Dear diary,
Almost three weeks have passed since Lunar transferred to Northern Academy, and somehow, in what feels like the blink of an eye, everything has changed in ways I still don't fully understand.
It's strange… how time can feel so fast when she's around.
So many things have happened—small things, big things, moments that didn't seem like much at first but somehow stayed with me longer than they should have. I keep replaying them in my head when I'm alone, like if I don't, they might fade away.
Last Saturday was one of those special days, because Lunar came over! Just thinking about it still makes my chest feel warm.
It wasn't supposed to be a big thing at first—just her visiting, like she used to—but of course, things never stay simple when certain people are involved. Rickey and Via somehow ended up coming along too, and even though I'm still convinced they invited themselves more than anything, I didn't really mind in the end.
Actually… it turned out better that way.
The memory comes back to me clearly.
The moment the door slid open, Aya-nee was already standing there, smiling like she had been waiting all day, her eyes lighting up the instant she saw Lunar standing at the front. "Lunar-chan!"
Aya-nee stepped forward and pulled Lunar into a hug so naturally, so warmly, like she had always belonged there, like nothing had changed since the last time they saw each other. Lunar stiffened for just a second, just a tiny bit—but then she relaxed into it, returning the hug softly.
I remember standing there, watching them, and for a moment… it just felt so perfect. Like things were how they were supposed to be.
Then Aya-nee noticed the others.
"Oh my—so many guests!" she said, her expression brightening even further. "You should've told me earlier, I would've prepared more!"
Before any of us could even respond, she had already turned back toward the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, completely energized.
She cooked… a lot. No—that's an understatement.
By the time everything was laid out on the table, it looked like a feast meant for a festival rather than a small gathering at home. There were dishes I hadn't even seen her make in years, plates stacked with food that filled the room with warmth and rich, comforting smells.
Rickey stared at the table like she had just witnessed something divine.
Via rubbed her eyes a few times, trying to ensure if what she was seeing was real.
Lunar… just smiled, already knowing Aya-nee's tendency to overdo things.
We ended up eating together, laughing here and there, the kind of laughter that comes easily when no one is trying too hard. Somehow, despite the sheer amount of food, we actually finished almost everything, mostly thanks to Rickey's endless appetite and Aya-nee's insistence that no one leave the table hungry.
And Aya-nee… she really did dote on Lunar. It wasn't overbearing, nor was it something that stirred any real discomfort in me—because, in the end, it was Lunar. Of course she would be treated that way.
Honestly… I understood it more than I wanted to admit. There was something about her that simply drew people in, something warm and gentle that made you want to look after her without even thinking about it.
Even I…
…Even I would probably do the same, if I ever allowed myself to.
The memory shifts again, into a much quieter and gentler one.
Night had already settled over the house by then, wrapping everything in that familiar calm that only came after a long, full day. I remember stretching as I walked down the hallway, already half-expecting to fall straight into bed the moment I reached my room, just like I always did.
Except… something felt off.
Right in front of my door, arranged far too neatly to be a coincidence, were my blanket, my pillow, and my pyjamas, all stacked together with a suspicious level of care.
I stared at it for a few seconds. "…Huh?"
Frowning slightly, I stepped closer and crouched down, my attention catching on a small note placed carefully on top of the pile. I picked it up without thinking, unfolding it—and the moment my eyes scanned the words, I froze.
"Go and sleep with Lunar-chan today~ I'm sure she'd be lonely not having anyone to sleep with since Via-chan and Rickey-chan are sharing a room already~"
And just beneath that—
"P.S. Don't tell me big sis didn't help you~ go get her little sister~"
My face went completely red. "—A-Aya-nee…?!"
I whispered it under my breath, even though she was nowhere nearby, my ears burning as my gaze flickered between the note and the door, as if the whole setup might disappear if I looked away for too long.
She… she really—
I mean…she didn't even try to be low-key about it!
I stayed there for a while, clutching the note a little tighter than I meant to, my heartbeat picking up for reasons I didn't want to examine too closely.
Sleeping in the same room as Lunar.
On purpose.
Just the thought alone made my chest feel strangely tight, like something inside me didn't quite know how to settle.
And the worst part? …I didn't hate the idea.
I remember standing there, completely frozen, trying to calm myself down, trying to act normal even though there was no one around to see me panic in the first place.
"…It's just sleeping," I told myself quietly.
Just sleeping.
Nothing weird.
Nothing strange.
It's Lunar.
It's just, Lunar.
I ended up standing there longer than I should have, holding that note like it carried more weight than a simple piece of paper ever should, before finally taking a deep breath and picking up my things.
Because no matter how much I tried to deny it, my feet were already moving toward her room.
And my heart…
…wasn't calming down at all.
Sakura tightened her grip on her sleeve as she stood just outside Lunar's door, blanket and pillow clutched in her arms, her thoughts looping endlessly as she tried to gather what little courage she had left. It shouldn't have been this hard—she had knocked on this door countless times before, had spoken to Lunar so naturally in the past—but tonight felt different, scarier in a way she couldn't explain, like every small action suddenly carried meaning she wasn't ready to bear.
Still… she had come this far.
Taking a quiet breath, she raised her hand and knocked, the sound feeling louder than it should have.
There was a brief pause, the faint shuffle of movement from inside, and then the door slid open. And just like that, Sakura forgot how to breathe.
Lunar stood there, her silver hair still damp from the shower, strands clinging lightly to her cheeks and neck as droplets made it seem like she was shining, giving her a soft glow under the room's warm lighting. Her expression, as always, was calm—aloof in the way that made her seem distant at first glance—but her eyes were gentle, naturally kind in a way that only she can show.
It was just… her.
And no matter how many times Sakura saw that face, it never failed to make her heart spiral.
Ah—
She felt it immediately, that familiar tightening in her chest, the urge to squeal bubbling up so suddenly she had to clamp it down before it could escape, her fingers curling slightly as she struggled to keep herself composed.
Lunar tilted her head ever so slightly, gaze settling on Sakura with quiet curiosity. "Sakura-chan?" she called softly, the temperature around her still carrying that faint post-shower warmth. "Is something wrong?"
That snapped her out of it—barely.
"N-No!" Sakura blurted out far too quickly, straightening up as if that alone would fix everything, her voice just a little higher than usual as she fumbled for words. "I mean—yes—no—well—!"
She winced internally. Great, very smooth, Sakura.
For a moment she just stood there, flustered, before hurriedly explaining, words tumbling over each other as she tried to piece together something coherent about Aya-nee, the blankets outside, the note (lied about it), and how she had somehow ended up here because of it.
Lunar listened without interrupting.
There was no confusion in her expression, no impatience, no attempt to rush Sakura along—only that steady, attentive gaze that made it feel as though every word mattered, even when Sakura herself was painfully aware of how clumsy and scattered her explanation sounded.
And when she finally finished, Lunar smiled.That same quiet, gentle smile Sakura could never prepare herself for.
"Is that so?" she murmured, a soft hint of amusement in her voice, before reaching out without hesitation and taking Sakura's hand. "Then come in."
Just like that.
Sakura's thoughts short-circuited completely as she was gently pulled inside, her fingers instinctively tightening around Lunar's hand for the briefest moment before she realized what she was doing, heat rushing to her face so fast it almost made her dizzy.
Before she could recover, she was guided to the bed and seated down, her body moving without resistance while her mind struggled to catch up. She sat stiffly, posture straight and awkward, trying—desperately—to act normal, even though nothing about this felt normal anymore.
Lunar, on the other hand, seemed entirely at ease. She stepped away casually, picking up a towel as she turned slightly. "Give me a moment," she said. "I need to dry my hair first."
Sakura nodded.
She didn't trust her voice.
And so she sat there in silence, still as a statue, feeling more and more like an idiot with every Because the moment Lunar gathered her damp hair and lifted it to dry—
Sakura's brain stopped working.
Her nape was exposed.
It was something so simple, so insignificant if it was anyone else, and yet it struck Sakura harder than anything else that had happened that night. Lunar's usual wolf cut always framed her face just right, leaving the back of her neck hidden, offering only the faintest glimpses when the wind shifted or when she moved just enough.
But now—
It was right there, clear and unguarded.
The soft curve of her neck, the faint sheen of water still clinging to her skin, the subtle movement of her shoulders as she worked the towel through her hair—
Sakura could only stare.
Completely, helplessly mesmerized.
Her lips parted slightly without her even realizing it, her thoughts unraveling into a quiet haze as she watched, completely caught in something she couldn't quite name. It wasn't just admiration anymore—it was overwhelming, all-consuming in a way that left her unable to look away, even when she knew she probably should.
This is bad.
She was aware of it. Completely.
She should look away, distract herself, think of literally anything else—do something, anything, to break out of it.
But she didn't.
She just sat there, frozen in place, taking everything in like a fool who had forgotten how to function.
Time slipped past her unnoticed, minutes blurring into seconds, until before she could even register it, Lunar had finished. The towel lowered, and her silver hair fell naturally back into place, framing her face once more as she turned and began walking back toward the bed.
Toward her.
Sakura straightened instantly, every muscle in her body tightening on instinct as Lunar climbed onto the bed and settled right beside her without the slightest hesitation. The space between them vanished so easily it felt unreal, as though it had never been there to begin with.
Lunar glanced at her, her eyes narrowing just a fraction as she observed her closely. "You're tense," she said softly. "Are you feeling sick? Or… uncomfortable with this?"
Sakura shook her head immediately—far too quickly.
"No, I'm fine!" she insisted, forcing her voice to stay steady despite the way her heart pounded against her chest. "I—I'm exactly where I want to be, so… it's okay. I'm okay with anything."
There was a brief pause.
Then Lunar smiled again, a faint trace of playfulness touching her expression, as if she could see right through every word. "Good," she replied simply.
And before Sakura could even process what that meant—
"Then you wouldn't mind if I do this."
Lunar moved.
Just one smooth, fluid motion as she leaned in and wrapped her arms around Sakura from the side, pulling her closer in an easy, natural embrace without any care in the world.
Sakura'sentire body locked up in an instant, her breath catching somewhere in her throat as awareness crashed over her all at once—the warmth of Lunar pressed against her side, the steady rhythm of her breathing, the soft brush of silver hair grazing her cheek—
And most of all—
The very, very noticeable pressure against her upper arm and shoulder.
Her brain short-circuited.
"—L-Lunar-chan???" she managed to choke out, her voice barely functioning, pitched somewhere between panic and disbelief.
Lunar shifted slightly at that, her hold loosening just a fraction as if realizing something. "Ah—sorry," she said, her tone calm but apologetic. "I should've asked first."
She adjusted her arms just enough to make it more comfortable, but she didn't pull away.
"I just… prefer having someone to hug when I sleep," she explained quietly. "It makes me feel safer…knowing someone is beside me during my most vulnerable state."
Her voice softened slightly.
"It's a habit I picked up in Australia," she continued. "I used to sleep like this almost every day, mostly with Anonym."
Sakura paused, her pen hovering just slightly above the page as the memory lingered a little longer than she expected, the warmth of it still clinging faintly to her chest even now, her body hadn't quite accepted that it was already over.
Then—
Her grip tightened.
The tip of the pen pressed harder against the paper as her thoughts shifted, something sharper threading through the softness.
Dear diary…
I just realized something very important.
Her brows furrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line as that lingering warmth twisted into something far less gentle.
That stupid girl named Anonym.
The words carved into the page with far more force than necessary, the ink sinking deep as if it could carry her frustration with it.
She got to be in Lunar's arms like that… for two whole years?
Every day?
Sakura's eye twitched faintly.
That's… that's not fair at all.
Her pen moved faster now, strokes growing harsher, aggressive as her thoughts spiraled further.
How lucky do you have to be to just casually have Lunar hug you to sleep like it's normal—like it's nothing—like it doesn't completely ruin someone's sanity—
The words grew more uneven, more forceful, the ink digging deep as if it could carry the weight of her frustration.
A faint, visibly dark aura seemed to gather around her as she wrote, something fiery and intense building up in the air around her desk.
Across the room, Ciel Ruby slowly lowered her phone, her eyes drifting toward Sakura with growing concern as she watched the girl furiously scribbling into her diary like she was declaring war.
"…Should we be concerned…?" she muttered under her breath, her voice cautious, unsure whether she was witnessing something extremely serious or just… Sakura being Sakura.
From the other bed, Iyasaka didn't even bother lifting her head properly, one eye half-open as she glanced lazily in Sakura's direction before letting out a tired, knowing sigh.
"Just leave her," she said, her tone far too calm for the situation. "She gets like that sometimes when she's writing in her diary."
Ciel narrowed her eyes, still watching Sakura. "…She does?"
"Mhm," Iyasaka hummed, rolling onto her side as she adjusted her pillow. "Give it a minute. She'll calm down on her own."
And almost as if on cue—
Sakura's pen slowed.
The harshness in her strokes eased, her expression softening as her thoughts drifted back to that night, the earlier irritation fading just as quickly as it had flared up.
…But—
Her fingers curled slightly tighter around the pen.
Lunar-chan held me really close that night…
The words came out softer now, the pressure on the page easing.
And it felt really nice.
Her shoulders relaxed, the tension leaving her body as a girlish, shy smile formed on her lips without her realizing it.
Really, really nice…
The faint fiery aura that had surrounded her moments ago flickered—and disappeared entirely.
Across the room, Iyasaka let out a quiet huff of satisfaction without even opening her eyes. "See," she muttered sleepily. "Told you."
Ciel Ruby stared for a second longer, still not entirely convinced, before slowly raising her phone again, though the slight furrow in her brows didn't quite disappear as she returned to her game. "…Right…"
Meanwhile, Sakura had already turned the page.
Her attention slipped fully back into her diary, the rest of the room fading into the background as her world narrowed once more to the quiet scratch of pen against paper.
Dear diary,
I ran my second race last Friday.
This time, her writing came slower, more careful, the earlier emotions cooling down to make way for a much serious entry.
I went into it with really high hopes. She paused briefly onto the page, her gaze lingering on the line before continuing.
After all, I had been working really hard to fix my inconsistent strides… thanks to Lunar-chan. And… that joker Rickey too, I guess.
A faint, reluctant smile touched her lips as she remembered—those chaotic training sessions, the constant effort, how Rickey would end up causing her trouble during their runs but somehow allowing her to improve all while entertaining that weirdo's shenanigans.
So I thought…
Her pen slowed again, just for a second.
Maybe this time, I could finally win.
The next line took a little more effort.
But unfortunately…
The tip of her pen lingered against the paper before she pressed on.
…I lost.
Again.
By a nose.
To the favorite—Meiner Fuga.
Her grip tightened slightly.
Just like with Validissimus…
For a brief second, the heaviness returned. That familiar, sinking feeling in her chest, the quiet frustration, the lingering "almost" that never quite turned into enough.
Her gaze dropped, fixed on the page.
It should have hurt more.
It usually did.
But, a small smile found its way back.
This time… it didn't feel as horrible.
Her pen moved again, lighter now, as though something inside her had eased.
Because after the race…
—-
The track, the noise, the exhaustion still clinging to her body as she stood there, trying to process the loss—
And then Rickey's voice broke through it all, bright and unfiltered as always.
"Nice run, Sakura!"
Via standing beside her, offering a quiet nod of approval.
"You did your best, Sakura, I'm proud of you!" Lunar-chan, right there, looking at her—not with disappointment, not with pity—but with that same gentle, understanding gaze that made everything feel okay.
Speedy had been there too, grinning as she clapped her on the back, while Hiro-senpai stood tall behind her, offering a few calm words of advice.
Ciel was there, and Iyasaka too, along with several of her other classmates who had gathered without her even noticing at first, their voices overlapping as they reassured her, telling her it had just been bad luck, that she had done well, that the next race would be hers.
Sakura's pen slowed as she wrote.
They all came to me. They stayed, encouraged me, believed in me.
Her gaze softened as she read over the words, something tightening in her chest—but this time, it wasn't the kind of pain she had grown used to.
Because when her thoughts drifted back to the previous race, to that moment with Validissimus where she had lost in almost the exact same way—by a fraction so small it felt almost cruel—the difference became impossible to ignore.
Her grip on the pen tightened again, but not out of anger—just the painful memory.
Back then, there had been no one she knew waiting for her at the end of the track. No comfort calling out, no hands reaching for her, nothing to soften the impact of the loss—just a heavy, suffocating silence that had swallowed her whole.
And then, eventually, laughter filled that space.
Validissimus and her clique, standing there, looking down at her, their words mocking and unfiltered as they mocked her openly, picking apart her loss as if it was something entertaining rather than something that had cost her everything in that moment.
Sakura's pen came to a stop as she stared at the page, the contrast between then and now pressing heavily against her thoughts.
Back then, she had been completely alone.
But now, she wasn't.
Sakura let her pen rest for a moment, her gaze skimming the words as her thoughts slowly settled, the earlier weight in her chest easing into something quieter, something warmer, as if everything she had written so far had finally made room for what she truly wanted to say.
After a small, steadying breath, she continued.
Dear diary,
Ever since Lunar arrived, my school life—which honestly wasn't that great to begin with—has changed in ways I never thought were possible.
This time, the words came more easily, her hand moving with a quiet certainty across the page.
It's not just because she's here, even though that alone already means more to me than I can properly put into words. It's everything else that came with her.
She paused briefly, a faint, genuine smile touching her lips before she went on.
I have Lunar by my side most of the time now, and even that still feels a little unreal if I think about it for too long. But more than that… I have friends.
There was a softness in her expression as she wrote the next line.
Real ones.
Not just people I happen to share a room with, or classmates I exchange a few words with now and then, but a small circle of people I can actually be myself around without constantly worrying about how I look, how I sound, or whether I'm being too much.
Lunar. Via. Rickey. Speedy. Hiro-senpai.
With each one, memories surfaced—small moments, shared laughter, quiet understanding—and her chest felt just a little fuller because of it.
With them… I feel less alone.
The words sat gently on the page, simple and unembellished, yet more honest than anything else she had written.
It's strange. It really is.
Her pen continued, her thoughts flowing more freely now.
Because it feels like Lunar didn't just come back into my life. She came crashing into it, sudden and overwhelming in a way I wasn't prepared for.
A soft, breathy laugh escaped her as she wrote the next part, her shoulders relaxing as the warmth in her chest spread further.
And she didn't just bring herself—which I already thought was more than enough—she brought everything else with her too.
She paused, her smile lingering.
It's like she came back as a complete package.
The pen moved a little slower now, more deliberate, as she finished the thought.
And somehow… she made my world feel more complete too.
Her pen slowed, then finally came to a gentle stop as she reached the end of the page, her thoughts settling into something soft and quietly content.
Thank you… Three Goddesses… for bringing Lunar back to me.
She wrote the line more carefully than the rest.
I'll do my best in my next race. I'll make Lunar-chan and Aya-nee proud.
There was a quiet sense of finality in those words, something steady and certain that stayed even after she lifted her pen.
Sakura set it down for a moment, leaning back slightly as she read through everything she had written, her eyes moving line by line to make sure nothing had been left out, that every thought worth keeping had been properly captured on the page.
For a while, she simply read in silence.
Then—
"…Ah."
She blinked, sitting up a little straighter as something clicked into place.
Right. I almost forgot.
Her fingers found the pen again almost immediately, flipping to a small empty space at the bottom of the page as the calm in her expression gave way to a faint, thoughtful curiosity.
There's something a little strange I've noticed lately.
Her brows knit slightly as she continued, her tone shifting just enough to reflect the uncertainty in her thoughts.
Lunar-chan has been… disappearing.
She paused briefly, tapping the pen lightly against the paper before adding,
Not in a scary ghostly way or anything. Just… randomly.
For a while, she had convinced herself she was imagining it.
At first, I thought I was overthinking things, but then Via noticed it too.
Her pen began to move a little faster now as she recalled the details.
It happens almost every day. One moment she's there, and then the next she's just… gone. No explanation, no excuse, nothing!
She let out a faint, puzzled breath as she continued writing.
Via even tried to track it.
There was a small pause, followed by a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
She actually made a whole data chart for it—time of disappearance, duration, frequency… everything.
Sakura shook her head slightly as she wrote, the fondness in her expression softening the confusion.
But even with all of that… there's still no pattern. Sometimes it happens in the morning. Sometimes in the afternoon. Other times in the evening… or even late at night.
She stared at the last line for a moment before finishing the thought.
It's completely random.
Her pen slowed again, the curiosity returning to the forefront of her thoughts.
We can't even guess what she's doing.
There's just… nothing to go on.
Sakura paused, staring at the final line for a moment longer, her expression softening just slightly.
…I wonder where she goes.
The thought lingered quietly.
After a small exhale, Sakura set the pen down again, the page finally complete.
Sakura stretched her arms lightly before reaching for the tumbler sitting on her desk, her fingers wrapping around it absentmindedly as she brought it up for a sip, only to pause when nothing came out.
She tilted it slightly, gave it a small shake, and frowned. "…Empty?"
A quiet sigh slipped from her lips as she lowered it, staring at it for a second as if it might somehow refill itself on its own, before pushing her chair back and standing up.
Well… no point sitting here thirsty.
She grabbed her pink cardigan from the back of her chair, slipping it on as she rolled her shoulders slightly, already bracing herself for the chill outside. Autumn was slowly giving way to winter, and the nights had started to bite just a little more than usual.
Just as she was about to head out, movement from the other side of the room caught her attention.
Ciel Ruby glanced up from her phone, one eyebrow lifting slightly. "Where're you going?"
"My water ran out," Sakura replied casually, lifting the empty tumbler slightly as proof. "I'm gonna refill it."
She paused for a moment, then added with a guilty smile, "And… maybe grab a soda while I'm at it. I kind of feel like having something sweet."
Ciel gave a small, understanding hum, raising her hand in a lazy wave. "Don't take too long."
"Mm," Sakura nodded, returning the gesture before turning toward the door.
The hallway had gone quiet at this hour, the noises of distant activity inside the room barely reaching her as she moved through the building with light, unhurried steps. Instead of heading toward the nearest water dispenser, her feet carried her farther without much thought, drawn toward a very specific vending machine she knew all too well.
Not all of them had it, only that one.
The one near the field.
The only machine that stocked strawberry milk-flavoured soda.
Her favourite.
…Even if she rarely let herself drink it anymore.
Sakura exhaled softly as she descended the stairs, hands tucked into the sleeves of her cardigan as the cooler air greeted her the moment she stepped outside. She had been trying to be more disciplined lately—keeping her meals balanced, watching her sugar intake, making sure everything she put into her body contributed to her performance rather than dragging it down.
It all mattered very much, racing wasn't something she could take lightly after all. But still…just this once should be fine.
Her pace picked up slightly as the vending machine came into view in the distance, its faint glow standing out against the dim surroundings. The moment she spotted it, her eyes lit up almost immediately, a small, excited skip finding its way into her steps as she approached it, a quiet hum slipping past her lips without her realizing.
She reached into her pocket, pulling out a few coins and feeding them into the machine with a natural ease before pressing the button without hesitation.
A soft whirr followed.
Then a solid clunk.
The bottle dropped.
Sakura bent down quickly to retrieve it, and the moment it was in her hand, she twisted it open without a second thought and brought it straight to her lips.
She drank—not slowly, not carefully, but exactly like she had been holding herself back for far too long. The cool sweetness rushed down her throat as she chugged it almost like water, the familiar flavour blooming instantly, rich and sugary and far too satisfying to resist.
Only when the bottle was already halfway empty did she finally stop.
A long—deep—satisfied exhale escaped her, her shoulders relaxing as she lowered the bottle slightly, a soft, blissful smile forming on her lips.
"…That's so good…"
For a moment, she simply stood there, savoring the lingering sweetness on her tongue, letting it seep through as the quiet of the night wrapped gently around her. Then, satisfied, she turned and began making her way back, her steps light, her thoughts calm.
The night felt peaceful.
Still.
Undisturbed—
Until—
"KYAAAAAAAAAA!!"
The scream tore through the air, sharp and sudden, shattering the silence.
Sakura froze.
Her head snapped toward the sound instantly, her heart skipping hard against her chest as recognition struck almost immediately.
That voice—
"Lunar?!"
There was no time to wait. Her body moved before her thoughts could catch up, feet already carrying her forward as she veered sharply toward the field, pushing through the narrow path lined with trees and bushes, branches brushing against her sleeves as she rushed past.
Her eyes scanned frantically, searching for Lunar, and then she saw it.
A pinned figure on the ground.
She ran faster, the distance closing in seconds as her vision became cleared and the shapes in front of her came into focus, details falling into place one by one—
Silver hair, Lunar.
And on top of her—
Someone else, someone familiar. Far too familiar.
Sakura's eyes widened, her voice slipping out in disbelief. "…Validissimus?"
For a fraction of a second, everything seemed to stop. Then something inside her snapped.
There was no room left for doubt, no space for assuming as her mind filled in the worst possible conclusion, her chest tightening as anger surged forward, hot and immediate.
Validissimus—the one who hated her, the one who had mocked her, the one who had looked down on her—
And now she was on top of her Lunar, pinning her to the ground.
Every bit of restraint Sakura had been holding onto, every effort to stay calm and rational, vanished in an instant. "GET OFF HERRR!!!"
Her voice rang out as she moved, her arm swinging forward without a second thought as she hurled the half-empty soda bottle with all the force she could muster. It cut through the air in a sharp arc before—
"THUNK—!"
The impact landed solidly.
"OW—!"
Validissimus recoiled with a loud yelp, her head snapping to the side as she flinched from the hit, a low, irritated growl slipping out as she turned toward the source of it.
"Who the—"
The words died in her throat as she froze.
Because standing there, running straight toward her, eyes blazing with fury—
Was Sakura Farrel.
And in that moment, she looked like she was ready to kill her.