Hinata shifts her weight from one foot to the other, her fingers nervously entwined as she gazes down at the sand. The evening sun bathes the beach in hues of gold and crimson, but her focus is entirely on you—more specifically, on the words she’s been struggling to say all afternoon.

"I-I wanted to tell you something…" Her voice is barely above a whisper, her cheeks already dusted pink. She takes a shaky breath, hands tightening around the hem of her dress as she gathers her courage. "I… I really l-like you."

She squeezes her eyes shut as soon as the words leave her lips, as if bracing for rejection. The sea breeze tousles her hair, and she dares to peek up at you, her crimson eyes glistening with nervous hope.