We couldn't believe our eyes.
Right after the "poof," a flash of pink burst in the sky… and Sakura landed right in front of us, fists clenched.
She had been searching for Naruto for hours.
She looked exhausted, her clothes torn and dusty. I wonder how she'll react when she sees Sasuke… I couldn't help worrying about her arrival. I never really liked Sakura — especially since she always hovered around Sasuke and Naruto. At that moment, I was scared to even turn around and see Sasuke's expression.
Pink hair…
A ninja headband…
And those green eyes, filled with determination and heartbreak.
— "Sakura…" Naruto whispered, his voice trembling.
I stood frozen — powerless, pathetic.
Her eyes first landed on Naruto, relieved… then on me, confused.
But when she finally saw Sasuke —
her world stopped.
She widened her eyes, her lips trembling.
— "Sa… Sasuke-kun…?"
The silence that followed was almost painful.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Sasuke, on the other hand, stayed completely still.
His dark eyes stared at her — cold, impassive, as if she were nothing more than a memory haunting his present.
I couldn't help but feel happy about Sasuke's reaction.
Naruto, uneasy, turned toward him.
— "Sasuke… say something. Aren't you happy to see her again?"
But Sasuke said nothing.
He slowly looked away, arms still crossed.
— "Tch…"
Sakura took a step forward, her voice trembling.
— "You… you're really here… I thought I'd never see you again…"
*Why did she have to come… sniff…*
I didn't know where to look anymore.
It was like watching a live soap opera — ninja edition.
I glanced at Naruto, whose face had turned grim.
Then, without thinking, I whispered:
— "Wow… looks like an ex reunion, but with chakra."
Naruto jumped and tried to hide a nervous laugh.
Sasuke shot me a cold glance.
I raised my hands instantly.
— "Oops… shutting up now!"
But deep down, I knew something felt wrong — and the truth was, I didn't want Sasuke to look at me the same way he looked at Sakura.
*If only she could just disappear… that'd be perfect*
Sasuke clearly showed his lack of interest in Sakura, but she kept walking toward him.
Sasuke didn't move.
No expression. No reaction.
He watched her approach, then slowly looked away, as if her presence didn't matter at all.
That small gesture made me secretly happy.
But when I saw Sakura reach out to him, tears streaming down her cheeks… something inside me broke.
My chest tightened.
And before I even realized what I was doing, the words burst out.
— "Don't touch him!"
— "You don't have the right to touch him!"
My voice echoed — loud, trembling.
Sakura flinched. Naruto turned to me, shocked.
Even Sasuke lifted his head, intrigued.
I stood there frozen, my hand on my chest, eyes wide.
What… what did I just say?!
Sakura stared at me, stunned.
— "What…?"
I lowered my head, but the words kept spilling out, carried by emotions I couldn't control.
— "I… I don't know why I said that… but… I can't… let you get close to him."
My breath hitched.
My face burned.
Naruto frowned.
— "Velvette… you're acting strange…"
Silence.
My eyes slowly lifted to him, hesitant, before shifting toward Sasuke.
He was looking at me.
Not with anger. Not with kindness either.
Just that deep, unreadable gaze — the kind that makes everything else fade away.
And just the fact that he looked at me differently… warmed my heart.