"I believe I should be the leader for this exercise. Why? Because I've got the best grades in teamwork."
Sasuke frowned, staring at Shino in disbelief. "How are you so sure your grades are better than ours?"
"Common sense."
"Excuse me?" he looked taken aback. Shino nodded firmly.
"Between your arrogance and Hinata's extreme shyness, it's just obvious" he stated matter-of-factly. Sasuke snorted.
"You sound pretty arrogant to me right now."
"Mmm!" Hinata quickly stood up between them, sensing a fight was about to break out. Things were starting to look pretty bad for their team… and the exercise hadn't even started! "I-I think… if we're not sure w-who should be the leader, maybe we could… choose one by drawing a lottery?" she suggested, wanting things to be settled peacefully.
"We don't have time for that kind of thing. Recess will be over in less than five minutes" Sasuke complained, crossing his arms. Hinata bit her lip, trying to think of another solution, when suddenly Shino spoke up.
"Then why don't we let Hinata decide?"
"Huh?" Hinata yelped. Was he serious?
"I think that's a good idea" Sasuke agreed immediately, much to her surprise. He turned to look at her pointedly. "Come on; tell us, who do you think should be the leader?" he asked, apparently sure she would choose him.
Hinata started to sweat. She had to decide? Why did Shino suggest that? Now, no matter who she chose, someone would be mad. Sasuke because she was his friend and would see it as a betrayal, and Shino because… well, she didn't know Shino that well, but he would probably get upset if he was not chosen after explicitly saying he wanted to be the leader.
Sasuke and Shino waited, staring at her and making her even more nervous. She fidgeted, her eyes swimming and letting the time tick by as she thought about her answer over and over. Finally, when it seemed like Sasuke was losing his patience, Hinata said, her voice a little shrill from the pressure.
"I-I could be the l-leader!"
Both Sasuke and Shino looked at her, the first in disbelief and the latter as expressionless as always. Hinata herself was both surprised at her answer and about to die. She, the leader? Why had she said that?! She didn't have what it took to be a leader, but the other option was choosing between the boys and who knows what would have happened then? At least, this way, they wouldn't be angry with her for choosing one over the other, but they could still get angry because she had nominated herself… not counting she really didn't want to be the leader…
"Well…" Sasuke started, slowly. "Are you sure you want to? It'll be a lot of responsibility…"
"I…"
"The leader has to decide what to do, and guide the team towards victory."
"Yes, I k-know…"
"And if we fail, it will be your…"
"I'm fine with Hinata being the leader" Shino said, interrupting Sasuke. The other boy glared at him, but Shino ignored him, instead only gazing at Hinata. "Shyness can be overcome, and it's not a flaw for a leader to have that would cripple the team, unlike arrogance."
"On that at least we can agree" Sasuke bit back, a jab at Shino's self-assuredness. Once again, the boy with the dark glasses ignored him.
"Since it's come to this, Hinata should be the leader. We'll be in your hands" he declared, bowing his head slightly. Sasuke looked like he wanted to say something else, but after taking a glance at her, he sighed and nodded, accepting the decision.
The only reason Hinata didn't faint was because, just in that moment, the bell indicating recess was over rang.
And we've reached our fiftieth chapter! Who would have thought? This exercise arc's gonna last a few chapters, I think around five or six, so stay tuned! And don't worry, the next ones will be longer.