As the first ray of dawn pierced through the clouds and bathed the earth, its faint warmth tried to blend with the lingering coolness.
The air was filled with a fresh, slightly crisp scent, gently caressing the girls' tender skin, bringing a refreshing sensation.
"Chizhao, Sakura, Hinata, we're almost there!" Ino, with a bright smile and a small bamboo basket slung across her shoulder, cheerfully called out to the three girls behind her.
Watching Ino, who was unusually excited in front, Chizhao's thoughts drifted back to yesterday after school.
She was concentrating on organizing her school bag when Ino's figure suddenly appeared in her vision, her sparkling aquamarine eyes immediately drawing her gaze.
"Chizhao, let's go hiking tomorrow morning!" Ino's words carried a hint of excitement and anticipation.
"Huh? Don't we have class tomorrow? Why go hiking?" Chizhao stopped what she was doing and looked at her, puzzled.
Ino smiled slightly, leaning against the edge of the desk: "Because I recently stumbled upon a very beautiful sea of flowers. The scenery there is more enchanting than any place we've visited before, so I wanted to go pick flowers with a few friends while it's in full bloom!"
Then Ino pointed to Sakura's seat, trying to persuade the girl in front of her: "And I've already made plans with Sakura, she's really looking forward to it! You'll definitely come with us, right?"
Under the gaze of those sparkling eyes, it was hard for Chizhao to refuse. Her peripheral vision caught Hinata about to leave, and an idea suddenly formed in her mind.
"Then can I ask Hinata to come along?"
"Hinata? Well, it's okay, but she looks so delicate and frail, I wonder if she can handle the rugged mountain path."
Chizhao patted Ino's shoulder and confidently gave her a thumbs up: "Don't worry! With me, there'll be no accidents!"
As the surrounding classmates gradually dispersed, the campus became empty and quiet. Hinata walked steadily, step by step, towards the school gate.
Watching the children around her playing and laughing in groups, her mood seemed to be infected by them, and a faint smile curved her lips.
Then she carefully moved aside, making space for their playful antics.
"Hina~ta!" Chizhao deliberately softened her voice and gently patted her shoulder from behind. Although her movements were very gentle, she still startled Hinata.
"Chi... Chizhao... Are you... looking for me for something?" She hadn't expected anyone to approach her for a chat at this time. When she saw who it was, her small hand, tightly gripping her school bag strap, relaxed a little.
"I'm here to invite you to go hiking with us tomorrow morning!"
"Tomorrow? Don't we still have class?" Seeing her ask the same question as herself, Chizhao smiled helplessly.
She carefully explained to Hinata what Ino had told her.
"So, will we be back before class?" Hinata tightened her hands clasped in front of her chest, looking a little worried.
"Yes, yes! If it's not convenient for you then..."
"I want to go!" It was the first time Chizhao had heard Hinata speak with such a resounding tone, and she was momentarily stunned.
"I want to go... I also want to go see the sea of flowers with my friends... with Chizhao!"
Her thoughts returned to the present, the light in the sky was becoming increasingly distinct. Chizhao tightened the straps on her shoulders and looked back at the two girls behind her.
"Sakura, Hinata, are you two okay?" Based on her own stamina, she could easily keep up with Ino's pace.
She was just worried about the two girls behind her; it would be troublesome if they ran out of stamina and accidentally twisted something.
Sakura's forehead was visibly beaded with sweat, but her eyes were bright, revealing a stubborn refusal to give up. She smiled at Chizhao ahead: "I'm fine, don't worry! Keep going!"
Then she leaped past Chizhao and walked steadily towards Ino, who was already nearing the summit.
As expected of Tsunade's future apprentice!
When Chizhao turned her gaze to Hinata, her worries unfortunately came true.
Hinata, with her small bamboo basket slung across her body, was covered in sweat, struggling to lean on a large tree nearby, constantly rubbing her ankle.
"What's wrong, Hinata? Did you twist it?" Hinata's Byakugan, slightly misty with tears, was filled with guilt. Her voice was very soft, with a hint of a tremor.
"I... I'm sorry, Chizhao, I... I'll just wait for you here..."
Chizhao didn't reply, but instead dodged her hindering small hand and gently lifted her concealed pant leg.
A small bruise appeared on her tender skin, looking out of place against her fair complexion.
In Chizhao's words, it felt out of place, not on the same layer.
Was it too much for her? After all, Hinata had been pampered since childhood; she had never walked such mountain paths.
But don't worry, she had already prepared for this situation.
"Hinata, close your eyes..."
"Huh?" Hinata was startled, her clear, pure Byakugan, devoid of any impurities, filled with confusion.
She just stared blankly at the girl in front of her.
"Uh... my family has an ancestral healing secret technique that's not convenient for others to see... Close your eyes so I can treat you."
Upon hearing it was a family secret technique, Hinata obediently closed her eyes.
A gentle breeze, carrying a hint of coolness, brushed lightly against her hair, and a ticklish sensation spread across her cheeks.
In this dark and quiet moment, Hinata felt a warm small hand gently caress her injured ankle, and the pain miraculously disappeared little by little.
【Good Deed Progress +1】
"Okay! You can open your eyes now!" Hinata slowly opened her eyes and looked at her ankle, only to see that the unpleasant bruise had miraculously vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.
"So... so amazing!"
"It should be fine now, let's go!"
The summer morning sky had already welcomed the light early, the eastern horizon gradually turning a fish-belly white, and amidst the swirling mists, the silhouette of the girl in front became increasingly clear.
Her luminous eyes gazed deeply at her, making her guarded heart become transparent.
Taking her outstretched hand, a reassuring strength flowed from her palm, guiding her step by step towards a broader sky.
Until the view suddenly opened up, and a dazzling sea of flowers came into view. The first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and fell upon this sea of flowers, instantly dyeing the formerly dull world with vibrant colors.
Soft light penetrated the clouds, forming several beautiful Tyndall light rays. The wind gently blew, the light rays swayed slightly, and the dewdrops on the grass sparkled with tiny glimmers in the glow of this light.
As the mist dissipated, the faintly visible natural lake ahead gradually became clear, its calm surface rippling with delicate waves under the gentle caress of the breeze.
Facing this fairy-tale-like scenery, the four girls exclaimed in unison: "So beautiful!"
Sakura laughed heartily, her cherry-pink hair like the most vibrant flowers of summer, exuding a charming luster.
She joyfully ran into the sea of flowers, like the most brilliant cherry blossom floating in it, fully blooming with the vitality of life.
"I told you it was beautiful here!" Taking a breath of fresh air, Ino followed closely behind Sakura, also blending into this enchanting scenery.
Chizhao, who was about to join in the fun, keenly noticed Hinata's unusual behavior. She turned her head to look.
She saw that Hinata's delicate little face was quietly covered with glistening tears, her tightly bitten lips struggling to suppress her inner emotions.
Meeting those tear-filled Byakugan, Hinata frantically covered her eyes and lowered her head.
Chizhao merely smiled faintly, her voice as soft as a feather brushing against the heart: "It's okay, feel free to cry it out..."
"Here, no one will hear your voice except me..."
In an instant, the light waves in Hinata's eyes trembled, and Chizhao's gentle smile was reflected in the surging mist.
It was as if long-held emotions were suddenly released, and finally, the sound of sobbing escaped from her suppressed throat.
"Thank you... Chizhao, it's really beautiful here..."
"Thank you for bringing me to see the sea of flowers... I love it so much..."
Watching Hinata, who was still sobbing, Chizhao gently patted her back.
As the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan, she must have been bearing many expectations and pressures that didn't belong to her.
"Even if I didn't bring you, you would have discovered this sea of flowers yourself. I just sped up the process a little, hehe." Her voice seemed to be kneaded into the pure white clouds, gentle and inclusive.
Hinata nodded gently; at this moment, she was like a white cloud illuminated by the sun, and Chizhao was that warm and brilliant sun.
"Hey! Chizhao! Hinata! Come on!" Ino and Sakura's calls came from a distance.
"Coming!" Responding to the shouts of the two below, Hinata wiped away her tears, her mood lightened, and she let Chizhao pull her into the sea of flowers.
Four adorable little flowers played freely in the sea of flowers, their bell-like laughter echoing in the fresh air.
Under Ino's organized leadership, the girls, having played enough, finally began their flower-picking task.
Soon, the four small bamboo baskets were colorfully filled to the brim.
Chizhao's gaze moved back and forth between her own basket and Ino's, and she couldn't help but genuinely praise: "As expected of Ino, her talent for flower arranging is indeed not on the same level as mine."
She picked whatever flowers looked pretty, but Ino specifically selected flowers with an eye for color coordination.
"Perhaps it's because our family runs a flower shop. I've been immersed in it since I was little, so that's how it is."
"It's also possible that Ino is inherently a thoughtful and caring person, so no matter what flower, it becomes even more beautiful in your hands."
Ino's face flushed slightly upon hearing this, looking a bit shy: "I'm not... that amazing..."
At this point, Chizhao changed the subject, winking playfully: "So, you, my cute, kind, and meticulous little florist, can you give me a few more succulent plants?"
Ino was amused by her sudden request.
"So that's what you were planning..." Looking at those sparkling eyes, she sighed as if defeated: "You, you're really cunning. But, since you like them so much, I'll give you a few more. You have to take good care of them, okay?"
"No problem!" Chizhao confidently promised.
"Ah ah ah ah — — —" Suddenly, a scream abruptly rang out. Hinata nervously craned her neck to look, pointing not far ahead: "It seems... it's Sakura!"