Hope Will Find Its Way to You

Chapter 1: Fateful Encounter

Fateful Encounter

The fresh ocean breeze welcomed the departing ship, venturing the waters on its first sail towards the new world as people waved goodbye to their loved ones.

Hinata's parents went about to explore while Hinata stood there, his eyes solely focused on a peculiar figure leaning with his back against the fence with pale skin complexion and messy shoulder-length white hair, a rather tall and skinny young man.

He didn't know exactly what drew him to that man, but for some reason he couldn't lift his eyes off of him. He watched him from afar while that man gazed at the sky as if he was contemplating about life, and so he wondered if he was in the same shoes as he was.

His clothes weren't anything special, just a simple brown suit and a red-and-green sweater vest. Yet, something about him was alluring for some reason. On top of that, for someone to have such white hair at this young age, Hinata couldn't help but become peculiarly curious as to whether it was something genetic or...?

In that instant, that young man was drawn to look down, and with a spur of pure luck, their eyes locked together.

Hinata fidgeted for a moment for being caught staring, but he couldn't turn his gaze away and neither did he. They stood there, gazing at each other as the breeze gently stroked their hair.

Hinata swallowed, feeling the strange urge to walk the distance and talk to him. But after taking one step, he got distracted by a passing couple. He apologized for getting in their way, but when he looked back up, he was no longer there.

Hinata's eyes searched for him left and right among the busy crowd, but he was nowhere to be found.

'That was... unusual.' He thought.

"Hajime, what are you standing there for? Come along now, son."

"Yes, father!"

Hinata took one final look behind him one last time before catching up to his parents.

Hinata entered the room and his eyes were immediately drawn to the beautiful furnishings of the suite.

Just how much did his parents pay for this?

"Hajime, you're going to wear your best, finest suit for tonight's party. You are going to meet the elites, so remember to behave properly."

"It's really important that you establish good connections with them, son. The more you do, the better." His father added.

Just the mere mentioning of the elites made his throat grow dry and nervousness creep into his veins.

"Understood."

"Oh Hajime, I'm so excited for you. You will surely find a respectful wife among the elites, and the two of you will marry and have lots of beautiful children. Ah, I can imagine it perfectly in my head. You will make us very proud, my dear."

Hinata sighed defeatedly when she turned away to unpack their luggage. Feeling obviously anxious from this trip, he tried to think of the possible good outcomes instead. Who knows? He might strike a lucky encounter with one of the elites or he might find something interesting and worthwhile to entertain his stay aboard the ship.

Despite his hopeful exhortation, Hinata's sigh drew longer, fidgeting despite himself and feeling rather discouraged with every passing second.

He had always admired the elites and dreamed of attending one of their parties, but he knew that he'd never fit in. He felt utterly insecure and wished to be part of something bigger than himself, to become someone he could be proud of in front of the elites, in front of his parents, and furthermost in front of himself.

Up to that point, he believed he had been leading a boring life as a talentless person.

He looked over at his parents with longing for approval and affection. Their desire to have their son among the elites had always been their dream, and he had grown up to think he could be special.

But he was a nobody.

An utterly, boring existence.

Feeling very stressed out, he needed to distract himself, so he left the room and headed outside for some fresh air.