SAKURA SANO
I slid into the driver's seat, the sun glinting off the windshield as I adjusted the rearview mirror. Just as I was about to start the engine, my phone rang.
"Hello, konnichiwa, hey?" I answered in a rush, fumbling with the phone.
"Even on the phone you are so noisy, do you even know to greet nicely?" Noel's familiar voice came through the line, laced with amusement.
"Damn this boy..." I muttered under my breath. "So why did ya' call me?"
"Obviously, I am here outside your gate and ready to pick you up. Get it, I am picking you up," he chuckled.
I rolled my eyes. "Alright, I am here inside my car, wait for me there..."
I opened my car door and stepped out, grabbing my bag from the passenger seat. As I turned to head towards the gate, Miss Aki, our housekeeper, approached me.
"Ma'am, where are you going?" she asked, her kind eyes filled with curiosity.
"Oh, Miss Aki..." I smiled warmly. "Please tell mom that a friend, Noel, picked me up today, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am, you can count on me anytime..." she replied, her smile genuine.
"Thanks..." I said, giving her a grateful nod before heading out.
There was Noel, leaning casually against his car door, sporting a pair of corny sunglasses. "What took you so long?" he murmured, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Bleee~" I stuck out my tongue at him and climbed into his car.
He jumped in after me, shooting me a glare. "If only I didn't have these feelings, I wouldn't do this..."
I was about to ask him what he meant when he started the car, his focus shifting to the road. What feelings was he talking about? I decided to let it go for now, the journey to school consuming my thoughts.
We arrived at school within an hour. The teacher wasn't there yet, giving me a chance to talk to Kairi. Since we had the same class today, I decided to risk it. "Kairi..."
"Yes?" She turned to face me with a weak smile, her wrist covered with a bandage. "What is it, Sakura?"
"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to say good morning..." I smiled, trying to mask my concern.
"Is it because of this?" she showed her bandaged wrist. "It's nothing, just a self-accident..."
Self-accident?! I could tell she was lying, even if I hadn't seen her with Kei recently.
That wasn't just an accident.
I took a deep breath, gathering the courage to ask her. "Are you sure about Kei?"
"I don't know... but I can't leave him right now. Just don't tell him about this, please..." She moved closer, her voice pleading.
"I will never tell, Kairi. I can keep your secrets..." I assured her, squeezing her hand gently.
"I think he's always lying to me; he barely answers any my questions..." she admitted, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "And I think yes, he is really my boyfriend, but has he changed? I really don't know..."
"Please, Kairi, break up with him. You don't deserve to be hurt. You deserve so much more than this..." I implored, my heart aching for her.
"I can't, Sakura. I can't leave him..." she shook her head, tears welling up. "I don't want to hurt him..."
