Izumi Yamanaka and Neji Hyuga have been best friends for a long time, yet there has always been something keeping their relationship from blossoming into something bigger...
"There's a glass wall that separates you two. When will you shatter it?"
ガラ...
MEANWHILE, NEJI SNUCK out to go visit Izumi. He knew she was still up. He could sense she felt guilty and conflicted. Why?
Why did he have that feeling? Why would she feel so conflicted anyway? Of course anyone could feel guilt after breaking up with someone who truly liked them, but why was that feeling strong enough to reach out to Neji? Was she in need of dire help? Why Neji? Too many questions.
'Too many questions. None of which can be answered right now anyway.'
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She was still restless. As she mindlessly paced around her now shambolic room, she heard a rustle. Instantly, she glanced at her window to see Neji crouching on a tree branch right outside her bedroom window on the second floor of her home.
"N-Neji?" she muttered to herself, confused as she staggered towards the window.
When she unlocked the window and opened it up to let Neji in, Neji came in and gave a disgusted look.
"Ino, I know you're having relationship issues, but at the very least clean up this horrific mess. Cleaning relieves stress anyway," he scolded.
Ino rolled her eyes. "Whatever, mom. Anyways, what are you doing here so late at night?"
"I came to see Izumi."
"At this time?! Couldn't this wait till morning? She's probably asleep!"
"She's awake," he replied quickly.
Ino's eyes widened. How would he know?
She let out a sigh. "Fine. Go ahead. You're lucky our parents are out on a business trip."
"I've known Izumi for so long that you're parents don't even care when I show up." He walked away, shutting the door behind him.
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Izumi held her stomach. She was way too anxious.
'How will I face him at school tomorrow?'
She was just about to try and get some rest when the door suddenly opened to reveal Neji. He stood there with an unreadable look in his eyes.
'Why is he here at this hour?'
They stayed there for far too many moments before Izumi finally spoke. "Neji," she mumbled as a stray tear rolled down her cheek, "a-am I... selfish?"
Neji didn't say a thing, but she now knew what the look in his eyes meant. Instead of scolding about her messy room like he usually does or offering words of support, he sat next to her at the end of the bed and pulled her in for a comforting hug. They were silent, but they still understood each other somehow.
'I don't want someone to tell me it's gonna be alright. I don't want someone to be so brutally honest to the point where they're just nagging. I don't want someone who will make me speak. I just want someone who will be there. And not even to listen.'
It felt strange, but as she cried on his shoulder, she suddenly felt like Kiba had reached out to here and forgave her in that moment.
All wounds were healed without words.
'I just want someone here.'
Neji stroked her messy baby blue hair softly.
"I'm here."
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