Outside the window, the sunlight was intense. And perhaps due to the approaching autumn, the once-lush green trees were no longer as dense.
Hinata's shadow was cast diagonally on the antique dark wooden door behind her. Her smooth, pinned-down hair exuded infinite gentleness. Just standing there, she looked like a vivid oil painting, radiant and warm.
"Did you eat breakfast this morning? Or did you sleep in and rush over without eating?" She asked with a hint of scolding.
"I ate, really." Naruto smiled and handed her a cup of tea.
The more Hinata acted like this, the more guilty Naruto felt. At the same time, he also knew that Hinata was just like that. She might have cried, but she would always put him first.
"Mhm." She nodded and took the teacup.
Naruto had expected this. Whether it was Hinata's kindness or her current silence, he had considered all possibilities. He even prepared countermeasures.
Perhaps he inadvertently awakened his talent as a scumbag. Normally, his IQ is at the same level as Choji, but when faced with something like this, his brain worked as sharply as Shikamaru's.
In broad daylight, he didn't immediately launch into explanations. Instead, he held his tea cup, sat opposite Hinata and looked at her with a smile, just like old times.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Hinata's cheeks inevitably reddened as she turned her face away.
The effect was immediate, which gave him confidence. Naruto hadn't poured himself any tea, but glanced at Hinata, wondering how much she knew about him and Ino.
"Because I feel guilty. I haven't seen you these days and it made me panic. I thought you might never want to see me again." He said carefully.
Hearing this, Hinata lowered her head and kept silent. This was a sign of dissatisfaction with him, either she didn't believe his nonsense, or she was dissatisfied as his apology wasn't enough.
The teacup in her hands steamed faintly and her hand holding the cup was damp with sweat.
"I'm thirsty." He suddenly said.
Hinata immediately stood up and was about to pour him some water, but she froze when she stood up. She looked around and found that there was no cup on the table, and the only cup in the room was the one in her hand.
Naruto stared at the cup of tea in Hinata's hand and licked his lips, the meaning was self-evident. Hinata pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and walked over.
Even though she knew he was doing this on purpose, she couldn't bear to see him thirsty.
"Here, drink mine." Hinata whispered.
"Okay." Naruto smiled, took the opportunity to move closer, and asked with a grin, "Can you bring it a little closer?"
Hinata obliged and leaned forward a little more, then Naruto took this opportunity to hug Hinata in his arms, showing no actual interest in the tea.
Before she could react, she was already trapped in his embrace. She struggled a little, but found that she couldn't get free.
"P-Please… not here. This is… an office."
Hearing this, Naruto was stunned for a while. Although he knew that Hinata didn't mean it that way, but why did it sound so...
He couldn't help but be stunned, 'Has my image in Hinata's mind really fallen this low?'
Of course, he knew that this was an office, and it was someone else's office, so he hadn't planned to do anything that would cross the line.
"Uh, Hinata, you've got the wrong idea."
Hinata stayed silent, leaning on Naruto's shoulder without saying a word, her eyes clouded with unspoken thoughts.
"I'm sorry, Hinata." Naruto decided to apologize first and figure things out later.
"I know I've wronged you. All these years, Ino and I… we've remained close. You also know how much she helped me when I was at my lowest."
"And before, because of certain circumstances, we didn't get to spend much time together. But whenever I had the chance, I came to see you. I wanted us to be together without any restrictions."
"When you were sick, I worried. I tried everything to see you. When you returned from missions, I wished I could fly to your side."
"But a lot of the time, things were out of my control. The Hyuga Clan's gates aren't easy to enter."
" "Fortunately, the Hyuga Clan's situation is improving. We'll have more time together in the future."
"Hinata, I was wrong. I'm sorry. I hurt you, and I promise I'll make it up to you. We'll get married someday, have a couple of kids, and find a quiet place to settle down."
In short, apologize first, then make up some details about his relationship with Ino.
Of course, the other party must already know that he and Ino has a thing.
So at this time, he should first explain his difficulties and make the other party sympathize.
He skipped over the details and finally emphasized that he and Hinata had been in love for so many years, playing the emotional card.
Finally, he promised to spend more time with her, but he didn't say he wouldn't spend time with Ino. He did want to find a quiet place to settle down, but he didn't say he would live there with Hinata alone.
Moral bottom lines can be flexible and words didn't need to be absolute. There's always room for adjustments in the future.
"R-Really?"
Held in his arms, listening to his words, Hinata couldn't help but recall the past, and tears immediately came down.
The Hyuga Clan is a Noble Shinobi Clan, a wealthy and powerful clan. It is indeed difficult for Naruto to get in. Most of the members of the Hyuga Clan kept to themselves, rarely forming close bonds outside the clan.
She had always envied Ino, as her family would not object to her doing what she likes and bravely liking someone she likes.
But being born into the Hyuga Clan means being born with shackles on her body, and even love came with restrictions.
"I promise." Naruto hugged Hinata and patted her back gently.
When he vaguely felt his shoulder was a little wet and the person in his arms was trembling, he couldn't help but move away a little, looked at her, and bent down to kiss her.
Everything flowed naturally until Hinata blushed as they parted. Hinata looked at him infatuatedly, smiled and then suddenly frowned.
"What's wrong?" Naruto noticed Hinata's abnormality and asked softly.
"My father knows what happened between us and also knows about Ino, so... my father has some misunderstandings about you." Hinata said hesitantly, biting her lower lip.
"Do you want me to explain it to him?" She asked.
"No, no!" Naruto shook his head repeatedly, 'Are you kidding? Hiashi already disliked him for a long time. Why would I walk into a beating on my own?'
"Why not?"
"Because the matter is too complicated, and only you, as someone involved, would understand and believe me." Naruto explained.
"But your father wouldn't believe these words, and neither will anyone else. Telling them will only deepen the misunderstandings. What if your father objects to you marrying me in the future? Wouldn't I be alone for the rest of my life?"
"That won't happen." Hinata smiled, "But, what you said makes sense, so let's talk about it later, okay?"
"Yeah. Even if the whole world doesn't believe me, as long as you believe in me, Hinata, I don't care what others think." Naruto said affectionately.