The night air was calm, the soft glow of lanterns reflecting off the stone paths of Konoha as Akihiro walked alongside Hinata.
Her hand rested lightly on his forearm, a timid but trusting gesture that made his chest tighten.
He was lost in thought, admiring the delicate way she moved, the way her pale face flushed every time he glanced at her, seventeen and almost eighteen, radiating an innocent charm that left him breathless.
Hinata, for her part, shrank slightly under his gaze, curling inward, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her scarf.
She wanted to say something meaningful, to break the comfortable silence, but the words caught in her throat. Please… take care of me… she silently wished, feeling both vulnerable and exhilarated.
The soft moment stretched, the gentle rhythm of their steps punctuated by the quiet of the village at night.
Akihiro felt like he could hold this moment forever, watching her shy smiles and the way her eyes darted toward him before quickly lowering again.
She's right here… trusting me… and I… I can't let anything happen to her, he thought, heart hammering.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the tender silence.
"Hey, hey, Akihiro!"
Both of them turned, startled.
There, leaning casually against a tree, was Ino Yamanaka, her usual confident grin in place, but with a glint in her eyes that made it clear this wasn't just playful teasing.
She had liked him for a while, and she wasn't going to hide it.
"Don't think you can monopolize him, Hinata," Ino said, tilting her head slightly. Her tone was teasing, light, but her gaze was sharp and serious, like a warning veiled in a smile.
"There are other people who appreciate Akihiro too, you know."
Hinata stiffened, her pale face heating up immediately.
She instinctively shrank a little closer to Akihiro, as if trying to hide behind him, her hands gripping his arm tighter.
Her voice was barely audible.
"I… I'm just… walking with him…" she muttered, eyes darting nervously to the ground.
Akihiro, meanwhile, felt his heart skip a beat. He glanced at Ino, then back at Hinata, caught between amusement and irritation.
Of course… it wouldn't be peaceful forever, he thought. And now we have Ino, bold as ever…
Ino took a step closer, still smiling, but her eyes softened slightly as she glanced at Hinata.
"Relax," she said, her voice gentler, "I'm just teasing. But really… don't make it so easy to hog him all to yourself, little sis."
Hinata's blush deepened, and she almost melted into Akihiro's side, too shy to respond. Akihiro chuckled quietly, shaking his head. This… this is definitely not the quiet night I imagined…
But despite the interruption, he kept a protective hand near her, letting her know silently that no matter how bold Ino might be, Hinata was his priority tonight.
The air remained tense, yet sweet, as the trio stood beneath the soft glow of the lanterns, each processing the delicate balance of attention, affection, and rivalry.
Akihiro's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Ino, a slow smirk spreading across his face. She wants to play this game? Fine. Let's see how Hinata reacts. He shifted his stance casually, leaning slightly closer to Hinata while keeping Ino in his peripheral vision.
Hinata, already flustered, instinctively clutched the hem of his jacket tightly, almost as if trying to anchor herself to him. Her fingers trembled slightly, and her face burned a deep crimson.
The sight made Akihiro's pulse quicken—she was so vulnerable, so completely unguarded in this small, intimate gesture, and he couldn't resist the opportunity to test her reactions.
"Hmm… Ino, you always know how to show up at the wrong time," he said with a teasing lilt, tilting his head toward her. "But maybe you should have warned me… I have to make sure Hinata here isn't too nervous."
Ino raised an eyebrow, a little caught off guard, but she maintained her confident grin. "Oh? And how exactly are you going to do that?"
Akihiro let his smirk deepen. He subtly shifted closer to Hinata, letting his shoulder brush hers ever so slightly, careful not to overstep, but enough to make her squeeze his jacket hem even tighter. He leaned down slightly, speaking softly enough that only she could hear.
"See, Ino… it's not so easy to distract her," he murmured, letting the playful tone linger in his words. "But… maybe a little reaction will help me gauge just how flustered she really is."
Hinata's breath hitched. Her grip on his jacket tightened, and her tiny squeak made Akihiro chuckle inwardly. Perfect. She's mine to tease tonight, he thought, savoring the subtle tension that hung in the air.
Ino tilted her head, narrowing her eyes playfully. "Oh-ho… so you're using me to mess with her? Bold move, Akihiro."
He shrugged, keeping his smirk. "Hey, I call it… strategic observation. You get to be the unwitting test subject, and Hinata's reactions? Priceless."
Hinata's face burned even more, practically disappearing into his side, but she didn't let go.
Her small hands clenched the fabric like a lifeline, grounding herself amidst the storm of emotions and attention. Akihiro noticed every subtle twitch, every flinch, and it only fueled his amusement—and his protective instincts.
"Careful, Ino," he said lightly, though his eyes gleamed with mischief. "If you push too far, she might just… bite back."
Hinata nearly gasped at the words, her blush intensifying, and she buried her face further into him. Akihiro couldn't stop the small, triumphant chuckle from escaping him.
This… this is far better than any date scenario I could have planned. She's completely mine, even if just a little.
Meanwhile, Ino laughed softly, shaking her head. "Alright, alright… I see how it is. But don't get too comfortable, Hinata. I'm not going anywhere just yet."
Akihiro's gaze flicked to Hinata, then back to Ino, already plotting his next subtle move to keep her squirming.
The night air seemed to thrum with quiet tension, sweet embarrassment, and a teasing playfulness that only made the small, intimate bond between him and Hinata grow stronger.