Hobi’s heart fell all the way to his shoes. How could this beautiful girl have no friends? His thoughts made their way out of his mouth. “How is that possible? You’re beautiful. You’re sweet.”
Was she? Why did he think that underneath all her sharpness lay something of infinite sweetness? He had no proof, really. Did he?
She turned to stare at him. “Where did you get your eyes?”
“What?” Stumped, he just gazed at her for a moment before returning his attention to the road.
“Your eyes. Your perspective. The things you use to see me. No one has ever called me beautiful. Today you’ve now said it twice. And for sure, no one has ever even thought I was sweet. Let alone said it.”
“I bet Minato did,” he mumbled. When she didn’t respond, Hobi simply stared at her. “You’re kidding me, right? You’re gorgeous! Surely, someone has told you so.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “No! Quite to the contrary, in fact. I’ve been told I’m ugly more times than I can count.”
Dumbfounded, he nonetheless had to remove his eyes from her lovely face and put them back on the road.
“You’ve just been surrounded by blind people. That’s the only explanation I can give you. Because you are absolutely lovely. Captivating, in fact. I couldn’t keep my eyes off you at breakfast.”
She blushed. Who was this adorable man? Suddenly, she remembered that they had an audience. And her embarrassment deepened. She must be dreaming this whole scenario. Who would ever find her attractive?
“Those other voices – don’t pay them any heed. They’re lying.”
“What?” she frowned.
“Anyone who has ever said something unkind about the way you look. They’re lying. Don’t listen to them. Don’t let their words take root in your heart. I promise you,” he glanced into her eyes, “you ARE beautiful. Lovely,” his eyes traveled from her face down to her toes and up again in a swift perusal of her person, “Captivating. You make me wish I lived in Japan,” he sighed as he turned his eyes back to the traffic surrounding them.
He had no idea, but he had just rocked her world with a few simple words.
