"Heh~" Meiko's smile didn't reach her eyes. She even reached out and patted Nawaki's shoulder.
"Now I understand why Lord Yagami arranged for Suzune-sama to come here. So, it was all for this, and he even made sure to leave me out."
"Nawaki, right?" Meiko said, her tone serious. "You've tried hard, but let me tell you something: don't make this difficult for yourself, and don't make it hard for me. I'm from the branch family of the Hyuga clan, and we don't marry outside the clan. Besides, I already have a fiancé, and we'll be getting married next year. Do you understand?"
It felt like something had shattered.
Nawaki's face turned pale as he tried to act normal, but he just couldn't manage it.
Minato, still hiding in the shadows, wasn't laughing anymore either. He suddenly felt bad for Nawaki.
The girl he liked already had a fiancé, and they were getting married next year. Could anything be worse than that?
And what made it worse, there wasn't even a way to fight for her.
Not knowing where to even begin digging—it must feel awful.
Xin was still speaking seriously to Hyuga Suzune, and she was listening attentively.
After finishing his story, Xin felt his throat going dry. It had been a long time since he'd talked this much in one go, and it was uncomfortable.
"Cough, cough. That's pretty much everything. Other than that, there weren't any other interesting incidents," he said.
"Captain, I don't think you invited me here just to ask about taijutsu problems, right?"
"Cough, cough, cough!!!"
Xin's eyes widened in surprise.
"I was just curious. If someone from outside the clan falls in love with a girl from the Hyuga clan, but the Hyuga don't marry outside the clan, what could they do to be together?"
Was I asking this for Nawaki?
Yeah, I guess so. Might as well see it through and help him out. It'll give me something to talk about, so things aren't so awkward.
"Ah?" Suzune gasped, covering her mouth in shock. Her cheeks flushed as she stared at Xin in disbelief.
Did the captain invite her out on purpose, patiently tell her all those stories, and then ask how an outsider could be with a Hyuga girl?
Could it be... Captain likes me?!
Suzune's heart raced wildly.
"What's wrong? Why is your face so red?" Xin asked, reaching out his hand. But Suzune leaped back like a startled rabbit.
"I-I'm feeling a little tired, Captain. I'll head back now. Let's meet again another time," she stammered before bowing her head and quickly running off.
Xin was left standing there, completely bewildered.