“Genjutsu made Naruto realize his love for Hinata”
So, you are in love with a girl but don’t realize it.
How it works in real life: you don’t notice it, but you are drawn to that person, think about her often, search her company. Whenever something interesting happens to you, you immediately feel the need to tell her about it or invite her to experience it with you. You feel so good when she is around that you invent reasons to interact with her more while persuading yourself that it is nothing special. You are deeply interested in her life and want to know more about her - even little things. You can’t help but mention her when talking to other people. Your friends tease you about your bias towards her. Even if you don’t realize it, her words and opinion about you matter a great deal to you.
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At some point smth makes you realize how much time you spend with her and how much you long for her and how happy she makes you feel. “Wow, I’m in love.” - you think.
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How it works according to NH: for years you are perfectly fine with just being acquainted with this girl, you don’t seek to become close friends. You are fine with knowing just basic things about her and her worldview, you aren’t interested in her daily life and struggles. You lead your separate life and feel lonely sometimes, but she never comes to mind. When you plan to go out, you call your other girl-friends. When opportunity arises to spend more time with her (like walk her home), you wonder why would you and decline. Your friends have to push you into noticing her and interacting with her. One time she said she loves you, but you don’t overthink it, actually you don’t care enough to even talk to her about it, you basically forgot about it until your friend brought it up. You easily dismiss her feelings as insignificant.
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At some point smth makes you see how much this girl longed for you and watched you from behind trees and wanted to be by your side. “Wow, I’m in love.” - you think.
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Solid.