Harmony (Konoha School of Arts)

20. Winter comps; strings

Today was the day of the strings section of the Winter Finals. In Naruto's grade there were two string finalists which were Neji and Haku. Several of their classmates made it down to the Opera House to support their captain and fellow classmate while some others stayed back to watch the show live on the TV in the common room.

Tenten was, of course, there at the studio as early as before the competition even started to cheer Neji on. And Haku too of course but Neji took the priority because of obvious reasons. She arrived while the long haired boy was in a pep talk with his uncle and Tenten wisely stayed back. Hyuga Hiashi was a scary man even from this distance but that didn't mean she wasn't going to ruffle up his feathers a little bit.

"Oh Tenten-chan!" The cheery yet calm voice of her feminine looking classmate reached her ears and Tenten turned around to face him.

"Hey Haku."

"Here to cheer Neji-chan on huh? I'm jealous." Haku teased. Tenten just chuckled, taking it in stride.

"I know you're not."

"Ah you're no fun." The boy shook his head dismally. Other girls would have been flustered and scramble around for words to say but not Tenten. She always faced his teasing head on.

Before any conversation could continue between the two, Haku's name was called somewhere behind them and Haku turned. Tenten didn't think she had seen Haku happier which was saying something because Haku was always happy. Still he managed to pull it off as he ran excitedly to the stranger that called his name.

It was a rough looking punk with dark spikey hair and sharp filed teeth like Suigetsu's. Tenten thought she'd seen him somewhere before as she watched him pat Haku's head like a kid and hand him flowers. Ah. Was she supposed to get flowers for Neji too? Heh whatever. The older crude looking guy was carrying a violin case that strongly contrasted his physical appearance. Tenten wondered if he was good at it.

"Tenten-chan, say hi to my brother!" Haku called from where he was. That was when it clicked. Tenten had seen his picture before in Haku's room. She did a humble bow and the guy nodded back, then the two of them continued a conversation Tenten couldn't follow. The girl looked over to Neji and Hiashi and groaned. What was the old man saying?!

Tenten leaned on a wall and used the opportunity to admire Neji in his suit. He looked so hot in the three piece suit. What she would give to see him without the jacket, just the white shirt and waistcoat underneath. He would roll his sleeves up to show those pretty arms of his and look like a fancy barrister. Or better still, he would look incredible with suspenders. Oh gosh her boyfriend was so hot!

Neji's eyes caught sight of her just then and just like that his attention was drawn away from his uncle's lecture. He raised a subtle brow, questioning why Tenten was grinning like an imp with her face so red in the hallway. Tenten simply grinned wider. Neji almost chuckled at that. She was such a clown.

"Neji." Hiashi's cold voice snapped him out of his reverie. Tenten took it as her cue to run away. She did but she went back to signal Neji that she would be watching him from the audience.

Looking for a seat, Tenten spotted Hanabi and Hinata at the front. Trust the Hyugas to get the best seat. But she was early which meant that there were a few empty spaces at the front, so Tenten skipped over to the girls. "Hey guys." She chirped as she got to them.

"Tenten!" Hanabi waved excitedly and invited her to sit. The seat immediately beside her was reserved, so Tenten took the one beside it. She knew just who reserved that seat and she was prepared not to let the man have his rest.

"Why aren't you guys backstage with Neji?" Tenten asked curiously. The competition hadn't started so talking was allowed. It was Hinata that replied her.

"Father doesn't want him to be distracted before his competition."

Tenten snorted. If only he knew.

"Speaking of, father approaching at 4 o'clock. Everybody zip your mouths shut." Hanabi announced Hiashi's coming and the girls comported themselves according to social etiquette. Tenten shook her head mentally. The poor things aren't even allowed to be the teenagers they were.

Hiashi arrived and took his seat between Tenten and Hanabi. "Welcome back father." His daughters greeted upon his return whilst he nodded.

There was silence between them as the seats filled up until Tenten broke it. "Nice atmosphere, innit?" She asked Hiashi who looked at her, baffled. Hanabi had an amused look on her face at Tenten's attempt at starting a conversation with her father while Hinata just looked at her with wonderment.

Hiashi on the other hand was not expecting the person to seat beside him to be a teenager around Neji's age. He was impressed though, not many teenagers nowadays were interested in classical music. Seeing this girl even come early to get a good view of the competition was innovating.

"The previous competition has me expectant for a wonderful spectacle. Is there anyone among the competitors you are supporting today, sir?"

Hiashi grunted. Teens and their questions. But it didn't hurt to answer, did it? "Yes, actually. I am here for my nephew-" he was cut off by the teen.

"He must be a splendid player. I am actually here for my boyfriend. He is a very wonderful violinist though I don't understand the allure of this kind of music."

The sound of glass breaking could be heard at the background as whatever image Hiashi thought of the teenager beside him was shattered. She was as uncultured as they come. He was wrong to think she had any worth. Hiashi didn't pay her any more attention afterwards.

Hanabi was holding in her laughter while Hinata listened to their conversation with amazement. Her father didn't recognize Tenten. It was normal though, as the man didn't commit anybody that wasn't worth his time to memory. Tenten continued to ramble about everything that came to her mind much to Hiashi's detriment.

He would do something about it but the competition started. Fortunately the girl quieted down beside him only for him to look over and find her sleeping. Hn. Uncultured swine.

Despite how tired classical stringed instruments, especially the harp, made Tenten feel she kept her eyes open for Haku performance. It was so beautiful, he were playing the violin crazily fast and that was what she honestly thought was impressive about his playing but the people around her were commenting on complex things she couldn't process.

Neji's performance was of course really great, it was Neji after all. When everybody applauded him Tenten decided to disturb Hiashi again. She tapped him until the man turned to face her in annoyance and said; "that's my classmate."

Hiashi looked like he was seconds away from thwacking her across her face while Hanabi let a laugh slip, disguising it as a cheer call.

Some more tough competition happened between Neji and Haku but Neji went home with the gold that day. It was clear that Haku was pained but he carried his silver proudly and declared that he was going to win next time. That's the spirit.

In the end of it all, Tenten was not allowed anywhere near Neji because of Hiashi and it sucked. She couldn't even congratulate him on his win. She would sulk at a corner but an incoming text made her check her phone. It was from Neji. She looked at him but he was now greeting some prestigious stockholder on Hiashi's bidding, his cousins behind him.

He however glanced briefly at her direction and winked the same time he pressed his lips together in a kiss gesture. His face was back in a polite smile as he faced the people talking to him. It was as if he never even did anything but Tenten saw the wink and air kiss. She looked down at his text. It was a simple word.

From Rapunzel:

Smile.

Tenten couldn't help it, she grinned till her cheeks hurt. He was such a dork. She might not have gotten to speak to him today but this was enough.

***

They're so cute, those two.

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-Star.