Night fell quietly, and Konoha Village sank into a rare tranquility.
Stars shimmered above the rooftops, casting a faint silver glow over courtyards and winding paths.
The villagers, weary from the day's work, had already gone to rest. The only sounds that lingered were the occasional chirp of insects and the cool evening breeze drifting through the streets.
Inside the Hyuga residence, the air was equally calm.
Soft candlelight glowed against the paper doors, filling the room with a gentle warmth.
Hinata Hyuga had already tidied herself and now slipped beneath her quilt, lying on her small tatami bed.
The bedding was soft, yet sleep would not come. Her pale, watery eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, her hands nervously twisting the edge of the quilt as her heart drifted back to the dream she'd had just a few nights ago.
As she remembered it, her lips pressed together, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks.
Even though it had only been a dream, the memory still made her heartbeat quicken.
In that dream, her father had taken her to the Namikaze household and told her she was to be engaged to Naruto!
She had been so nervous she almost fainted. Even now, the single word "engagement" left her face burning with embarrassment.
Since then, it had been even harder for her to look Naruto in the eyes. Her thoughts always seemed to be filled with the dream, leaving her too flustered to act normally around him.
Each time the memory surfaced, her heart fluttered wildly like a startled deer.
When she woke from that dream, shame and confusion had washed over her. She even began to suspect it had been nothing more than her own wishful imagination a sweet but unreal fantasy. She dared not speak of it to anyone.
But…
Hinata turned onto her side, pulling the quilt up to cover half of her blushing face. She let out a small, shaky breath, trying to calm her racing heart.
That strange dream had only happened once, and never again.
Maybe…
Maybe it was just something I imagined?
She whispered the thought inwardly, trying to suppress the shyness and excitement that kept bubbling up inside her.
After all, dreams weren't reality. She didn't need to take them so seriously.
At last, the candles burned out, and the room sank into darkness and silence.
Hinata's eyes closed slowly.
Her breathing grew steady, her consciousness slipping into haze…
And before she realized it, she had fallen into a deep sleep.
She didn't know how much time had passed when suddenly the scene around her shifted.
Her soft futon was gone, replaced by solid ground beneath her.
The rustle of wind through leaves faded, replaced instead by the faint murmur of voices.
Hinata jolted awake, her eyes flying open only to find herself standing inside a dim, spacious screening hall.
Rows of seats stretched neatly around her, and at the front loomed a massive curtain, pitch black and silent.
This was… the same mysterious theater from last time!
Hinata froze in shock.
Her pale eyes widened as she glanced around nervously, her heart filled with both surprise and doubt.
Is this… the same place?
I'm… here again?
[Ding! Hinata Hyuga's emotional fluctuations have been captured! Emotional value +200!]
"Hinata!"
Before she could gather her thoughts, a cheerful voice called out.
She turned and saw a familiar figure waving at her Haruno Sakura.
Sakura quickly ran over, smiling brightly. "Perfect! You made it here today too!"
"S-Sakura-chan… this is…"
Hinata's voice trailed off as she moved timidly to Sakura's side. Seeing her close companion eased her nerves somewhat, though her heart still pounded with unease, unsure of what to say.
Sakura, however, looked completely at ease. She looped her arm around Hinata's affectionately and urged her to sit. "Don't worry. You'll just get to watch Naruto's dream again."
Then she winked playfully. "You've seen it once already, haven't you?"
"Hmm…" Hinata gave a small nod, her cheeks turning pink.
Yes, she had stumbled into this strange place once before. At the time, she had thought it was nothing more than a dream. She never expected… it would happen again.
As she settled into her seat, Hinata noticed another figure sitting a short distance away.
It was Sasuke, leaning back with his arms folded, his expression dark and brooding.
"Sa-Sasuke-kun is here too," Hinata whispered softly, surprise flickering in her voice.
Sasuke gave her a brief glance, then turned away with a cold snort, offering no reply.
Sakura leaned close to Hinata's ear and whispered, "I told Sasuke about you coming last time. He skipped sleep that night and missed the dream, so you ended up taking his place."
Hinata's eyes widened in realization. She lowered her head, then cast a nervous look toward Sasuke, unease fluttering in her chest.
Sasuke understood the situation in his heart. He wasn't surprised to see Hinata appear tonight, but his face was still sour as he muttered under his breath, "Tch… not my turn again. Damn it."
In the back row, Kakashi sat leisurely, holding a copy of Icha Icha Paradise. Though he looked as if he were absorbed in the book, his ear was tuned to the conversation between the others.
His gaze flicked casually toward Hinata, and a thought crossed his mind. Hinata… it seems tonight's dream might involve her.
Just as that thought settled, the massive screen at the front of the theater suddenly lit up, and a picture began to take form.
The image cleared, revealing a cozy two-story home in Konoha Village.
It was Naruto's house.
The view shifted inside, where Naruto came running into view, his whole face lit with excitement.
"Yes! It's me again this time!" Naruto jumped up and down, cheering loudly, unable to contain his joy.
[Ding! Uzumaki Naruto's emotional fluctuations have been captured! Emotional value +300!]
After celebrating, Naruto dashed down the stairs, shouting through the house as he went.
"Mom !"
He had been planning to find his mother, but when he burst into the living room, he froze. There were guests.
Sitting on the sofa was a girl in a dark kimono.
Her knees were pressed neatly together, her hands rested gracefully atop them, her back straight and proper, her posture refined and elegant.
From the side, her smooth, blue-black hair and quiet, delicate profile came into view.
It was none other than Hinata Hyuga.
Next to her sat Naruto's mother, Kushina, who wore a warm, welcoming smile. She was chatting with Hinata about family life, weaving lighthearted stories that filled the room with a gentle air.
Hinata listened attentively, her pale eyes wide with focus, and every so often she covered her lips with her hand to hide a shy smile. The two of them looked completely at ease in each other's company.
The moment Naruto's footsteps echoed down the stairs, both Kushina and Hinata turned toward him.
As soon as Hinata saw him, she immediately stood up, her face tinged with panic. She bowed respectfully and said softly, "Hello, Naruto-kun."
Her etiquette and posture were flawless, refined as expected of the Hyuga heir but her trembling voice betrayed just how nervous she really was.
"Ah, hi…"
Naruto scratched the back of his blond head, feeling awkward under her formal greeting. His response came out clumsy and perfunctory.
The memory of his last dream the one where Hinata's father had suddenly come to propose an engagement flashed across his mind, making his scalp tingle uncomfortably.
He hadn't expected Hinata to show up in his dream again today… and this time, it felt like a formal visit!
Swallowing hard, Naruto found himself caught in a sudden dilemma.