"Good, good, good, well done, Lady Hinata, you really got into it quickly, much better than the previous takes!"
Director Wada generously praised Hyuga Hinata, and although her face flushed, she humbly accepted the compliments, inserting lines like 'It's nothing...' 'It's all thanks to the director's guidance...' and so on.
After finishing his words, Director Wada returned to the camera to watch the footage again.
Once Director Wada left, Hyuga Hinata turned around and spoke to Uchiha Yoichi in a slightly serious tone, "Mr. Yoichi, earlier... it was supposed to be just a peck, so why... why did you use your tongue? This is too much..."
"Huh? But previously, Lady Hinata, didn't you have no objections? And it's happened a few times already, you even said it's fine, now why are you..."
Uchiha Yoichi asked Hyuga Hinata with a 'bewildered' expression, faking a very genuine emotion to show his incredulity; even though he had kissed Hyuga Hanabi several times earlier, there hadn't been any tongue involved, but Hyuga Hanabi was really proactive.
However, Uchiha Yoichi was almost certain that Hyuga Hinata wouldn't question Hyuga Hanabi about this, even though they are sisters, it's hard to talk about things like French kissing.
"Eh? Was it me just now?"
Hyuga Hinata's face turned red, and she quickly recalled that Hyuga Hanabi had replaced her in the kiss scene, and Mr. Yoichi might be referring to Hanabi.
Thinking about Hyuga Hanabi's enthusiasm for filming, Hyuga Hinata immediately believed Uchiha Yoichi's words. If that's the case, then maybe it wasn't Mr. Yoichi's fault.
"Sorry, Mr. Yoichi, I forgot... But, for future scenes like this, can we... not do it again, no more tongue..."
Hyuga Hinata said, feeling somewhat embarrassed. She was a married woman who wanted to try acting, but doing such acts with another unfamiliar man felt inappropriate, almost like a betrayal to her family.
"I don't mind, but Lady Hinata, you probably should speak with the director, otherwise if we keep reshooting... I don't have that much time; it might be better for the director to find someone else."
Uchiha Yoichi shook his head as he spoke.
Yet, Hyuga Hinata felt a bit anxious after hearing this—if reshoots were caused by her, wouldn't she be delaying the whole crew? And if Mr. Yoichi were to quit, it must be because of her, leaving Hyuga Hinata unsure of what to do.
In the Ninja World, there was an unspoken custom that if you caused trouble for others, you made a big mistake.
Hyuga Hinata worried that if she were the reason for a failed production at the end, the blame would be enormous...
"I—I'll think about it..."
Hyuga Hinata whispered, her fingers tightly clenching together, her emotions incredibly complex.
Before long, Director Wada approached Hyuga Hinata and Uchiha Yoichi, saying, "You both did great just now, but can you shoot a few more takes? I feel that Lady Hinata might have a new breakthrough in her acting, it will surely elevate this drama further."
Hyuga Hinata hesitantly replied, "Eh? But..."
"Please, Lady Hinata, this drama is almost finished."
After hearing Director Wada's words, Hyuga Hinata blushingly agreed. She could only think of using Hanabi's Transformation Jutsu to explain her presence.
Once the cameras were set up, Uchiha Yoichi once again savored Hyuga Hinata's lips and delicate palate twice, which had a citrus-like freshness, probably due to her consuming candies beforehand, smooth and tender like a perfect delicacy.
And she would shyly hide within, playing hide-and-seek with Uchiha Yoichi in the small space.
Just as Hyuga Hinata felt she was about to suffocate from lack of air in her breaths, she heard Director Wada call 'cut,' then her inner strength surged, propelling Uchiha Yoichi away as he was still kissing her.
"Whew... Mr. Yoichi, cut!"
Hyuga Hinata blushed furiously, panting and telling Uchiha Yoichi, then wiped off the corner of her lips, feeling too bashful inside to look at Uchiha Yoichi.
"Sorry, Lady Hinata, I got a bit carried away acting, it really felt like we were in the scene, didn't you feel the same?"
Uchiha Yoichi quickly apologized, and under his immediate apology, Hyuga Hinata's anger dissipated slightly, turning her head saying, "A little, yes, a little bit..."
She was focused entirely on getting this scene over with, so she was especially earnest, luckily Director Wada called 'cut.'
"Perfect, you two, this take was excellent, and with that, the drama ends here. I believe it will certainly become popular!"
Director Wada stepped forward with a smile, praising Hyuga Hinata and Uchiha Yoichi. He then continued, "Now that both of your scenes have been completed, we're moving to the final stages. The TV broadcast of your debut performances will be soon. Do you have time now to join us for a wrap-up meal..."
"I'll pass, Director, I have someone at home who needs my care."
Hearing this, Hyuga Hinata quickly declined, and then apologized. She really wanted to return home to take care of her family, and staying to face Uchiha Yoichi would feel awkward. After all, even though it was acting, she had just passionately kissed this person for quite some time, even using her tongue...
"Is that so? What a pity, then Lady Hinata, you should head back. The screening and compensation discussions will be handled by our staff at your place."
Hyuga Hinata gave a slight bow and said, "I understand, thank you, Director Wada."
Director Wada replied, "No need to thank me, really. It's us who are grateful. Thanks to Lady Hinata's acceptance of the invitation, and we hope that you won't refuse future roles suited for you. You truly have a natural talent for acting!"
There was indeed a hidden agenda, but since everything went smoothly, Director Wada didn't hold back on his praise.
As for Uchiha Yoichi, he also took his leave. All he had to do now was wait for the next drama.
He wasn't worried at all if this drama would be a hit. Even if it was a piece of trash, wrapped in money, everyone would praise it.
So, this drama will definitely become popular, spreading across the Ninja World, and Hyuga Hinata will become a household name. When countless fans wish for a sequel, with Hinata's gentle nature, as long as her family doesn't object, she will likely return to filming.
At that time, the scope will gradually expand from kissing to hugging, then to more intimate scenes, with the ultimate goal being a Category III film. However, by then, the entire crew should be replaced with Uchiha Yoichi's people, or just use clones. Even with the Rinnegan, it's hard to distinguish his clones.
A direct approach wouldn't work with a loyal person like Lady Hinata. Only subtle traps can gradually lead her into it, by the time she realizes, it'll be too late to escape.
-----------------------------
"Temari, what brings you here? Not feeling well?"
At Konoha Hospital, Sakura suddenly saw Temari walking with a medical report and approached her to say hello.
"Sakura? It's nothing... I'm just pregnant, came here to confirm."
Temari was momentarily stunned to see Sakura and instinctively wanted to hide the report, but recalling Shikamaru already knew, she didn't conceal it and directly revealed the situation.
"Huh? Pregnant? Really..."
After looking at the medical report, Sakura found that Temari was indeed pregnant. A sense of envy inexplicably arose in her heart, and she teased with a smile, "Shikamaru's quite something. But you need to take care of yourself, you're not two months in yet, so try to avoid that thing..."
"That thing..."
Temari blushed and then pulled Sakura closer, whispering, "Sakura, does doing such things really affect the baby?" Although she had given birth to Nara Shikatai before, Shikamaru had taken good care of her then.
Recalling past events, a feeling of guilt washed over Temari. She felt she had wronged Shikamaru by betraying and carrying someone else's child.
Sakura cast a curious glance at Temari, then affirmed, "Of course, it's not advisable in the first three months of pregnancy. It's not good for the baby. Shikamaru should know this; last time he asked many Medical Ninjas about pregnant women, so this time he should take great care of you too."
Realizing it's not good for the baby, Temari thought back to those exhaustive days and worried slightly about the baby.
But then she reassured herself that the guy was a Pharmacist, and every time after being vigorous, she felt her body recovering quickly, as if she was regaining her youth. With that in mind, Temari stopped worrying.
Temari nodded and said to Sakura, "I understand now, Sakura, thank you for telling me these things..."
"It's just a small matter. But everything's going well for you guys, you're pregnant, and Hinata's becoming a star, that's wonderful..."
Sakura said enviously. Lately, the drama Hinata starred in was about to air, and Director Wada was often seen promoting it on TV, praising Hyuga Hinata unabashedly; saying that despite boldly casting two newcomers, the outcome was surely a deeply moving drama and so on.
Now, nearly everyone in Konoha knew that Hyuga Hinata, by coincidence, was chosen by a renowned director to star in a drama and was about to become a celebrity.
Sakura could only envy Hinata and Temari's situations, wishing she could have a few children of her own. Otherwise, the vast Uchiha Race now only had three members, with herself marrying into the Uchiha without even having the Sharingan.
Unfortunately, when Sasuke returned to Konoha, he didn't even come home before leaving again. Now Sarada didn't know her father had been back. Sakura kept this a secret, thinking mentioning it would only cause unnecessary worry. She also deep down hoped to have a few more children for the Uchiha Race...