There was no answer from the bathroom, only the faint sound of sobbing. Toru Kujyo knew Hinata must have been utterly mortified, unable to face him at all.
He sighed, his gaze falling on the white gymnastics leotard Hinata had hastily dropped on the floor, then on the school swimsuit and cheerleading outfit still in the gift box. He carefully picked them up, folded them, and put them back in the box. He knew tonight's "artistic photo shoot" was completely ruined.
Over the next few days, Toru Kujyo's life seemed to return to normal, but a heavy worry still hung over him. He went to the training grounds and the mission hall, yet never caught sight of Hinata Hyuga.
He tried waiting outside the Hyuga Clan Compound, but only saw Hyuga Hiashi and a few Hyuga clan members hurrying past. Whenever he tried to approach Hinata, she darted away like a startled bird, without even the courage to look at him. Her shame was clearly far stronger than he had imagined, to the point that she could no longer face him.
"This is... just awful," Toru Kujyo muttered to himself as he sat at the edge of the training grounds, toying with a shuriken. He knew he had hurt Hinata's feelings-and her pride.
He wanted to apologize, to explain, but had no idea how to begin. Whenever he recalled her flushed face that night and her despairing scream, a wave of helplessness washed over him. He sighed and looked up at the clear blue sky. The sunlight was dazzling, but it could not dispel the gloom in his heart.
Just as he sank into thought, a bright voice broke the silence of the training grounds.
"Toru!"
Toru Kujyo looked toward the voice and saw a small figure running swiftly toward