"Shinho-kun?"
Hinata's soft voice called out as she noticed him spacing out.
"Hmm?"
Shinho snapped back to attention, casually asking, "I remember this was your first time leaving the village. How did it feel?"
Hinata, being the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan's main branch, had been sheltered.
After graduating from the Academy, Hiashi Hyuga had personally visited the Hokage's office with a single request—to not allow Hinata to go on missions outside the village. The reason was simple: she wasn't marked with the Caged Bird seal.
In the underground black markets, Sharingan and Byakugan were highly sought after, with Byakugan being particularly valuable. A pair of Byakugan could fetch a higher price than even Asuma Sarutobi's bounty.
Hinata was a walking treasure in that aspect.
Eventually, Tsunade's persuasion, along with the assurance that a Wood Release user like Yamato would be accompanying her, had convinced Hiashi to reluctantly agree.
"It was fascinating," Hinata replied, smiling lightly after overcoming her initial nervousness. "I saw many things that were different from the Leaf Village."
"Wasn't it tiring?" Shinho asked, his gaze softening as he looked at her.
"Not at all," Hinata replied, raising her tiny fists confidently. "I'm not a pampered princess."
Shinho couldn't help but laugh as a phrase popped into his mind: "I'm not a delicate queen either."
[tl/n: some reference?]
Hinata, confused by his laughter, grew a little more self-conscious. "W-What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Shinho shook his head, smiling. "You're just cute."
Hinata froze for a few seconds, processing his words. When she finally realized what he'd said, her cheeks turned pink, and her heart fluttered with excitement.
"Do you know what a movie theatre is?" Shinho suddenly remembered the two movie tickets he had gotten from Naruto a while back. With a couple of free days ahead, it was the perfect opportunity.
"A movie theatre?" Hinata tilted her head, thinking for a moment before answering, "I've heard about them. They're like bigger versions of movies in TV, right?"
"That's one way to think about it," Shinho said with a smile as he pulled out the tickets. "Wanna go watch one movie on a theatre?"
"Eh?!" Hinata's eyes widened in surprise, her face a mixture of disbelief and excitement.
"Is it really that shocking?" Shinho reached out and flicked her forehead lightly.
"S-Sorry!" Hinata instinctively covered her forehead, apologizing.
"You've just gotten back from a mission. Are you sure you don't want to rest first?" Shinho asked, amused by her reaction.
"No, no, I'm fine!" Hinata shook her head quickly.
A movie with Shinho-kun? How could she possibly sleep now? She was already brimming with excitement, eager to spend time with him.
"Alright then," Shinho stood up. "Let's head to the theater."
"Okay!" Hinata followed him out of her room, her heart racing in anticipation.
There was one movie theater in the Leaf Village.
In the original series, there was even a mention of Make-Out Paradise being adapted into a film, a small Easter egg that fans had discovered only after multiple analyses. Considering the content, it wasn't surprising.
"I wonder if Princess Gale is playing today," Shinho remarked, glancing at the hot weather. "Hopefully, we're lucky enough to catch it."
"It doesn't matter," Hinata responded, smiling softly. For her, just being with him was enough to make her happy.
"Let's get some ice cream first," Shinho suggested as they passed by an ice cream shop.
"Mm-hmm," Hinata nodded obediently, happy to follow his lead.
Before long, Hinata was holding a popsicle in her hand. She took a tentative lick, shivering as the cold hit her. "Ah, it's so cold!"
Watching her, Shinho couldn't help but recall a humorous image—someone in the north with their tongue stuck to ice. He stifled a laugh at the thought.
Clearing his mind of such thoughts, Shinho took a bite of his own popsicle. "Summer's not bad at all."
"I like winter," Hinata replied softly, casting a glance at him before shyly looking away.
"Why?" Shinho asked curiously.
"No reason," Hinata said, her gaze lowering as she focused on her popsicle.
The truth was, she liked winter because, on a snowy day long ago, Shinho had come to her rescue, like a hero rescuing a princess. Since then, winter had held a special meaning for her.
As they chatted casually, they eventually arrived at the theater.
Shinho quickly finished his popsicle and looked at the poster displays outside the theater.
They were in luck—Princess Gale was indeed showing, though they'd have to wait another thirty minutes for the next screening.
"Do you want anything to snack on during the movie?" Shinho asked with a smile. "We have some time, so I can grab us some snacks."
"I'm fine with anything," Hinata replied sweetly, nibbling on her popsicle like a little kitten.
"Alright," Shinho patted her head. "Wait here for me."
Hinata watched him walk away, a soft blush on her cheeks as a smile crept onto her face.
A short while later, Shinho returned with snacks in hand—takoyaki, red bean cakes, and onigiri.
"So much?" Hinata blinked in surprise.
"Don't worry, it won't go to waste," Shinho assured her as he handed the tickets to the staff at the counter.
"Please head to Theater 1. The movie will begin in ten minutes," the staff member informed them.
"Thank you," Shinho said as he handed Hinata a red bean cake.
The two of them made their way inside the theater.
"There's not many people here," Shinho remarked, scanning the room, noting there were fewer than fifteen people in the audience.
It made sense, though. In a world constantly embroiled in conflict, only a few could afford the luxury of enjoying something like a movie.
For most ninjas, busy with missions, going to the theater was probably the last thing on their minds.
Hinata, holding her red bean cake, looked around curiously. Everything was new and exciting for her, from the seats to the dimly lit atmosphere.
"Wow, the screen is so huge," she said in awe, her eyes wide as she took in the sight of the large projection screen.
"This isn't even that big," Shinho chuckled, remembering the massive screens he'd seen in his previous life.
"Have you seen bigger screens, Shinho-kun?" Hinata asked, admiration shining in her pale eyes.
"If you're interested, I can tell you more about it next time," Shinho said, opening the container of takoyaki and picking up a piece with a wooden skewer.
"Mmm," Hinata leaned in and took a bite, her cheeks puffing slightly as she chewed. "It's really good!"
Shinho smiled at her happy expression.
"Shinho-kun, you should have some," Hinata said, offering him a piece of her red bean cake.
"Thanks," Shinho took a bite, while Hinata's face suddenly turned bright red as she realized the indirect intimacy of the gesture.
"I'll just take this one, then," Shinho chuckled, picking up the rest of the red bean cake.
Hinata, flustered, pressed her lips together as she shyly looked away.
At that moment, the lights dimmed, and the large screen flickered to life.
The opening scene showed a beautifully dressed woman in a luxurious kimono, her face adorned with heavy makeup.
It was Fujikaze Yukie—otherwise known as Koyuki Kazahana.
In the original series, this was her appearance after she became a daimyo. Her bright red lipstick and elaborate makeup making her look stunningly elegant.
"So beautiful!"
Hinata exclaimed in awe, her gaze fixed on the screen.
"That's Fujikaze Yukie, the most famous movie star currently," Shinho explained.
"Really?" Hinata said, chewing on her red bean cake. "Shinho-kun, are you a fan of hers?"
"I'm not," Shinho shook his head with a light chuckle. "This is my first time watching one of her movies."
"First time?" Hinata's heart filled with joy at his words.
Shinho glanced at her, noticing her unusually cheerful mood. It seemed the psychological effects of her first kill had already faded.
As the movie started, they fell into silence, respecting the unspoken rule of silence in the theater to avoid disturbing others' experience.
The film told the story of Koyuki Kazahana, also known as Princess Gale, a real-life princess from the Land of Snow. In fact, much of the plot was a fictionalized version of her actual experiences.
Her uncle, Doto Kazahana, had murdered her father, Kazahana Sosetsu, to seize the throne. His true goal, however, was not just power—it was the mysterious treasure of the Kazahana family.
In the movie, the nature of the treasure wasn't clearly revealed, but Shinho knew from his memories that it was a powerful generator capable of warming the freezing land. The Land of Snow was famous for its advanced technology, including trains and airships, an example to the unique blend of tech and ninja world.
This confirmed that the story of the Land of Snow had indeed taken place in this world.
Shinho rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Perhaps one day, when he had time, he'd visit the Land of Snow himself—there might even be some achievements to unlock.
His mind drifted to his growing collection of strength-related Gu worms; gathering a full set seemed more enticing than ever.
The movie lasted for two and a half hours, and by the time it finished, it was already noon.
"Did you enjoy it?" Shinho asked, turning to Hinata.
He suddenly noticed something different about her hair. From this angle, it wasn't purely black but had a soft, almost lavender hue. The sight reminded him of a lyric from a song.
"Yes, I did!" Hinata nodded enthusiastically.
To her, the movie's story bore a resemblance to her own experience—Shinho, like the heroic characters in the film, had saved her.
In the movie, Princess Gale, with the help of her loyal companions, had finally overthrown her uncle and reclaimed her throne. The story had a happy ending, much like the feeling Hinata had now.
Shinho smiled at her reaction. To him, the plot had been rather predictable—typical, even. And the visual effects weren't particularly impressive, probably because the director hadn't been bold enough with his vision.
If Shinho were to direct such a movie, he would've hired actual jonin to make the fight scenes more dynamic. That would've been real "special effects."
The one redeeming factor was the lead actress—she was quite stunning.
As they left the theater, Shinho glanced up at the sun, now directly overhead. The snacks he had bought were long gone, all of them devoured by Hinata.
"Are you full?" Shinho asked, noticing the time and realizing it was lunchtime.
"Not really," Hinata admitted, a bit embarrassed as she lowered her head.
"Of course not," Shinho chuckled. "You've got quite the appetite."
"I..." Hinata's face flushed again, but before she could stammer an apology, Shinho cut her off with a smile.
"It's a good thing," he said, patting her head gently. "You're still growing, after all. You should eat plenty."
"Mm-hmm!" Hinata nodded, feeling relieved by his words.
"So, what do you feel like eating?" Shinho asked, withdrawing his hand. "There are lots of stalls nearby."
"I... I want to eat what you make," Hinata said shyly, gathering her courage to make the request.
"That works." Shinho thought for a moment. "I'll take you somewhere special."
Hinata looked at him curiously but followed without question as Shinho led her towards the Forest of Death.
"That tree!"
Hinata's eyes widened when they arrived at the giant tree with the hidden house. It was a place etched into her memory.
"We're going up," Shinho said, stepping onto the elevator platform before offering his hand to her.
Hinata froze for a moment, her heart racing. Is he... holding my hand?
Seeing her hesitation, Shinho gently took her hand and guided her onto the platform.
As they ascended, the cool breeze blew against them, helping Hinata regain her composure. Her palm, still holding Shinho's, began to sweat nervously.
Don't faint! Don't faint! She mentally chanted, trying to keep herself calm as they rose higher. Her breathing quickened, and tiny beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
When they reached the first level of the treehouse, Shinho let go of her hand and opened the door.
Hinata was immediately captivated by the interior. Last time, the place had been bare, but now it was fully furnished, even more luxurious than her home in the Hyuga compound.
"Make yourself at home," Shinho said as he rolled up his sleeves and headed towards the kitchen.
Half an hour later, an array of Sichuan dishes lay before Hinata.
Over the years, she had grown accustomed to spicy food. She had progressed from mild to medium spice.
"Ha...!"
Even so, after eating all the food, the spiciness hit her, and Hinata began blowing air in and out, trying to cool her burning tongue.
"Here."
Shinho handed her a glass of milk.
Hinata gratefully took it and gulped down several large mouthfuls, leaving a thin white line of milk down neck. She licked her lips, trying to rid herself of the heat, her breathing slowly returning to normal.
"You're really like a little kitten," Shinho remarked, grinning.
Hinata's face flushed pink once more.
"Cuter than a kitten, even." Shinho added.
Hinata lowered her head, her fingers tapping together in nervousness. She felt overwhelmed but also incredibly happy.
"I'll go wash the dishes," Shinho said, getting up and heading to the kitchen.
Hinata sat there, dazed, still processing his words.
When Shinho finished and returned, he found her still lost in thought. An amusing idea popped into his head.
"Hinata," Shinho said, sitting down across from her. "Does this count as a date?"
"Eh?!"
Hinata froze completely, her mind blank.
A date?
Does he mean... like a couple's date?
Is Shinho-kun confessing?!
Her skin flushed red, from her neck to her face and even to her ears. She reached her limit, steam seemingly rising from her head, and fainted backward.
"Again?"
Shinho quickly caught her around the waist, preventing her from falling to the floor.
I didn't even touch you this time!, he thought, puzzled by her response.
With a gentle shake of his head, Shinho laid her down on the bed. It seemed like it would take some time before she woke up again.
[Achievement Unlocked: Hinata Hyuga's "First Date" — Reward: Heart sound Gu]
[Heart sound Gu: Rank 2 Gu worm. It strengetens the voice of the heart, a pair of Gu that allows two people to communicate internally within a range of 100 steps.]
Shinho blinked in surprise. An achievement just from this?
He smiled to himself. The Heart Sound Gu could come in handy in certain situations. Although the range was somewhat limited, it was still useful in its own way.
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