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Long hair was always a hassle to manage yet, when someone helped, it felt more like intimacy than a burden.
Hinata carefully dried Neji's pale strands, her fingers lingering as if she could pour her feelings into each motion.
She remembered her father's words: this snow-white hair was a mark of bloodline evolution. Beautiful, yes… but she still missed the black hair Neji once had.
"Neji-nii… please take care of yourself," she whispered.
The softness in her tone made him blink. "What's with that all of a sudden?"
"You've been so busy lately," Hinata murmured, eyes lowered. "I worry you're overworking yourself."
Her concern touched him. Neji turned, catching her slender hand. Her skin was cool, chakra marks making it soft as silk. She gasped, cheeks coloring.
"Neji-nii!"
He smiled, pulling her to sit beside him. I've neglected her. With storms ahead, I should give her this quiet moment while I can.
"You're right," he admitted. "I haven't spent enough time with you. Let me make up for that tonight."
A glance at the window showed dusk settling. "Perfect timing. I'll cook dinner."
Hinata blinked. "You… cook?"
He chuckled on his way to the kitchen. "Where do you think all those hotpot ingredients came from?"
Realization widened her eyes. I've eaten with him so many times, but never once thought about who prepared it. Determination sparked inside her. I'll learn more about him… starting now.
"I'll help!" she said quickly, following.
Together they worked in harmony. Neji summoned sea-king cuts and exotic fish from his inventory; Hinata washed, sliced, and seasoned under his calm instructions.
Soon the kitchen overflowed with aromas: grilled meat, rich stews, fruit platters, and sweets. A feast fit for a festival.
When the last soup was done, Neji smiled. "Wash up. Dinner's ready."
Hinata froze at the sight of the towering spread. "Th-this is… too much. We can't finish."
Neji nudged her into a chair, laughing. "Don't worry about it. Eat your fill—I'll handle the rest."
She fidgeted. "But… wasting food—"
"Hinata." He placed a tender slice of meat in her bowl. "I'm a bottomless pit. You'll never out-eat me."
Then, grinning mischievously, he lifted a piece toward her lips. "Say 'ah.'"
Her whole face flushed crimson. "I—I can feed myself—"
"No outsiders here," he teased. "No need to be shy."
Her voice was barely a whisper. "…ah."
The flavor burst across her tongue, melting into savory perfection. Eyes widening, she forgot her embarrassment.
"Well?" Neji asked smugly. "Not bad, right? Learned it from an… unusual master."
Hinata thought she heard him mutter something about a "transvestite cooking king," but the taste silenced all doubt. She simply smiled and ate.
Neji watched her with rare gentleness. Cooking was another form of training for him knife skills as sharp as any swordsman's, discipline in every slice. To Hinata, it was simply proof he cared.
By the time they finished, Hinata rubbed her full stomach, blushing. "I… ate too much."
Neji gathered the dishes with a smile.
"Good. You needed it." Then, almost casually: "It's late. Stay here tonight."
Her eyes went wide. "W-what!?"
"Hanabi dragged you here, didn't she? I'm sure she's already explained things to your father. No need to head back."
Hinata lowered her gaze, flustered. Hanabi… you really set me up this time.
Staying the night… with Neji. Her heart pounded so loud she was sure he could hear it.
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