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Chapter Thirty

I just realized this book has stretched to 30 chapters, 15 more than i expected. :/ Well, no stopping now.

This one is short, sort of 'nice' one compared to the other chapters (I know, too much emotional trauma haha). Since this one is short and a bit too light, I'll probably update again later, if I get time to write. Hope you enjoy! :]

...---...

Sayuri expected her roommate to stop trying to help her after the last few attempts. Especially after Sayuri tried speaking--something she hadn't done in a long time--as if that could push the pinkette away. Unfortunately, it didn't.

In fact, it made her more persistant.

"Sakura, please just stay away!" Sayuri signed. She was sick of Sakura following her and trying to pry into her life. "I know you're just trying to be nice and to help, but I don't want--I don't need your help! I'm perfectly fine on my own!" Her fingers were signing at a fast pace to which her own mind couldn't keep up. She wrenched her hand out of the pinkette's grip and walked away, only to be halted in her steps.

Sobs. Why is she crying?

"I can't--it just...it just hurts to see you hide something that is inflicting so much pain on you. I know you don't want my help. You say you don't need it. But it's me--I made the choice to help you and I'm sticking with it!" A sob escaped the pinkette, making Sayuri turn towards her. The brunette felt guilty for causing her to cry.

The pinkette suddenly started taking bolder steps. "Just tell me--you know what?"

Sakura's hands found their way on Sayuri's shoulders. "I don't care if you don't want to tell me what's happening in your life. I don't care anymore. Just as long as you let me make you feel better, that's all I want."

What if you get hurt in the end? What if I hurt you?

Sakura walked up to Sayuri in a slow, careful manner. Yet as she tried not to be threatening, Sayuri kept backing away. Sayuri's hands went up, as if she were surrendering. She felt as though maybe if I don't touch her she won't get hurt.

But why did Sakura walk closer? Why did she grab Sayuri's hands from above her and gently caress them? Why did Sakura look into the brunette's eyes, through her tears, and say that she wanted to help her?

Why did she?

The thoughts were overwhelming her. Maybe she'll stab you in the back later. Or she'll wait for you to be off-guard and pounce. Or she'll just--"Why?" Curiosity got the better of her. "Why do you want to help me?"

"I'm your friend. A friend doesn't care about what is bothering their friend, just the fact that that they're bothered. That's what matters to me." Something clicked in Sayuri's head. She cares--she cares about me, she thought.

A blush rose to her cheeks and so she turned away. Sakura, however, was still waiting for an answer. Fine, Sayuri nodded.

...---...

"What are you doing?" Sayuri asked as the pinkette started to approach her, with a small smile and gleaming eyes. Sakura's arms were outstretched and Sayuri felt as though she would be cornered by them.

Is she trying to crush me?

"It all starts with a hug." Sakura murmured as she pulled Sayuri into her embrace. She frowned as she felt Sayuri tense and freeze, but kept hugging nonetheless. Sakura felt her arms grapple the shoulders of her friend, her fingers reassuringly squeezing and feeling and just caressing every part of Sayuri.

Unbeknownst to her, Sayuri's heart was pounding the whole time and her face was a bright red.

...---...

"Sayuri!" Sakura called out as she held up a sign with said girl's name on it. Her emerald eyes traced the entire airport, looking for a certain brunette--which was hard, because she didn't have any 'unique features.'

But she looks special to me--

Sakura found the brunette anyway--almost immediately when she walked through the gate. Sakura's eyes lit up, as did Sayuri's when she saw her.

"How did the trip go?" For break, Sayuri decided she wanted to visit her home village for a while. Although she had horrible memories, Sayuri went there for a few things--a visit to her father's grave, and a visit to the elder woman who helped her throughout her childhood.

"Hug." Sayuri signed as she walked, and Sakura was confused. I guess the trip didn't go well, the pinkette thought. But why is she signing--"Hug."

Once she was a few feet away, Sayuri dropped her bags and ran towards the pinkette at an alarming pace. Before Sakura could react, she felt the girl's arms hold her tightly.

"You--You needed a hug." Sakura whispered. She looked down at the brunette. "I guess...the trip didn't go well?"

Sayuri only held onto her tighter.