Gambler of Feelings

Chapter Twenty One

The latest family dinner and private conversation with Boruto left Sarada alone with her thoughts. She was dying to tell someone about her recent surge of emotions. On her way to the club, she noticed Mitsuki spacing off for an unknown reason. What's he doing? He should enter the clubroom instead of blocking the entrance.

"Why are you blocking the door and not entering inside?" she asked.

"Shh!" Mitsuki put an index finger on his lips. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to talk with you. Let's go somewhere else."

Sarada nodded in confusion, curious about where they were heading. She remembered her promise to Chō-Chō. Her focus ended up on Boruto, but she still had to help resolve the problems between other club members. A wave of regret hit her. She neglected to help sort out their conflicts, as she initially pledged. Hearing Mitsuki out now should count as the first step towards fulfilling it.

They ended up in the courtyard behind the school building. Mitsuki grabbed her hand and led her to sit on the first bench they found. Sarada used her hand to play with her hair, fidgeting slightly. She wished Boruto or Chō-Chō were with her here. In their presence, she avoids slipping into her old habits. It was like her past social-interaction track record stopped mattering.

How long does Mitsuki plans to stay silent?

The conversations always flow naturally with Chō-Chō.

The subject moves to their hobbies with Sumire.

She felt at ease with Boruto. He was the club president. Regardless of her early attitude towards him, he often included her in group activities.

None of the above applied to Mitsuki. They're bound to have some common ground, right?

"Do you wish to talk now or what?" Sarada broke the silence.

"Yes. I have a question for you."

"Go ahead, Mitsuki."

"You love Boruto, right?"

At first, Sarada thought she had misheard him. He threw this line out of the blue, as if he was talking about the weather instead of saying she loves someone in that situation.

"Why you're asking?" She fired the question back at him.

Sarada needed to know if her mind was playing a trick on her.

"You're a girl unlike me. Your insight is something I need in my situation."

"Aren't you closer to Chō-Chō or Sumire? If you need a girl's opinion, they're a good choice."

"It makes little sense to consult them when they're the ones involved." Mitsuki smiled.

"Ah," she gasped, hit with a sudden understanding. "Is it related to the fight at Sports Festival? The one Boruto tried to intervene in?"

Sarada tried not to scowl at the memory. She remembered her panic when Boruto asked her to help him and the way she let him down in her bout of anxiety. That she made him potentially upset, then realised her growing feelings. The worst part of the day was the group fight.

"Yes. I knew you'd be the best person to reach out for this case."

"Alright, I'll listen to what bothers you." Sarada smiled to reassure him.

"I was confessed to," he said while she nodded, allowing him to continue. "I rejected them both too, but..."

"But?" Sarada's curiosity piqued.

"They're my close friends, unlike people I rejected before."

That's what bothers him? Sarada wasn't an expert in the subject of romance, but isn't rejecting them both better than leading them on? Giving them false hope would be cruel, more so than the pain of rejection. At least that's what she thinks.