Sakura was running through the pouring rain, her breath catching as she chased after him. "Haru!" she cried, her voice breaking. He stopped and turned to face her, his eyes intense, the storm raging around them.
"It was always you, Sakura," he said softly, his voice rough but certain. "I've always loved you. Not Mia. You."
Before she could respond, his lips were on hers, warm and sweet against the cold rain. This time, she didn't hesitate. She kissed him back, her fingers gripping his shirt as she let herself feel the intensity of the moment.
When they finally broke apart, Haru rested his forehead on her's, their breaths mingling. "Youdon'thavetorunanymore," he whispered.
Sakurajoltedawake, herbreathheavy, herlipsstilltinglingfromthememory. Theroomwasdim, thestormreplacedbythefainthumofmorningtraffic.
Itwasn't just a dream—it was a memory from the night Haru had run away from the wedding.
Sakura was lost in her dream it took a moment for her to realise she wasn't where she thought she was. She wasn't in her bedroom. She was in a more masculine space—plain white walls, a black rug, and navy-blue curtains framing the window.
A hand suddenly grabbed hers, pulling her back down. She gasped, eyes wide, and saw the man beside her.
Haru.
"Good morning," he said softly, his eyes lighting up with warmth.
They were facing each other, so close that Sakura could smell his body wash and the faint hint of his deodorant. Something inside her tingled.
Her mind flashed to that stormy night, the taste of Haru's lips still lingering in her memory, and her cheeks burned.
Still disoriented, Sakura whispered, "Good morning, Haru."
Haru stretched, getting out of bed. Sakura's gaze involuntarily drifted over his body in his tight white T-shirt before she quickly looked away. What happened last night? She had no memory of it.
She replayed the events in her head: I was at the mixer with Mia. Then I called Haru for help. After I drank the one Kenji gave me, I realized it was spiked. Then Haru and Kei came. And then... what happened? Did I sleep with Haru?' Her face drained of colour.
Haru placed a few tablets into her hand.
"Here, take this."
"What is it?" Sakura asked, voice trembling.
"Medicine."
Sakura took the pills without another word, her gaze shifting uneasily. She needed answers.
"After that bastard, Kenji spiked your drink, I brought you to my place," Haru explained, reading the worry in her eyes. "I used your phone to text your parents and say you were staying at Mia's, and brought you to my apartment. Nothing happened between us. I just slept next to you. That's it."
Sakura let out a small breath of relief but couldn't stop the question from slipping out. "But why didn't you ask Mia to take me to her place too?"
"Mia's drink was spiked as well."
Sakura's eyes widened. "Is she okay?"
Haru pushed her back down gently. "Worry about yourself first, Sakura." He sat beside her, frustration mixed with concern in his voice. "What were you thinking?"
Sakura sighed heavily, trying to explain herself. "Mia asked me to go, and I couldn't say no. She's been feeling off lately, and she's my best friend—"
"So if Mia or Jules asked you to go to a strip club, would you?" Haru interrupted, his voice raising. "God damn it, Sakura! When are you going to stop saying yes to everything?"
Sakura went silent, unable to find the right words.
Haru's voice softened, and he placed a hand on her shoulder, resting his forehead gently against hers. "I'm really glad you reached out to me yesterday." His voice was calm but full of earnestness. "Stop running from who you are."
Something clicked inside Sakura's chest. She had a feeling—an inkling, something she couldn't quite explain—that Haru cared for her more than he let on. His words felt so familiar, so personal. Just like her dream—or rather memory. She couldn't ignore this feeling any longer. She has to ask him. She had to know.
In a low voice, she whispered, "Haru, do you love me?"
Haru closed his eyes, his jaw tightened. He exhaled deeply. "Yes," he said softly.
Sakura's heart skipped a beat.
Haru pulled back, staring at her with intensity. "Yes, I love you, Sakura. I love you because when you're with me, you show me the real you. And that's the person I fell in love with. But... I won't ask you out until you start prioritising yourself. You need to stop caring about what others think. I want you to be the real you all the time."
Sakura stared at him, her heart racing faster with every second. She couldn't speak. The intensity of the moment overwhelmed her just like it did back then, and before she could say anything, Haru tilted his head slightly and asked with a quiet intensity, "But what about you, Sakura? Do you love me?"