l-like tomatoes?"
"Kinda… my mother…" and then he stopped talking, his face taking in a painful expression. Hinata decided it was better not to prod farther.
"I-It's a r-r-recipe I found in one of the b-b-books from my m-m-mother… so I tri-tried it o-out…"
"You mean you cooked that?" he asked, surprised. Hinata didn't know how to feel about that reaction, so she simply nodded; glad it somehow took that sad expression out of him. "How strange… I was sure it was your cooks that prepared all the food. The Hyuugas have this caste system unlike…" he suddenly stopped himself and shook his head, as if to get rid of some unwanted thoughts. Hinata glanced down, twirling her thumbs.
"I-I-I like t-to cook my o-own me-meals. I-It reminds me of m-mother…" she explained. Sasuke nodded.
"No wonder it tasted a little subpar compared to everything so far."
Ok, that was offensive. It was true she wasn't the greatest of cooks, but to say something like that… "S-So Sasuke-kun d-doesn't want the to-tomatoes?"
He frowned. "I want them. And…" this time he hesitated. Hinata waited, expectant, before he finally decided to speak again. "Onigiri… more onigiri. Maybe filled with tomatoes?"
Hinata tilted her head, confused by that combination. Onigiris filled with tomatoes? But, if he wanted it… "O-Ok" she said. Sasuke immediately looked like he relaxed, and it was only in that moment Hinata realized how tense he had been throughout their conversation.
"Ok" he said, nodding to himself. He took a step back. "I'm going to… take a seat over there. I… see you later" he said before turning around, walking towards a desk on the other side of the classroom. Hinata was left with the words in her mouth, unable to say goodbye as well and too embarrassed to follow him. All she was left with was an empty bento box, and confusing thoughts on the dark-haired boy.
I know everybody's dying for more SasuHina interactions, but, for the time being, they're going to be a little sporadic. It will take them some time to get comfortable enough to speak on a daily basis, so I ask patience. Every chapter, even the shortest ones and the ones that look like they don't advance the plot or relationship between Sasuke and Hinata at all, have a meaning, and will be important in the long run.