That night, when she told her father exactly what happened at the Uchiha district, he heard her from beginning to end without saying a single word. After she was done, he placed a hand under his chin, pondering the situation.
"You don't need to worry, Hinata. This was a miscalculation on my part" he said after a while, surprising her and almost calming her heavy heart. But he wasn't done. "I had assumed that, a year from your first contact, the relationship between the two of you would be close enough to the point he would allow some type of comfort from you, but I see I was wrong" he continued, shaking his head. Hinata stiffened, feeling his words were not really intended to bring her relief.
"What you have told me has lead me to two conclusions. One: you do not know him enough to understand him, therefore, you committed the mistake of looking for him inside of his family's district in this day in particular" Hinata bit her lips, shame taking over her body. She wanted to lower her head and let her bangs cover her eyes so she would be hidden from the world, but that, she knew, was not allowed.
"And two: he does not consider you someone close enough he would welcome you or let go of your mistake. This only brings me to another conclusion. We're wasting time, trying to get you to form a friendship with him."
"…"
Hinata's mouth fell open. She did not understand. What did her father meant when he said wasting time?
She needn't ask. The answer was provided by her father soon after. "You do not need to bring bentos to Sasuke anymore. From now on, I'll make sure to take them to him with one of the servants or even myself."
His words were blunt, straight to the point. Hinata looked at her father, wearing the same imposing and expressionless mask he always had on. She gulped, her small fists clenching the fabric of her pants. She was confused. Her father was dismissing her? She failed? She was no longer necessary?
All these questions gathered in her eyes. Hiashi could see them perfectly. Letting out a sigh, he motioned for her to stand. Hinata did so with trembling legs. "You have to understand, Hinata. Though the bentos were meant from the beginning as a sign of goodwill and care from our clan, making you the one to deliver them to him was meant for the two of you to form a friendship. And what happened today clearly shows me it's not working out."
Hinata nodded, clenching her hands together in front of her to keep herself from playing with her fingers in nervousness. She wanted to protest, but she wasn't sure why. It was true she never really wanted this role. She never made any effort to become Sasuke's friend. She only ever handed him over the bento of the day and went on her way, feeling it was a duty she had to get over with quickly. However, if her father was dismissing her from the chore… then that could only mean that, like always, she was a failure. She failed to meet everyone's expectations.
She wasn't good even to befriend a boy.
Despite that, there was also something else. Something that really bothered her and broke her heart and she didn't realize it until that moment. It had become habit for her to get close to Sasuke at least once a week, even if it was only to give him the bento. She was already used to his grunts that passed off as greetings. She was used to making her way over to his apartment after academy was over or stealthily look for him during lunch break.
She remembered that time, that night training when he taught her how to properly throw shuriken, and her chest hurt. Sasuke wasn't her friend, and he definitely didn't consider her one, but… but…
"Since we've reached a consensus, then we shall put an end to this reunion" her father's voice brought her out of her reverie. She blinked, looking at him again just as he turned around, walking over to one of the shelves standing in his office. "You are released from your duty from hereon, Hinata. Now, if you don't mind, I have other affairs to attend to."
It was her clue to leave. Hinata bowed, still with her heart full of anxiety. She kept thinking about what just happened, not only in her father's office but also at the Uchiha district. Even if her father had not dismissed her of her duty, what face would she make the next time she came across Sasuke? Would she even have the courage to talk to him, to be in his presence after what he said to her?
But those were not things she needed to concern herself with now. Her father was right. She had no relationship with Sasuke beyond the bentos. Now that she no longer had to give any to him, surely the small closeness they possessed would disappear in no time. Because they were not friends, and they had no point of connection.
Her heart hurt just thinking of that.
She passed by the family dojo, that had the doors slightly ajar. When she peered inside, she saw her little sister, Hanabi, training some katas. She couldn't help but smile. Hanabi looked like she was having fun. That was good. If she could enjoy this, then things would definitely be easier for her in the future.
She was about to leave, opting not to interrupt her sister's training, when Hanabi's lively voice halted her.
"Nee-sama!" she called, running over to her. Hinata turned around, a small smile pulling at her lips at the image of her sister, sweaty and flushed, but radiant. "Nee-sama, where are you going?"
"To my room. I-I just talked with father, and…"
"Are you free now? Wanna train with me?" Hinata blinked, unsure. She didn't have anything of importance to do, however… "Come on! Before, nee-sama always trained by herself and Hanabi couldn't play with nee-sama! But now that Hanabi can train too, we can train together!" she appealed to her older sister, puppy eyes turned on for maximum emotional blackmail. Hinata couldn't help but laugh.
"You're right. We never have enough time to be together, right?" she said with a soft voice. Hanabi jumped with glee, taking her older sister by the hand and bringing her back to the dojo. Hinata blissfully let herself be guided, shutting down her thoughts of inadequacy and sadness for another time.