Birds of a Feather (Sakura x OC)

Chapter 5: From Fearful Encounters to Trusting Hearts

Another week had passed, and Yuna had grown used to occasionally messaging with Sakura. Their exchanges had become warmer, with Sakura gradually beginning to use emojis. After another long day at Café Pothos, Yuna was engrossed in her phone as she walked home. She nearly bumped into a lantern but caught herself in time, laughing softly at her near mishap. Embarrassed, she put her phone away and glanced around, hoping no one had seen her.

As her eyes wandered the dimly lit streets of Makochi, she noticed a dark figure quickly hiding behind some trash cans in an alley. Yuna tensed up and grabbed her phone with shaking hands, but it slipped and fell to the ground. Squatting down to retrieve it, she heard a rumbling noise from the alley. 

Frozen in place, her gaze fixed on where the figure had disappeared. She quickly picked up her phone and dialed a number, her hands trembling as she walked quickly, waiting for the call to connect. When no one answered, she decided to run to the nearby Family Mart, feeling it was safer than being alone at home.

+++

Arriving at the Family Mart, she tried calling again, fidgeting nervously and glancing into the store. Just as she was about to give up, Sakura emerged from the store, striding casually. Relief and frustration washed over Yuna as she ran up to him, her eyes filled with fear.

"Sakura!", she exclaimed.

He stopped and looked at her, taken aback. "Y-Yuna?"

"Why won't you pick up your phone? I called you two times already.", Yuna said frantically.

"Huh?", he frowned, visibly blushing as he checked his phone and noticed the sound was off. "Sorry, the sound was off. What is it?"

Yuna, trembling with anxiety, muttered, "I think someone was watching me."

Sakura's demeanor changed instantly. "Someone was watching you? Where?"

"I was walking home from Pothos and noticed someone looking at me from an alley. When I looked at them, they vanished. I heard some rumbling and panicked. I ran here, hoping to find someone I know. Luckily, it was you.", Yuna's voice shook as she explained, tears welling up in her eyes.

Sakura blushed lightly at her remark but quickly composed himself. Luckily it was me? He felt a warmth in his heart but suppressed a smile. "Let me think for a moment."

He pondered the best course of action. Yuna shouldn't be alone, but taking her home would still leave her isolated. "Do you know anyone where you could stay the night?", he asked.

Yuna shook her head. "No."

Sakura frowned tensely, then suggested, "What about Kotoha?"

Yuna hesitated but decided to call her friend. After a brief conversation, she turned to Sakura with a small smile. "Kotoha said she'll be here in a minute. She said it will most likely be okay for me to stay at her home."

Relief settled between them as they waited in awkward silence. Sakura was about to speak when Kotoha appeared, worried.

"Yuna! Are you alright?", she asked, giving Yuna a hug.

"Yeah, it's okay, I think... .", Yuna replied with a small smile. The three of them then made their way to Kotoha's home. Kotoha thanked Sakura for looking after Yuna, a teasing glint in her eyes.

Sakura blushed and mumbled, "S-sure."

As they approached Kotoha's home, Yuna froze in front of a large gate with a sign that read, 'Makochi Orphanage.' Her eyes widened, and she took a few steps back, whispering, "N-no... ."