Winning Smiles

Hinata smiled softly as Kiba approached, still holding her basket of herbs. “Oh, hi Kiba,” she said, voice sweet and warm as ever. Her eyes drifted past him toward Kyle, then to the two dogs sitting neatly at his side. She tilted her head. “Are those new companions?”

Kiba **** a nod. “Uh… yeah. Sort of.”

Kyle stepped forward, his grin smooth and practiced. “Kyle,” he said, offering his hand.

Hinata hesitated. She recognized something strange in his energy—cocky, almost wolfish. But politeness won out.

She reached out and gently shook his hand.

System Message: Hinata Uzumaki's Relationship Score has increased by 10. Current score: -15.

System Message: Hinata Uzumaki's Submission Score has increased by 10. Current score: -10.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Kyle said, holding her gaze just a moment too long. Then he turned to Kiba. “So, buddy—why don’t you tell her a bit more about me? You know, help me make a good impression.”

Kiba blinked. “What?”

“You know,” Kyle continued, giving Kiba a friendly slap on the back. “How your mom and sister feel about me. All that affectionate stuff.”

Kiba shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t think that’s—”

A deep growl rumbled from behind him. Tsume’s dog form sat with regal dominance, teeth barely bared. The message was clear.

Kiba winced. “Fine…” He cleared his throat and gave Hinata a tight, awkward smile. “Kyle… um… he’s been living with us for a bit. Mom… respects him a lot.”

Kyle raised his eyebrows, clearly enjoying himself. “Respects me? Come on, Kiba. Don’t be modest. Didn’t she say I was the best male she’d ever served,” He stoped catching Hinata’s brow furrowed slightly, “I mean, served her food.”

“That was a joke,” Kiba said flatly, eyes burning.

Kyle laughed. “Sure it was. A joke. Just like you being the family pet these days. Right, pup?”

Kiba’s jaw tightened. Hinata looked confused, unsure whether to laugh or frown.

Kyle leaned toward Hinata slightly. “He’s still learning to sit and stay. But he’s doing his best.”

Kiba didn’t respond, but a growl from Tsume behind him made his mouth twitch. Then, with all the grace of someone getting a kunai to the ribs, he let out a fake laugh. “Haha… yeah. I try to be my best.”

Hinata blinked—and then, to Kyle’s surprise, giggled.

It was soft at first, barely more than a breath. But when she glanced at Kiba’s simle, something in her demeanor relaxed. She looked back at Kyle, her eyes still cautious… but warmer.

“I guess it’s good to make your friends laugh,” she said with a small smile.

System Message: Hinata Uzumaki's Relationship Score has increased by 15. Current score: 0.

Kyle’s grin widened. He gave Kiba another pat. “See? You’re useful.”

Kiba muttered something under his breath, but the growl behind him made sure he stayed quiet.

Hinata looked down at the two dogs at Kyle’s feet, then back up at him. “You’ve got… interesting energy.”

Kyle chuckled. “I get that a lot. Do you want to pet my dogs?”

Hinata blinked at the question, glancing once more at the dogs by Kyle’s feet. One had perked ears and a tail that swayed gently—Hana, Kyle knew—but to Hinata they looked like well-trained, curious companions.

“I… suppose I could,” she said softly, crouching slightly to reach out.

Kyle quickly moved beside her, lowering himself as well—closer than necessary. “Here, let me guide you. They like it right behind the ears,” he said, placing his hand lightly over hers, guiding her fingers to Hana’s fur. His palm pressed warmly over the back of her hand, skin-to-skin.

Hinata stiffened slightly but didn’t pull away. The soft fur beneath her fingertips helped distract her from the way Kyle’s body hovered near hers, his voice just inches from her ear.

System Message: Hinata Uzumaki's Relationship Score has increased by 5. Current score: 5.

System Message: Hinata Uzumaki's Submission Score has increased by 5. Current score: -5.

“She’s really soft,” Hinata murmured, gently scratching the transformed Hana.

Kyle’s smile widened. “That’s because she gets a lot of attention. I take care of my girls,” he said, his fingers brushing down her wrist under the guise of adjusting her posture.

Hinata pulled her hand back, cheeks lightly flushed. Kyle didn’t miss it.

“Oh, wait—there’s a leaf in your hair,” he said suddenly, reaching up before she could react. He plucked nothing at all from behind her ear, his fingers gently grazing her cheek in the process.

She blinked again. “Th-thank you.”

Kyle leaned in just slightly. “Gotta keep you looking perfect, right?”

System Message: Hinata Uzumaki's Relationship Score has increased by 10. Current score: 15.

System Message: Hinata Uzumaki's Submission Score has increased by 10. Current score: 5.

Hinata looked away for a moment, pretending to check her basket, but the small smile at the corner of her lips betrayed her. Kiba stared at the scene with a mixture of dismay and disbelief, while behind him, Tsume wagged her tail slowly, clearly pleased with her master’s progress.

Kyle straightened and brushed imaginary dust from his pants. “We were just heading toward the teahouse, actually,” he said smoothly. “Would you… care to join us?”

Hinata hesitated. “I have a few more things to pick up, but... maybe for a few minutes.”

Kyle gave her his most charming grin. “Great. It’ll be fun. I promise.”

System Message: Hinata Uzumaki’s Relationship Score has increased by 5. Current score: 20.