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"Well, there's also this!"
Little Hanabi, who was only five at the time, had jumped out from behind her sister, holding a bouquet of pure white daisies in both hands. "This is from Hanabi to Big Brother! Thank you, Big Brother Naruto, for teaching us new taijutsu!"
Naruto, in her memory, had been stunned for a heartbeat before showing a smile warmer than the summer sun. He had bent down and solemnly accepted the bouquet as if it were a high-ranking scroll. "You're welcome!"
Recalling this while sitting at Ichiraku, Hinata unconsciously pursed her lips and smiled. It turned out that even back then, her little sister knew better than she did how to express her feelings.
Hinata lowered her head, her fingertips gently twisting the hem of her sleeve. In the Land of Fire, sunflowers held a special meaning: "The sun in my heart." She had cherished that secret flower language for years. To her, Naruto-kun was that dazzling sun. He was the one who stood up for her when others mocked her "useless" eyes; he was the one who illuminated her path when she felt lost in the shadows of the Hyuga's expectations.
But... Hinata quietly looked up, watching Naruto laugh with Hanabi. That smile made her heart tremble, and she quickly looked away. It was the light she yearned for most, yet she never had the courage to look directly at it. Just like a sunflower, she bloomed toward him, but she couldn't muster the strength to meet his gaze.
Naruto noticed Hinata's sudden silence. He stood up, lowering his voice. "I'll go buy some snacks for Hanabi. I'll be right back."
"Okay!" Hanabi raised her hand. "Big Brother Naruto, I want takoyaki! Double katsuobushi!"
Naruto ruffled her hair, catching Hinata's eye for a fraction of a second before turning away. Ino saw everything. She nudged Hinata's elbow, a knowing, mischievous glint in her eyes. "If you like him, you have to be bold!"
Hinata looked up in surprise.
"Hmph! Naruto is excellent, so he'll have admirers," Ino said, raising her chin with total confidence. "But he'll choose me in the end. I'll defeat every rival. One more of you won't make a difference!"
Outside, the Konohamaru Corps was still on the tail. Naruto arrived at a takoyaki stall, and the owner—recognizing the "fox"—gave him a cold look and tried to pocket the change from a hundred-ryo bill.
Before the owner could even finish his scowl, Konohamaru and his companions attempted an ambush. In a blur of motion, Naruto had all three pinned to the pavement before they could even see him move.
"I'm the Third Hokage's grandson!" Konohamaru yelled defiantly.
Naruto ignored the title. He turned to the vendor. "Three more portions for these children, please."
Konohamaru's lips curled. He's just like the other snobs, he thought. But Naruto looked down at him with a faint, challenging smile. "So what? Even if you're the Third Hokage, it doesn't matter. You want to ambush me but don't want to get beaten? The Third is at my house right now—do you want to go see him?"
The vendor, suddenly realizing Naruto was on speaking terms with the Hokage, turned his focus back to flipping the takoyaki with renewed vigor.
Naruto pulled the children up and handed them the steaming boxes. "Try it. The takoyaki here is delicious."
Konohamaru snorted and turned away, but the aroma was too much. He bit into a piece, his eyes growing determined. Everyone else called him "Young Master," but this blond guy was the first person to treat him like a person—and a clumsy one at that.
After dinner, Naruto walked Hinata and Hanabi toward the Hyuga Clan Compound. The lanterns at the gate were already glowing with a warm, amber light.
Just as Hinata was about to say goodbye, Naruto reached into his pouch and pulled out a bright bouquet of sunflowers. The golden petals seemed to hold the day's last light.
"Sunflowers always face the sun," Naruto said, his voice exceptionally gentle. "They symbolize 'bravely pursuing happiness.' Hinata, I remember you gave me flowers once. Now, I'm giving some to you."
Hinata dazed, took the bouquet.
"I hope you can be brave," Naruto said, looking at her with clear, firm eyes. "In my heart, Hinata has always been a formidable person. I see your strength. You are no worse than anyone."
Hinata's eyes welled up. She hugged the sunflowers tightly. Hanabi, watching from a few steps away, smiled discreetly. The evening breeze brushed past, and the sunflowers swayed—like a heart finally touched by the sun, quietly beginning to bloom.
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