Chapter 20: Hinata's Misunderstanding - The White Eyed Princess of Konoha

**Chapter 20: Hinata's Misunderstanding** The class bell had barely rung when, seizing the moment as the teacher turned to write on the board, Shikamaru crumpled a note and deftly tossed it onto Hinata's desk. Hinata: "..." Passing notes during class used to be Hinata's favorite pastime in his previous life. However, now, Hinata found it quite annoying. Without even opening it, she could probably guess what the note contained. It was nothing more than some young boy with a budding crush, setting his sights on her as a potential romantic interest. Sasuke, seated in the front row alongside Hinata, noticed the note and cast a curious glance her way. Hinata unfolded the note—surprise! The signature was Shikamaru's? Upon closer inspection, Hinata understood Shikamaru's intent. Shikamaru had explained it clearly: he didn't want to see Choji suffer in the future, so he aimed to nip Choji's unrealistic notions in the bud while he was still young. He also speculated on the future relationship between Hinata and Choji. Initially, things might be awkward between them, but as they grew older and matured, these issues would gradually fade, and they would end up as good friends. Hinata realized Shikamaru's plan: to cleave the budding romance before it started—whoops, wrong phrase! Rather, he intended to help Choji cut the emotional ties early on. Ah, such wisdom indeed. Hinata stuffed the note into her bag, and without looking back, made an 'OK' gesture with her hand. … After school, Hinata arrived as promised. In his attempts to help Choji, Shikamaru had gone all out by reserving a private room at a dumpling shop and ensuring that both Hinata and Choji would eat their fill. How generous. Such decisiveness… Hinata could only acknowledge that Shikamaru was indeed the future strategist of Konoha. It seemed he had saved a lot of pocket money over the past year, and now she felt it necessary to find a chance to exploit this wealth a bit! Once all three were seated, Hinata unreservedly ordered twenty skewers of three-colored dumplings and five bowls of red bean soup. Choji's behavior, however, was quite surprising to both Hinata and Shikamaru; he ordered the same amount as Shikamaru, five skewers and a bowl of red bean soup. Hinata and Shikamaru exchanged glances. Could it be that he didn't want to embarrass himself in front of the one he liked? The three chatted and laughed, and soon, more than half the food on the table was gone. Hinata ate the most, but once Choji finished his share, he didn't eat more. Seeing the timing was right, Shikamaru turned to Choji and said, "Choji, with Hinata here, just say whatever you want. Don’t be nervous; I'm here with you!" How could Choji not be nervous? His fists were clenched, his face red, and he didn't dare to look Hinata in the eye. With Shikamaru's continuous encouragement, Choji hesitated for a long time and finally looked at Hinata, shyly asking, "Hinata, can you tell me why you never seem to gain weight?" "Huh?" Having started, Choji found some courage, stood up straighter, and with more determination, looked at Hinata seriously, "Hinata, you eat as much as I do, but you stay so slim, and I… I…" Choji seemed on the verge of tears. What the heck! Hinata felt a sudden burst of anger; although never gaining weight was nice, for him to say she ate as much as he did—was he implying she was a pig? After a moment of silence, Choji suddenly stood, bowed solemnly, and implored, "Hinata, please, tell me the secret to not gaining weight! I beg you, you must tell me!" Hinata and Shikamaru: "..." Since it wasn't a confession, it was clear Hinata could still be friends with Choji after this, which was actually quite nice. However... Hinata suddenly realized she had been overthinking things! Poor little Choji was so innocent. He simply wanted to know the secret to not gaining weight. It had nothing to do with any sort of confession! Hinata wanted to find a hole to hide in. Fortunately, no one knew how Hinata liked to imagine wild scenarios in her head, thus avoiding too much embarrassment. But if she had to choose between "overthinking" or "eating as much as Choji," Hinata wasn't sure what she would pick. Exchanging a glance with Shikamaru, Hinata pondered, then said hesitantly, "Choji, the reason for not gaining weight might be due to one's physique. My body just happens to be of the kind that doesn't gain weight no matter how much I eat." Shikamaru consoled, "Choji, your Akimichi clan's secret technique utilizes fat to store chakra, so you don’t need to always worry about appearances. You're a really kind person." "Exactly!" Hinata chimed in. "You see, I don't play with others, but it's because you're so kind that I hang out with you." Tears welled in Choji's eyes as he gratefully said, "Thank you, thank you!" Such a pitiful child. Ninjas often have excellent physiques due to frequent training, making a fat person a rarity among them. But the Akimichi clan is quite the exception. They're truly a clan of hefty individuals! Choji often felt inferior because of his weight, losing in games as a child, and nobody ever wanted to play with him. Before attending school, Shikamaru was his only friend. Though Ino was familiar with both Choji and Shikamaru due to their families' close ties, it was nothing more than that. She usually wouldn't spend time with them. Hinata patted Choji on the shoulder, advising, "I once read a secret from the ninja world, saying that if members of the Akimichi clan transform like a butterfly, they can slim down instantly and look quite handsome! Choji, if you train hard, you'll surely change everything in the future!" Choji asked uncertainly, "Really?" Shikamaru affirmed, "Of course, my dad told me the same. You can ask your uncle, too! Choji, believe that if you train diligently, you will have that day when you transform beautifully!" "Yes! Thank you both." Amid the conversation, Hinata had finished the twenty skewers without feeling full at all. It was truly peculiar; Hinata's small frame could consume so much, yet where all the food went was a mystery, as her belly never bulged. In terms of stomach capacity, Choji might not be able to surpass Hinata. Hinata shouted, "Boss, twenty more skewers of dumplings and five bowls of red bean soup!" "Me too!" Choji, feeling cheerful again, didn't hold back and called out, "Boss, twenty... no, thirty skewers of dumplings and red bean soup!" Shikamaru: "..." Shikamaru had offered to let them eat their fill, knowing that once Choji confessed, the mood would quickly turn sour and they'd leave soon after. But never had he expected Choji’s intent was only to uncover the secret of never gaining weight. With Hinata and Shikamaru’s comfort, Choji’s spirits had lifted, and he genuinely wanted to eat until he was satisfied now. Shikamaru thought: I'm going bankrupt, and my pocket money isn’t enough... His eyes darted around, then he smiled and said, "You two eat slowly, I'm just going to the restroom!" "Wham!" Hinata's tiny hand slapped the table forcefully, shouting angrily, "You can't leave, no dining and dashing!"