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

[hisapprentice]

It's Luke! [He smiles, and lifts the brim of his hat with one hand.] Luke Triton. What's yours?

[selfdoubt]

My name is Hinata. Hyuuga Hinata. [And she smiles wide in return to his greeting.] It's very nice to meet you, Luke-kun.

[hisapprentice]

It's great to meet you too.

[Now that he gets a good look at her eyes, he thinks she can't see. That she might never have found that bookmark. That it would also be silly to try to shake her hand.]

I'm glad I could find your bookmark.

[selfdoubt]

[Oh, Luke. If only you know how far she can see!]

Mm, I'm also glad, though you really didn't have to. I am sorry if finding it was a bother.

[hisapprentice]

Nope! It wasn't that hard. What're you reading about?

[selfdoubt]

[but you were a little out breath a while ago, hun 8(]

Oh, um, it's a love story amid some social constraints and trials. [A small smile.] W- Would you like to borrow it some time?

[hisapprentice]

[All in a day's work for a gentleman!

Also. Uh. A girly book? No thanks.]

Well...it's a really kind offer, miss, but it doesn't sound like...the sort of thing I usually read. Sorry.

[selfdoubt]

Oh. Well, it's fine. [Hmmm. A thoughtful pause as she glances down at her book and then at Luke.] What kind of books do you usually read, then?

[hisapprentice]

Mysteries! Or books full of puzzles. I suppose I like history too, if it's not too boring. Sometimes all there is to read in Professor Layton's office are archaeology textbooks, those're dry as the dirt they're talking about.

[selfdoubt]

Ah, then, I suppose I should give you a mystery book some time. [A certain smile as she sets down her book on her lap.] As a form of gratitude for bringing back my pressed flower.

[hisapprentice]

[Wah! Good thing she can't see his blush, right?]

Th-that's all right, you don't need to do anything! Helping people is part of what a true gentleman does.

[selfdoubt]

[Too late, Luke. She thinks your blush is cute!]

But, I'd like to. Sometimes, a gentleman needs a token of appreciation as well. [And she means this.]

[hisapprentice]

[The blush is sticking around, too, if she keeps saying things like that. So sincere! Luke tugs a little at the brim of his hat and grins.]

Well, if you're sure, I really like [food.] sweets.

[selfdoubt]

[She's probably the most sincere person you'll ever know.]

Oh, is that so? Well, then it should not be too much of a problem, Luke-kun. [Since she cooks well.]

[hisapprentice]

[You don't know how much he can eat. He's a growing boy, hopefully.]

Um...should I let you get back to your reading, then?

[selfdoubt]

[Then, she will give him lots of sweets!]

I- It's alright. I wouldn't mind a little company. Though, perhaps you intend to go somewhere else?

[hisapprentice]

Not really. There isn't much to do around here when you're tired of books. So I suppose I was sort of exploring.

[selfdoubt]

What do you want to find? [Since in exploring, you intend to find something, right?]

[hisapprentice]

I don't really know. There must be something interesting in all this forest, right?

[selfdoubt]

There must be. I can help you explore if you'd like. [Since the forest can be dangerous if explored alone.]

[hisapprentice]

Are you sure? [Still operating under the assumption that she really can't see.] It would be terrible if you ran into a tree or something else.

[selfdoubt]

Ah... [She blinks.] I do not see why I will do something like that.

[hisapprentice]

Well, you-

[Can see, can't you? Luke turns an even brighter shade of red.]

Uhm, never mind! It's not important!

[selfdoubt]

[Hinata sees that blush and can't help but feel a little worried.]

Oh, are you alright, Luke-kun?

[hisapprentice]

Yep! Everything's just great! Do you still want to come?