Hinata's head was so low, it looked like she was about to bury it in the snow beneath her feet.
Shirayuki Haruba couldn't even see her expression, but from the crimson tips of her ears, he could easily guess how embarrassed she was feeling right now.
Honestly, it looked like steam might start rising from the top of her head.
Was she really that embarrassed?
Well… thinking about Hinata's personality, yes — she really was.
"Guuurrrgle…"
After quite a while, Haruba still hadn't seen any Hyūga clan guards come looking for her. Instead, he heard Hinata's stomach rumble again.
Sigh…
Haruba let out a long breath.
"S-sorry…" Hinata stammered, thinking he was upset with her because of the sound.
"Do you have any money?"
"Y-yes! I do!" Hinata replied quickly, already fumbling for the little pouch at her side, ready to dig some out.
"Whoa, whoa, stop! I'm not asking for your money."
Haruba quickly waved her down before she could pull out a coin. She had completely misunderstood him. Sure, he wouldn't mind having her money… but not right now.
"Let's go get some ramen."
He had actually been about to invite her over to his place — it was just around the corner — but then he remembered Hinata's appetite. Yeah… better not. The food at home wouldn't be enough to satisfy her.
Besides, she was the Hyūga clan's little princess. She wasn't exactly hurting for pocket change.
"Eh?"
Hinata froze mid-search, her hands hovering over her pouch. She looked up, confused, only to see Haruba already turning to walk away.
"Come on."
"O-okay."
Unable to bring herself to refuse, Lady Hinata trailed after Haruba like a timid kitten.
"Um, um… excuse me…"
"Hm?"
Haruba thought he heard a mosquito buzzing somewhere. He looked left and right — nothing but endless white snow. No way a mosquito could survive out here.
Finally, he stopped, turning back toward Hinata, who was moving her lips hesitantly. "Was that you talking?"
Hinata instinctively tried to look away, but she forced herself to meet his eyes.
"M-my name is Hyūga Hinata…"
Her soft, sweet voice had that cottony texture that made people want to tease her just to see her flustered.
"I'm Shirayuki Haruba," he replied simply, before turning to lead the way again.
They walked a few more steps before Haruba spoke up again.
"You're from the Hyūga clan, right? That means you're strong. So why were those three kids bullying you?"
Hinata hadn't expected him to ask that so suddenly, and the words tumbled out of her before she could stop them.
"Father told me… to treat everyone in the village with kindness."
"They weren't exactly being kind to you."
"That's because… because…"
"Because you're easy to push around?" Haruba cut in without hesitation.
Hinata's face instantly turned an even deeper red.
"Your father told you to be kind to others. That doesn't mean you should just take it when people bully you. If you keep acting like this, sure — I helped you this time. But the next time you run into them, they'll just bully you again. Then what? Wait around for someone else to come save you?"
He paused, his tone sharpening slightly.
"I think… even your father, if he knew you let people walk all over you without even trying to fight back, would only be more disappointed."
That last remark struck right at the heart of it.
Hinata's mind immediately flashed to the look of disappointment her father, Hyūga Hiashi, so often gave her. Her small hands clenched tighter at her sides.
After a long silence, her soft voice came again, halting but resolute.
"I… I won't… next time."
"I hope so," Haruba said casually. Whether she listened or not was up to her.
While they were talking, the two had arrived in front of a ramen shop.
The sign read: Ichiraku Ramen. Haruba led Hinata inside.
"Welcome!"
They were greeted by Ayame's bright, clear voice the moment they stepped through the door.
By the time the two slid into a corner booth, Ayame was already there to take their order.
"Well, if it isn't Haruba! Oh? And this must be a new little girlfriend of yours!"
Clearly, she knew him.
Haruba rolled his eyes at her teasing.
"I told you before — not my girlfriend. Just a friend. Purely platonic."
Hinata didn't even know what girlfriend meant. She only knew this big-sisterly waitress was giving her a strange look, which made her bow her head in embarrassment.
"Haruba, I'm just worried you might end up getting stabbed one day. You know, in novels, guys who mess around with girls always end up with… tragic endings. No head."
Ayame gave him a mock-serious warning, as though she were imparting deep wisdom.
Haruba had no intention of entertaining that topic. "I'll have a signature tonkotsu ramen."
"Hinata, what about you?"
"Ah? I… I'll have the same as Haruba-kun," she said in a small, shy voice. This was her first time eating dinner out.
"Two signature ramens, then."
"Got it."
It was the dinner rush, so Ayame hurried back to the counter after taking their order.
Before long, two steaming bowls were placed in front of them.
Haruba pushed one toward Hinata. The rich, savory aroma instantly enveloped her.
"Thank you. I'll start now," she said, pressing her palms together before picking up her chopsticks.
Haruba skipped the formalities and dug right in.
Ohhh… so good!
Hinata's eyes lit up the moment she tasted the broth.
Sure, part of it was because she had been hungry, but the ramen really was delicious. At home, her meals were always carefully balanced for nutrition, with flavors kept mild. She rarely got to eat something this rich and flavorful.
Before she knew it, the bowl was empty.
She stared at it blankly for a moment, then subconsciously licked her lips, now glossy with a thin layer of oil.
The thought of having another bowl bubbled up in her mind — but she quickly shook her head. No, she couldn't do something so impolite in public.
Haruba, still slurping his noodles, noticed her expression and set down his chopsticks thoughtfully.
"Hm, Hinata."
"Are you full?" he asked quietly.
"I… I…" Hinata hesitated, lifting her gaze timidly.
She wanted to say yes. At home, she never ate this much, so admitting she still wasn't full felt strange. What if it made her look bad?
But Haruba's serious expression made her trail off again.
For some reason, though she was embarrassed, she also felt… happy. This was the first time anyone had noticed she hadn't eaten enough.
"…No. I'm not full." Her voice was almost a whisper, but Haruba heard it clearly.
He smiled warmly. "How many more bowls do you need?"
"…"
Hinata's fingers twisted into the hem of her coat. She wanted to say fewer, but what if that disappointed him?
Well… there were no clan guards around now. Maybe she could eat more without anyone finding out.
"F-four… just four more will be fine."