"No, please tell me. What were you going to say." Sakura asked gently.
Kei took a deep breath before he spoke again, "you know Halloween's coming up soon and a classmate of mine is throwing a party. I was thinking that maybe you should go. It would be a great opportunity for you to talk to other people and make some girl friends."
Sakura blinked in surprise.
In her past life, she used to go to parties and clubs all the time with Mia. But that stopped when Mia started dating Haru. After that, every party, every club, every outing—it was just her, alone, with no one to talk to.
But things are different now. She was different now.
She was given a second chance at life, and this time she's going to live her youth to the fullest.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea! Thanks, Kei."
Kei smiled half heartedly.
"A piece of advice, though—don't bring Haru."
"What? Why?"
"You want to make friends, right? That's not happening with your super hot boyfriend trailing behind you like a bodyguard. Trust me don't tell Haru."
"I'll tell Haru anyway."
"Tell me what?"
Both Sakura and Kei jumped at the sound of Haru's voice.
"Oh, perfect timing." Sakura grabbed Haru's arm and pulling him into the seat beside her. "Kei mentioned that one of our classmates are going to throw a party for Halloween, and I want to go!" Sakura said unable to mask her excitement.
Haru's brow furrowed slightly. "That sounds fun. I'll go with you."
"Uh-uh." Sakura shook her head. "You know I love you, Haru. But I can't spend all my time with you. A girl could use some girl friends to talk to. And this will be the perfect opportunity."
Haru turned to Kei. "And you agree with this?"
Kei held up his hands. "Hey, I'm just saying it'd be easier for her to make friends if you're not there."
"See?" Sakura said, crossing her arms.
Haru's expression remained unreadable. "Who's hosting this party?"
Sakura hesitated. "I… don't know."
Haru's frown deepened. "You want to go to some random guy's party without even knowing who he is?"
"He's not a classmate of yours, Sakura. I don't know if Haru told you this, but I changed courses. I'm now doing English lit."
Sakura tilted her head. "Oh? That's a surprise. But to be honest with you, I think the English Literature course suits you. Every time you talk about books your eyes light—I can see why you decided to change." Sakura said surprised but understanding.
Kei smiled at her words, but there was something sad in the way he looked down at his food. Thanks for not asking why I changed courses, he thought but couldn't say.
Anyway, so the party is being held by a classmate from your course."
"Yep."
"Still," Haru said, not letting the subject drop, "you don't even know this guy."
"Kei does and I trust him."
Kei lowered his eyes. The guilt tearing him apart.
No don't trust me!
Haru exhaled sharply. "Sakura, are you sure? There's going to be a lot of guys there."
For a brief moment, she froze. A shadow flickered across her face. Kenji's voice, his touch, the nightmare she had barely escaped—it all came rushing back.
Slowly, she took a shaky breath.
"There's always going to be guys around me, Haru," she said, her voice steady despite the weight in her chest. "If I let what happened with Kenji stop me from living my life, then how is that any better than not living at all?"
Before Haru could respond, a waitress appeared, setting down their bowls of spicy ramen.
"Thank you for the wait. Here is your spicy ramen. Enjoy your meal," she said with a polite smile before walking away.
Sakura turned back to Haru and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "I'll be fine."
Haru played with his food. He knew she was right—this would be good for her. But what if something happened to her again?
He sighed, running a hand down his face. "Fine. But I'm still going with you."
Sakura beamed. "Yay! Let's pick our Halloween outfits after we eat."
"Sorry, but I have to head home after this."
"Why?" Sakura asked.
"I've got…some stuff to do." Kei said looking away.
Sakura studied him for a moment but decided not to pry any further. Instead, she just nodded.
"Okay."
…
After Kei left, Haru and Sakura made their way to a costume shop.
Haru barely glanced at his own options—his focus was entirely on what she was going to wear. Ever since the mixer, she had started dressing more conservatively. And when she went to confront Kenji, she had been wearing a winter sweater in the middle of summer.
He wanted her to wear something modest, something safe.
Meanwhile, Sakura was choosing whichever outfit she liked, not caring about how much skin it showed. She wasn't going to dress like a slut—just in a way that felt like herself again.
"Aren't you going to pick out a costume?" she asked, glancing at Haru when she noticed he was still hovering around the women's section.
"First, we pick yours," he said. "Then we'll get mine."
"Okay, I've already found some outfits I would like to try on."
"I chose some for you too. Let's go."
…
In the dressing room, Sakura decided to wear the outfits Haru chose for her first.
She stepped out wearing a princess costume—a long, flowing dress with sleeves.
Haru's eyes lit up. "Perfect."
Sakura gave him a deadpan look, pulling the tiara off her head. "I'm not wearing this."
"Why not?"
"This is exactly what everyone expects 'Sweet Sakura' to wear," she said, her tone mocking.
"But you are my princess," he countered smoothly, making her blush.
"Okay next." Haru said.
A few minutes later, she emerged in a mummy costume.
Haru nodded in approval. "Even better."
Sakura yanked off the mask, gasping. "Haru, I swear it's like a thousand degrees in this thing."
"But, you look nice."
"But I can't breathe," she shot back. "Besides, nobody can even see my face!"
"So?"
Sakura groaned. Their fashion sense clearly did not align.
Then she smiled sweetly, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Baby," she murmured, her voice like honey. "Let me show you what I picked out."
She pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
Unbeknownst to them someone was watching.