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When school ended, Hanabi returned home.
She found it odd that her sister hadn't come to pick her up today. After all, one of their squad members had been injured and couldn't go on missions. (Yamato: That's right! That's me!)
"Could Sis be training again? Ugh, seriously… Even if she wants to catch up with Neji-nii, this is overkill. If she keeps going like this, her body's going to give out. Tsk, now I'm the one who has to worry about her!"
Muttering under her breath, Hanabi quickly changed into her white training uniform and headed to the practice room.
It must've been because she and Hinata had teamed up and still couldn't defeat Neji-nii last time. Training this hard would only hurt her.
Even though she grumbled, Hanabi was clearly worried about her sister. Hinata always seemed gentle, but she was incredibly stubborn on the inside.
Once she made up her mind, no one could change it. Add to that her shyness and silence it made Hanabi worry herself sick.
But… that was exactly the kind of sister she loved.
Hanabi thought to herself that when she saw her sister, she'd definitely lecture her maybe even bring up Neji-nii.
Tell her that if she keeps overtraining, she'll tattle on her to Neji-nii and get her scolded. Rest and training need a balance!
As she walked down the hallway, Hanabi frowned. She didn't hear any training noises.
"Big Sis? Are you in there?"
She opened the training room door and froze, covering her mouth in shock.
What did she just see!?
Neji-nii was giving Hinata a lap pillow!
So unfair!! She was so jealous!!
"Ah, Hanabi-chan, you're back,"
Neji opened his eyes mid-meditation and turned toward her.
She, his number one little fangirl, stood frozen. Her long, black straight hair (similar to Neji's) swayed slightly. One long lock draped down in front, giving her a slightly messy look.
"N-N-Neji-nii…!"
Seeing his open eyes, Hanabi stammered helplessly.
Oh no! His eyes are back! What do I do!? Do I look okay right now!?
She'd planned to show her best self to Neji-nii once he got his eyesight back.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Overwhelmed, she squatted down and covered her face.
Sniff sniff…
She'd cried from frustration and panic.
Neji was stunned by her reaction.
Hinata also stirred at the sound of her sister's voice. She opened her eyes, only to see Neji's face inches from hers, and her heart skipped a beat.
Then she heard Hanabi's sobs and sat up quickly.
"Hanabi!"
"Sis… sniff… what do I do…?"
Even Hinata didn't know what to do now. She clenched her fists nervously.
Neji sighed.
First, he patted Hinata's head to calm her. Then he walked over and gently scooped Hanabi into his arms.
"It's my fault I should've told you two ahead of time like I promised. I just missed you both so much that I rushed over… and ended up making you cry."
"X﹏X sniff sniff!"
Hanabi sobbed into his chest, unable to speak. She was just a child, after all.
Hinata, now composed, managed to suppress the embarrassment of having used Neji's lap as a pillow. As the older sister, she gently comforted her little sister.
"It's okay, Hanabi. I'm here too. Even if Neji-nii bullies you… I'll punish him for it!"
She even waved a little fist though she was so shy she lowered her head afterward.
Neji couldn't help but smile at that. He reached over and patted Hinata's head too, like petting a kitten.
The three of them sat down. Neji continued comforting Hanabi until her sobs quieted.
"Sniff… It's not your fault, Neji-nii. I just panicked…"
Neji smiled. She was just like a fangirl seeing her idol so flustered that she made herself cry.
He remembered his own past life. Not crying over a celebrity, but once when he'd failed something he'd worked hard on… he'd been just as angry at himself.
"Alright, no more tears. Let me take a good look at our little beauty."
He wiped her tears with his sleeve, cupping her face and smiling warmly. Hanabi blushed deeply and finally let him go.
"As expected, my little Hanabi is such a cutie. You've probably got the entire Ninja Academy swooning over you."
"Pfft!"
Hanabi laughed and lightly punched Neji's arm.
"Neji-nii, you're the worst! You promised to tell us once your eyes were healed, and instead, you snuck up on us like this. So mean!"
"Hmph ╯^╰!"
Neji chuckled. Just a moment ago she said it wasn't his fault, and now it was again.
He pinched her cheek gently still soft and pudgy.
Hinata joined in, blushing.
"Exactly! You promised… and then ambushed us! And I—I…"
She trailed off, suddenly remembering the lap pillow, her whole face turning red.
Now the sisters were united against him, pointing fingers and shouting:
"It's all Neji-nii's fault!"
"Alright, alright—I admit I was wrong!"
He hadn't expected such a strong reaction and quickly apologized.
The girls lowered their heads, a bit bashful, and Neji smiled warmly.
"Finally, I get to see you both with my own eyes again."
Their hearts skipped a beat. Each girl held one of his hands tightly.
Hanabi hugged him again.
She had heard whispers from the clan about Neji's blindness rumors she never liked. She had always hoped he'd recover.
Hinata, though more isolated, also felt deep guilt. It was, after all, because of her that Neji had given up his eyes in the first place.
Neji smiled and said:
"There's something I want to ask you both. Would you be willing?"
The sisters exchanged glances. Hanabi tilted her head.
"Neji-nii, what is it? Why would we not be willing?"
Looking down at Hanabi still clinging to him, he explained:
"You know about the tattoos on my body, right?"
They nodded, confused about where he was going with this.
"I've been developing a type of seal with three functions…"
He explained the seal in detail. Their faces gradually turned red. They glanced at each other shyly but didn't speak.
Noticing this, Neji added:
"Don't worry I'll close my eyes when applying it. Just like I did when I gave one to Lee."
He didn't mention Tenten… his gut told him that might cause trouble.
Hinata flushed but said softly:
"If it's from Neji-nii… I don't mind."
Hanabi echoed:
"Me neither… I'm okay with it too!"
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