After a rather troublesome series of events at the Hyuga estate, Kirito finally got to meet Asuna.
Now, however, he found himself in Hinata's room.
Hinata had been injured during the third preliminary round of the Chūnin Exams, and Asuna, as a close friend, had been by her side the entire time.
Kirito's visit to the Hyuga clan today also included a plan to check on Hinata's condition, so naturally, his presence here felt perfectly justified.
"Kirito-kun!"
Hinata was pleasantly surprised to see him. She immediately tried to sit up from the bed, but in doing so, accidentally strained her internal injuries. Her body curled forward in pain, one hand clutching her abdomen as her face turned pale. Her delicate brows trembled, tears clinging to her lashes, beautiful in a soft, fragile way that tugged at the heart.
"Hinata! You can't move around like that right now!"
Asuna hurried to her side, gently helping her lie back down. Her voice was filled with concern. Hinata's act of stepping up for her during the Forest of Death had left a deep impression on Asuna. Their bond had grown rapidly since then. With such complementary personalities and shared experiences of growing up under pressure, it was only natural they found deep resonance in each other.
Kirito also stepped forward, approaching Hinata's bedside with worry in his voice.
"Does it still hurt? Should I call a medical-nin over?"
Hinata forced a faint smile.
"I-It's fine… The worst is over. I just need some rest and time."
"I see… then make sure you do."
"Mhm."
No need for many words.
Sometimes, a look, a small gesture, is more than enough to convey what matters most.
A gentle evening breeze drifted through the window, carrying with it the faint fragrance of cherry blossoms from the courtyard. The room filled with a soft, calming air. Simple words. Ordinary conversation. But depending on the people involved, they could hold entire worlds of meaning.
The look in his eyes.
The quiet smile on his lips.
It was ordinary, but warm. Peaceful, but precious.
If only such moments could last forever.
Even Asuna, watching from the side, couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy.
In those moments when my heart aches the most... will there be someone to sit by my side like that? To talk to me, even about nothing?
She wondered, if people were given the choice of their background at birth, would everything have turned out differently?
If I weren't the princess of the Land of Fire... just a normal girl... would my life have been simpler?
But the answer was obvious.
There are no such "what ifs."
"You two sure get along well," Asuna suddenly said, half-teasing and half-sincere. "Why don't you just go ahead and get married already?"
Her unexpected remark brought the peaceful air to a screeching halt.
"A-Asuna!"
Hinata's face turned bright red in an instant. Her eyes widened as she stared at Asuna, completely flustered. Already shy by nature, Hinata had no way to handle such a blunt statement.
Asuna pouted playfully. In all their recent heart-to-heart conversations, she had come to know Hinata quite intimately. Every time Kirito came up, her words carried subtle hints and bashful smiles. It wasn't hard to guess. She might as well have carved the word "love" into her forehead.
"So… what do you think, Kirito-kun?" Asuna turned the spotlight on him with a smirk.
"Don't say stuff like that, Asuna…" Hinata tried to hush her, but after hearing the question, her voice grew small. Her head dipped down, only to peek up again a moment later, those large eyes glimmering with nervous hope.
Kirito gave it a moment of thought, looking surprisingly serious.
"…Marriage, huh?" he said thoughtfully. "Wives… I'd say, probably five sounds about right."
"…HUH?! What did you just say?!"
Asuna's eyes widened into saucers.
"You, five wives?! Are you kidding me?! What century do you think this is?!"
Even Hinata, for once, puffed up her cheeks in protest. But deep inside, the only thing she wanted to know was,
Am I one of the five?
Kirito chuckled and added with a smile,
"And just so you know, Asuna, you're totally on the ideal wife list too."
"Who asked you that?!"
Asuna rolled her eyes so hard they nearly hit the back of her skull.
"You've got some nerve, trying to rope in the princess of the Land of Fire, no less!"
Kirito just shrugged with a grin.
"Don't take it too seriously. Only about thirty percent of what I said was a joke."
"…Wait, so over half of it was serious?!" Asuna stared at him in disbelief.
"Heheh…"
Kirito gave a mischievous little laugh. But his expression shifted ever so slightly, still smiling, but with a newfound honesty and calm in his gaze.
A look no longer playful.
But open.
Real.
"…Who can say what the future holds?" he said softly.
"I've never been one to chase after some ideal future. For me, just cherishing the present is enough."
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• TL/N •
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
> Naruto: Mind Control
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed