CHAPTER 10

Ino opened the door to her apartment, letting Neji step inside first. The apartment was small but cozy, decorated in pastel hues with frilly curtains and floral accents everywhere. It smelled like her signature fragrance—sweet and floral, with a hint of something warm and inviting. The space had a distinctly feminine feel, filled with personal touches that made it feel like her sanctuary.

Neji walked in, his sharp eyes immediately scanning the room. He didn't speak at first, only crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the doorframe as if daring her to prove that there was something here worth his attention. His posture was so composed, so controlled, that it made Ino feel like she had to somehow match it, even though her heart was beating wildly in her chest.

She closed the door behind them, her movements smooth despite the nervous energy swirling within her. "So, uh," Ino began, forcing her voice to sound steady, "Hinata, she's a little… unpredictable, right? She could have left something here that's useful."

God, I sound like an idiot, she thought to herself. But I have to keep this going. He can't leave.

Neji raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with her explanation. "A clue," he said flatly, his voice as cool and calculated as always. "In your apartment?" He glanced around the room once more, taking in the delicate decorations. "This doesn't seem like the kind of place someone would leave clues."

Ino's pulse quickened at his skeptical tone. She had to think fast. She couldn't let him see through her act. She had to rely on her charm.

She plastered on a flirtatious smile, stepping a little closer to him, the scent of her perfume lingering in the air. "Well, Neji," she said, her voice dropping to a softer, more alluring tone. "Hinata's not exactly the type to leave a big, obvious trail, is she?" She tilted her head slightly, giving him a playful look. "She's subtle. Just like me."

She reached for a nearby table, pretending to look through some papers, though she wasn't really focused on them. Her movements were slow, deliberate, drawing his attention as she bent over just enough for him to notice the curve of her back. She was doing everything she could to distract him from his real goal.

Come on, Neji. Don't see through me. Not now.

Neji stood there, arms still crossed, staring at her with that unreadable expression. He wasn't responding to her charm the way she'd hoped. What's going on with him? Why isn't he reacting?

"You're not going to make this easy, are you?" she murmured, glancing over her shoulder at him, her voice low, almost a whisper. "I'm trying to help you, Neji. Can't you see that?"

Ino didn't wait for his response. She stood up, moving toward the couch with exaggerated grace, making sure her movements were slow enough to keep his attention. I've got to keep him here. He's not leaving. Not yet.

As she sat down, she crossed her legs, the action purposeful, and shot him a look of mild challenge. "If you think I'm wasting your time, then you can leave. But I'm not going to sit around doing nothing while you're out there looking for her. We can figure this out together."

Her gaze held his, daring him to say something, do something. She was fully aware of how much she was pushing, but she didn't care. Ino knew that her usual charm would always win. She was confident she could make him fall in line, even if it took more effort than she expected.

Neji's gaze was locked on her now, the silence stretching between them like a taut string. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he exhaled sharply.

"Fine." His voice was firm, giving nothing away. "But I won't be here long, Yamanaka. If there's nothing here to find, I'm leaving."

Ino's heart skipped a beat. He was staying.

I can do this, she thought, settling back against the couch and giving him the most seductive smile she could muster. "Trust me, Neji. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's finding things."

And with that, she began searching again, this time with the full intention of making sure Neji would stay exactly where he was—long enough for her to get things back under control.