The reason they don't want to see it is because they don't like Sakura. The simple truth is, that people judge and condemn others based on first impressions. Sakura was a friend-zoning kitten in their eye, while Hinata was the shyest sweetest girl in the world; because of first impression.
You are right that in a sense Sakura and Hinata represented the hard and easy way. "Why go for the girl that dislikes him that he has feeling for when their is a girl right over there that already likes him." Which is why Naruto going with Hinata at the end help destroy the series. Since, she didn't really add to the story other than, "the girl that likes him," and trying to justify her importance and why she had to get together with him again, help destroyed the story.
True. But even in the context of the first impression, Sakura is shown actively changing her impression and behavior by the end of chapter 3!
I totally see what you mean by first impression though. We as people tend to do that, but first impression isn't always the right one, though. Because people evolve. Characters develop. That first impression might not be an accurate one later on.
And that's where the problem lies - they absolutely refuse and deny to see that Sakura's behavior and feelings to Naruto change and evolve over time.
It's like... they're just content with living under this great lie, as long as it fits their view. As long as it's comfortable. Doesn't matter if it's a deception.
And for the love of God, I will never understand how can some people be like that. And it's me I'm saying this, the one who used to like NaruHina and SasuSaku in the beginning. Granted, based on the impression the anime gave me.
Because as soon as I came in contact with the manga, oh boy, things changed! I found a totally different story there. So then, I guess you could say that I "woke up", in a way. That's the reason that I cannot understand these people. I mean, I do understand from where it comes, I just can't understand WHY would you want to live under a lie?
But I guess I view it as such because one of my principles is that I always prefer to confront the hard truth, than to live in a comfortable lie. My life would've probably been different if I were to lived in that kind of life. But then I wondered, at what cost?
You're totally right on the girl liking him part. It's literally just the easy way out, but they somehow twist it into this God given gift and that this is what should always have happened. Because look at how happy Naruto is now.
For them, Hinata is his reward for the strong feelings he had for Sakura. And I can't help but be like... what? That's not how things work. Not by proxy.
It's like... I cannot understand how they cannot comprehend this simple analogy. Or maybe they don't want to. Which I think it's moreso the case.
It's like you're in a contest, you're promised that if you do your best and score everything right, you're going to get rewarded with spot no. 1.
But then, after all the hard work you put in everything and ON YOUR OWN, you're given the second place, because the first place has been given to someone else. Who didn't work at all for their prize, but was handed every response and resolve for that contest on a silver platter and ta da.
Which basically describes corruption, in a way.
Which basically became a Naruto thing even in real life. These people corrupted this very essence of the manga and destroyed it to its last bit....
But alas, it is what it is...
