Part IV

COSTARS SPLIT—NEJI AND TENTEN ARE DONE

SAKURA AND NEJI—JAPAN'S NEXT IT COUPLE?

"abt time they realized we werent buying it"

Summer drags on at a glacial pace. Lee has the locks changed on Tenten's apartment, and has a harsh word with the building manager, who fires the doorman—the one responsible for admitting the paparazzi. Her stalker from the lobby still hangs around, but following a private word from Lee, he no longer attempts to speak to Tenten as she comes and goes.

Tenten is chosen for a few modeling campaigns while waiting for High School Crisis to resume filming in the fall. Her only contact with Neji is through what she sees on TV and the Internet—he returns from filming and is rarely seen out, other than promotions for his new movie with Sakura. She finds herself picking up her phone at varying times during the day, her mind wandering to him. She always makes herself set it back down.

Tenten is in the backseat of a car a few weeks before shooting for HSC begins, on her way to an advertising gig, when a familiar number finally lights up on her phone.

"I keep picking up the phone to call you, and then remembering I'm not supposed to," Neji says when she answers.

Tenten bites her lip, her chest aching at the sound of his voice, so close but so far. "Funny. I keep doing the same thing."

Neji pauses for a moment, then says, "I've been thinking you could come and have dinner with me tonight. You might not know this, but I moved out, finally."

Tenten's heart flutters painfully. "Well," she says slowly, fingering the hem of her dress, "I have a date tonight."

There is a pause. Then Neji says, in a reserved tone, "A date?"

"Yeah. With Kiba Inuzuka."

"The model?"

Tenten hums in response, wishing she could see Neji's expression, rather than leaving it to her imagination. The silence stretches between them. Feeling the need to fill it, Tenten launches into she and Kiba's plans, wincing at her forced, cheery tone.

"Please stop," Neji eventually says, terse.

"Sorry," Tenten mumbles. "This is a little weird, isn't it?"

"Extremely."

"It wasn't my idea. Shizune suggested it. To help with my public image . . . so I won't look like it took me by surprise. That it was all casual."

"Right."

Tenten looks out the window, studying the shiny black buildings pass by. Lee looks back at her from the front seat, his forehead furrowing in concern.

"This doesn't change anything for me," Neji finally says.

Tenten's body throbs at the distance between them. Her throat swells with emotion. "Me either," she manages to say.

They are quiet for another moment before Tenten clears her throat to ask, "You're leaving for China soon, right? I saw that you had to go to promote the movie."

"In a few days, but I won't be there long. I have to do an interview the night I get back."

"I'll be sure to watch," she promises.

"Tenten?" Neji says after another pause. "The invitation to come over—it's an open one. Anytime you want."

"I think that will make things harder, don't you, Neji?" She hears him exhale. Tenten leans her head against the car window.

"You're right," he says, clearly disappointed. "I should let you go. Enjoy your date with Inuzuka." He hangs up without waiting for a reply.

True to her word, several days later, Tenten settles onto her couch, chugging a bottled water as she waits for Neji's introduction onscreen.

"Please give a warm welcome to Neji Hyuga," says the host, standing to his feet.

Neji emerges in a dark suit, his publicity smile in place. Tenten clutches a pillow to her chest, her heart beating fast.

Neji and the host bow to each other and shake hands, then sit, facing each other. "Neji, thank you so much for agreeing to come on our show this evening. We heard you recently wrapped filming for your new movie!"

"Yes, it will release in the winter of this year. It's a film we hope that everyone will enjoy."

The host expresses his excitement; the audience claps. After the applause falters, the host begins his list of questions about the new movie, working with Sakura, and High School Crisis.

As Neji's segment draws to a close, the host leans forward confidentially and says, "One thing that has been dominating much of the media's attention lately are the rumors swirling around your previous relationship with your costar, Tenten. Everyone knows you value your privacy, but is there anything you care to address?"

The mood shifts—the audience is quiet, holding their breath. Tenten watches as Neji's expression shifts ever so slightly. In a detached tone, Neji replies, "To be honest, there are many things I wish I could address candidly, but as you put it, my privacy is very important to me. . . However, I will say this—the media only sees what we want them to see, and the assumptions that people have been making about she and I are nothing close to the truth."

Neji's eyes flick once to stare hard into the camera before returning to the host, a small smile resting on his mouth.

Tenten groans, stuffing her face into the pillow. She reaches for her phone and sends Neji a text: You didn't do yourself any favors with that answer. Is Iruka losing his mind?

It takes Neji a full fifteen minutes to respond. He's yelling at me as we speak.

That was stupid, Neji.

I said what I wanted to say. That's all that matters to me.

NEJI HYUGA ADDRESSES DATING RUMORS—WHAT IS THE TRUTH?

SPECULATION SWIRLS AFTER NEJI HYUGA INTERVIEW

". . . he has to be talking abt people saying he cheated, right? do u think they had open relationship?"

In August, Tenten gets the call that she has been selected to make a presentation at the national television awards ceremony at the end of the month. Shizune quickly informs her that she and Neji will be presenting together; they were selected to award best on-screen romance. Tenten doubts anyone will miss the irony, since she and Neji weren't nominated for HSC.

Tenten is at her dress fitting when Neji calls her again. "Hi," she says, her cheeks warming.

"Hi. I'm assuming Shizune told you about the awards show?"

"Yes. . . Funny, right?"

"Very."

Tenten sighs, tugging on her bangs.

"Who are you taking to the awards?" Neji asks.

"Well, I figured I'd take Kiba," Tenten trails off, looking down at the deep blue velvet dress she's planning to wear.

Neji clears his throat. He says, sounding strained, "Good decision. That's . . . that's what everyone will expect. He's the natural choice."

"Who are you taking?"

"My cousin. Hinata."

Tenten mulls this over for a moment. "How is this going to go? Everyone will be watching us."

"We'll say hello, present the award, and that will be it. No cause for alarm."

"Right." She hesitates then says, "What are the odds we'll have to do this again?"

"Attend the same awards show?"

Tenten hums an assent.

"Very slim. I'm boycotting as soon as I announce my retirement."

Tenten smiles to herself. "That's a shame. I was planning on taking you as my date for next year."

"I'd like that." He pauses. "I wish I was going with you."

"Don't let anyone hear you say that."

Neji snorts; Tenten imagines him rolling his eyes. After a quiet moment, Neji says he has to go. They hang up, and Tenten leaves the privacy of the dressing room to return to being pinned and poked into place.

The national television awards sneak up on her. August passes in the blink of an eye, and before Tenten can catch her breath, she is in a car with Kiba Inuzuka, being whisked to the venue.

Tenten glances at her date, watching as he texts away on his phone. Their "relationship" worked in its own way—it wasn't based off romance or even compatibility. It functioned completely off the fact that both needed something from the other: for Tenten, a distraction from Neji, for Kiba, a way to gain more media attention.

As they pull up to the red carpet, Kiba moves to Tenten's side and grins. "Let's do this," he says, clearly excited.

Tenten pastes a smile onto her mouth and lets him pull her from the car. They pass through security and queue behind the other attendees. Their names are called out by photographers and interviewers as they wait their turn to walk the carpet.

Tenten adjusts her dress nervously, coolly glancing around to see if she can spot Neji. Kiba wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her close. He places a wolfish kiss on her cheek as cameras flash, catching every moment.

Shizune ushers them past the line of photographers to the media outlets for interviews. As Tenten talks to an online magazine, she hears Neji's name being called down the line. She moves her hands out of the camera's frame and grips her clutch tightly.

When Shizune moves her to the next interviewer, Tenten turns to her, a lump in her throat, and says, "Can we not do any more interviews, please? Neji's here and I don't want the scrutiny."

"He's doing photos right now," Shizune responds, guiding Tenten to a bubbly blonde from a print outlet. "Do one more interview, then we'll go inside."

Tenten steps forward and smiles at the interviewer, who immediately launches into her questions. Shizune makes her do three more interviews before finally letting she and Kiba enter the venue. They sit at their table, and Tenten exhales, thankful to be away from the prying eyes and flashing cameras.

As more stars make their way into the room, Tenten keeps a watchful eye on the door, waiting for Neji's entrance. Eventually, he makes his way into the room, his cousin on his arm. Tenten looks away, her heart beating fast.

It is not until the first television break that they make eye contact. Neji is talking with a well-known writer when he spots Tenten across the room. His eyes follow her to her seat, and then he is excusing himself from the conversation, making his way over to her.

He stops in front of her. He says, somewhat breathless, "You look amazing." His gaze dips to her dress, cheeks warming.

Tenten smiles. "So do you. I like your tie."

Neji casts a quick eye around them, features tense. "Where's your date?"

Tenten shrugs, glancing around the room. "Probably trying to see how many after-party invites he can get."

Neji's mouth breaks into a smile. "I wish him luck on that. Those aren't easy to come by."

"How many are you going to?" Tenten says, wondering if she'll have the chance to see him later.

"None. I'd rather not subject myself to more cameras than necessary." He pauses for a moment. "I would introduce you to my cousin, but I don't think Shizune and Iruka would approve."

Tenten brushes back her bangs, hiding her disappointment. An announcer calls for everyone to return to their seats.

"See you soon," Neji says, turning to go back to his seat.

Tenten sits down again, glancing at her phone when it buzzes a moment later. Neji's text reads: You're doing me no favors in that dress. Inuzuka should know better than to leave you alone.

Tenten responds, Let's behave ourselves, Neji.

There is a lull as they give their attention to the next presentation, but not five minutes pass before Tenten's phone is buzzing again with Neji's reply. I don't think I can do that. Not tonight.

Tenten tries to think of a response, but a second later, Neji sends another message, changing the subject, I'm not having a good night, all around. All anyone would ask me on the carpet was to clarify that stupid interview from earlier this month.

What did you say?

Nothing. Iruka kept pulling me away from the interviews, saying I was needed inside. I wish he would have just let me answer for once.

I'm sure he was doing what he thought was best, for your image.

There'll be no salvaging it after I announce my retirement. I'd rather get it all in the open.

A stage assistant appears at Tenten's elbow and tells her it's almost time for her presentation onstage. Tenten follows him backstage, and stands in the wings, watching the bustle around her. Neji arrives next to her a few moments later, holding the winner's envelope.

"I'm sorry about how your night is going," Tenten murmurs, keeping her eyes on the stage.

Neji shifts, his arm brushing hers. He sighs, "I shouldn't have expected any different."

Tenten glances at him, tensing at the butterflies in her stomach. Neji gazes back at her. "Nervous?" he asks, studying her carefully.

Tenten smiles weakly, not having the resolve to tell him the real reason for her nerves. "It's only pretending, right?"

"Always," Neji whispers back. Briefly, his fingers brush the small of her back. Tenten's skin ripples with a shiver.

They receive their cue and walk onstage, smiling pleasantly. When they reach the podium, Neji begins, "Many people will say that finding natural chemistry in a costar is hard to find."

Tenten chimes in, "But this list of nominees for best on-screen romance in television check all the boxes. We are happy to announce the winners for this category."

Neji cracks the seal on the envelope, and together, he and Tenten read out the winner. There is applause and they watch as the winning couple makes their way up to the stage. Neji grasps Tenten's elbow, and they fade into the background, slipping into the wings as the winners give a flustered and gracious speech.

"Come on," Neji whispers into her ear, leading her deeper backstage.

Tenten glances around, but most of the stagehands are occupied. A few meet her eyes but look away seconds later with disinterest.

Ahead of her, Neji turns into an empty hallway and opens the first door he comes across. Inside is a variety of broken audio and lighting equipment. He grasps her hand and pulls her in after him.

The outside world falls away. They press into each other, lips meeting insistently. Tenten touches Neji's tie, relishing the silkiness of the fabric. His hands squeeze her waist, guiding her back against the wall. They easily lose themselves, lips brushing over skin, hands winding into hair. Tenten feels a flush creep over her body as Neji's lips ghost over her collarbone. His hands shake as they glide up her arms, coming to rest on her neck. His tremors make Tenten quiver with pleasure.

After a moment, they part, breathing fast. In the dimness, they regard each other in weighty silence. Neji reaches up to trace her dress's sweetheart neckline. "Neji," Tenten says in warning.

"Come home with me."

Tenten grimaces, letting her head fall to rest on his chest. "You know I can't."

"I'll have Lee sneak you in. No one will know."

"Someone will," she replies in frustration. "Besides, I have to go to an after-party with Kiba. They're expecting me."

Neji sighs, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I hate this," he murmurs.

Tenten says nothing; the mental clock in her head ticks away, counting the seconds they have until their combined absence is noticed. She leans back, still clutching his tie. Neji gazes at her sadly, his hand coming up to caress her cheek. "We should go back," she says faintly.

Absently, Neji nods. His lips brush hers once more, and then he's opening the door, letting harsh light flood into the small space.

She checks his appearance, her thumb wiping away a smudge of lipstick at the corner of his mouth. Neji smooths down her hair. "You should freshen up before you go back out," he advises softly.

Tenten nods, self-consciously touching her mouth. With a lingering glance, Neji steps away and walks back up the hallway. Tenten takes a few deep breaths, swallowing back her rising emotions, before finding her way to the lobby bathroom. She reapplies her lipstick, and emerges onto the floor, once again composed.

On their way to the after-party, while Kiba is chattering away on a phone call, Lee turns to her. "How did it go? With Neji?" he asks in a low voice, raising his bushy eyebrows.

Tenten grimaces. "As good as can be expected," she mutters back.

"Don't worry, Tenten. I've seen you two together—it's meant to be."

Tenten smiles wanly. "I wish that was enough for everyone else."

Lee shrugs. "Does it have to be? Can't it be enough for you?"

Tenten stares at him, pursing her lips. "You know what the press has been like, Lee."

"But that's why you hired me, right?"

Slowly, Tenten nods and turns away.

BREAKING: NEJI HYUGA RUMORED TO BE RETIRING FOLLOWING HSC SEASON

SOURCES SAY FILM & TV IDOL, NEJI HYUGA, WILL RETIRE

". . . 'It's not unexpected,' says someone close to the actor. 'He's really done with the media attention.'"

Neji texts her the news the day before they are set to return to finish filming season three of High School Crisis.

I'm announcing my retirement today—I'm assuming you saw that the news leaked.

Tenten is in a meeting with Shizune when she receives the message. Before she can reply, the notifications of media headlines begin appearing. Tenten scrolls through the building list, getting to her feet. "I'll be right back," she tells Shizune distractedly, heading out into the hallway.

Neji picks up on the first ring.

"Are you okay?" Tenten asks.

"I'm fine. Japan doesn't seem to be handling it well."

Tenten snorts, entering the floor's stairwell. She leans against the wall, pressing her phone closer to her ear.

"They won't forgive me for this, I think," Neji continues, sounding pleased with himself.

"Besides the leak, I guess it's exactly what you wanted." Tenten pauses. "What did your uncle say?"

"We haven't spoken since I moved out. I think he wants me to feel his displeasure."

Tenten taps a finger against her phone, thinking. "He must not know you very well."

There is a smile in his voice when he says, "Well, he has nothing on you."

A smirk pulls at Tenten's mouth, a blush dusting her cheeks. Their kiss from the awards show resurfaces to the forefront of her mind.

They pass a moment in silence before Neji says, "Since all of my secrets are coming out today, I think I have one more I'd like to share."

"And what would that be?"

"I fully intend to marry you one day."

Tenten's mouth falls open in surprise. Neji waits a moment, then says, his tone light, "Just in the interest of full disclosure. No pressure."

Tenten says nothing, struggling to process the flood of emotions rushing through her.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he says, then hangs up.

Tenten looks down at her phone, utterly bewildered. As she begins to walk back to Shizune's office, a glowing smile rises to rest on her mouth.

When they receive their scripts the next morning on set, it quickly becomes apparent that Neji's retirement announcement has affected the writing. Tenten glances over the few pages of scenes involving she and Neji, her eyes growing wide.

He catches her eye from across the set and smiles. When he approaches her a moment later, he says, "This is bound to be their best season yet."

"Kazuki is going to be relegated to a hospital bed for the rest of the season, assuming they don't just kill you off," Tenten says, shaking her head. "That's nothing to be happy about."

"He'll be fine," Neji replies, shrugging. "Looks like you'll be doing the emotional heavy lifting in this relationship. Again."

Tenten playfully swats him with her script, pushing away the grin upturning her lips. Neji leans closer and says, "Did you see page six?"

Tenten had a habit of reading scripts from the end, too curious to put off gratification. She skims the page and blushes, glancing up at Neji.

"Why don't we go rehearse?" Neji says, tilting his head at her.

Tenten silently gets to her feet and follows Neji to his dressing room. He closes the door behind her and tosses his script onto his chair, gazing at her seriously.

Tenten consults her script and reads, "Kazuki, you lied to me. You've been lying to me all this time. What did you think I would do?"

"There's so much more to this than you understand, Yori."

"Then help me understand."

Neji considers her, his eyes flickering to her lips. He hesitates on his line delivery and Tenten waits. When he reaches out to touch her chin, she whispers, "Stay focused, Neji."

Neji shakes his head and rests his fingers on her neck. He bends down to kiss her but pauses at a loud knock on his dressing room door. A voice says on the other side, "Neji, you're up for blocking!"

Tenten raises an eyebrow at Neji and he pulls back with a frown. Without another word, they walk back to stage and take their places on set. As they hold for the director to say action, they glance at their scripts, reviewing their lines.

"Action!" the director eventually calls out.

Tenten swallows and stares at Neji from his place on the couch, rearranging her face to fit Yori's consternation. "Why did you do that, Kazuki?! You could have gotten arrested!"

"They wouldn't have arrested me—because I'm one of them," Neji delivers, getting to his feet to walk over to her.

Yori crosses her arms, face flushed. "Kazuki, you lied to me. You've been lying to me all this time. What did you think I would do?"

"There's so much more to this than you understand, Yori."

"Then help me understand."

Kazuki reaches out, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I'm doing this for us. This is the only way to make things right."

Yori frowns up at him, eyes searching. "You're going to get yourself killed," she mutters, stepping into his embrace. Kazuki's arms surround her.

He waits a beat, then says, "Yori, if I don't come back tonight—"

Yori shushes him and stands on her tiptoes to kiss him. Kazuki clutches her to him, tipping her head back. His tongue slides past her lips, and faintly, Tenten feels Neji lift her up. She wraps her legs around his waist, and their kiss deepens, their breath growing short.

Their intensity grows, and it is another long moment before the director calls out a cut. Neji pulls back reluctantly and swallows, carefully setting Tenten on her feet.

"That didn't feel like Kazuki and Yori," Tenten whispers to him.

Neji shrugs, not meeting her eyes. "Maybe it wasn't. Not all of it, anyway."

"We're professionals, right?" Tenten asks him, absentmindedly rubbing her lower lip.

Neji smirks, but his eyes are troubled. "Of course."

Over the next few weeks of filming, Tenten delivers one emotional performance after another. While Kazuki recovers from his gunshot wound in the hospital, Yori stays by his side, encouraging him to get better and having tearful bedside monologues while he is "sleeping".

It is emotionally taxing for Tenten. Every night she leaves set exhausted, wanting nothing more than to fall into bed. When they aren't rehearsing or shooting, Neji is holed up in his dressing room, studying for exams or working on his master's program application.

It is during one of his study sessions that Tenten wanders in, having just finished a scene with some of their other costars. Neji is sitting in a chair, staring into space, seemingly lost in thought. Tenten picks up the paper he's working on but instantly sets it back down, immediately overwhelmed by the formulas.

Neji meets her eyes and says softly, "When will it be enough? For us to be ourselves in public?"

Tenten frowns. "What do you mean?"

"I want to know when I can stop pretending."

Tenten's heart thuds in her chest, caught off guard by his question. She swallows then says, "Neji, we've discussed this before."

"I don't like that answer."

Tenten purses her lips, staring at him. He holds her gaze for a long moment then says, "I don't care about the media and the things that they say, or the rumors they start. But what I do care about is you pretending to date Inuzuka."

Tenten flinches, recalling the weekly lunches and events she'd been attending out in the city with Kiba, per Shizune.

Neji continues, "I want to be able to see you offset and not have to worry about whether it'll have serious repercussions to your career. I want to live with you and take walks with you and eat dinner with you. And I'm quickly reaching my limit where I'm okay with not having those things for the sake of media attention."

"Neji. . ."

He regards her seriously, reaching out to take her hand. "What do you want?"

"Everything you just said," Tenten says, sniffling. "But I don't want to have to keep defending how I feel about you to the whole world. It's exhausting."

"After the movie premieres, that'll be it for me—no more obligations or filming or interviews. I fully intend to become a hermit, as far as anyone's concerned. But you'll still be in the spotlight."

"You're saying this is my decision—if we're together publicly or not," Tenten says.

Neji gives her a tired look. "It's always been your decision, Tenten."

Tenten flinches from how much this comment stings. Wordlessly, she sits down, pressing her face into the crook of his shoulder.

"I know you're unhappy as I am with this arrangement," Neji says after a few minutes, resting his hand on the back of her neck.

"Of course, it makes me unhappy," Tenten says. "But I'm constantly trying to figure out if what I feel for you is worth all of the scrutiny and mean comments that will come with it."

Neji sighs, encircling an arm around her waist.

"I want to be taken seriously as an actress," Tenten goes on, "and I know some people will only ever look at me and see everything I do as a publicity stunt. We've had different experiences with the media—everyone loves you—"

"That's not true," Neji interjects.

"Well, most people do," Tenten maintains. "But all I've received from this is scorn—they don't think of me as a real person with feelings."

"That's part of what this life is, Tenten."

"I know," she whispers. "I'm just having a hard time adjusting."

Neji rubs her back, leaning his head against hers. "Give it time," he says finally. "The longer you work as an actress, the more eyes will be on you. I think you should give yourself space to be happy and do what you want. People will talk either way." He grasps her chin and lifts her head to meet her eyes. "But I'd rather they talk about how we're together than anything else."

Tenten stares back, feeling tears bud in her eyes. Neji reaches up to brush them away. With a heavy sigh, she says, "Do you remember what you said all those months ago? About boundaries?"

Neji nods.

"I've come to the realization I'm not very good at them." Tenten leans forward, kissing him lightly. "Do you think you could help me with that?"

A slow, small smile appears on Neji's mouth. "Yes."

The first thing Tenten does is call Shizune to end the "relationship" with Kiba. When Shizune inevitably asks for a reason, Tenten replies, unapologetic, "My real boyfriend is tired of sharing."

What follows with her publicist is a lengthy conversation over what will be tolerated in the future when dealing with the media. Though Shizune is resistant at first, Tenten is firm in her wishes. In anticipation for the next few months of changes, she requests that a second bodyguard be hired.

The next course of action involves removing all media presence from her phone. As Tenten deletes the last app, she feels a weight lift off her chest. She breathes a sigh of relief, feeling free.

She and Neji are wise enough to delay their emergence into public until the remainder of season three airs. The show takes a filming break the third week of September to begin airing on network television; Neji and Tenten, committed to their plan, spend the week apart.

On the phone one night during their separation, Neji says, "Your ex-boyfriend was out with someone new last night."

"Who told you that?"

"The Internet."

Tenten rolls her eyes, glancing at Lee, who is snoring at the end of her couch; the kung-fu movie they had been watching is long over. "Good for him," Tenten says simply.

The reception for the return of High School Crisis begins well. Not only is Neji praised for his portrayal of Kazuki, Tenten begins to stir up accolades for her range of emotional acting.

When the show returns to film the finale after the break, Tenten is pleased to receive the compliments of cast and crew alike.

"This is different," she mutters to Neji one evening as they leave set. Lee and her new bodyguard, an older gentleman named Maito Gai, wait for her by an idling car. "Do you think the writers are making a case to get me to stay?"

"Have you decided yet if you want to end your contract?"

"No."

Neji shrugs. "I think they're recognizing your skill. It took them long enough."

Tenten smiles at this, grateful for the compliment.

The morning of shooting her final scene, Tenten is waiting in hair and makeup when she finally receives her script. Per her custom, she flips to the last page and stares at it, her forehead wrinkling in confusion. She calls out to the assistant who delivered it, "Hey, why is this all blacked out?"

The assistant shrugs, on his way out of the room. He says over his shoulder, "That's straight from the writer's room. They just finished writing it."

Tenten feels an unease in her gut as she glances back at the page, her curiosity stoked by the large blocks of black on the page. At the bottom of the page is a single word: "No."

When she meets Neji on set, she asks, "So, what do you think? Will Kazuki and Yori live happily ever after?"

Neji's mouth pulls to the side in thought. "I hope the best for them," he replies cryptically.

Tenten's eyes narrow. "Does that mean you know something I don't?"

Neji shakes his head. She opens her mouth to inquire further, but a crew member shuffles them into place onstage. Tenten stares at Neji, taking a deep breath.

"Ready?" he asks.

Tenten nods. The director calls for quiet, and then says, "Action."

Kazuki takes a few hesitant steps towards her, struggling with his new cane. A pained smile graces his mouth. Yori rushes forward to help him, but Kazuki waves her off, face contorted with effort.

He says, drawing closer to her, "These past few months of recovery have been the worst of my life. Every day has been a punishment, thinking about everything I've done wrong and how much it's cost me." Kazuki takes a heavy breath, staring into Yori's eyes. "Yori, I've spent my whole life wanting the kind of love that I feel when I'm with you. No one understands me like you do. My entire recovery has made me rethink a lot of things, but you're the only constant bright spot in my life. You're my light in the darkness."

Kazuki casts aside his cane and shakily falls to his knees. He swallows, paling, then says, "Marry me, Yori."

Tenten is still, emotion rushing to her eyes. Her chest aches at the loss—for Kazuki and Yori, who would never get to the place she wanted them to be at, for the show, for the possibility of a normal relationship with Neji without media criticism. The last page of her script made perfect sense now, and it gave her incredible heartache to deliver it.

"No," Yori replies, her face contorted with anguish, tears spilling down her cheeks.

The camera pans to Kazuki, a mixture of shock, resentment, and sadness playing across his features. The pure, unadulterated hope and love that had been there a moment before had vanished. Tenten senses the held breath in the room, the weight of this moment of television, and then the director is calling cut.

The spell is broken. Neji gets to his feet, watching her carefully. A flurry of their costars and production assistants walk over to congratulate them and express their surprise, tears in their eyes. Cast and crew mingle, discussing the end of the season, their plans for the evening, the next few months' schedule that they have lined up. The wrap party is announced, and the crowd slowly breaks apart, lingering, not ready to say goodbye.

Neji comes to stand next to her, his gaze unwavering. "That was the best acting I've ever seen you do."

Tenten releases a bitter smile, wiping at her eyes. "I'm going to quit," she tells him. "They wrote that for shock factor, not because it was the right decision for Yori."

Neji studies her for a moment. "You don't think she would have said no?"

Tenten shakes her head. "No, I think she would have still said no. But not for the reason they made it out to be—Yori wasn't scared of a life with Kazuki. She wanted him to see her as more than the safe choice."

Neji tilts his head towards her in consideration. "Would you have made the same choice?"

Tenten doesn't answer, watching the stagehands begin to deconstruct the set. She feels a strange mixture of relief and sorrow.

Neji says, gently, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you what was coming. The writers wanted a genuine reaction. They swore me to secrecy."

Tenten nods and turns to look up at him. "I'll see you at the wrap party, okay? I need a minute."

Neji lets her go, watching her walk down the hallway to her dressing room. When Tenten enters, she slowly moves to her dressing table and sits down. Mindlessly, she shoves her assortment of bottles and containers into her bag. She catches her reflection in the mirror and pauses, studying her flushed cheeks and clear eyes.

As she's getting ready to leave, there is a knock behind her. Tenten crosses the short distance to open it. Neji is there, leaning against the doorframe. She stares at him for a long moment, before reaching out to pull him inside. She melts into his arms, pressing her mouth to his. The door is closed, and Tenten leans against it. Neji holds her tight, his fingertips floating up her waist to her throat and into her hair. She sighs, and he tilts his head up, spreading light kisses across her nose, her cheekbones, her eyelids. He breathes deeply and sets his forehead against hers, his hands resting on her shoulders.

"I love you," he murmurs.

Tenten lifts her head and places a small kiss on Neji's mouth. She brushes back his hair, humming in contentment. "I know, Neji. I love you too," she whispers back. She smooths a hand over his chest and is gratified to feel his heart beating erratically.

He touches his lips to her forehead and draws back from her, kneeling at her feet. He kisses her hand and gazes up at her, tense. He holds up a simple gold ring. "Please," he says, his voice taut.

Tenten stiffens in shock. Her heart pounds in her chest, her eyes wide. "You're not serious," she breathes.

"I've never been more serious in my entire life." He sounds stronger now, looking expectant.

"Neji, the press will have a field day," Tenten says, pressing a hand to her chest to calm her heart.

"Do I look like someone who cares about what the press thinks?" He grasps her hand, staring up at her beseechingly. "This is serious, and I want it to always be that way."

Throughout their relationship, Tenten had felt the heavy weight of the media's scrutiny and the public's expectations. Now, looking at Neji, it all slips from her shoulders. It's only him, holding her hand, his gaze steady.

"It's us," she murmurs to him.

Neji smirks. "It always has been, Tenten."

She leans down and kisses him, holding his face in her hands. "I still want an answer," Neji mutters against her lips.

Tenten plucks the ring from his hand and slips it onto her finger, tears gathering in her eyes as she admires it. "Who could say no to Neji Hyuga?" she says, wrapping her arms around him.

SURPRISE HSC 3 ENDING SHOCKS ALL

CHARACTERS YORI AND KAZUKI SPLIT IN SHOCKING SEASON FINALE

TENTEN ANNOUNCES SEASON 3 OF HSC WILL BE HER LAST

"Neji Hyuga and Tenten spotted out at cozy, private restaurant—are they back together?"

TENTEN AND NEJI RUMORED TO REKINDLE RELATIONSHIP FOLLOWING HSC 3

". . . largely considered a sleeper for the majority of High School Crisis, Tenten has emerged into the media spotlight with a renewed sense of respect for her work. . ."

NEW SPY FILM WILL FEATURE SAKURA AND TENTEN

"Are these real freckles or is it makeup?" Neji asks, staring down at the magazine picture.

Tenten scoffs from their bathroom. "They're real!" she calls out, indignant.

Neji shifts the magazine to bring it closer, analyzing her face on the glossy paper. Gai and Lee glance over his shoulder, curious.

"They seem . . . exaggerated," he says, glancing at Lee and Gai's reactions. Both shake their heads, glancing at the open bathroom door.

Tenten emerges putting on earrings, eyes narrowed. "They're summer freckles."

"It's winter," Neji replies, reluctantly pulling his gaze from her dress to her eyes.

"Don't be rude," Tenten says, returning to the bathroom. "It's my first cover."

After the season finale, the television show had made landmark ratings—ranking high on all the social media sites as fans discussed the ending. Tenten's name surfaced again and again. Most fans disliked the ending, that was certain, but Tenten's delivery was received well. Many speculated she would be nominated for best breakthrough actress for the next awards season.

Following a handful of interviews, Tenten began receiving calls for auditions. She'd jumped at the chance and was slated to begin filming with Sakura Haruno after the new year for a spy thriller; Lee was particularly elated over this turn of events.

Tonight is Neji's movie premiere, and officially, his last event in the public eye. He glances at Gai and Lee, who are arm wrestling on the kitchen counter, and gets up to join Tenten. He stops in the doorway, watching as she fixes her lipstick.

"Are you ready to say goodbye to stardom?" she asks him.

"For as long as I'm associated with you, I don't think I'll ever really be done."

She turns to him, absently sliding the gold ring up and down her finger. "Do you wish it could be different?"

Neji shakes his head. "I'm starting my master's in the spring, and I'm with you. Any way I look at it, I'm getting what I want."

Tenten smiles, and glances at the ring. "What about this? Ready to let everyone know our big secret?"

"No. But we might as well."

Tenten smirks, and slips her hand into his, pulling him towards their front door. Lee and Gai follow, grinning. Unlike all the other times she'd gone out in public since filming ended, this time, Tenten keeps the ring on—exactly where it belongs.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Have thoughts? I'd love to hear them. -KNO