Beyond the fame /My personal teacher: The sequel/

Wisdom and Warmth

Naruto's POV

It's been almost a week since the party. And I still haven't made much progress with Hinata. Plus, she's not coming to school and I don't get to see her as much as before. I was so desperate that I drove around her neighborhood hoping I would at least catch a glimpse of her.

Now I'm headed to the studio to talk about Yadachi's request. He asked me if I can do the opening act's performance for Hinata's concert. I thought long and hard about whether it's right for me to accept or not. I came to the conclusion that if Hinata was not at ease with me taking the job she would've said beforehand. After all Yadachi would never force any of his artists to do something they're not comfortable with. 

I stopped in front of the control room's door when I heard someone weeping from the inside. 

 "You know we've put a lot of work into it." Yadachi's voice said from the other side.

I put my ear against the door to hear the conversation clearer.

"I know...I know but I just can't release this EP anymore. Not when it's about him." A female's voice replied. "Plus, I don't think I can sing most of the songs without breaking down like I did just now." It wasn't just any female, it's my Hinata and I think she's talking about me.

"Well, you'll have to sing the ones we've already released which are only three and the collaboration with him. That makes four. Even with the ones we recorded it's still not enough for a whole concert." Yadachi explained. I could hear the sadness in his voice. "I'm sorry, Hinata. There's really nothing I can do on such short notice."

"It's not your fault, I didn't mean to bother you with my problems. I must get a grip of myself. Guess I'll rehearse a little more until I'm ready." 

"I'm leaving you do your thing then, if there's something you know where I am." 

Hearing this I quickly moved away just before Yadachi could hit me with the door. As soon as he met my eyes he hurriedly closed the door with a warning look on his face.

"You!" He whisper yelled pointing his finger at me. Then he gestured for me to follow him and we entered the small project studio. 

"Care to explain, Naruto?" Yadachi said after a moment of silence he took to calm himself down.

"Explain what?"

"Oh, I don't know, for example what happened between Hinata and you that frustrated her so much? She practically begged me on her knees not to release the extended play (EP) she was once so exited for!" He sat on the chair in front of the mixing console. 

He gave me a look when I tried to deny that anything happened then I gave up and told him everything from my side of the story. Yadachi patiently listened to everything I had to say not once voicing his opinion or interrupting me. 

"Naruto, do you consider 'comforting' this girl in the way you did cheating?" Yadachi asked me. I've always felt safe and understood around him and his non judging tone now encouraged me to be open with him once again. 

"No. Like I said, I didn't kiss or have sex with Asami." I shrugged like it wasn't such the big deal. 

"Let me formulate the question differently: What do you consider cheating?" He leaned forward with a serious expression.

"The things you do with your partner. Like kissing and you know.." I scratched the back of my neck. However close we may be it's still strange to talk with my boss about my sexual life.

He laughed at my answer. "Have you and Hinata set boundaries in your relationship?"

"Um... no, we haven't." I got hesitant. Is that something people do? I thought we both know where we stand. 

"And you haven't asked Hinata if it's okay with her?" Yadachi continued to inquire with an expecting look on his face. I was missing something, wasn't I?

"Well, no? But Asami is just a friend so there's no need for that." I'm convinced Hinata knows she matters so much more than Asami to me, right?

"Guess I'll just say it then." Yadachi smiled and looked aside. "For some people, including me and I have reason to believe Hinata too is one of these people, cheating is more than just a physical thing - more than a kiss and more than sex. It's about being emotionally intimate with someone other than your significant other." He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed lightly. "I would say it's almost worse than finding out your partner had sex with someone else."

"But why?" 

"Because sex can be free of an emotional connection. And cuddling..." He searched for the right words to say with a painful smile. "Seems less like it can." Yadachi continued then took his leave leaving me alone to analyze the information. 

I never thought of it this way. Hinata was in the other room crying because of me and I was here just now realizing how she felt all along. If it was me who had to witness this I would've felt betrayed too. Even worse. But Hinata never gave me any reason to doubt her, I couldn't even imagine her with somebody else before Kai. 

Kai... I thought what he told me at the party that night about their relationship was a cheap lie. An attempt to get on my good side... Hinata wasn't forced to break up with me for the sake of her reputation.... Hinata would've said something to me... Hinata would've refuse... Hinata. 

My girl was so close yet so far away from me and there's nothing I can say to make things right. What could I possibly say? Sorry I didn't think about your feeling when I decided to get into bed half naked with another girl, hope you're not still mad :) I cheated on Hinata. The game of winning her back was lost before it's started. All thanks to me. 

No, I'm not gonna cry now. Not when I'm the one responsible. I have to take care of my mess. 

I exited the project studio room and found myself in front of the control room. My heart won the battle with my mind. I lightly knocked then entered the room. There was no one inside. That's what I thought before I saw Hinata sitting on the couch in the room. 

Her head was leaning against the wall, her eyes were closed and her mouth slightly opened, a thin line of drool escaped her mouth. I've seen her like this so many times on my couch, on my bed, in my arms. She was sleeping so peacefully. I carefully sat next to my sleeping girl trying not to wake her up. I gently ran my finger through her soft hair. Then I brushed away a tear that had escaped her eye with my thumb when I stopped to cup her cheek. 

I thought about what my excuse will be when she wakes up and finds me here. My mind went through all the things I wanted to tell her: that I know why she did some of the things she did; that I understand her for feeling the way she does, for breaking up with me; that I'm sorry. But also I had a lot of questions like why hasn't she put up a fight; was I not worth it; she should've refused faking a relationship with another guy only for the media's attention. However, none of the things I though about were said out loud or answered because she didn't wake up for another hour and a half.

I think Yadachi was long gone since he knows we have keys for the studio. I called Mr. Hyuga and told him Hinata's with me so he doesn't have to worry. I took Hinata in my arms and slowly carried her to my car. When we got outside she shivered and buried her head in my chest. If it was possible I would give her all my warmth. Instead I just covered her with my jacket as soon as I set her down on the front seat.

"I'm sorry." I whispered. After that I started the engine.

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A whole chapter written from Naruto's point of view? Yes pls

- S <3