A Tiny Smirk is Devastating

Chapter 10: Plotting and Planning

Naruto burst out laughing. "So what happened to your great plan to get a girlfriend, Kiba?" He teased.

Kiba glared at him but didn't say anything. Instead, he stole a piece of pork from Naruto's bowl and shoved it into his mouth before Naruto could complain.

Sasuke smirked, "We can have good sushi once we figure out how to sell the game. Come on." he passed out the fortune cookies as they finished eating.

Naruto pulled out profiles of each company they'd collected at their pitch that he'd prepared, and the guys started flipping through each one and discussed the merits and drawbacks of working with each company.

"Akatsuki could be an interesting choice. They give partners lots of money and freedom and don't interfere too much," Kiba offered.

"I don't think we really need money and freedom right now," Chouji disagreed.

"Yeah, we need better distribution channels," Naruto added, "I still think it comes back to BLOOM and ROOT."

"I agree," Sasuke said, "They've got the biggest groups and the most expertise in digital marketing, plus a good number of digital properties and licenses that would synergize well with the mobile game."

"And the art departments to create assets to go with them, " Chouji added as well.

"I can't believe you can say synergies with a straight face," Kiba muttered, "Fine, I guess I'm out-voted."

"It wouldn't hurt to talk to Akatsuki as well," Naruto said.

"Agreed," Sasuke didn't bat an eyelid, "But I think we should focus on BLOOM and ROOT. We've got plenty of time to make a decision. The conversation we had with GM Nara was very promising but preliminary. We should schedule a fly out to discuss more concrete details soon. ROOT's located here in Konohagakure, so we have a preliminary meeting with them this Thursday morning. Naruto, book them."

"I'm not your secretary, teme," Naruto scowled.

"You're the one who was too much a loser to take electives. You actually have to be in classes this term," Sasuke raised an eyebrow at him.

"Alright, alright," Naruto grumbled, "You're cleaning up though."

"I'll take the garbage out when I leave," Sasuke started to clean up, "I'm heading back to my brother's place now."

"I thought you were moving back in this weekend," Chouji asked.

"Wash your socks first. If I find any more of those smelly things, I'm going to burn them."

With that, Sasuke left, bookbag and garbage in hand. Naruto, Chouji, and Kiba looked at each other, horrified. Knowing that asshole, he'd actually do it.

(ﾉ_ヽ)(ノωヽ)(> _ <)

"Sakura-chan, Hinata-chan!" Tenten bounced up in excitement from where she was lying on her bed, "Check your emails! I just got the interview notice."

Sakura and Hinata looked over at her from the big center table where they were working with their textbooks spread out in front of them. Neither of them had their phones or computers handy, but Tenten, who was working on a side project, evidently got the email alert.

"O-Oh," Hinata took a second to firmly grasp the fear and trepidation rising in her heart. Sakura, who'd already opened her laptop to check, noticed her hesitation but didn't say anything.

Grow up, Hinata. It's just rejection, you're used to that by now.

Ignoring her negative self-talk, Hinata pulled up her phone, but her heart sank when she didn't see an email notification pop up on her phone. Just before she put her phone away and really broke down crying, though, she saw the anxious look on Sakura and Tenten's faces.

No. I can't do this. I can't spoil what's probably a happy occasion for both of them, even if I am rejected.

Fully grasping her courage, she unlocked her phone, pulled up her email app, and pulled down the screen to refresh. A new email notification popped up, and tremblingly, Hinata started to read the first subject line.

Interview with Root Corp.

Oh god, does that mean I passed the resume stage?

Her heart in her throat, she opened the email.

Dear Ms. Hyuuga. Congratulations! You have passed the resume stage of the process. We would like to invite you to our offices this Thursday morning, from 9-12, to participate in preliminary interviews.

"Hinata-chan?" Sakura asked, reaching across the table.

"I-I-I-I passed," Hinata stuttered.

"Thursday morning?" Sakura confirmed, grinning broadly.

"Y-Y-Yes," Hinata couldn't believe it. Then all three of us..?

"Whoohoo! We're all in!" Tenten jumped down from the bed and pumped her arms in the air. "You know what that means?"

"Interview prep sessions tonight?" Sakura asked eagerly.

Tenten looked at her, exasperated. "Sakura-chan... I meant celebratory bubble tea."

"Oh come on, don't look at me like that! We only have two days to prep!" Sakura protested.

Hinata giggled at their antics. "L-Let's do both," She suggested, linking her arms through both her roommates.

"See, Hinata-chan's got the right idea," Sakura grinned. "ROOT Corp, here we come! We can do this!"

As they gathered their things to go get that bubble tea, Hinata thought to herself that she might just believe that. She might just believe that she could do this.

( ^__^ )

AN: Bahaha poor Kiba has no luck with girls.

A little bit early with this installment, but I had this written and TWIWTH is still brewing, and I'm tired. Quarantine, man. I hope everyone else is dealing with this better than I am (and honestly AO3's email hiccup with my particular provider is not help >.> I like feedback, okay?). Thank you to Reglee and Chelsea for beating this chapter. As always, extended ANs on my Tumblr (in about 10 hours), and as always, comments, reviews, kudos, favourites, bookmarks, and candy hearts spelling out messages always make my day. Stay safe and stay healthy, guys, and see you soon!