"HELLO HYUUGA FAMILY!"
It was official — no one, not even the most powerful clan in Konoha, could prepare for Mikoto Uchiha on a mission.
She swept into the dining hall like a storm wearing pearls, Fugaku trailing behind her with a resigned sigh and two bottles of expensive red wine that screamed I'm sorry for whatever my wife is about to do.
"Mikoto-san—"
"Ah, Hiashi-kun!" Mikoto cooed, immediately cutting him off and gliding over to kiss both his cheeks. "It's been so long! How's your blood pressure? Still stressing over that dreadful board meeting last month?"
Hiashi blinked. "I—"
"Wonderful!" she said brightly, not waiting for an answer, and turned her sharp, motherly gaze toward Sasuke.
Her son, who looked like he'd rather be in a heart transplant surgery without anesthesia.
"Sasuke," she said sweetly, with that tone that could melt steel — or pierce it. "Why don't you and Hinata-chan sit closer? It's hard to have a pleasant conversation from across the table like strangers."
"M-Mother, we're fine as—"
"Sit," she said with a smile that brooked no argument.
Hinata flushed scarlet as Sasuke reluctantly moved beside her, his chair scraping against the polished floor.
Fugaku quietly poured himself a full glass of wine.
Hanabi, who had slipped in just to "watch the show," sat at the far corner, holding her phone vertically. She had a feeling she was about to witness history.
Mikoto clasped her hands together like the emcee of a talent show. "Now, let's all get to know each other better! Hinata-chan, dear, why don't you tell us about yourself? Sasuke here just loves hearing about people!"
Hinata blinked. "O-oh… well, I'm a biochemist… I recently returned from a two-year fellowship in France."
"Oh! So you've lived abroad!" Mikoto beamed. "Sasuke, didn't you have that… incident in France with the ambassador's daughter?"
Sasuke's hand froze mid-lift of his teacup. "Mother."
"What incident?" Hinata asked innocently.
"Nothing," Sasuke muttered through gritted teeth.
"Oh, it was only a small misunderstanding!" Mikoto waved off. "He told the poor girl her lip fillers were uneven—during a state dinner!"
Neji inhaled sharply, clearly trying not to laugh. Hanabi didn't even try — she was wheezing.
Hinata pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. "That… must have been awkward."
Sasuke shot her a side glance. "You have no idea."
Dinner went on in painful civility — small talk, forced laughter, and Mikoto's relentless commentary.
But beneath it, something started to shift.
Hinata noticed things about Sasuke. The way he silently refilled his father's wine glass without being asked. The way he subtly leaned back whenever Neji's glare sharpened, not out of fear, but restraint.
He wasn't nice — but he wasn't heartless either. Just… terrible at expressing it.
Sasuke, in turn, found himself noticing her too. The way she tucked a stray hair behind her ear when nervous. How she'd pause to think before she spoke, like she measured every word. It was the opposite of him — and oddly, that didn't annoy him.
For once, he wasn't thinking about the media, the company, or even his mother. Just… her.
And that terrified him.
Then, of course, Mikoto had to ruin it.
"So!" she said cheerily. "Now that everyone's comfortable — I think we should plan the engagement party!"
CRASH.
Sasuke choked on his tea. Hinata dropped her chopsticks. Neji's eyes flared.
Hiashi blinked once, slowly, like a man trying to process an impending lawsuit.
"Excuse me!?" Sasuke finally barked.
"Oh, come now," Mikoto said sweetly. "You two make such a lovely pair! You're both brilliant, well-bred, and photogenic — imagine the headlines: 'Rival Clans Reunited by Love!' Doesn't that sound romantic?"
"Mother," Sasuke hissed, voice low and dangerous. "You can't just—"
"I think it's adorable!" Hanabi piped up, still filming. "Can I be maid of honor?"
"Hanabi!" Hinata squeaked, her entire face burning.
Fugaku downed his wine. "I think I'll need another bottle."
That's when the temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Neji's voice was soft, but it carried the weight of a sword.
"With all due respect, Mrs. Uchiha… my cousin has no interest in being tabloid fodder for your son's next scandal."
Sasuke's eyes snapped to him. "Careful, Hyuuga."
"Oh, I'm not the one who should be careful," Neji said evenly. "If you ever humiliate her again, not even your license will save you."
Hinata stood abruptly, her voice trembling but steady. "N-Neji-niisan, please. That's enough."
The two men glared across the table, pride versus protectiveness, both ready to explode — until Hinata's next words silenced them both.
"I… forgive him."
Everyone froze.
Hinata looked at Sasuke, cheeks pink but eyes unwavering. "You said something hurtful, Doctor Uchiha… but I think I understand now. You didn't mean it. You just… don't know how to talk to people properly."
Hanabi gasped. "She called him socially inept to his face—"
Sasuke blinked, stunned into silence.
Then, for the first time that night, he laughed.
A low, warm sound that startled everyone — including himself. "You're right," he said. "I don't."
Mikoto clasped her hands together with glee. "See? They're perfect!"
"Mother," Sasuke muttered, but this time… there wasn't much heat behind it.
Hinata smiled shyly into her tea.
Neji sighed, defeated.
And Fugaku poured another drink.
As the night wound down, the chaos softened. The media still buzzed, the family still whispered, but something unspoken had shifted between them.
When Sasuke stood to leave, he paused by Hinata's chair.
"I… owe you another dinner," he said, voice softer than she'd ever heard. "Somewhere without cameras."
Hinata looked up at him, surprise flickering into a small, genuine smile. "I'd like that."
Mikoto beamed like she'd just won the lottery.