Chapter 5: I Raise My Own Wife
Chapter 5: I Raise My Own Wife
"So they laughed at you because of your eyes? That's honestly such a stupid reason."
It was probably because Hiashi had instructed her to listen to Ryosuke that Hinata didn't try to hide anything. After Ryosuke guessed the situation, she lowered her head and quietly told him everything.
The Hyuga clan possessed the Byakugan—eyes that looked different from most people's. Because of that, some children in the village would tease her. They didn't hit her or anything, but they laughed at her appearance, refused to play with her, and treated her like she didn't belong.
It was verbal cruelty, and that kind of cold rejection still hurt deeply.
Ryosuke listened quietly, his gentle smile never wavering. He didn't get angry or make a scene. Instead, he asked softly, "So because of that… you're scared of those kids?"
He paused, then added with a trace of irony in his tone, "You, the future head of the Hyuga clan, afraid of a bunch of ordinary brats?"
It sounded ridiculous—but it was reality.
It reminded him of something from his past life: the daughter of an emperor being bullied in school. Kids didn't care about titles. And most children in Konoha who hadn't entered the ninja academy yet didn't know what the name Hyuga meant, let alone the power of the Byakugan.
And adults? They rarely interfered in these "little things between children"—especially in a world where strength ruled above all.
In that kind of environment, it wasn't surprising that a timid, quiet, and introverted girl like Hinata became a target.
She didn't answer, but her silence said enough. She knew she had disappointed both Ryosuke and her father.
"Your father's a proud and traditional man," Ryosuke said softly, watching her expression. "He won't help you when the young lady of the Hyuga clan gets mocked and cries because of some ordinary kids. He'd see it as losing face. To him, this is just a matter between children."
Hinata closed her eyes, silently enduring the weight of his words. But Ryosuke's voice wasn't cold like Hiashi's—it was calm, soothing, and somehow comforting.
"Come here."
Ryosuke waved her over. Hinata obediently stood up, walked around the table, and sat beside him.
"No matter who it is—no matter their age or status—anyone who mocks someone for their appearance is just being childish."
He picked up a piece of vegetable tempura with his chopsticks and offered it to her. "Our appearance at birth is decided by nature. It's something given by our parents, not something we choose."
Hinata took the bite, chewing thoughtfully. Something in his words seemed to click.
"But people can change. Time doesn't stand still. Even if someone isn't good-looking at first, if they work hard, they can grow in other ways… And besides—"
Ryosuke smiled at her.
"You're cute. They just don't know how to appreciate that."
The Hyuga had paler skin than most, and in the case of Ryosuke—whose bloodline had returned to its purest form—it was almost bluish white. Their eyes, with no visible pupils, looked like they were wearing white contact lenses. To outsiders, they looked different—maybe even strange.
But that's just how aesthetics worked. In his past life, Easterners thought Westerners looked odd and vice versa. That difference didn't mean ugliness—it meant uniqueness.
He couldn't explain that to Hinata in terms she'd understand yet, but it didn't matter. His words had already done their job.
Hinata, who had looked gloomy just moments ago, was now blushing slightly, shy from the compliment.
Ryosuke chuckled softly. "So, Hinata… are you going to believe what they say, or what I say?"
"I…" She bit her lip. After a moment, she whispered, "I believe in Ryosuke-kun."
"Good." He nodded with satisfaction and gently stroked her hair. "Since it's not your fault, I'll take you to see them. You can ask for an apology."
"Eh?"
Hinata's expression instantly turned from shy to panicked.
---
"Are those three the kids who always pick on you?"
The summer sun blazed overhead, but the children didn't care. The park at the center of Konoha was filled with energy and laughter.
Ryosuke stood just outside the park with Hinata, peering through the trees at the group of children playing.
Hinata didn't answer. Instead, she whispered, "Ryosuke-kun… let's just go home."
Her grip on his hand was tight—so tight he could feel the fear and tension trembling through her fingers.
"Do you remember what I told you earlier?"
He leaned in, his voice a soft whisper near her ear. "A person's looks can change with time and effort. And not just looks. Personality, habits… everything. You know you're timid and shy. But even that can change."
When he mentioned it again, she froze.
Standing behind her, Ryosuke gently placed his hands on her cheeks and guided her head up so she would stop lowering it. He made her look straight ahead—at the children laughing in the distance.
"Those three… they made fun of your eyes, didn't they?"
He whispered calmly, "If you believe you're not ugly—if you believe they're just talking nonsense—shouldn't you face them and ask for an apology?"
"I… I can't…"
She tried to look down again, but Ryosuke's hands stopped her.
"If you really want to make your father proud, if you want to stand tall as the future head of the Hyuga clan, then you can't keep lowering your head like this."
His voice wasn't forceful, but it had a strange power—something that made her fears seem smaller.
"Just do what I say. Walk over there with your head held high, chest out, and speak clearly. Ask them to apologize. That's it. You don't need to do anything else. Just look them in the eye. Souji and Hoshicai will handle the rest."
And with that, he gave her a gentle push.
Hinata stumbled forward a step… and then another. Something in Ryosuke's touch had passed into her—courage, maybe, or belief. Whatever it was, she started walking forward with her head up, just as he said.
Watching her from behind, Ryosuke turned to the two Hyuga guards behind him.
"Go with her. Scare those little brats into behaving."
"Yes, sir."
Hyuga Souji and Hyuga Hoshicai nodded and followed after Hinata.
Ryosuke didn't follow. He stayed where he was, hands behind his back, watching her quietly from the shadows.
The smile on his face never faded.
---
To make the perfect shrimp tempura, you need to control the oil temperature and timing just right. Otherwise, it's either greasy or undercooked.
In both his previous and current lives, Ryosuke had never truly understood what the word "wife" meant.
But that didn't stop him from raising the ideal partner—his own way.
If he could help it, he wanted this partner to be someone who could shield him, support him, and one day—stand tall as the future matriarch of the Hyuga clan before he even fully matured.
The cowardly, indecisive girl from the original story couldn't do that.
And Ryosuke refused to let his partner remain like that.
Hinata had to grow.
If her father couldn't teach her properly, then he'd do it himself—step by step.
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