bubblegum princess

chapter forty five

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the end of the beginning:
I LIKE YOU ─ 
DOESN'T THAT COUNT? !
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              SEIREN HELD BACK a giggle as Sakura enveloped both her and Sarada in a tight hug the moment they stepped through the door. "I missed you girls so much!" Sakura's voice was filled with warmth and relief as she squeezed them close, her smile radiant as she finally released them, planting soft kisses on each of their temples.

"Did you guys have fun?" she asked, her eyes alight with curiosity and motherly affection.

Seiren beamed, her wide smile reaching her eyes as they sparkled with excitement. Beside her, Sarada managed a slight smirk. "Tolerable," Sarada teased, earning a gentle nudge in the ribs from Seiren.

"Neechan!" Seiren protested, but her laughter was lighthearted. Sarada just grinned, sticking her tongue out in a playful retort. "Just kidding!" she added, rolling her eyes as she turned her attention back to her mom.

"It was great!" Sarada admitted, her voice softening as she saw the warmth in Sakura's gaze.

Sakura's expression softened even further, pride and love reflecting in her eyes as she took in her daughters, back safe and sound. "I'm so glad," she murmured, resting a hand on each of their shoulders. "Did you girls manage to get any souvenirs?" Sakura asked, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of amusement.

Sarada gave her mother a tired smile, then pointed at Seiren, who was practically bouncing with excitement as she held up two large, overstuffed eco bags. "Tada!" Seiren exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride.

Sakura blinked, slightly taken aback by the number of items packed into the bags. She carefully took them from Seiren's hands, peeking inside with a raised brow. "I don't remember giving you that much money..." she said, her gaze drifting to Seiren with a suspicious gleam.

But Seiren, too busy admiring a new necklace, seemed oblivious to her mother's scrutiny. Sarada, however, was quick to jump in, giving a nonchalant shrug. "You didn't. Kai-oji slipped us some bills before the ship left," she explained matter-of-factly.

Sakura let out a sigh, shaking her head but smiling all the same. "Of course he did," she muttered, though her voice held a note of fondness. Sakura's smirk softened with a playful glint in her eyes as she tilted her head. "So, who bought that necklace for you, sweetheart?"

Seiren froze, her fingers halting over the pendant as she felt the sudden heat rise to her cheeks. Before she could gather her thoughts, Sarada quickly stood up with a cough, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Gotta go to my room!" she announced, grabbing her bags in a hurry and darting down the hallway, leaving Seiren to face their mother's knowing look alone.

For a moment, Seiren just stood there, heart pounding as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She kept her gaze fixed on the pendant, tracing the shape with her fingers, which still held the faint warmth of the hand that had placed it there. The thought made her cheeks flush even more, a shy smile tugging at her lips as she looked away.

Sakura's eyes softened as she watched her daughter's reaction, her smile gentle but amused. "Must be someone special," she murmured knowingly.

Seiren's nod was almost imperceptible, her cheeks dusted pink as she gazed at the pendant with a softness that Sakura hadn't seen before. The light seemed to catch on her smile, turning it gentle and shy, as if revealing even that much might shatter the fragile warmth, she held close.