Chapter 44: Fresh Things
On Konoha Village's early morning streets, the dawn mist hadn't completely dispersed. Most shops lining the streets hadn't opened yet. Only scattered breakfast stalls wafted enticing aromas.
Hyuga Hinata walked alongside him with light steps but said nothing. She occasionally turned to look at the person beside her, eyes containing emotions he couldn't read.
Hyuga Kiyonari could clearly feel her gaze. But whenever he intentionally met that look, Hinata immediately turned away, pretending nothing happened.
Just as Kiyonari contemplated how to break this subtle atmosphere, a clear, loud voice suddenly came from ahead.
"Hey, isn't that Kiyonari?"
Kiyonari and Hinata simultaneously turned toward the sound. Two girls were walking this way.
Leading was Yamanaka Ino with a high ponytail. Her long blonde hair bundled behind her gleamed in the sunlight. Her entire person looked vibrant. At an age themed around cuteness, she already possessed some youthful energy that only appeared in young girls.
Haruno Sakura remained as always, following close behind. Pink short hair was carefully tied with a red ribbon. Emerald green eyes showed a trace of helplessness, seemingly somewhat embarrassed by her companion's actions.
Ino's eyes brightened upon seeing the two. She grabbed Sakura's hand, quickly walking toward them.
"Ino, wait..." Sakura tried stopping her, but too late.
"Good morning!" Ino greeted with a radiant smile, her ponytail swaying lightly with her waving motion.
"Good morning, you two."
Kiyonari nodded in response before introducing both sides.
"This is my friend, Hyuga Hinata. These two are friends I met not long ago—Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura."
"Good morning. Very pleased to meet you."
Hinata showed no timidity, slightly bowing with a gentle, soft voice. The rigorous training and young lady's education she'd received displayed thoroughly in this moment.
Really... changed so much.
Kiyonari couldn't help inwardly complaining.
"Where are you going?" Ino's eyes turned, seemingly thinking of something. "Sakura and I are about to browse the streets. Want to come together?"
"Eh?" Sakura froze before quickly leaning close to whisper in her ear. "Ino, weren't we going to..."
"That's not urgent—we can buy it anytime." Ino waved her hand grandly, turning to look at Hinata with anticipation in her eyes. "Rare to meet new friends. Chatting and browsing together—how nice! Hinata, can we come with you?"
Hinata's peripheral vision swept across Kiyonari before nodding. "Sure. I'd also be happy to join you."
Kiyonari felt slightly shocked. Was this still the Hinata he knew?
Having confidence actually caused such drastic changes in such short time... Recalling the night the system awakened, it seemed... I was about the same. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
"Great!" Ino clapped her hands happily. "Then let's go. Oh right, Kiyonari, don't fall behind."
"Alright." Returning to his senses, Kiyonari quickened his pace, catching up.
The four walked slowly along the street. Ino's voice was especially clear and loud among the girls, very attention-grabbing all along. But she had no thoughts of stage fright because her personality was just this confident and proud.
"I just love dressing myself up beautifully. Look, how's my outfit coordination today?"
Speaking, Ino deliberately spun lightly in a circle, her smile confident and bright.
Sunlight poured down. Her high-tied golden ponytail traced a dazzling arc through the air. Orange short shirt with beige long pants—simple and refreshing. Add her unique side-swept bangs and high ponytail...
Though her clothing was simple, color coordination and style choices were very appropriate. She looked somewhat more mature, but on her, it was just right.
Thinking carefully about Ino in the original story, she'd always been Konoha's fashion trendsetter.
"Ino's very skilled at color and coordination. Very impressive." Sakura added from the side.
"Of course," Ino proudly puffed out her chest. "Some inspiration comes from flower arranging. Others I learned from fashion magazines."
"Fashion magazines?" Hinata asked curiously.
"You don't know yet?" Ino's eyes instantly brightened, clearly reaching her most interested topic. "Just two days ago, a batch of fashion magazines suddenly appeared in Konoha! Supposedly the most fashionable things from the Land of Fire's capital. Not only nobles love them—they were hugely popular in Konoha from launch, already sold out completely."
"Inside are many clothing coordination explanations. Every color has meaning, every cut has its considerations. For instance, purple represents nobility and mystery, red represents passion and power, blue represents calm and wisdom..."
"According to the shopkeeper, the second batch of goods arrives in Konoha today. That's why I went out so early."
Hinata listened very seriously, nodding from time to time, her eyes carrying sincere curiosity. These were all things she'd never contacted before—hadn't even had time to think about.
"Why did I talk so much? I'm getting thirsty." Ino suddenly turned to Sakura. "Sakura, you say something too."
"Fashion and such, I don't really understand," Sakura said somewhat embarrassedly, pinching her hem. "But speaking of flower arranging... I actually tried learning it."
"Since you kept talking about flower arts, Ino, I thought I'd try too. I even borrowed some flower arranging books to read, learning flower types, coordination principles, and so on..."
Speaking, a trace of helpless bitter smile appeared on her face. "But I really... can't come to like it."
"Why?" Hinata curiously leaned forward slightly.
"How should I put it..." Sakura thought for a moment, her emerald eyes gazing into the distance. "When I look at those flowers, all I think is 'Is cutting down nicely growing flowers really okay?' 'Is this coordination really fine?' 'Maybe I should plant them back'..."
"That 'aesthetic sense' and 'artistic conception'—I truly can't experience it. To me, flowers are flowers, plants are plants. I can't see the 'poetry' behind them like Ino can."
Hearing this, Ino couldn't help sighing disappointedly. "Sakura, you're just too serious! Art needs sensibility. You always analyze rationally—of course you can't feel beauty!"
"Maybe so." Sakura smiled bitterly.
"Then what are you truly interested in?" Hinata asked gently.
"Well..." Sakura's eyes brightened. "I prefer reading!"
"All kinds of books! Shinobi world history stories and legends, various regions' customs and culture, plus some science books, especially ninjutsu theory-related ones..."
Ino rolled her eyes. "Alright, alright, bookworm Sakura. Your academic report can end now."
"It's not an academic report!" Sakura protested dissatisfied, cheeks slightly puffing.
Hinata laughed lightly from the side. "Right, Sakura's passion for knowledge is truly admirable."
Reading books—not reading some clan predecessors' cultivation experiences, but reading some useless but personally enjoyed books.
What would that feeling be like? If Father knew I'd do this, what would his reaction be?
Really curious...
Sakura was praised somewhat embarrassedly, ear tips flushing red, muttering quietly. "Not that impressive... I'm just interested in these things."
"Oh right, right!" Ino suddenly clapped her hands, as if remembering something important. Those vitality-filled eyes looked straight at Hinata.
"Your turn, Hinata! Tell us—what do you like?"
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