Chapter 40: Meeting the (First) Father-in-Law
"Ah, to hell with it," Hiraoka muttered, pushing his anxieties aside. He would deal with the fathers as they came.
The next morning, with Team 7 having no missions, he prepared for his first challenge: Yamanaka Inoichi. He scrutinized his reflection, adjusting his collar with a satisfied smirk. "Not bad. Dashing, charismatic, a true gentleman. Yes, that's the line."
He strode through the streets of Konoha, his impeccable outfit and striking looks drawing admiring glances and whispered sighs from the girls he passed. He acknowledged them with a practiced, casual smile.
Soon, he arrived at the Yamanaka Flower Shop. Ino was outside, carefully watering the displays, her back to him.
Adopting a suave tone, he leaned against the doorframe. "A fine selection of roses. How much for one?"
Ino, thinking a customer had arrived, began her standard pitch without looking up. "Oh, these are freshly—" Her words caught in her throat as she recognized the voice. She spun around. "Hiraoka-kun? What are you... why do you want a rose?" she asked, a flicker of suspicion and possessiveness in her eyes.
Hiraoka closed the distance, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper near her ear. "Why, for my darling, of course."
Ino took a step back, her cheeks flushing. "Your... your darling? And who exactly is that?" she demanded, hands on her hips.
With a roguish grin, Hiraoka gently backed her against the flower-strewn wall of the shop. "Who else could it be," he murmured, "but you?"
As he spoke, he produced a single, perfect red rose from seemingly nowhere, presenting it to her with a flourish.
Ino's face bloomed a shade redder than the rose. Her mock anger evaporated, replaced by a flustered, breathless happiness. This was the first time he had been so direct. She took the flower, her mind reeling.
"Ino-chan," he continued smoothly, taking her hand. "Now, why don't you take me to see my future father-in-law?"
"Y-Yes, Hiraoka-kun," she stammered, leading him inside in a daze.
Inoichi Yamanaka was waiting in the living room. "Hiraoka. You're here," he said, his tone neutral. But his eyes narrowed slightly as he saw his daughter's captivated expression and the rose clutched in her hand. A pang of something remarkably like jealousy shot through him. It took me months of awkward dates to win her mother over, and this kid does it with one line and a flower?
"Hiraoka-kun, sit down! I'll get you some tea!" Ino said, her voice bright.
"Thank you, my dear," Hiraoka replied, giving her hand a final squeeze before she hurried off.
Inoichi watched the exchange, his eyebrow twitching. 'My dear'? Already?
"Inoichi-san," Hiraoka began, sitting opposite him and adopting a fraternal tone. "You wanted to see me?"
Inoichi-san? Not 'Lord Yamanaka'? The audacity was almost impressive. "I've read Kakashi's report from the Land of Waves," Inoichi stated, steering the conversation back to business. "Your performance was... notable."
Hiraoka waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, it was nothing, really. Just doing my duty."
Inoichi was about to commend his humility when Hiraoka finished his thought.
"...though I suppose 'notable' is a bit of an understatement. 'Exceptional' would be more accurate."
Inoichi's eye twitched again.
Just then, Ino returned with a tray. She first poured a cup of tea for her father, which softened his expression slightly. She still remembers her old man.
Then, she completely ignored him, turning to Hiraoka with a plate of fruit. "Here, Hiraoka-kun, you must be thirsty! Try this strawberry!" she said, popping a berry directly into his mouth.
Inoichi stared, his cup frozen halfway to his lips. He was being sidelined in his own home.
"Ino, I—" he began.
"I know, Dad, you want some too!" Ino interrupted, picking up a slice of lemon and handing it to him. "Here, I saved this special one for you!"
Inoichi took the proffered lemon, its sour scent assaulting his nostrils. He took a bitter bite, the acidic taste perfectly mirroring his mood as he watched his daughter dote on the smug boy. This kid is trouble.
Swallowing the sourness, Inoichi pushed a file folder across the table. "The Chunin Exams are in one month," he said, his voice gruff. "This might be of use to you."
Hiraoka opened the file. His eyes widened slightly. It was a comprehensive intelligence dossier on the known participants, including detailed profiles, strengths, and potential weaknesses. It even contained a surprisingly accurate summary of his own abilities.
Impressive, Hiraoka thought, a new respect for his "father-in-law" blooming alongside the amusement. He's been watching me very, very closely.
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I Wonder What a Sea King Would Taste like? Fishy and beefy?
Stones or else a Sea King will spawn on top of you?