CHAPTER 07
Ino stood there, staring into Neji's piercing, unrelenting gaze, her heart hammering in her chest. Think, think, think! she screamed internally, but her mind was a complete blank.
Then, without fully realizing what she was saying, she blurted out, "I-I couldn't help it!"
Neji's brow twitched, his suspicious expression unwavering. "Couldn't help what, Yamanaka?"
She was in too deep now to back out. Forcing a nervous laugh, she clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels. "You, uh… you just… looked so…" Her words trailed off, and she waved a hand vaguely in his direction.
"So?" he repeated, his voice sharp, his expression cold.
Ino closed her eyes for a moment, trying to muster every ounce of her confidence. She opened them again, meeting his intense stare with what she hoped was a convincing look of sincerity. "So strong. And… handsome," she said, her voice faltering slightly.
Neji blinked, his stoic mask cracking ever so slightly as confusion flickered across his face. "What?"
"I mean, look at you!" she babbled, the words tumbling out faster than her brain could process them. "You're—you're Neji Hyuuga! The strongest guy in the whole Hyuuga clan! You're practically otherworldly with your whole 'mysterious warrior' vibe and those intense eyes and that hair and…"
She trailed off, realizing she was digging herself into a deeper hole with every word. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, but she forced herself to keep going.
"And I've just… I've been holding it in for so long!" she said dramatically, throwing her hands up. "You're always so composed and serious, and it's like… ugh! I couldn't take it anymore! So, yeah, I kissed you, okay? I kissed you because I had to!"
Her chest heaved as she finished, her nerves stretched to their breaking point. She couldn't believe the nonsense she was spewing, but it was the only thing she could come up with on the spot.
Neji stared at her, his expression unreadable, his pale eyes studying her with an intensity that made her squirm. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.
"That," he said slowly, his voice as cold as ever, "might be the most absurd thing I've ever heard."
Ino felt like her soul had left her body. Oh no. Oh no no no.
She threw her hands on her hips, her default defense mechanism kicking in. "Oh, come on!" she said, her voice rising. "You're telling me no one's ever kissed you before because of how ridiculously good-looking you are?"
Neji's eyebrow twitched again, and Ino could swear she saw the faintest hint of color on his usually pale cheeks. "That is irrelevant," he said stiffly.
"Oh, it's totally relevant," she shot back, pointing at him. "Because if it hasn't happened before, then consider this a reality check. People notice, Hyuuga. You're not as untouchable as you think."
He opened his mouth to respond but then closed it again, seemingly at a loss for words.
Ino smirked, folding her arms. Well, if nothing else, I managed to throw him off his game.