Time-Twisted Melody (Boruto - Twinkling Watermelon AU)

Chapter 17

Boruto POV

The soft melody drifted through the air like a gentle breeze, wrapping around me and pulling me into a world I hadn't known existed. Mr. Sasuke's fingers danced over the strings of his guitar, each note so delicate and pure that it seemed to reach into my very soul. I felt something strange, a warmth spreading in my chest, and before I knew it, tears welled in my eyes. I was too young to understand why a song could make me feel this way, but I knew it was something special.

As the final note lingered in the air, I wiped my eyes, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Mr. Sasuke," I whispered, almost afraid to break the spell, "What song was that? How can you play something so... beautiful?"

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he just smiled—a small, knowing smile that seemed to carry a weight I couldn't yet comprehend.

"I wrote it for someone I love."

His words confused me. Love was something I thought I understood—after all, I loved my family. But the way he said it was like it was something deeper, something that made him sad and happy all at once.

"You must really love that person, Mr. Sasuke!" I said, trying to lighten the mood with a cheeky grin.

His smile didn't reach his eyes, though. It was a smile that held memories I couldn't see.

"Maybe one day, Boruto," he said softly, "You'll play like this too if you ever experience love."

I blinked up at him, still confused. "But I already love so many people!" I protested, thinking of my mom, dad, Himawari, and Kawaki.

He only patted my head, his hand warm and heavy, like he was trying to pass on some unspoken wisdom. "You'll understand someday."

I didn't really get it back then, but the way he played, and the way he spoke, stayed with me. That melody, and the feelings behind it, were something I'd carry with me, waiting for the day when I might understand.

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

I jolted awake, the lingering notes of Mr. Sasuke's guitar still echoing in my mind. The dream had taken me back to when I was a kid, listening to him play that beautiful, haunting melody. Even now, years later, the way he played it with such emotion struck me—like he was pouring all his love into each note.

And I knew who that love was for. It was obvious now. Sakura.

But something about it didn't sit right with me.

'Why did Mr. Sasuke always look so sad when he mentioned his wife? And why was he always alone?'

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, sitting up as the questions swirled in my head.

'Where is Sakura in the future anyway?'

"...!" My heart skipped a beat as the worst-case scenario hit me like a punch to the gut.

'Did something happen to Sakura? Is she... gone?'

No, that can't be it. If she were dead, Mr. Sasuke would have a photo of her somewhere, right? Something to remember her by. But I'd been to his studio more times than I could count, and there was never a single picture of her. Not one.

Then, another thought crept in, making my stomach twist.

'What if they... divorced?'

The idea felt like a lead weight sinking into my chest. Mr. Sasuke, was all alone because they couldn't make it work. I couldn't imagine him without her, but the signs were there—the sadness, the way he avoided talking about her.