Chapter 4:

Kiba leaned against Sasuke's desk, arms crossed, a knowing smirk pulling at his lips. His restless energy contrasted sharply with the restrained atmosphere of the office, where quiet keystrokes and the occasional rustle of papers set the tone.

"How was your date?" he asked, voice a little too loud for a Monday morning.

Sasuke barely looked up from his monitor. "What date?"

Kiba's gaze flickered toward the corner of the office, where Hinata sat at her desk, completely absorbed in her work. Sasuke followed his line of sight and scoffed.

"That wasn't a date. And you were supposed to be there, but you canceled."

Kiba shrugged. "I know." He paused for a dramatic effect, then grinned. "Aren't you gonna ask me about my weekend?"

"Not curious."

"Pshh." Kiba huffed, flopping into the chair behind Sasuke, tapping his fingers against the desk impatiently.

Shino arrived, moving with his usual quiet efficiency. He set his bag down and began setting up his workspace, unperturbed by Kiba's presence.

"Good morning, Shino. How was your hiking trip?" Kiba asked, practically bouncing in his seat.

"The usual," Shino replied, not even pausing in his movements.

Kiba leaned in expectantly. "Aren't you gonna ask me how my weekend was?"

Shino adjusted his glasses. "I supposed it was uneventful."

Kiba threw his hands up in exasperation, his frustration exaggerated. "You guys are impossible at small talk! I'm going to Hinata instead."

He shot up from his chair and marched off dramatically, leaving Sasuke and Shino to the much-needed peace of their work. The office settled back into its quiet rhythm, the hum of computers and the occasional page turn returning to dominance. Sasuke appreciated how no-nonsense Shino was—exact, professional, efficient.

Sasuke rolled his chair back slightly, turning to face Shino. "The client from Barcelona just confirmed. He wants us to visit the site next week."

Shino gave a small nod. "I'll prepare the drawings."

A while later, Kiba returned, practically buzzing with unspent energy. He flopped into his chair but couldn't sit still, bouncing one leg, tapping his fingers against the desk, shifting every few moments. "I love Hinata-chan."

The casual familiarity in the way he said her name didn't go unnoticed by Sasuke, though he kept his expression neutral

Kiba continued. "I can finally talk to someone who isn't a wall"—he pointedly looked at Sasuke—"or a fly on the wall." He turned to Shino with an exaggerated sigh.

Neither responded. He strolled behind Sasuke and clapped his hands down on his shoulders, giving him an overly enthusiastic squeeze. "Hey, Sasuke. I heard you've been stealing fans from Kakashi-sensei."

Sasuke didn't react, keeping his focus on his work. "Kiba, it's early Monday. Your enthusiasm is cacophonous. Turn it down a little."

Shino hummed in agreement, his attention never wavering from his screen.

Kiba looked affronted. "This is bullying! I'm going to march to HR and demand for a new team!"

Sasuke finally glanced at him. "Get back to work, Kiba. We have a deadline to catch this week. Before Shino and I leave for Barcelona."

Kiba groaned, letting out an exaggerated sigh as he dragged himself back to his desk. "Ugh, I hate you both." But even as he opened his laptop, his restless energy remained.

The cafeteria was its usual loud self, filled with the clinking of trays and the hum of conversations. Sasuke sat in his usual spot, barely paying attention to the noise around him. His focus was on his lunch as he absentmindedly poked at it.

Kiba's voice suddenly rang out. "Hinata-chan! Here." He patted the seat next to him, a grin spreading across his face as Hinata slid into the chair. "I'm glad I still have you. It'll just be me and you next week. These two—" he gestured toward Sasuke and Shino with an exaggerated sigh, "are going on a business trip. They're heading to Barcelona."

"Barcelona?" Hinata asked, genuinely surprised. She tilted her head slightly, her soft bangs falling to one side as she processed the news. Then, with a light laugh, she added, "I'll be in Barcelona too."

The group paused, unsure if she was just messing with Kiba, who often liked to joke around. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, while Shino simply gave a small nod. But when Hinata met their gazes with those calm, earnest eyes of hers, it was clear she wasn't kidding.

Kiba's eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open in mock disbelief. "No way! You're going to Barcelona... the same week as they are?" His voice took on a dramatic flair, his gaze shifting between Sasuke, Shino, and Hinata. "That's just wrong. You're all leaving me here alone! How could you?"

Hinata couldn't help but laugh softly at his dramatics, her voice light and unbothered. "It's just a coincidence," she said with a shrug, unphased by Kiba's over-the-top response.

"Uh-huh, sure." Kiba folded his arms. "Well, if you all are ditching me, we should at least have one last meal together.

Hinata raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. Sasuke and Shino exchanged a brief glance, neither particularly enthusiastic, but Kiba wasn't about to let it slide.

Kiba's grin stretched wider as he leaned forward, practically vibrating with excitement. "Friday night—Yoshino's. I've been dying to check that place out. I heard it has some amazing interior design." He practically oozed enthusiasm, clearly thrilled by the thought of dragging everyone along.

Shino, as expected, was succinct. "I can't on Friday," he said, his tone final.

Kiba turned to Hinata, eager to recruit her. She considered it for a moment, then gave a shrug. "Well, I can't really say no to good food and architecture," she said, her voice light and open.

Sasuke, however, felt the pressure building. Kiba's eyes were practically pleading with him, and there was no denying the unspoken weight of Hinata's earnest expression. He could feel his usual resistance bubbling up—he didn't like the idea of unnecessary socializing, much less indulging Kiba's whims.

But Hinata's gaze held him there, quietly imploring, her eyes calm and unassuming. Sasuke didn't want to disappoint her—though it was clear he was struggling to give in. He opened his mouth, ready to refuse, but the words didn't come.

Finally, with a sigh, he let his guard down just enough to get the words out. "Fine," he said, trying to sound more indifferent than he felt.

Kiba's face immediately lit up, as if Sasuke had just handed him a prize. "Great! I'll go make reservations!" He bounced in his seat, clearly thrilled with the success of his plan.

When Friday rolled around, Sasuke was already bracing himself for some form of chaos, brought about by his and Shino's impending trip, but nothing could have prepared him for Kiba's dramatic announcement at lunch. With his hands clasped in a prayer position and his head bowed as if in apology, Kiba began, "I'm really sorry, guys, but I won't be able to make it to dinner tonight."

Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed immediately. "What do you mean? You were the one who organized this in the first place," he said, voice tight with irritation.

Kiba's sheepish grin was the only response. "I know, and I'm so sorry," he said with exaggerated sincerity. "But, um, the girl I've been talking to—Akamaru's vet—she asked me out to watch a movie. I can't say no to that."

Sasuke sighed, rubbing his temples. "But you made a prior commitment with us," he muttered under his breath, frustration mounting.

Kiba laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "I know, I know… But this one's different. I really like her."

He stared off into space, his eyes softening. "You ever hear of the Dog Stare Theory? It's a thing. If your dog likes someone, it's a sign they're a good match for you. And Akamaru? He really liked her."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, deadpan. "Then maybe Akamaru should date her."

Sasuke's patience was clearly wearing thin. Kiba had a tendency to subscribe to every random love theory under the sun, yet his track record with relationships was a joke.

Kiba shrugged apologetically, then quickly turned his attention elsewhere, clearly eager to avoid any further confrontation. "Sorry, guys. But you can still have fun without me."

And just like that, Sasuke found himself alone with Hinata. Again.

But this time, the silence between them felt heavier, stretched taut by the unmistakable atmosphere of the restaurant Kiba had chosen. Though they were still in their usual office attire, Yoshino's was anything but casual. The dim lighting cast a soft glow over the sleek interiors, the low hum of conversation blended seamlessly with the smooth notes of Bossa Nova, and the elegantly dressed patrons only reinforced the fact that this was the kind of place meant for dates and special occasions.

And yet, it wasn't a date, even if the waiter had probably assumed it was.

Hinata, however, seemed blissfully unaware of the awkwardness—or simply unbothered by it. Her attention was completely absorbed by the design of the space

The moment they arrived, she immediately pulled out her phone, pausing at the entrance to snap photos of the façade. Once inside, she was entirely absorbed—her attention darting from the chandelier to the sleek counter, the ambient lighting to the intricate details of the bar. She trailed her fingers over the wall finish, ran her hand along the quartz countertop, and even tested the chairs with the intense scrutiny of a furniture designer testing a prototype.

Sasuke had never seen her so animated. It was a stark contrast to her usual composed demeanour, and for a moment, he simply watched.

The food wasn't even a priority for either of them. They spent the first several minutes discussing materiality and light, dissecting how the space achieved the perfect balance between the two. Without much thought, they just ordered the restaurant's best-sellers, as if the meal itself was an afterthought to the architecture surrounding them.

They ordered a bottle of wine, and as they waited, Hinata lifted her phone again, angling it just right to capture the soft glow of the chandeliers and the elegance of the bar.

"I'm sending these to Kiba," she murmured, tapping at her screen. "If his movie date is successful, maybe he can bring his girl here next time."

Sasuke scoffed lightly. "If she lasts that long."

Hinata paused, then let out a quiet laugh, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes as she set her phone down. "Is Kiba always this... flaky?" she asked, tucking her phone into her bag with a small shrug. "I just realized, this is the third time he's bailed on us."

"He's not flaky," Sasuke corrected. "Just girl-crazy."

Hinata chuckled, swirling the wine in her glass. A curious expression crossed her eyes, but there was something hesitant about it, as if she was debating something. Finally, she took a small sip of her wine and asked, "What about you, Uchiha-san?"

Sasuke glanced at her, sensing a shift in the conversation. "What about me?"

Hinata lowered her gaze for a moment before meeting his eyes again. "Are you seeing someone?"

Sasuke stilled. Hinata rarely asked personal questions—her conversations were always thoughtful but never intrusive.

He exhaled and leaned back slightly. "How long have you been working at the firm now? Six months?"

Hinata nodded.

"So you probably understand by now that with our schedule and lifestyle, dating is impossible."

Hinata tilted her head. "But Kiba has gone out on plenty of dates."

Sasuke let out a dry chuckle. "And none of them have turned into anything serious."

Hinata hummed in thought before shifting gears. "What about Shino? Is he seeing someone?"

Sasuke furrowed his brow. He debated for a moment, wondering if he should deflect the question, but his gaze met Hinata's—earnest, with no hint of malice just genuinel curiosity.

"I don't think so," Sasuke said after a beat, tapping his finger lightly against the rim of his glass. "Shino's family life is complicated at the moment. His mom's sick, and he's the one taking care of things."

Hinata's eyes widened in concern. "Oh no… I had no idea. He never talks about his family."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "And neither do you."

Hinata blinked, surprised by the remark. A faint blush tinted her cheeks as she smiled awkwardly. "Ah… well, when I first arrived at the firm, a lot of people were curious because I'm a Hyuga." She traced the rim of her wine glass with her finger, her gaze shifting downward. "I understand. It's hard to reconcile my family name with my, um… less-than-stellar college background."

Sasuke said nothing, just watching her as she exhaled and leaned slightly forward, as if finally deciding to share something she had kept private.

"During my third year in Building Management, I realized I loved designing buildings more than managing them. I wanted to switch to Architecture." She let out a small laugh, though it held no real amusement. "But my father thought it was frivolous. Unnecessary."

Sasuke's brows knit together slightly.

Hinata shook her head. "But I was stubborn. So I withdrew from my course and enrolled at a community college instead." She sighed. "My dad was furious. He pulled all his support. The only reason I managed was because of a small trust fund my mother left me before she passed."

Sasuke let her words settle.

"It doesn't matter," he said finally. "When you step out of university and into the workforce, the playing field evens out. Sure, a good school can give you leverage, but at the end of the day, effort and hard work matter more."

He paused, then added in a quieter voice, "And you're not short on those traits."

Hinata looked at him, surprised, before a genuine smile crossed her lips.

A comfortable silence stretched between them before she tilted her head. "What's your family like, Uchiha-san?"

Sasuke glanced at his glass, debating whether to answer. Maybe it was the wine loosening his tongue, or maybe he just didn't mind talking to her.

"I have an older brother," Sasuke started. "He's a prodigy. He started a conceptual Furniture company at twenty-one. Now, it's world-renowned. You probably heard of it—Akatsuki?"

Hinata gasps. "No way? Your brother is the founder?"

Sasuke huffed a quiet laugh, but there was no pride in it. He swirled his drink. "Compared to him, I'm… just working at someone else's firm."

"Don't say that, Uchiha-san." Hinata frowned slightly. "You're doing great." She rested her chin on her hand. "If I had half your ability, my father would probably take me seriously."

Sasuke glanced at her, slightly startled by her words.

Somehow, he had spoken more than he intended. The thought bothered him. He blamed it on the wine.

When the night came to an end, they stepped outside, where the evening air was cool against their skin.

Hinata turned to him, her expression warm. Then, without hesitation, she leaned in and hugged him.

"See you when I see you, Uchiha-san," she said softly before stepping away.

Sasuke stood there for a moment, watching her go, feeling the faintest ghost of her warmth linger.

The idea of crossing paths with Hinata in a city far from Konoha left an unsettling feeling in Sasuke's chest. When the time came for their flight, he was convinced that it didn't matter whether they would end up in the same city or not. He (and Shino) was on a work trip, with a rigid schedule packed with meetings and site visits. Hinata, on the other hand, was on vacation, free to wander and explore. Their paths had no reason to overlap.

And yet, her words lingered.

"See you when I see you." Did she mean she might try to meet up with them in Barcelona? Or was it just a casual goodbye, something to say in passing, as if they'd see each other again after the trip? Sasuke couldn't shake the thought. He found himself checking his phone more often than he intended, as though the answers he was looking for would somehow materialize on the screen. Each notification was met with a fleeting hope, only to be replaced by disappointment when it was never her name that appeared.

"You keep checking your phone," Shino observed during while they were boarding, his voice level, unreadable behind his dark glasses.

Sasuke barely glanced up. "No, I don't."

Shino didn't argue, but the pause that followed was loud enough. Sasuke knew better than to expect unnecessary commentary from him, but Shino had a way of noticing things without outright saying them. And that was somehow worse.

They landed in Barcelona just before noon. After checking into their hotel, they wasted no time, heading straight to the site for their first visit. The day stretched on, filled with meetings and assessments, but as evening approached, Sasuke and Shino decided to explore the city center.

"She's here, you know," Shino mentioned over dinner, idly stirring his lemonade with a straw. "Hinata."

Sasuke tensed before he could stop himself. "So?"

Shino shrugged. "I thought you'd reach out."

There was no accusation in his tone, no underlying meaning. Just an observation. But Sasuke felt the weight of it settle between them. He turned his attention back to his plate, forcing himself to focus on the meal, on anything but the thought of her walking the same streets, seeing the same sights.

She was on vacation. That's why she hadn't messaged. She had no reason to. And why would he? He was here for work. If anything, he was being responsible. Prioritizing his duties.

And yet, as he wandered through the Gothic Quarter, past hidden courtyards and centuries-old facades, he caught himself scanning crowds, glancing at every dark-haired woman in the distance, listening for a familiar voice. It was ridiculous. The city was vast, and she had her own plans.

Each morning, he checked his phone. Just for emails, he reasoned. For work messages, follow-ups. But then his mind would drift, lingering on where she might be, what she might be doing. A notification from her never came.

On their final day, Shino and Sasuke visited Sagrada Família. The grandeur of it was staggering, as if stepping into something both ancient and unfinished. Light streamed through the stained glass, painting the interior in hues of gold, blue, and crimson. Sasuke exhaled slowly, taking in the sheer scale of it.

He wondered if she had stood here too. He can almost picture her face, eyes brimming with tears, moved by the magical quality of the space. She was always so easily moved—especially by architecture.

"You should just message her," Shino said quietly, watching him.

Sasuke scoffed. "Why would I?"

Shino didn't answer immediately. Then: "Because you want to."

Sasuke let out a quiet huff. "We've been busy. I'm sure she is, too." He didn't add that she was supposed to be on vacation—probably out sightseeing, enjoying herself. If she had wanted to see him, she would have said something. Right?

But as he stood there, bathed in fractured light, something in his chest tightened. He had spent so much time pretending not to care that he hadn't considered what it would feel like if she didn't either.

Their flight was tomorrow. He should return to the hotel, send Kiba construction updates, and get some rest. But instead, he lingered.

Shino shook his head slightly. "If neither of you were going to do anything about it, why did you both bother thinking about it so much?"

Sasuke didn't answer.

After hesitating longer than he cared to admit, he finally sent a message.

"Still in the city?"

The reply came minutes later.

"Just left for the airport."

After staring at the screen, Sasuke felt something tighten in his chest, an unwelcome pressure he refused to name. His fingers hovered over the keyboard longer than necessary before he finally typed a brief reply. "I hope you enjoyed your trip." Short. Neutral. Distant. The kind of message that left no room for interpretation. And yet, even as he pressed send, his pulse betrayed him.

Before he could second-guess himself—before he could succumb to the temptation of waiting for a reply—he flipped his phone over, out of sight. It was ridiculous how much effort it took to stop looking at the screen. Even more ridiculous how much he wanted to.

Later, he wandered along the waterfront, the golden hues of sunset stretching across the Mediterranean. The city lights flickered against the waves, and for a moment, the world felt quieter, slower, as if time had softened.

A silhouette brushed past his shoulder.

Hinata.

She was walking beside him, her fingers interwoven with his. The sea breeze tousled her dark hair, strands fanning across her face. Her eyes, deep and luminous, met his before she looked away, a small smile ghosting her lips.

She looked… pretty.

No. That wasn't the right word.

She was stunning. And not in the casual way people threw that word around. It was the kind of stunning that rooted a person in place, that reshaped something inside them without permission.

It hit him with the same intensity as standing beneath Sagrada Família's vaulted ceiling. That visceral, breath-stealing moment when he looked up and felt dwarfed by the sheer brilliance of it all. The way the stained-glass light fractured into something surreal, almost holy. It had been so overwhelmingly beautiful that had made his chest ache.

That was what it felt like looking at Hinata.

Something bloomed in him, slow and certain, like embers catching fire. And just as he began to understand it—just as the warmth of her hand in his became something more—

The dream unraveled.

The water blurred, her touch slipped away, and suddenly, he was awake, staring blankly at the ceiling.

His pulse was steady, but his mind wasn't.

Across the room, Shino slept soundly, wrapped so stiffly in his blankets he resembled a cocoon. The rhythmic sound of his breathing filled the silence, a stark contrast to the storm unraveling in Sasuke's chest.

Because now he knew, and he was deeply in trouble.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

In this chapter, we explore the themes of deep yearning and missed connections.

Was it fate that brought us two

Togethere here, in time and space?

Was it a sign from the universe?

For our fates to interlace?

The last time I saw you,

You said, "See you when I see you,"

Were you just being polite?

Or was there more beneath the sight?

We were in the same space, at the same time.

Yet our paths did not collide.

Was it a sign from the universe?

That these things cannot be contrived.

I admit, I was a cheat.

Did not leave it up to fate.

But I guess it was just all up to me.

I guess you never felt this weight.

In the same sky, the same stratosphere

So near, but a galaxy away.

I've looked for your silhoutte everywhere,

Yet it seems, I couldn't find you there.

We were in the same space, at the same time.

So close and yet so far,

Our paths aligned, but not to collide

Like lightyears between two stars.

I wonder if I ever crossed your mind.

While you've been circling all mine.

Chasing shadows, longing for your time.

In the same place, in the same space

Where fates never aligned.