003rd saving smile [action]

[selfdoubt]

[Action]

[It's a nice clear day and Hinata wants to take advantage of this. She has been staying in her room for days now (not that it's something she didn't initially choose) and today seems like a good day to be staying outdoors.

Of course, this doesn't mean she's engaging on outdoor activities because the moment one passes by the park, she's peacefully seated on one of the benches reading her book. There's a small smile on her lips as she turns its pages. Whatever it is she's reading, it seems interesting enough for her that any outer distraction flies over her head. Proof of this is that when the gentle wind dances along her tresses, she only tucks one stray strand of hair under her ear in a careful motion while her pearl eyes never left the text of her book.

From where she's seated, sunlight tries to peek through the leaves of the tree behind her, casting playful lazy beams on her serene form. Flipping another page, Hinata uses her pressed flower as a bookmark when the wind picks up.]

Ah-!

[The flower then escapes her grasp as it glides through the wind. She tries to catch it but it proves futile. Now if only someone will be able to find it for her.]

Comments

[avaricious]

Some dreams are bigger than just people. Love is just one sacrifice that's made to see them made reality.

[selfdoubt]

I see. [What if Naruto's own dream forces him to sacrifice things too? Like, perhaps, what they have right now? Hinata's chest begins to ache. That's probably what she fears for the most now.]

That's... very sad.

1/2

[avaricious]

I suppose it is. [He feels a little distant and conflicted himself. It's so easy to want to forget about ambition in a place like this, but...]

[avaricious]

[He brightens up immediately.]

But I wouldn't worry about it. After all, true love always prevails in the stories. I'm sure the author found a way for everyone to get what they want.

[selfdoubt]

[Hinata gives a small smile at that. So far, she had only read one tragic ending after finishing a lot of these books so that's a good sign.]

Oh, I do hope that's how everything turns out in the end.

[avaricious]

I wouldn't worry about it. Stories are always a lot nicer than the real world.

[selfdoubt]

I... suppose. They are a means of escape, after all. [She glances down at her book.] Even if they are somehow patterned from real events.

[avaricious]

True. Though people's lives don't always have happy endings.

[selfdoubt]

I- I agree. But endings are usually always up to the person telling the story whether they want it to end happily or not.

[avaricious]

That's the good thing about fiction, eh?

[selfdoubt]

I suppose so, yes.

[avaricious]

Well, I won't distract you for too long, Hinata. Just be sure to let me know if it ends on a happy note.

[selfdoubt]

Ah, I'll be sure to, Ling-san. [A soft blush dusts her cheeks.] M- Maybe you'd like to... borrow this book some time for your own convenient read?

[avaricious]

Oh ho, no thanks. I'm not much of a reader, myself. My tutors made me read more than I cared to as it was.

[selfdoubt]

Oh, tutors? [She blinks.]

[avaricious]

Tutors are like teachers. Only more personal.

[selfdoubt]

Ah, I know who tutors are but... why do you have one if I may ask?

[avaricious]

Oh, that's because I'm a prince of Xing.

[selfdoubt]

[Just imagine her shock. In fact, you can see it anyway.]

Ah-! Y- You are? I am very sorry for not knowing right away.

[avaricious]

Oh? Are you normally able to sense the presence of royalty?

[selfdoubt]

Well, um, no... I can't. But I should have been vigilant enough to know you are someone that should be respected.

[avaricious]

Are you from Xing?

[selfdoubt]

Ah, no, I'm not...