"What an adorable little girl!"
Kazahana Koyuki's voice was soft and pleasant, with the warmth of an older sister.
"Of course."
As she spoke, she leaned forward gracefully, reaching out to pat Hanabi's adorable little head as a gesture of affection.
Her smooth, ink-black hair slipped from her shoulders with the movement, gleaming like satin beneath the lights.
However, just as her fingertips were about to touch the top of Hanabi's head...
Hanabi tilted her head like a nimble little kitten, deftly dodging Kazahana Koyuki's hand.
"Nope!"
Hanabi shook her head solemnly, her little face serious. "Dad said getting your head patted makes you stop growing!"
"Pfft-"
Kazahana Koyuki's hand froze in midair before she couldn't help laughing softly.
Far from feeling embarrassed at the rejection, she found the little girl even more adorable and amusing.
"Really? I didn't know people said that."
Smiling, she withdrew her hand and borrowed a notebook and pen from Naruto.
"All right, then. To keep our adorable little girl from growing tall, I won't pat your head.
Come here, I'll give you my autograph~"
"Thank you, Princess Gale!"
Hinata gently set the two large bags of snacks she was carrying on the dining table as well.
Seemingly buoyed by her little sister Hanabi's successful encounter with her idol, she relaxed a little. With a gentle smile, she turned naturally toward Naruto and took the initiative to say in a soft voice:
"Naruto-kun, I'm going to make dinner."
Clearly, she had taken what Naruto had said during the exam to heart.
With that, she headed toward the kitchen as though she knew her way around perfectly.
Neji glared at Naruto, and Naruto glared right back.
Who are you trying to fool with that good-big-brother act?
*In the original story, you and Pain beat Hinata worse