Hinata could feel the atmosphere at the dinner table becoming increasingly tense—like an invisible pressure had settled over the room.
Just then, a voice called out from outside, cutting through the strained silence like a kunai through still air. Hinata, who had been hoping to avoid any uncomfortable conversations by letting her father handle clan matters, paused when she heard his cold voice speak.
"I have other matters to attend to. You may leave for now."
"But Clan Head… this concerns the young—"
"I said leave. Do not make me repeat myself."
"…Yes, sir!"
After a moment of stillness, the soft shuffle of departing footsteps echoed beyond the sliding doors. The guests had withdrawn.
Hinata sensed that her father was still displeased about something. She lowered her gaze and tried to disappear into her rice bowl, cheeks burning from discomfort.
"…Hinata."
"Y-Yes, Father?"
The sound of Hyuga Hiashi calling her name startled her. Fearing she had done something wrong again, she braced herself for a reprimand.
But instead, his tone was unexpectedly neutral.
"I heard that you made a friend at the Academy."
…?
Hinata blinked in confusion. She was sure she had never told him that. Perhaps she had mentioned it in passing to her mother… or Hanabi… but never directly to him.
"…Naruto Uzumaki, is it?"
!!
Her eyes widened as her heart skipped a beat. She knew what was coming—You are a Hyuga. You must maintain dignity. You cannot associate with someone like him…
"You are of the Hyuga clan. How could you not have friends?"
…Eh?
Hinata looked up blankly, a tiny grain of rice clinging to the corner of her mouth, making her look unintentionally adorable.
And then—unbelievably—she saw it.
Her father stood up calmly and, with a folded handkerchief, wiped the speck of rice from her cheek.
!!
Hinata was stunned. Something felt… off. Terribly off. Her father—Hyuga Hiashi—doing that?
She glanced toward her mother, her mind reeling. Was this a genjutsu? Was she still unconscious from the time she swooned after seeing Naruto smile?
Maybe… maybe she was dreaming…
"Tomorrow," Hiashi continued, his voice composed, "your mother has prepared a bento. You may invite Naruto Uzumaki to our home."
"What?!"
Hinata's voice cracked as she cried out in disbelief. She stared at her father's stoic expression, then turned to her mother, who wore a soft smile tinged with amusement.
She couldn't think straight—her thoughts spun like shuriken in a whirlwind.
Her father… was acting very, very strange.
Invite Naruto-kun… to her house?
Did this mean…?
Meet the parents?!
Hinata's entire face flushed a deep crimson. Her body trembled slightly—and then she fainted with a soft thud.
Watching from the side, Hanabi clapped her hands in delight.
"Mother, look! Big Sis fainted again!"
"I told you," Hanabi giggled mischievously, "Big Sis's brain overheats every time she thinks about that Naruto guy~!"