Something Better Than A Kiss

Chapter 8

Ino and Sai strikes this chapter.
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Sakura's POV

It has been a couple of days since I finally decided to move on. I know that giving up after all those years seems like a waste, but I think spending more time to still love him is much more wasteful.

It is time to let go even if it's hard. I can live without him. I definitely can.

"Hello? Sakura-san?"

"Huh?" I look at the worried Hinata and realized I totally spaced out.

"Oh. Sorry about that Hinata" I apologize immediately.

"It's okay but is there something bothering you? You seem really bothered these past few days" she said.

I lean my weight on the tree trunk. Hinata and I are travelling back to the village. Apparently, she insisted that we should rest and gather more water since was really warm and dry in the Sand Village. We were tasked to attend a meeting there since Kakashi-sensei is too busy. The meeting was not that important though so I requested that while Hinata attends the meeting, I go grab some medicinal herbs with Temari.

"Well, it's probably better to not talk about it. I'm pretty much trying to forget it now" I tell Hinata.

The curiousness in her eyes is not that clear, but I can see it. She just nods and scoots next to me.

"I'm here for you, Sakura-san" she tells me gently.

"Thanks" I say. I put my head on her shoulder and start to cry. She pats me and lets me cry on her the whole noon.

Ino's POV

I opened the flower shop a few hours ago expecting Sai to help me, but he didn't came. That caused my bad mood today.

Okay. I know Sai can be really weird, but isn't he cute? I mean he kinda looks like Sasuke, so he's hot.

I don't know how it happened but my hots for the Uchiha was long gone. Although I still think he's gorgeous.

Who wouldn't right? Even if he was a bad guy.

Anyways, back to Sai. That bastard should be ready when I knock him out for not keeping his promise.

But hey, things between us is not that hard because unlike Sasuke and Sakura, specifically, it is clear that our feelings for each other are mutual even if we're not yet an official couple.

The only annoying thing about him is that he always hang around the library which is obviously not my favorite place since you know, I like talking. He also learns new things after reading so sometimes when he talks about it, it can really be awkward.

No matter because I enjoy his company and his tiny affections. We get to see each other everyday so I am also used to seeing him here in the shop in the late afternoon to walk me home. It's so sweet of him, don't you think?

But for now, he'd better have a good explanation because I'm so pissed.

The sound of the bell above the door gets me out of my thoughts. I see Naruto walk in.

"Hi Ino" he greets.

"Hey"

"Uh.." he begins but closes his mouth again. What's the matter with this baka?

"What is it?" I ask.

"I-I wonder what flowers t-to give her"

Hinata.

I knew it. There's something going on between them.

"Well, I did sell her some of these lilies before" say and point at the white flowers.

"The lilies then" he says and plays with his hair.

I sigh and get his order, even though I am so not in the mood.

*****
The day is almost over but he never came to see me. It bothers me a lot because this is the first time he acted like this. He would always drop by the shop in the afternoon to pick me up. Sometimes we even have dinner after that.

I go outside the shop to lock the door. After calling it a day, I walk home thinking about Sai's absence today. I can't help but feel annoyed. Darn it.

"Oi Ino-pig!" only one girl calls me that.

"Oh, what time did you arrive home?" I ask.

"This afternoon" she says and smiles.

"Oh okay. Bye"

"Hey wait, Ino!" she calls just before I go. "Are you alright? Want to have dinner together?" she asks.

I think about it briefly. Well, if I want to forget how Sai kind of ditched me today then I should get away with it.

"Okay" I tell her. Then, she drags me to the restaurant where Sai and I always go.

"Oi, Forehead. Can we eat in another place?"

"No." she tells me. My brow arches.

"Why not?" I ask.

She looks like thinking of what reasonable excuse she can tell me. I think she's hiding something.

"I'm craving for some pork belly" she says and holds me arm firmer.

"Oi?" her grip on my arm hurts. She ignores me and just goes on. She walk towards the waitress and I obviously have to follow.

"Excuse me? The table reserved for 6:00 pm tonight?" she asks. What is she talking about?

"Ah yes! Please follow me" the waitress says.

The waitress leads us to a private room.

What I see before me startles me. The room is filled with red and white balloons and also rose petals on the floor. The table has two couches on both sides. I look at Sakura to ask her about all this, but I am so caught up by the set up that no words came.

She push me down to sit on one of the couches.

"Wait here" she says and goes off.

"Oi! Wha-what is all this?" I ask half yelling, but she is already out the door.

Oh my, is my best friend mad for me?

The door opens. My head automatically turns.

There by the door is Sai, holding a bouquet of roses and a purple teddy.

"Y-you..."

"Hey" he greets and smiles.

His smile always captivate me even if it's either reall or fake.

He walks towards me and my world has just gone slow.

He hands me everything in his hands. I take them while still looking at his beautiful face. I want to throw myself to him right then and there. That's how happy I am right now.

But before I could do that, he brings his right knee down and looks up to me, smile still plastered on his face.

"Yamanaka Ino, it took some time before I finally noticed you because you're so moody, not to mention that you're head over heels for me" he stops talking for a while to chuckle.

"But now, I am for you too"

My face heats up and my tears of happiness finally drop.

"So, will you be my girlfriend, pretty lady?"

I almost laugh at the memory that suddenly came up. When Sai called me pretty while she described Sakura as ugly.

I was happy that he called me pretty. But I am even happier now that he is asking me to be his girl. How could I say no to this dream come true?