After spotting Hinata, Hao Shuai stepped over, gently flicked her on the nose, and smiled warmly. "It's you, Hinata! You're taking the exam too?"
"Y-yes. Father and Teacher Kurenai said I was strong enough to take this exam." Hinata's face flushed as she spoke softly.
Over the past year or so, Hao Shuai had occasionally used subtle psychological suggestions to make Hinata a little less shy. Otherwise, after he'd flicked her nose in front of everyone just now, she probably would've fainted on the spot.
As it was, she'd only blushed a little and could still talk normally.
"That's right. Our Hinata is very strong." Hao Shuai ruffled her blue hair and praised her.
Mm~~ It still feels just as nice as ever~~
After learning that Hao Shuai liked long hair, Hinata had grown hers out instead of keeping it short. It now reached her shoulders.
"Big Brother Hao Shuai, you two have had enough! The rest of us are still here!" Ino, who was outgoing and blunt, was the first to lose patience at Hao Shuai openly flaunting his romance with Hinata. She shouted at them.
The other members of the Konoha 9 didn't say anything, but they nodded in agreement.
They'd known about Hao Shuai and Hinata's relationship for a long time, and they'd been subjected to their public displays of affection throughout their interactions. Even so, they still hadn't gotten used to it.
That was probably the stubborn pride of single people!
As for Hao Shuai and Hinata's engagement...
Ino and the others weren't surprised by it.
After all, most of the Konoha 9 came from prominent families in Konoha. Alliances with powerful people or marriages between great clans were nothing new to them.
Hao Shuai and Hinata were only engaged for now. Even if they got