"So after dinner, I wanted to go rest."
Hyuga Hiashi nodded. "All right, then tomorrow! I have some other matters to discuss with you."
Hinata nodded.
The next morning, the weather seemed somewhat gloomy, as though it might start raining at any moment.
Following her instincts, Hinata made her way to Hyuga Hiashi's study.
Unexpectedly, Hyuga Hiashi was not working. Instead, he sat directly in his chair, seemingly lost in thought.
When Hyuga Hiashi saw Hinata arrive, he said, "Let's go. We'll change locations today."
With that, he led Hinata away and into a small room nearby.
It was not a large room.
But Hyuga Hiashi would usually come here for tea during breaks from work.
Bringing Hinata here today was truly a first.
The two sat down at the room's only tea table.
Hinata raised her head and looked at Hyuga Hiashi, wanting to urge him to get to the point.
Hyuga Hiashi said, "First, tell me what you gained from leaving the village this time."
But clearly, Hyuga Hiashi was not all that interested in the matter. It seemed as though he was merely going through the motions.
After saying that, he began fiddling with the tools on the table.
Hinata took a deep breath. Seeing what Hyuga Hiashi was doing, she began speaking casually as well.
She did not report in a deliberate, businesslike manner. Instead, she told it like a story.
And Hyuga Hiashi was clearly not listening very carefully.
Hinata was somewhat puzzled. She did not know what Hyuga Hiashi meant by acting so strangely today.
When she finished, Hyuga Hiashi still said nothing, merely giving a simple grunt.
Then Hyuga Hiashi picked up the tea set and warmly poured Hinata a full cup of tea first.
Only after pouring himself a full cup did