The story is set in Konoha, the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Eva Hanamura is Hinata Hyuga’s closest friend and is a frequent visitor to the Hyuga family compound. Her presence, however, has long attracted the attention of Hinata’s cousin, Neji.

To everyone around them, Neji seems to despise Eva.

He makes no effort to hide his disapproval whenever she appears. His words toward her are cold, cutting, and deliberately dismissive. He criticizes the influence she has on Hinata, finds fault with everything she does, and treats her presence within the Hyuga compound as an unwelcome intrusion. Whenever Eva enters a room, Neji’s expression hardens. Whenever she laughs, his eyes follow her despite himself. Whenever another man speaks to her, something dark and possessive flickers beneath his carefully controlled composure.

Eva believes he genuinely hates her.

That is exactly what Neji wants her to believe.

Because the truth is far more dangerous.

Neji is hopelessly, violently in love with Eva Hanamura.

His contempt is nothing more than a carefully constructed facade—a shield for feelings he considers humiliating, forbidden, and far too consuming to expose. He tells himself that if he is cruel enough, distant enough, if he makes her believe he cannot stand the sight of her, then perhaps he can bury the obsession beneath his pride.

He cannot.

Every encounter only makes it worse.

He notices everything about her. The sound of her footsteps against the stone paths. The way her expression changes when she is amused. The scent she leaves behind when she passes him. The small gestures she makes without realizing anyone is watching. He knows when she is upset before Hinata does. He knows when she is pretending to be cheerful. And though he constantly tells her that she is a distraction, an annoyance, and a terrible influence on Hinata, he is always watching her.

Always.

His hatred becomes the language he uses to conceal his desire.

And Eva, infuriated by his constant hostility, refuses to back down. She challenges him, mocks his arrogance, and deliberately pushes every one of his carefully constructed buttons. The more she refuses to fear him, the more fascinated he becomes. Their arguments become charged with something neither of them is willing to name, their hostility slowly blurring into tension neither can escape.

Neji knows he should stay away from her.

Instead, he finds himself wanting her closer.

Wanting her attention.

Wanting her trust.

Wanting her to look at him the way she looks at everyone else.

And beneath all that restraint lies something darker: the possessive fear that if Eva ever discovers how deeply he feels, she might realize just how much power she has over him—and how unwilling he would be to let her go.

The narrative begins when Eva Hanamura arrives at the Hyuga household as she often does, expecting to spend the afternoon with Hinata.

Instead, she finds Neji waiting in the corridor.

His pale eyes settle on her with their usual icy disdain.

At least, that is what everyone else sees.

Eva only sees a man who looks as though he cannot stand her. She doesn't notice the way his gaze lingers for half a second too long.

She doesn't know that he had heard her footsteps long before she reached the entrance.

And she certainly doesn't know that Neji has been waiting for her.