In the past, she wouldn't have dared to approach him...
"This isn't enough..."
Suddenly, a voice abruptly sounded behind Hinata.
Th-this is... She turned around and saw Ino's smiling face.
Though it still had tear stains.
"In-Ino?"
Ino, with a bright smile, walked up to Hinata and patted her tender, delicate shoulder.
"What, are you surprised?"
Hinata didn't know what to say.
There wasn't much interaction between the two of them.
Hinata was introverted and low-key, while Ino was cheerful and lively.
Moreover, Hinata only cared about Naruto, while Ino, along with Sakura and countless other infatuated girls, revolved around Sasuke.
"Oh, come on, we're classmates after all..."
"You're not going to be this wary of me, are you?"
Hinata quickly shook her head.
"No, it's not that, I just..."
"Alright, alright, I'm just teasing you. You really do take things seriously..."
Hinata also started to laugh.
"In-Ino, what did you just say wasn't enough?"
Ino chuckled, speaking mysteriously.
"Of course, it's your feelings..."
"My, my feelings?"
Hinata visibly panicked again.
"You like Naruto, don't you?"
Hinata was struck by lightning.
"Ah... I... How could you..."
Ino laughed, "Anyone with eyes can see it. Only that blockhead Naruto doesn't understand anything..."
"But Hinata, really, did you think you were hiding it well?"
It was the first time Hinata's thoughts had been so directly exposed, and her body trembled uncontrollably, her face flushing so red it looked like it was about to boil.
A little hotter, and she'd be smoking.
She quickly covered her burning red cheeks with both hands, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"D-did everyone see it?!"
"H-how could this be..."
Ino let out a giggle.
"It's not that exaggerated. At least there are plenty of blockheads in the class just like Naruto."
"Someone as understanding and perceptive as me is, after all, one in a hundred..."
Hinata sighed in relief.
She lowered her head, her face still bright red.
"Ino, is Sakura... still angry with me?"
Hearing Sakura's name, Ino's expression immediately darkened.
She gave a sad, self-deprecating smile.
"If anyone's angry, she's probably more angry with me..."
Hinata's thoughts were also delicate and sensitive, and she clearly understood Ino's meaning.
"I can understand..."
"Because Ino and Sakura, while seemingly at odds, have always been the best of friends..."
Ino stroked Hinata's hair and laughed.
"It's true that outsiders see clearly. As long as it's not about yourself, you really do see things clearly..."
Hinata worried, "So, is Sakura alright?"
Ino was silent for a moment.
"In her eyes, I'm probably a betrayer of friendship..."
"After all, I stood on your and Naruto's side..."
"And not on her side, her best friend."
Hinata also fell silent.
But Ino laughed, "Don't worry, she'll be fine. It's just that some things have developed recently not to her liking..."
"But how can everything in the world go as one wishes?"
"This world doesn't revolve around anyone..."
"Sakura should understand this too..."
Hinata said, "Are you talking about Sasuke?"
"No, not..."
Ino shook her head, "How to put it, rather than Sasuke, it's more about Naruto..."
"Na-Naruto?"
"Could Sakura also..."
Ino teased with a smile, "Oh, when it comes to Naruto, you really are sensitive..."
"Sakura is definitely not someone who would easily change her affections..."
"She will always like Sasuke."
"It's just that in the past, Naruto always hovered around her, being attentive, and even if she punched and kicked him, Naruto wouldn't mind and would still cling to her. But now..."
Hinata understood what she meant.
Naruto these past few days really seemed like a changed person... Although, no matter how he changed, it didn't affect her feelings for him.
"Is it disappointment?"
Hinata whispered.
Ino sighed, "Perhaps a little..."
"Sometimes people are like that; even if it's not someone or something they like, they always feel a sense of loss once they lose it..."
Hinata couldn't help but secretly cover her mouth and chuckle.
Ino glared at her.
"What are you laughing at?"
Hinata softly laughed, "Because... Ino speaks so maturely, like an old man..."
Ino snorted, "That's called maturity, maturity!"
She looked at Hinata's smiling face, and her heart stirred slightly, thinking of a question that had troubled her for a long time.
"Hey, Hinata..."
"Hmm?"
The two walked side by side, and Ino couldn't help but turn her head to ask.
"Naruto..."
"He always pestered Sakura so much before. Seeing that, didn't you feel wronged and pained?"
Hinata lowered her head, blushing, but she shook her head without hesitation.
"No."
"Then what if he never likes you?"
Hinata's eyes reflected the twilight of dusk.
"I will wait for him forever."
Ino was startled, "What if you never wait for him?"
Hinata shyly but firmly whispered.
"Then I'll watch him from afar..."
"Praying and wishing him happiness."
Ino looked at Hinata in surprise.
The setting sun cast a golden glow on her small figure.
At this moment, Hinata, in Ino's eyes, even had a sense of sanctity... Chapter 31 Naruto vs. Sasuke! A Thousand-Year Fated Showdown! Please give monthly votes!!!
Ino couldn't help but stare blankly.
"Little Hinata, you say I'm mature, but you, saying such things, are actually the truly mature one, aren't you?"
"How, how old are you, to see these things so clearly?"
Hinata blushed and shook her head.
"I... I just overthink things..."
Ino was silent for a moment, stroking her chin in thought.
If it were her... what would happen if she could never wait for the moment Sasuke liked her?
Hinata saw through her thoughts.
"What would Ino do?"
Ino, uncharacteristically, also blushed.
"Ah, well..."
"Hahaha, to be honest, I don't know either..."
"But I'm probably not as great as you, little Hinata. If I saw Sasuke-kun with someone else, I'd probably still be very sad..."
Hinata nodded, "Sa-sadness is definitely going to happen..."
Ino said, "Then how can you say such mature things?"
Hinata thought for a moment.
"I think, if you like someone, you should hope to see him happy."
"What about ourselves?"
Ino asked, hands on her hips.