𝒦𝑜𝓃𝑜𝒽𝒶 𝐻𝒾𝑔𝒽

𝓑𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓡𝓮𝓯𝓵𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼

⸻⸻⋅☾ 🪻🔩 ☽⋅⸻⸻

When we arrived at Sumire's apartment, we settled in and chatted for a while, eating  the food that ChoCho and I had picked up earlier. We started scrolling through our schoolmates' Instagram posts, which eventually led us to dig up some old pictures from before summer break.

As we flipped through photos from our ninth year, we came across one from a athletic carnival. In the background, Boruto had his arm casually slung over Sumire's neck. By the way—they used to date at the beginning of  nine grade, but broke up by the end. Despite that, they're still best friends with no hard feelings.

But as I stared at that picture, I couldn't shake the sharp sting in my chest.

What is going on?

"So... Sumi," ChoCho began, "You and Kawaki? What's going on between you two?"

Kawaki. He is Boruto and Himawari's adopted older brother. He's got this unique mullet—black on top, blonde on the shaved sides—and arm-length tattoos like Boruto's, along with this strange Capcut logo tattoo on his cheek. Honestly, he looks like a mix of Hokage-sama and Aunt Hinata.

He grew up in an abusive home, and the way we found him was heartbreaking—beaten and alone on the street one day. His father is finally in jail, and a few years ago, Hokage-sama and Aunt Hinata took him in. Because of everything he's been through, Kawaki tends to be serious and sometimes comes across as rude. He's struggled with PTSD, often having panic attacks in class, but thankfully, he's been making progress and is doing better now.

If he and Sumire are really dating, it's a good thing. They'd help each other heal.

Sumire blushed, and ChoCho couldn't help but smirk.

"We saw you kissing at the Year 10 formal last year," I chimed in.

Sumire turned even redder.

"He's nineteen this year, so we're waiting until next year," Sumire said shyly, her voice barely above a whisper as she fiddled with the sleeve of her jacket.

"Isn't that kind of awkward?" ChoCho asked, her brow furrowing slightly. "I mean, you and Boruto used to date, and now Kawaki's Boruto's adopted brother... doesn't that make things a little complicated?"

Sumire blinked, clearly caught off guard, while I let out a quiet sigh at ChoCho's bluntness. Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Oh... well..." she began, trailing off as she tried to collect her thoughts, her fingers nervously tugging at the hem of her shirt. "I mean, it's not... I don't know, it's just not like that anymore. Things have changed between me and Boruto. We've all kind of grown up. And Kawaki doesn't mind, and neither does Boruto." She paused, glancing up at us. "We've all moved on, you know?"

We all smiled at her. "As long as you're happy," I replied, and ChoCho nodded in agreement.

Sumire continued, "Honestly, I don't think Boruto and I were ever really that romantically interested in each other."

I blinked, surprised by her honesty.

"I mean, there was love there at some point," she said, smiling softly, "but we were always better off as friends." Her words somehow lifted a weight off my chest, making everything feel a little clearer. 

Sumire kept talking, "I honestly think he..." Her voice trailed off as she paused, looking at me for a few seconds before smiling. "Never mind."

What was she going to say?

We kept teasing her about Kawaki, until her face matched the color of a tomato.

Around 6 p.m., we all said our goodbyes, and I made my way home.

With every step closer to the door, it felt like a weight was settling on my chest. I couldn't help but dread what awaited me inside. Knowing Mum, she'd probably planned one of those family game nights again, the kind where we're all expected to smile and act like everything's perfect after dinner. It wasn't that I didn't love my family—it was just that... it never felt the way it should. The whole thing always felt forced, like we were trying too hard to make up for what was missing. And today, of all days, I really wasn't in the mood.

... 

When I turned the key in the lock and walked inside, Dad was sitting in the living room, his eyes fixed on me. For a brief moment, I could've sworn I saw a flicker of concern in his gaze.

"It's six p.m.," he said, his voice sharp. "Where have you been?"

"At Sumire's," I replied, trying to sound casual.

"You shouldn't be out this late."

"Oh, please," I muttered, rolling my eyes. He sighed in response, and I started heading toward the stairs.

Just as I was about to take the first step, I heard him call my name.

"Sarada..."

I paused and turned around.

"Just... be careful, okay?"

I nodded without saying anything, then made my way up the stairs, a strange sense of happiness lifting my mood. It wasn't much, but it was something.