Sakura

Chapter Nine

Yuta was amazed when he received a message from Cherry using Y/N's number. She was inviting him to join them at the amusement park since it's Jae's sixth birthday. It's only been a week since Cherry's birthday. Maybe that's why she never really felt special before. He didn't know what happened after he brought Cherry home the next day but Y/N kept on thanking him when she called that night. Something good might have happened.

He's curious. Is Cherry closer to them or more distant? How about Y/N? Does she still remember those bad things whenever she sees her daughter? But he's still not in the position to ask about it.

So even if he felt awkward to ruin the little family date, he went to the amusement park that Saturday morning. Y/N and Cherry were seated on the bench when the younger saw him and started running to him. She changed. She's smiling more now. And she was hugging him in a public place. Y/N just smiled when Yuta went to her, carrying Cherry.

"Aren't you too old to be carried?" She teased but Cherry just grinned at her. Yuta asked for Jae and she said that he's with Johnny buying the tickets. "We were worried that you wouldn't come."

"I told future appa that I would get angry at him if he doesn't come with us." Yuta's eyes widened at the name she used. That was supposed to be his little secret with Cherry. But Y/N didn't react and just shook her head at her daughter. They look happier together, different than before. It's a huge improvement in their relationship.

Jae was excited to see Yuta with them and Cherry claimed that it's her surprise for him that made the elders laugh. He thought it would be awkward with Johnny but it isn't. It feels right. A normal family time. Jae and Cherry alternate in giving Yuta attention, sometimes asking to be carried whenever they walk a lot. Johnny kept on taking pictures, even forcing Yuta to come in the frame but he would refuse and let the two kids just be the subject of his photography. He found out Johnny has a photo studio in Chicago and is a professional photographer now. He did remember he was taking that course in college.

Does Johnny not know about Y/N and her professor? Is he still teaching at the same university? Is he still harassing other female students? Maybe Y/N should have spoken up about it. But that would be really hard for her. The trauma he caused in her that she even hated her daughter is too much. He's at least happy that Cherry looks exactly like her and not be reminded of her professor.

"Let's ride the rollercoaster after lunch," Jae exclaimed that made his older sister nod. Yuta just laughed, that was weird. Aren't they scared of throwing up if they do that? And why do they have this much energy? "Appa, can we buy ice cream?" Johnny nodded at Jae's question, asking Cherry if she could come with her brother.

"Eomma, do you want some?" Cherry asked but the girl shook her head, saying that she's already full.

Yuta glared at her, putting fries on her plate. "You only ate half of the burger." She reasoned out that she might throw up if she eats too much. "Just finish the fries. How about your medicine? Are you still taking it?" Y/N nodded.

"You look like a married couple." Johnny teased then chuckled. "It's cute." She glared at him while munching on the fires that made Yuta sigh. She knows his feelings but he doesn't know hers. Maybe she's still in love with Johnny. Maybe there's a chance that they might come back to each other. They had been married anyways. And Jae is both their child. He can't even top that even if they grew up together.

It's probably the insecurity or the hot weather that made his head ache. He skipped the rides and just settled on taking pictures of them. They look like a nice family, the daughter looking like her mom and the son looking like his dad. He felt like he didn't belong. And, weirdly, his thought drifted to how Cherry felt. Is it this bad? She must have suffered so much.