Takasaki Doesn't Forgive You, You're Not Allowed Home

Hiashi Hyuga frowned, even doubting if he had misheard his daughter.

Was it that dead-last who had caused a scene at the estate earlier who helped his daughter become stronger?

It sounded completely absurd!

"Hinata, look up and look into my eyes."

Hinata lifted her head, meeting Hiashi Hyuga's gaze.

Hiashi Hyuga asked again, "Who did you say helped you become stronger?"

"It was Takasaki," Hinata said, her tone timid but truthful.

She was indeed not lying.

She had grown stronger through the Diary, and since the content in the Diary was written by Takasaki, it was effectively Takasaki helping her grow stronger.

There was nothing wrong with that logic.

However, to Hiashi Hyuga, these words sounded ridiculous: "How could Takasaki help you become stronger? Isn't he the dead-last in your class?"

"Takasaki is not a dead-last. He has been hiding his strength and working hard all along. I was influenced by him, so I worked especially hard this month, which is why I became stronger."

If she wasn't going to lie, Hinata couldn't think of a better explanation.

So this time, Hinata said it with a blushing face.

"Is that so?"

Hiashi Hyuga began to understand. It sounded as if Takasaki had been motivating his daughter to work hard throughout the month.

Other than that, there was no better explanation.

He still found it somewhat hard to believe.

Could one really make such progress in a month just by being motivated by a classmate?

It wasn't until he heard Hinata finish recounting the incident of Takasaki causing a scene at the estate today that he began to come to his senses.

Previously, his clansmen had only given him a rough account; he knew Takasaki had caused trouble, but he didn't know the specifics.

At this moment, his perspective shifted slightly.

It appeared that Neji had provoked him first and had been the one to strike first; Takasaki had only acted in self-defense.

At this moment, Hiashi Hyuga finally understood why Neji had apologized—it was indeed Neji's fault.

Most importantly.

Hiashi Hyuga seemed to understand why Takasaki's motivation alone could cause Hinata to improve so much in a month.

Hinata had heard that Takasaki was being blocked outside the estate and had taken the initiative to bring him in.

She had taken the initiative to have someone pack the grilled skewers Takasaki liked and had received him in the Guest Reception Room.

She had taken the initiative to teach Takasaki the Three Body Technique.

If Takasaki had already mastered the Three Body Technique, why would he still need Hinata to teach him?

Hiashi Hyuga was an experienced man; how could he fail to see through the relationship between Hinata and Takasaki? Especially when he saw Hinata's reddened cheeks, he understood everything at once and asked tentatively, "Hinata, are you in a puppy-love relationship?"

"No, no! How could that be! That's not it! I'm not in love!" Hinata shook her head vigorously, though her face turned even redder.

She understood what her father meant.

Her father suspected she liked Takasaki.

How could that be?

How could she possibly like that playboy?

Yet, the way she kept denying it only made Hiashi Hyuga more certain.

His daughter must be in a relationship.

Even if they weren't officially dating, it was likely a one-sided crush.

Because only love could provide such strong motivation for personal growth.

Actually, thinking about it, it made sense. Takasaki wasn't bad-looking and was hardworking; it was normal for girls to like him. After all, girls at this age were simple and didn't care about the other person's family background.

Unlike at his age, where talking about love required considering material things—at the very least, one had to consider if the other person had a position in Konoha, what their parents' professions were, whether the family had enough wealth, and if the dowry was substantial enough...

Therefore, Hiashi Hyuga did not resent his daughter's romance.

After all, she was still young.

Once she grew older, she would care about material conditions.

And Takasaki's family was dirt poor.

The two would naturally drift apart.

By then, Takasaki would have helped Hinata enough, and since he would have no more value, breaking up would be for the best.

"It's fine to be in love, as long as the other person can help you grow. But remember, you must not have any physical intimacy. A girl's first time must be saved for after marriage; otherwise, a man will not cherish you," Hiashi Hyuga instructed earnestly.

"That won't happen, Father. I'm not in love. How could I like Takasaki? I won't like him," Hinata said, still blushing and shaking her head, even as her heart hammered against her chest.

As she spoke, she lowered her head and ran outside.

The sound of Hiashi Hyuga's hearty laughter echoed through the Training Room.

After leaving the Training Room, Hinata ran straight to her room, her heart still racing.

The reason for her racing heart wasn't just her father teasing her about a romance; more importantly, during her conversation with him just moments ago, she had suddenly felt a strange intuition.

Takasaki was writing his second diary entry!

This time, did the content of Takasaki's diary record her name?

If it did, what kind of reward would she be able to obtain?

The reward she had received last time had made her noticeably stronger, enough to last three minutes during her sparring sessions with Neji.

Would the reward this time be even better?

Hinata felt both nervous and expectant.

She reached her bedchamber, locked the door, and waited until her emotions had settled and her heartbeat had steadied before taking the Diary out of her consciousness. She opened it with trembling care, but the sight before her made her heart race all over again.

The very first line of this diary entry was about her!

[I really am liking Hinata more and more...]

Hinata read on in silence, her entire body tensing up, her cheeks flushed as red as the evening sunset.

Meanwhile.

Inside the Training Room of the Hyuga Estate.

Neji and Hiashi Hyuga had not yet left.

Having grown up within the Hyuga Clan, Neji had become well-versed in the ways of the world through observation.

Especially when dealing with the elders of the clan, he knew that what they said often carried a double meaning.

Sometimes, when they praised him, they were actually keeping him in check.

Sometimes, when they reprimanded him, it was merely for show.

The more prestigious the clan, the more complex its hidden rules.

Just like a moment ago, when he told the Clan Head that he intended to apologize to Takasaki tomorrow, the Clan Head hadn't followed up on his words, but instead changed the subject to chat with Hinata.

Neji had understood the situation immediately.

It must have been that his words had struck the Clan Head as inappropriate, and he was being given time to prepare a better way to phrase things.

And now, the fact that the Clan Head hadn't left yet meant he was waiting for his response.

"Clan Head, I have thought it through regarding how I should treat Takasaki," Neji said, taking the initiative.

"And what do you intend to do?" Hiashi Hyuga asked with a smile.

He had always been satisfied with Neji's perceptiveness.

He knew how to give face to his elders, how to look after Hinata, and he was hardworking, ambitious, and possessed outstanding talent.

It was just a pity that such a promising talent had been born into the Hyuga Branch House.

If only he were his own child.

If it hadn't been an absolute necessity back then, he truly would not have wanted to brand Neji with the Caged Bird seal.

"Takasaki is able to motivate Hinata to become stronger, which means Takasaki is useful to our Hyuga Clan, and we need to maintain a good relationship with him."

Neji said sincerely, "And it was my fault for impulsively driving Takasaki away today. You have taught me that one should not hold grudges against friends overnight, and that sincerity is always the best weapon. Therefore, I intend to go and apologize to Takasaki tonight; I cannot wait until tomorrow."

Watching Neji's sensible demeanor, Hiashi Hyuga's appreciation for him deepened, even as he felt more regret over Neji's birth.

He patted Neji gently on the shoulder. "Good child, do as you say. I believe you will handle it well."

"Understood, Clan Head!"

Neji nodded slightly and left.

He had two reasons for taking the initiative to apologize to Takasaki.

What he had told the Clan Head was merely the superficial reason.

The real reason was that he had a lingering feeling that Takasaki might know a way to remove the Caged Bird seal, and he wanted to ask Takasaki for help.

Of course, he could never tell Hiashi Hyuga about this little scheme of his; it would be a crime of treason against the clan.