Birds of a Feather (Sakura x OC)

Chapter 8: Silent Worries and Tender Moments

Yuna arrives at work, her thoughts still swirling with worry about Sakura. Is he all right? He must be sick because of me. I hope he's okay... .

Kotoha greets her with a smile. "Yuna, welcome. How are you feeling?", she says with a concerned expression. "I hope it's really okay for you to work. Your cold was just yesterday."

Yuna shakes her head with a smile. "No, it's all right.", she replies as she walks behind the counter, casually putting on her apron.

Kotoha watches her, still worried. "Are you sure?"

Yuna nods, a small giggle escaping her mouth. Kotoha smiles in relief before she pulls Yuna into a hug. "I'm so sorry I couldn't get to you yesterday. I was so worried.", she mutters, rubbing Yuna's back.

Yuna hugs her back, a happy expression on her face. "It's okay, that's how it goes sometimes. And... .", she blushes lightly, glancing to the side, "I wasn't alone, so... ."

Kotoha chuckles, a teasing grin on her face as she releases the hug. "Heh~ did something happen?", she teases.

Yuna's face flushes, and she turns around, flustered. "N-nothing special.", she stutters, beginning to wipe down already clean tables to appear busy.

Kotoha chuckles amused, watching her with a warm smile. So, it really was the right choice to send Sakura yesterday. They're so similar somehow.

+++

Yuna tries to get her mind off Sakura while working, but nothing helps. She puts away some dirty dishes and sighs sadly. I hope Sakura is all right... .

At that moment, Umemiya and Hiragi are once again seated by the counter and notice Yuna's absent-minded behavior. Hiragi decides to speak up. "Yuna, you all right?", he asks with slight worry in his tone.

Yuna perks up at her name and looks at them. "Oh, yeah. Sorry. Did you want anything?", she asks uncertainly, turning to them completely.

Hiragi shakes his head, but Umemiya speaks up. "Did something happen?"

Yuna glances down, feeling caught. "Well, Sakura is ill.", she mutters, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.

Umemiya's eyes widen in surprise. "He can get ill?", he says loudly, while Hiragi sighs, irritated.

"Why wouldn't he?"

"Well, he's an idiot, so... .", Umemiya explains his thoughts.

"...and an idiot can't catch a cold... .", Hiragi finishes Umemiya's sentence, irritated, which makes Umemiya light up.

"Yeah! That's what I meant!", he bubbles happily.

Yuna watches their interaction with confusion and amusement, but the heavy feeling of worry remains. She glances down and frowns. Umemiya, noticing, leans his head on his hand leisurely.

"You're worried, huh?", Yuna's eyes widen as she nods, her face flushed. "That's good!", he grins at her brightly.

Yuna lifts a brow, confused and slightly irritated. "Huh?"

Umemiya leans back and looks up. "Having someone to worry about is a positive sign, Yuna.", he explains, his eyes meeting hers. "It means you have a strong connection. And that means you're not alone. That makes me happy.", he smiles kindly at her.

Yuna lets it sink in while Hiragi smiles beside them calmly. A strong connection...? Like lo—. Her thoughts trail off when the door opens suddenly.

Kotoha walks back into the room after sorting some things out, lost in thought, when Yuna suddenly speaks up. "Kotoha! Sorry, I need to leave! I need to see Sakura!", she blurts out, stripping off her apron, hanging it up, and rushing out the door.