Last Second Power-Up pt 2 (Nao and Hibiki)

Nao was surprised to get another summons from Airi so close to the exams, he half wondered if it had to deal with the travel to the exams or even changes. He truly hoped that she wasn't going to ask for the Ryo she had given him back, seeing as he had already spent it all on gear he might need for the exams. Slipping on his boots, Nao would double check all his gear to ensure he had everything before slipping the tanto into his sheath on his back over his right shoulder. Slipping his mother's necklace over his head before straightening out his gi, Nao headed out the door of his house and to the Hokage building.

Making his way to the Hokage's office to find out what the summons was about, Nao would give a small head nod to Airi. "Lady Hokage, you sent for me." He would state as he entered the office, he knew she had said that when it was just the two of them he should call her Airi-Sensei, however with this being in her office he was unsure whether he should or not so he keep to the official title unless she told him otherwise.

Seeing Hibiki enter the office shortly after he did, Nao let out a small sigh of relief. He had not had his byakugan active so he didn't even realize that she had been behind him, otherwise he would have slowed his pace down so that they could have talked before coming in and walked in together. Knowing she was here was comforting in the fact that there was less chance he was in trouble about something he did. Seeing her always brighten his day, and her greeting would put a wide smile on his face. "I'm doing well, I hope the universe is treating you well also." Nao would respond with a small nod before turning his attention back to Airi.

Airi spoke about giving them something for a bit of oomph in the exams and said some words that he didn't understand before explaining it a little further. She spoke of sages and the word that he couldn't understand again, stating the drawbacks were extreme without specifying what they were. Nao would consider her words for a moment, if this was truly the last chance they would have to receive such a gift before the exams he didn't want to simply turn it down without thought. As he considered, something inside of him turned and twisted. It wasn't a calling like what Airi had said, but a feeling deep within him that told him that this wasn't the path for him. "I appreciate the offer, Airi-Sensei. But I do not believe that what you offer is right for me, I feel I have another path that I must follow. If you will excuse me, I must finish preparations for the exams." Nao would bow to Airi and Hibiki before making his exit from the office to finish his preparations, the feeling within him still strong on his mind as he wondered what it was and if he would be capable of discovering it's truth before the exams.


Exit Thread

---

Turning down Imperfect Sage for Custom ES

"Ah, with your kind words, the universe is treating me better than ever! It's like every star is shining just a tad brighter. Thanks for brightening my day even more, Let's keep riding those cosmic waves together!"     Hibiki replied back to Nao with a playful and friendly tone, unaware that the unintentional context of her words could come across as if she was flirting with him.

Quitting down a bit so that she could listen to what Airi had to say, Hibiki frowned as she struggled to understand what was being offered to her here since she felt like she was missing a pretty big piece of the puzzle that would give it more context.

Could you please not use big words you know I won’t understand in front of Nao.  She mouthed without actually saying anything.  She knew she wasn’t the brightest but for some reason she didn’t want to look stupid in front of this friend in particular.  It was odd, she had admitted to Toru that she was a little slow at times, and Kaori and Natsuki knew she had trouble learning Jutsu on her and none of them had made fun of her for it.  She was reasonably sure Nao wouldn’t either so why did she have a desire to have him see her in a better light when she didn’t care as much about keeping up appearances with the others?

"Wait! Um, I mean, hold on a sec Nao.  Before you go, I brought some cookies! They're, uh, cosmic cookies! Yeah, they've got little star sprinkles on top and everything. I thought we could, you know, share them together? It'll be fun!"  offered Hibiki holding out the box of cookies towards him with a hopeful smile.  



They had only just run into each other again and for some reason she was feeling a little desperate to get him to stay just a bit longer.  Since she was here anyhow she figured now was as good a time as any to share a personal request with her big sister that she’d been meaning to make anyhow… a request that for some reason she wanted Nao to hear.

It went almost without saying that Hibiki trusted Airi unconditionally.  Outside of that she was unusually extremely private about the precise details of her background.  Small nuggets slipped out now and then due to her careless ways but she usually did not open up to anyone about her history intentionally.   It wasn’t like she was giving him the full story here but the fact she was willing to share details at all in Nao’s presence was a show of just how much trust and faith she had placed in him. 


“I'm not sure I quite understand what becoming an imperfect sage means….”  Hibiki started. There was no way she was going to even attempt to pronounce the strange name Airi had called it since she’d get her tongue tied in the process.   “But I'm not really into extreme stuff. I’d rather just be a normal girl…. Or at least as normal as someone like me can be.”  replied Hibiki with a weak smile.


“Instead I have a different request for you Sis… No Lady Hokage.”    Airi had stated there was no need for formality here but this was the type of thing that Hibiki felt was best done properly. 


“The best way for me to get stronger would be to learn more of my Clan’s Steel release jutsu.  However, as you know I can’t do that on my own”  with her learning disability she couldn’t figure out anything higher than C-rank on her own.   Taking an old moth eaten scroll out of her pocket, she rolled it open to show Airi and Nao the while two C-rank techniques she had trained on her own in secret were still legible, the rest was mostly rubbish. 


“This one in particular seems useful.” Hibiki said, pointing to a paragraph that was still decipherable talking about the Impervious Exo-Skeleton.  It described the technique but not how to actually go about performing it.


“The problem is that I lost most of my family to a fire near the start of the war.  Our home was just an outpost so I’m sure I’ve got cousins and stuff around elsewhere but I wouldn’t know where to begin looking for them….” She said with a hopeless shrug.  A smarter person would have started with searching Iwagakure but Hibiki wasn’t the brightest bulb in the shed.   Her awareness of where any clans were located was fairly limited.

“And honestly I’m not sure how they’d treat an Outcast who doesn’t even know their original name like me.  They’ve always been very traditional. Very conservative and very…. What was the word again… Pastry…..Patriy… Patriarchal.”    she said, hitting her right fist into her left palm happy at having come up with the correct word after some difficulty.     

“Anyway they’d probably won’t take a girl like me who can only use the first stage of our bloodline very seriously….”  If anything the elders would call her a cheeky run and tell her to get back in the kitchen.   Why did people sometimes say that to someone who hadn’t been in the kitchen to begin with?  Considering how badly her culinary escapades had gone so far she couldn’t see that going well for anybody. 

“There is one member of my extended family however who might be willing to help. The Grand Merchant, Mr. Moneybags.”  she said, referring to Okane who was most likely the richest man in the world.  He was so famous that even someone as challenged as Hibiki knew about him. Like her he went by a different last name.  If any Tetsudashi could understand and relate to her situation it would be him.

“What I’d like from you Lady Hokage is for you to  please arrange for me to have some last minute lessons with Sir Okane.  It would mean the world to me”  Normally it would be impossible for them to meet on such short notice.  Okane was in an entirely different country after all, but rumor was he had a way to travel around the world super fast, sort of like a wealthier version of Santa claus.  If anyone had a way to contact him quickly and make that meeting possible, it would be the Hokage.

[2]

Interrupting Nao's exit


[OOC: Refusing the Cosmic Horror Sage Mode in favor of drafting my own custom Enhanced State.]

Nao stopped dead in his tracks as he heard Hibiki call out for him to wait, turning to look to her and the cookies she produced as she spoke. A smile returning to his face as he reached out and took a cookie, interested to try the cosmic cookie. "Well, I suppose preparations can always wait." Nao replied before taking a bite of the cookie, delicious was the only word that came to his mind as he bit into the cookie. It was as if the cookie melted in his mouth, he had no idea Hibiki was such a great baker. Listening as Hibiki asked more about the sage and Airi would explain it to her, his eyebrow would raise slightly as he heard Hibiki say she had a different request. Still eating the cookie Nao would follow Hibiki back over to the desk and look at the scroll that she unrolled, taking a second cookie as he did.

The fact that anyone could treat Hibiki like an outcast was beyond him, he would think they would have enjoyed such a capable fighter in their clan. At the same time he knew all to well the view of a clan looking at an outcast, with the exception of Airi, his entire clan hated him for what his mother had done. It was not like he had a choice in the matter, he was just the product, but to them an impurity to the clan. Maybe that was why he felt a connection to Hibiki when he had first met her, she was an outsider just like him.

He had heard the title grand merchant before, some crafter in a far off country. There were crafters here in the village that were just as good, but Hibiki wasn't looking for a crafter she was looking for a relative that could help her in training. He had no idea that this Okane was related to Hibiki, though he supposed a clan would keep track of their members even if they are spread as far as they seemed to be. It was sad to think that Hibiki was an outcast to such a clan, sure he was one with his clan but if he ever wanted to get away from it he could just leave the village to do so, Hibiki however ran the chance of running into family members in the different countries so getting away from it was likely harder.

Hearing Airi call Okane the Womanizer salesman was a title that he had not heard before for the man, though he knew that the Hokage had more knowledge about the man then he did. Hearing the Hokage say not to be surprised if Okane tried to hit on Hibiki, Nao's fist would clinch slightly though he wouldn't be aware of it at first. Hearing his name, Nao would realize what his hand had done and relaxed it. "I would be delighted to escort the Lady Hibiki, and I will not let the man do any funny business. I give you my word that I will not take my eyes off of her." Nao replied to the Hokage with a small bow to her before turning to look at Hibiki with a smile. With the dismissal from the Hokage, Nao would hold out his arm to Hibiki. "Can I walk you home, Lady Hibiki?"

Pleased by Hibiki's acceptance of his offer to walk her home, Nao's appreciation was evident as he gladly accepted a few more of her homemade cookies for the journey. It was a rare treat for him, and he savored each bite, grateful for the gesture. As they bid farewell to the Hokage with a respectful bow, Nao's attention shifted to Hibiki's question about finding Okane. Pausing to consider her inquiry, Nao's expression turned thoughtful, his mind racing through the various options available to them. "The Hokage mentioned Okane might be trying to sell his wares," he began, his tone measured and practical. "Given the influx of participants and spectators for the exams, merchants are bound to flock to the island. If Okane is indeed among them, someone as prominent as the grand merchant should stand out. We could start by checking out the market stalls. And if need be, I can utilize my Byakugan to aid in our search once we're there."

His words were delivered with genuine sincerity, reflecting his unwavering commitment to assisting Hibiki in her quest to find her relative. He knew that she wished to learn the secrets of her clan, just as he did with the hidden Mikiri bloodline that he possessed. For Nao, the method mattered less than the shared journey with Hibiki, and he was determined to lend her his support in any way possible. He wanted her to succeed in the exams just as much as himself, and if she felt that training under this distant relative would help her then he would do all he could to help her get that meeting with him. Though in the back of his mind the words the Hokage had spoken still dwelled, and the thought of the man trying to make a move on Hibiki would sour his impressions of the man.

Boy Nao sure seemed to like the cookies she had brought with her.  They had gone over better then Hibiki had expected. It was a shame she hadn’t made them herself.   Her culinary efforts in that regard had not gone over well so far but that wouldn’t stop her from continuing to try.  

When it came to baking she was improving albeit slowly,  her cookies weren’t coming out of the oven as completely inedible charcoal anymore. That said she still had a long way to go before she managed to match the quality of the store bought stuff.  Maybe one day she would be able to bake some for Nao that he would be able to enjoy just as much if not more than the ones he was scarfing now. 

“If you’d like I could bring you some homemade ones next time.”  She offered shyly. Hopefully he wouldn’t mind if they were slightly singed. They wouldn’t be as good as the ones he was having now obviously, but in her limited experience the rustic charm of something hand crafted could go a long way when compared to something more mass produced. 

“You're a genius Nao.” Hibiki said brightly, hitting her right first into her left palm.  Of course if you want to find a merchant,  you should search the marketplace.  The idea was so obvious why hadn’t she thought of that sooner?  It was a good thing her friend was here to set her on the right path. 

Hibiki's ears perked up as she heard the unfamiliar word 'Byakugan' for the first time. Her curiosity piqued, she turned to face Nao rather than continuing to walk side by side.  She was eager to learn more about this mysterious term that had caught her attention. With a furrowed brow and a spark of intrigue in her eyes, she couldn't help but wonder what secrets might be hidden behind such an enigmatic name. 

“What is this Byakugan and how can it help us search?” she asked, her voice full of curiosity. Her imagination was running wild as she tried to envision what it might be. Perhaps a surveillance  drone like the kind Kiyoshi sold at his store on commission,  or even better a pet hawk.   She was completely off the mark, not realizing that it had to do with the cool eye related thing that she had seen both Nao and Airi do.

[4]

Hibiki's offer to bring homemade cookies next time elicited a brief pause from Nao as he glanced down at the cookies he had been enjoying. Initially thinking they were homemade by Hibiki, he realized otherwise. Nevertheless, a gentle smile formed on his face as he shifted his gaze from the cookies to Hibiki. "Well, I won't say you have to do that, Hibiki, but I would certainly enjoy trying your homemade cookies," he said, his voice warm, with a hint of playful charm. "It's not very often someone is as kind as you are to offer me such a treat." Leaning in a little closer, his voice softening slightly as he continued, "I'm sure your homemade cookies would taste even better than these."  he added with a playful wink, he just couldn't resist injecting a touch of flirtation into his response.

As Hibiki called him a genius, something no one else had ever called him, a small chuckle escaped Nao before he composed himself to explain the Byakugan to his friend. "The Byakugan is the power of the Hyūga Clan," he began, his voice carrying a hint of pride and enthusiasm. "You see, our eyes are different from others, and they hold abilities that we can activate with chakra. We are able to see the chakra of others, which is why in our spar, I was able to strike at the right areas to cause you to lose chakra." Leaning towards her slightly once more, he continued. His hands gestured subtly, emphasizing his points as he spoke. "But that's not all. With the Byakugan, we can see all around us—a full 360 degrees." His eyes gleamed with intensity as he explained, his passion for his clan's techniques evident in his words. "When I activate the Byakugan, I can see up to 250 meters around me in all directions, even through solid objects. So if someone were to attack me from behind, I would see them approaching without needing to turn around or if someone was hiding behind something I would be able to see them. So if Okane is within a building or something that we would not normally see him, it would be possible for me to see him in there and we can find him easier." Pausing for a moment, a thoughtful expression crossed his features before a determined resolve settled in. "And if I continue with my training, I will one day be able to see even further than that," he concluded with a confident nod, his belief in his potential unwavering.

Hibiki couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest as she listened to his charming words. His warm voice and playful demeanor made her cheeks flush slightly. She grinned, feeling a mix of delight and nervousness at his flirtatious remark.

"Well, in that case, I'll have to make sure they're extra special for you," she replied, her own voice softening with a hint of playful banter. "Consider it a promise then. Next time, you'll get to taste the real deal." She returned his wink with a playful one of her own, enjoying the playful exchange between them.

It was looking like she was going to be spending a lot more time in the kitchen in the near future practicing to level up her cookie baking skills.  Somehow though that didn’t seem like a tall task in the least.  Hibiki felt like she understood the matron of the dinning hall at her apartment complex a little better now.  Her job had seemed menial at first but it could be enjoyable to see people enjoying food that you made, doubly so if that person was someone you especially liked.

Hibiki listened intently as Nao explained the intricacies of the Byakugan, her curiosity piqued by his passionate description. She marveled at the unique abilities of the Hyuga Clan, nodding along as he spoke.

"Wow, that's incredible," she exclaimed, admiration evident in her voice. "The ability to see chakra and your surroundings must be so useful, especially in combat." She couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the thought of Nao honing his skills to see even further. The idea of him using his special vison for more nefarious purposes didn't even occur to her.


"I have no doubt that with your dedication, you'll achieve even greater mastery," she said, offering him an encouraging smile. "And having that kind of vision could definitely help us in finding Okane. We'll be able to cover more ground and detect his presence more easily."

Hibiki felt a surge of confidence knowing that they had Nao's abilities on their side in their search for Okane. With his determination and the power of the Byakugan, she believed they had a strong chance of success.

"Actually Nao just between us I think I might have another ability myself," Hibiki confessed, her tone a mix of excitement and uncertainty. “It's like... my eyes, they're not just normal anymore. When I activate them, they... they start to glow, and I can see things so much clearer, like details I never noticed before."

She paused, trying to find the right words to describe her newfound ability. "It's like I can pick up on tiny movements, you know? Like, I can see how someone's muscles tense before they even make a move. And it's not just in combat, it's in everyday situations too.  I could tell when someone's about to reach for something or even how they're feeling just by the way they move."


Hibiki's voice was filled with wonder as she tried to articulate her experiences. "I  don’t know what it’s called" she continued, she didn’t know much about any bloodlines unless someone took the time to explain them to her like Nao had just done.  "It's not exactly seeing the future, but it's like... seeing what's about to happen before it does."

She looked at Nao, hoping he would understand the significance of her discovery. "I'm still figuring out how to control it, but I think it could be really useful, especially in missions or spars. I just... I don't know, I felt like I had to tell you about it."   

[5]

Nao's eyes widened with genuine interest as Hibiki shared her newfound ability with him, leaning in slightly captivated by her words. "That's truly remarkable, Hibiki," he said, his voice tinged with admiration. "What you've described with the predictive qualities of you eyes, it reminds me of similar properties of the Sharingan." Nao stated, remembering the lessons his mother had given him on the great clans of Konohagakure. "Though there are differences, as I don't recall the uchiha's eyes glowing." He continued as he placed a hand on his chin in thought.

Pondering for a moment as he considered the implications of her ability. "Being able to anticipate movements and understand people's intentions before they even act, it's a remarkable skill to possess. It's like a heightened sense of awareness," he mused aloud, simply reiterating what she had described. "Do you know of anyone else with your clan that has possessed such an ability?" Nao asked out of curiosity, "you see, there are clans that possess what are called Doujutsu, like the Byakugan of the Hyūga or the Sharingan of the Uchiha. It's possible that yours is also a hereditary ability, of course it's also possible that you have something that is completely unique to you."

Nao reached out, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever it is, I know that you will be able to figure out how to control it. I will always be here for you to talk to and I will help where I can, with any luck we can figure it out together." Nao stated with a soft smile, wanting nothing more than to show her that he understood what she was going through. He had a similar experience when he discovered his ability to utilize the dark release chakra, the uncertainty of it all and the guidance that helped him learn more about it.

Suddenly, like being struck by lightning, a thought popped into his head. "I don't know if it is related or not, but perhaps you should speak to Sera about this." Nao stated as he recalled the other woman's eyes glowing in their spar against Tōri, "I don't know the specifics of her Doujutsu, but I do know that her eyes glowed when it was activated. It's possible that there is a connection there that you can follow."

Nao listened intently as Hibiki shared her past, Hibiki's words painted a vivid picture of her past struggles. With each painful detail she shared, his heart clenched in sympathy, and a surge of anger rippled through him towards those who had caused her such suffering. The urge to right those wrongs burned within him, wishing he could confront those who caused her pain and ensure they faced consequences. He found himself imagining scenarios how he would confront them if given the chance, his fists clenched with a mix of frustration and determination. Amidst the turmoil, he marveled at Hibiki's courage. Her strength in opening up to him was both humbling and inspiring, he marveled at her resilience, admiring her for facing her demons head-on. "I can't imagine what you've been through, Hibiki." Nao said softly, his voice laced with compassion. "But know that you're not alone anymore. I'm here for you, no matter what."

He smiled warmly as she mentioned hoping to get the chance to catch up with Sera. "She's likely been training as hard as we have to prepare for the exams, I'm sure you'll have a chance to catch up with Sera." Nao replied as they continued their walk, happy with the fact that he was able to give her a possible lead that might help her. As they neared the convenience store, he nodded at her request to stop. "Of course, take all the time you need." Nao asked, eager to assist her in any way possible, even if it was just helping fetch her a snack or drink. "Would you like me to wait out here, or would you like company while you shop?" His genuine desire to be there for her in every moment reflecting in his words, though at the same time not wishing to smother her should she just want time to herself while she shopped.

Despite his previous thoughts of wanting to teach those that had wronged Hibiki a lesson, as he listened to Hibiki's view about revenge he found himself inspired by her even more. It amazed him how someone could go through so much and still hold such a positive outlook on life. "It's true," Nao replied softly, his voice carrying a gentle warmth. "Revenge can feel like the answer, but in the end, it only perpetuates the cycle of pain. Your insight is truly profound, Hibiki." Nao couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to share this moment with her, her presence alone brought a sense of peace and her view on the world held an understanding that he cherished deeply.

"I'm honored to be here for you," he said sincerely, his gaze meeting hers with unwavering support. "You're not alone in this journey, Hibiki. I'll always be here to listen, to understand, and to support you in any way I can. You can always count on me." He smiled softly, his heart swelling with gratitude for the trust she had placed in him. "Having you by my side means the world to me too," he added, his voice filled with genuine warmth. There was nowhere he would rather be than by her side, and he truly treasured their time together. It was remarkable to him that he had spent most of his life alone, and now he couldn't imagine a life of not being by her side.

As Nao stood outside the convenience store, his eyes scanned the bustling street, searching for something to occupy his time while he waited for Hibiki. That's when he spotted a small flower stall tucked away in a corner, its colorful display beckoning to him. Intrigued, he made his way over and was greeted by a cheerful florist arranging a variety of flowers. Among them, he spotted a cluster of Lycoris blooms, their vibrant red petals standing out amidst the sea of colorful flowers. Remembering Hibiki's fondness for Lycoris flowers, Nao couldn't resist the urge to buy her a bouquet. He carefully selected the freshest blooms, making sure each stem was perfect, before paying for them with a smile.

With the bouquet in hand, Nao returned to his spot outside the convenience store, the anticipation building as he waited for Hibiki to emerge. When she finally did, he greeted her with a warm smile, holding the bouquet behind his back so he didn't give away the surprise early. His nervousness likely showing on his face as he watched her return, once she was back next to him, he would move his hand holding out the bouquet for her to see. "These are for you," he said, his voice filled with anticipation that this small gesture would help brighten her day. "I remembered that you said you had a soft spot for Lycoris flowers, so I thought I'd surprise you."

Nao watched Hibiki enter the convenience store, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. Her words had left him feeling both elated and uncertain, he admired Hibiki’s strength and kindness, and hearing her express such deep gratitude and affection had stirred something profound in him. He had originally dismissed his growing feelings for her as mere friendship, she was after all his first and only friend, but today had made it clear that he couldn’t ignore them any longer. He hoped that the bouquet of Lycoris would help convey his feelings about her, a small gesture to show her just how much he enjoyed spending time with her.

Nao watched Hibiki emerge from the convenience store, her eyes lighting up as they met his. Her presence always had a calming effect on him, and seeing her now, with that familiar warmth in her gaze, filled him with a sense of contentment. Nao took a deep breath, gathering his courage. This was his moment to show her how much he cared about her. As she greeted him, the sound of her voice alone made his heart skip a beat. As he revealed the bouquet of Lycoris flowers, Nao felt a surge of nervous anticipation, but her reaction was everything he hoped for. Her eyes widened in amazement, and the genuine appreciation in her voice when she thanked him made his heart race.

Her expression of pure joy and gratitude was everything Nao had hoped for. He couldn't help but smile as she accepted the bouquet, their hands brushing briefly. In that moment, Nao felt his connection to Hibiki deepen. Her words would cause his smile to brighten, grateful that his small gesture had brought her joy.  Hibiki’s next words caught him by surprise, he hadn't expected her to get him anything while she was in the store. When she pulled out a small ice-based treat, meant to be shared, Nao's heart warmed even more. It was a simple yet thoughtful gesture, one that told him that she was just as thankful for him as he was for her.

Nao looked at the treat she held out to him, then back at Hibiki, who was looking at him with hopeful eyes her cheeks blushing almost as much as his were. "It's perfect, Hibiki," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "Thank you. Sharing this with you sounds wonderful." He gestured to a nearby bench not far from the convenience store, "do you want to sit and eat it here, or while we continue our walk?" Nao asked, either way was fine with him, all he cared about is that moment was being with her. He knew that they still had a lot to figure out, but for now he was happy, grateful for her presence. Moments like these, where they could simply be together and enjoy each other's company, were the ones he enjoyed the most.

As they enjoyed the treat, whether sitting or walking, Nao found himself reflecting on what Hibiki had said before she had entered the shop. "Hibiki, I need you to know how much you mean to me." He began, his voice soft. Looking into her eyes, wanting to convey the depth of his feelings. "Spending time with you has brought so much meaning and happiness into my life. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, always. You can count on me, no matter what it is because I would do anything for you." As he spoke, he hoped that Hibiki could feel the sincerity behind his words. Their connection was something he treasured deeply, and he wanted her to know that she was not alone and that he was willing to always be by her side.

Nao felt a surge of emotion as he watched Hibiki's reaction to his words, her flushed cheeks and the way she averted her gaze only served to deepen his affection for her. "It's really good," he replied, smiling at her. "But honestly, I'm just happy to be here sharing this moment with you." As they sat together, the world around them seemed to blur and fade away. The silence that settled between them was comfortable, filled with unspoken feelings and shared understanding. Nao felt a sense of connection with Hibiki that he still couldn't quite put into words.

Nao savored the quiet moments, feeling the soft breeze as they sat on the bench, the world around them a blur. He felt a sense of vulnerability in the air, a shared moment of uncertainty and possibility. He watched Hibiki fidget with her hands, her nervous energy mirroring his own. She thanked him, her voice barely above a whisper, and he could hear the emotion behind her words. He watched as her fingers traced invisible patterns on her lap, her struggle to find the right words evident. The vulnerability in her eyes tugged at his heart.

"You don't have to thank me, Hibiki. Being with you, seeing you smile, it makes me happier than you can imagine." Nao took a deep breath, gathering his courage to express himself further. He gently placed his hand over hers, stilling her restless fingers. The warmth of her hand beneath his brought a sense of calm and connection to him. Nao's voice was steady as he continued, "your friendship means the world to me. I can't imagine my life without you in it. Your presence makes everything better, and I meant what I said, you can always count on me to be here for you."

He squeezed her hand gently, offering her a reassuring smile. He hoped that his words conveyed the depth of his feelings, that she could understand the words that he could not find to speak.  In that moment, Nao felt an overwhelming sense of peace. He knew that whatever the future held, they would navigate it together, their bond growing stronger with each passing day. He cherished the connection they shared, and as they sat there, hands intertwined, he felt more certain than ever that they were meant to be an important part of each other's lives.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over them, Nao felt a profound sense of peace. He wanted Hibiki to know that she was cherished, that their bond meant everything to him. Nao's heart raced as they sat together, sharing a quiet moment, he felt a sense of warmth and connection that he knew he would treasure forever. He glanced at the treat they had been sharing, now nearly finished, and chuckled. "I guess we got a bit distracted," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. He would have done anything to make this moment last longer, to just sit on the bench with her forever, but he knew that wasn't possible.

Hibiki's heart swelled with warmth as Nao's words reached her ears, his genuine affection palpable in the air. She couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions, a mixture of happiness and uncertainty swirling inside her.

"It really means a lot, Nao," she murmured, her cheeks flushing as she met his gaze, her heart fluttering in her chest. "Having you here with me, sharing this moment."
Hibiki felt a sense of vulnerability wash over her as Nao gently placed his hand over hers, his touch grounding her in the moment. She squeezed his hand in return, her fingers entwining with his as she tried to put her feelings into words.

"Nao, I..." she started, her voice soft but filled with sincerity. She paused, searching for the right words, grateful for Nao's patience and understanding. "I cherish our friendship more than I can say. You've been there for me through everything, and I don't know what I'd do without you." Hibiki's heart swelled with emotion as she spoke, her gaze never leaving Nao's. She could see the depth of his feelings reflected in his eyes, a mirror to her own. In that moment, she realized just how much she valued their bond, how much he meant to her.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the world around them, Hibiki felt a sense of peace settle over her. She knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, their friendship a source of strength and support.

With a soft chuckle, Hibiki nodded in agreement with Nao's observation about getting distracted. She savored the moment, wishing it could last forever, yet knowing that life was about embracing change and moving forward.

"Yeah, I guess we did," she replied, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She glanced down at their nearly finished treat, feeling a flutter of contentment in her chest. "But I wouldn't have it any other way. It's these moments with you that make everything feel so...right."

Hibiki's gaze met Nao's, her heart skipping a beat at the warmth in his eyes. She knew there was something special between them, something she couldn't quite name but cherished nonetheless. As they sat there, hands intertwined, watching the world around them slowly fade into dusk she felt a profound sense of gratitude. She knew that their friendship was something precious, something she would always hold dear in her heart.

But amidst the comfort and joy of their connection, there lingered a longing that Hibiki dared not speak aloud. She yearned for something more, something beyond friendship, but the words remained caught in her throat, afraid of what their revelation might bring. So, she held onto their friendship, cherishing it with all her heart, silently hoping that maybe, just maybe, Nao felt the same way too.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the world around them, Hibiki couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance at the thought of the night coming to an end. She cherished these moments with Nao, the comfort of his presence wrapping around her like a security blanket, and the idea of parting ways felt like tearing herself away from something precious.

A gentle breeze tousled her hair as she stole a glance at her watch, realizing with a hint of dismay that the hour was growing late. She shifted slightly on the bench, torn between the desire to linger a little while longer and the responsibility waiting for her back at her apartment.

"Nao," she said softly, turning to him with a hesitant smile, "I...I don't want this night to end, but I should probably head back soon. Curfew's looming, and I don't want to get another lecture from my landlord." Her words carried a touch of regret, but Hibiki knew that duty called, even when her heart begged to stay. She squeezed Nao's hand gently, silently hoping that he would understand her predicament.

"But," she added, a glimmer of mischief dancing in her eyes, "that doesn't mean we can't make the most of the time we have left, right? Maybe a little adventure on the way back?" Hibiki's smile widened at the thought, her heart lightening at the prospect of extending their evening just a little bit more. She knew that with Nao by her side, even the simplest moments held the promise of magic.

[10]

Nao couldn't help but smile at Hibiki's words, her reluctance to part echoing his own feelings. "Yeah, I understand," he replied softly, trying to hide his disappointment. "You're right, let's make the most of the time we have left." He stood up from the bench, still holding her hand, and helped her to her feet. As they started walking, the setting sun cast long shadows around them, painting the world in hues of gold and orange. Nao glanced over at Hibiki, who seemed to glow in the evening light, and felt his heart swell with emotion. He wanted to tell her everything he was feeling, to bridge the gap between friendship and something more, but he hesitated, afraid of what his words might change.

"So, I think I have something in mind" he said, trying to keep his tone light and playful. "I don't want you to get in trouble or anything, but there is something I wanted to show you. A surprise of sorts, unless you had an adventure already in mind." He chuckled, feeling a bit nervous at the prospect of an unexpected detour. It would cause them to go a little ways out of the way from their walk, which would put a strain at getting her home before curfew. He could always try to talk to the landlord on her behalf and explain that it was his fault that she was late, he had gotten good at talking himself out of trouble with most authority figures, but he also didn't want Hibiki to have to suffer from him wanting to take such a detour.

As they strolled through the village, Nao felt the bond between them grew stronger with each passing moment. The village was peaceful at this hour, the soft rustling of leaves and the distant hum of the waking night creatures creating a serene backdrop to their walk. As long as Hibiki was ok with it, Nao guided Hibiki to a small park overlooking a serene pond. "The reflections on the water are beautiful, when there is a full moon high in the sky it is almost magical." Nao said, glancing at the shimmering surface before turning his gaze back to Hibiki. "Not as beautiful as my current company of course," he said, his tone filled with sincerity as he diverted his glaze slightly. "I couldn't have asked for a better evening."