Lovestruck || borusara

XXII.

Every time Sarada thought she made a decision, something happened to push her in the opposite direction. For a moment she thought she could just wait, but the expectations of her parents and now the anticipation of the editor-in-chief of The Kohona Times made everything seem so urgent.

And somehow gave this decision even more weight than before.

Sarada wanted to be smart, wanted to think about the long-term when it came to her career path, but whenever she was with Boruto it felt like that's all her heart could focus on.

It was early in the morning, the sun still climbing its way over the horizon, but Sarada wasn't tired. It was funny the way she had started adopting his habits the more time she spent with him, waking up early, and even silly things like drinking protein shakes.

Boruto had some time before he had to get over to his practice facility, so Sarada sat on the counter beside the stove with a sleepy smile as she watched him cook them each an omelet. She was dressed in one of his big t-shirts and a pair of long socks.

He was dressed in even less. Her dark eyes appreciatively roved over his muscled form. "You like what you see?" Boruto teased when he caught her stare.

Sarada turned her head to hide her shy blush and attempted to change the subject, never liking to admit how attracted she was to him. "What do you have planned for the day?"

"Just my usual strength training and then a meeting with my manager. There's only two weeks until the Kumo Invite, so he wants to talk about our media strategy. I'm expected to be in quite a few interviews after my races and he wants me to have some answers prepared." Boruto told her, plating the first omelet and handing it to her.

Sarada nodded as an ugly, guilty feeling churned in her gut and soiled her appetite. Her article was also due to be released during the first day of the Kumogakure Invitational, on top of the fact that she'd likely be sent to cover the event itself.

Dark eyes stared down at the omelet, just the way she liked it. Boruto was surprisingly observant, picking up on her preferences in so many things.

His brow furrowed at the look on her face. "Is something wrong? If you're not hungry you don't have to eat it."

"No, no," she mumbled with a shake of her head before glancing up to meet his sweet blue gaze. "It's perfect, thank you. I was just thinking I'll be busy soon going to Kumo to cover the Invitational too."

Which was half true.

"And cheer me on?" Boruto asked with a soft smile as his hand slid up the length of her bare thigh.

Sarada set her omelet down on the counter, in favor of grabbing his shoulders and pulling him closer, allowing Boruto to situate himself between her spread knees. "I don't know about that one, as a journalist I can't be playing favorites, I have to be objective," she teased.

He gently bumped his nose to hers with a light laugh, but as they stood there wrapped in each other's arms, his face began to soften like an unpleasant thought had occurred to him.

It was several moments before he spoke up again. "Not that I plan on losing or anything, but if I did... do you think you would still... ya know, like me?"

"That question runs on the assumption I like you in the first place," Sarada laughed. But when Boruto just smiled sadly, she realized that was an honest question.

Did he really think she (or maybe everyone) would just up and leave if he lost a race? That anyone's interest in him was completely dependent on his victory?

"Hey," she began her tone much more serious than before. She cupped his cheek in her hand, forcing him to look her in the eyes. "Win or lose, it doesn't matter to me."