"No, no, I can't do this, I'm a married woman…"
Hyuga Hinata's face showed hesitation, but then she looked determined as she refused.
Then she turned around and left directly, though tears hung at the corners of her eyes.
"Cut!"
Director Wada yelled for a stop, then walked over to stand between Hyuga Hinata and Uchiha Yoichi, clapping hard as he said, "That was great, Lady Hinata. I knew I wasn't wrong about you—you're a natural for the actor's path. These past few days of shooting you've really been performing beyond expectations…"
Uchiha Yoichi couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at the side. It was tailor‑made for Hyuga Hinata—how could it possibly not suit her?
A whole string of flattering words poured nonstop from Director Wada's mouth—the famous big director of the Ninja World—which made Hyuga Hinata blush slightly. A bit embarrassed, she said, "Not at all, it's all because of your good direction, Director…"
"I do sometimes give rookie actors a bit of encouragement, but this time it really is because you did a great job, Lady Hinata. If you don't believe me, you can ask Lady Hanabi."
After Director Wada spoke, Hyuga Hanabi, who was standing next to them, immediately smiled and said, "Sis, your performance just now was really good. You've really got a knack for acting!"
"Really…?"
Hyuga Hinata's cheeks flushed, and she couldn't help feeling a bit secretly pleased. She liked watching dramas; if she could see herself on TV someday, that would be even better. The shooting over the past two days had given her a lot of confidence, making Hyuga Hinata lean more and more toward acting in her heart.
As long as nothing happened at home and they didn't need her there, Hyuga Hinata would probably just stay with the crew.
"I never thought you'd come act in a drama too. I thought you only liked staying at home doing Alchemy."
Hyuga Hanabi looked over at Uchiha Yoichi beside her, asking in some surprise.
It really surprised her that a Yin Yang Master would cameo in a drama.
Uchiha Yoichi said casually, "This director suddenly invited me, and he also agreed to advertise my pharmacy after the drama airs… Besides, filming a drama actually feels pretty interesting—kind of a way to kill time. Lady Hinata, that was a nice performance just now."
"Mr. Yoichi, you flatter me. Your acting is way better than mine…"
Hyuga Hinata hurriedly bowed as she spoke. That was also what she truly felt—when she'd been stared at by Uchiha Yoichi's fiery gaze just now, she'd actually felt a bit flustered.
After chatting a bit more, Uchiha Yoichi took the initiative to leave.
Then, while the set was being adjusted, Hyuga Hinata picked up the script and pulled Hyuga Hanabi to the side, asking in a low voice, "Hanabi, why are there kissing scenes in here too? Isn't that… isn't that kind of not so good…"
"Sis, this is a romance drama—of course there are kissing scenes. Hehehe. You're worried it'll feel like you're betraying Naruto, right?"
Hyuga Hanabi chuckled twice, then went on, "If that's the case, just talk to Naruto tonight when you get home. Then tomorrow go find Director Wada and ask him to help you fix it—either cut that scene, or get a stand‑in…"
"Won't that cause trouble for the director?"
Hyuga Hinata asked worriedly. She was always someone who thought of others; she'd rather trouble herself than bother someone else.
"It's the only way."
Hyuga Hinata tightened her grip on the script slightly, and after barely taking a break, she was called over by Director Wada to shoot the next scene.
Of the scenes that followed, only one needed a retake; the rest were all done in a single shot. Hyuga Hinata inevitably received a lot of praise, which made her gradually start to enjoy this feeling.
Near sunset, Director Wada finally announced that today's shoot was successfully finished and told everyone to pack up.
"Hold on a moment—Mr. Yoichi, Lady Hinata, and Lady Hanabi…"
After wrap‑up, Director Wada called the three of them back, took out a few phone boxes, and handed them over as he said, "These are new products developed by the boss who invested in the drama—mobile phones. They can be used to make calls or do other things. Simply put, they're a combination of a computer and a telephone. There's a manual inside; you can try them out when you get home."
After the Tenseigan Clone obtained the Pioneer's Manufacturing Assistant, it took less than two days to completely perfect the phone. Given the Pioneer's level of technology, something like a phone really wasn't worth mentioning; even the software applications took less than two days.
"Eh, so this is the phone they were talking about in that TV commercial a couple days ago? It looks pretty nice…"
Hyuga Hanabi took one and looked it over, sounding a bit surprised. What interested her about the phone was mainly that it could make quick calls even over a distance of a thousand kilometers, and it was very small—perfect for a Ninja.
"That's right. You can take your time exploring it when you get home. It won't officially launch until next month—I only managed to get my hands on these thanks to the investor. Every actor gets one, so please accept them."
Hearing Director Wada say that, Hyuga Hinata and Hyuga Hanabi no longer stood on ceremony. They accepted the phones with nods and words of thanks.
After they broke up, the sisters went together to the Hyuga Clan, where Hyuga Hinata needed to pick up Himawari. Walking down the street, the two Hyuga sisters' looks drew a lot of attention, especially since Hyuga Hinata still had her makeup on. Compared to her usual housewife look, she attracted even more gazes.
After bringing Uzumaki Himawari home, Hyuga Hanabi came along as well and helped Hyuga Hinata make a lavish dinner, under the pretext of celebrating Hyuga Hinata's first performance.
When Uzumaki Naruto came home, the whole family, together with Hyuga Hanabi, started digging in.
"Mom, how was today's performance?"
Uzumaki Boruto had just taken a bite when he couldn't help asking; but before Hyuga Hinata could answer, Hyuga Hanabi put down her chopsticks first and said, "Big Sis's acting today is definitely going to blow your minds. The director praised her several times. Once this drama is finished, you'll be able to see her on TV!"
"Eh, really, Mom?"
Hearing that, Uzumaki Boruto's face lit up with joy. "I'm about to become the son of a big star!"
Uzumaki Naruto hurriedly said from the side, "Hey, hey, Boruto, right now you're the son of the Seventh Generation Hokage!"
"There's nothing special about being the Hokage's son. Being a big star's son is way better!"
Uzumaki Boruto tilted his head as he spoke. He didn't have any good feelings toward the Hokage at all, and after telling his classmates today that his mom was going to become a big star, it had already stirred up a lot of envy.
"How can you say that...."
Uzumaki Naruto's face fell, which immediately made Hyuga Hinata and Himawari burst out laughing.
After that, Hyuga Hanabi also brought up the matter of the phone, which again stirred Uzumaki Boruto's envy and Uzumaki Naruto's curiosity. The rest of dinner passed amid Hyuga Hanabi's bragging and explanations.
Later that night when they were getting ready to sleep, Hyuga Hinata had planned to tell Uzumaki Naruto about the kissing scene in the script, but when she returned to the room and saw that Uzumaki Naruto was already asleep, she hesitated for a moment and decided not to say anything yet. She couldn't bear to disturb Mr. Naruto's rest.
That same late night, over at the Nara Family.
Since Uzumaki Naruto had gone home to rest, Nara Shikamaru stayed behind on duty at the Hokage Office.
After bringing Nara Shikamaru his dinner, Temari left the Hokage Building and headed home; just as she stepped out of the Hokage Building, she placed her hand on her lower belly and gently stroked it. She could already feel a tiny life taking shape inside.
Looking back at the brightly lit Hokage Building, Temari's heart was full of guilt as she silently thought, "I'm sorry, Shikamaru... I'm sorry....."
Thinking of the "torment" she'd been subjected to last time, Temari immediately felt uncomfortable all over. She wanted to resist in her heart, but every time she was home alone, she would stuff herself completely full and, amid the buzzing vibrations, seek out true pleasure.
"The number of times should already be enough. Better to get this week's one over with early..."
On her way back, this thought suddenly popped into Temari's mind; and once it appeared, she felt an uncontrollable heat rising in her body, and her pace home quickened.
She soon arrived home. Seeing that Lu Dai had already gone back to his room to rest, she quietly took out the pink oval ball and cylinder she had hidden in the house, but when she took them out and looked, Temari frowned slightly.
"Why is there still one short...."
Seeing the number 19 displayed on it, Temari remembered that last time, just before the very last bit of time was up, she had been interrupted by Shikamaru's sudden return, so it hadn't been recorded.
"There might not be another chance like today, and besides...."
Temari hesitated for a while, then took those few items and left the house, avoiding anyone she might run into as she headed toward Yoichi Pharmacy.
Very soon, she arrived at Yoichi Pharmacy. After making sure no one was around, Temari finally dared to knock and ring the doorbell.
After ten seconds or so, Uchiha Yoichi came down from upstairs. Seeing Temari, he was a bit surprised.
He had originally planned to study some Combat Skill and Cultivation Techniques tonight, and hadn't expected Temari to take the initiative to come to him. She really wasn't going to let him do anything proper.
Uchiha Yoichi stepped aside to let Temari in, then pulled her into his arms and sealed her lips with a kiss.
The two of them stayed like that at the shop entrance until Temari's breathing turned ragged, and only then did he let her go.
By then Temari's clothes were already rumpled, exposing large swaths of enticing scenery.
Uchiha Yoichi smiled and said, "Couldn't hold back anymore, Lady Temari? Actually coming to look for me of your own accord..."
Temari felt both ashamed and angry. She lowered her head and said, "You forced me to come. Shikamaru's not home today—this is my only chance...."
"So, have you reached the required number of times? I'm pretty sure I told you: only after you hit twenty times can you come to me on your own. If you don't, you know what the consequences are."
"I'm s-still one short.... I'll finish it in a bit..."
Temari muttered softly. Talking about this made her feel her dignity being trampled, but she had no way to resist the man in front of her; she was terrified of Shikamaru finding out, and buried deep in her heart there was still a tiny hint of anticipation—for another taste of that blissful experience from last time.
"Still one short, huh. Then finish yourself off right now. Only after the number's complete can you go upstairs!"
Uchiha Yoichi folded his arms across his chest and said to the Temari standing before him, "Right here. Each time only takes twenty minutes, it'll be over quickly. Get to it, Lady Temari!"
"H-here? I have to do it here?"
Hearing that, Temari's face flushed with shame and anger, but seeing how utterly unconcerned Uchiha Yoichi looked, she finally compromised.