Sakura's eyes closed, and she was transported back to her childhood. She remembered the grand estate, the lavish parties, and the opulent lifestyle.
But beneath the luxury, she recalled the pain. Her parents' constant absence, the cruel words of her peers, and the feeling of being alone in a crowded room.
Kaito's gentle touch brought her back to the present. "Sakura, what's wrong?"
She opened her eyes, tears glistening. "I remember the mansion, the parties... but also the loneliness."
Kaito's expression softened. "You're not alone now."
Sakura's gaze drifted off, lost in thought. She remembered the velvet shadows of her bedroom, the softness of her bed, and the sound of her parents' arguments echoing through the halls.
But most of all, she remembered the feeling of being trapped, of being a bird in a gilded cage.
Kaito's arms wrapped around her, holding her close. "You're free now," he whispered.
And in that moment, Sakura knew she was.