"Yuzuru, you're here."
When Yuzuru Hyuga saw Hyuga Hiashi, he was holding a little girl in his arms, smiling at her lovingly.
One-year-old Hinata was timidly nestled against his chest. Her large eyes blinked sleepily as she studied Yuzuru with curiosity.
Yuzuru Hyuga studied her with equal curiosity. Seeing her secretly peeking at him from Hiashi's arms, he could not help but smile. "Hinata has grown so much."
The last time he had seen the little girl, she had still been a swaddled infant, with only sparse hair on her head. How could anyone have told whether she would be pretty or ugly?
Now, she had soft short hair, rosy fair skin, and bright, watery eyes. She was utterly adorable.
"Hahaha, is that so?" Hyuga Hiashi held Hinata gently, his laughter full of pride. Hinata babbled and played with him for a while before sleepiness overcame her, and she squinted her eyes shut.
Hyuga Hiashi handed Hinata to a maid nearby, who carried the child off to find her mother.
Once only Hiashi and Yuzuru remained in the room, he regained his usual imposing manner. He looked over Yuzuru, who was seated before him, carefully examined him for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction.
"Yuzuru, you've grown a great deal too." Looking at the boy before him, Hiashi saw that although his face still appeared gentle, both his bearing and physique had begun to resemble those of a ninja.
Perhaps in another two or three years, this little fellow would grow into a handsome young man and formally shoulder the banner of the Hyuga Clan's younger generation.
At that moment, Hyuga Hiashi once again found himself thinking what he had thought before. He could not help feeling regretful and strangely conflicted. Yuzuru, if only you were my son.
He looked