Sakura's rejection of Kaito's dinner invitation lingered in her mind. Fear and uncertainty had won.
As she drifted off to sleep, Sakura's thoughts slipped into the past.
Eight years ago...
Sakura's parents, Yumi and Taro, had been high school sweethearts. Their love story was one Sakura admired.
But cracks began to show. Arguments escalated, and silence filled their once happy home.
Sakura, then 16, felt lost. Her parents' divorce shattered her faith in love.
Yumi left, leaving Taro heartbroken. Sakura stayed with her father, feeling abandoned.
Taro's attempts to reconnect with Sakura were met with resistance. Sakura blamed him for Yumi's departure.
Years passed, and Sakura built walls around her heart.
Her first love, Takashi, crushed her. He cheated, and Sakura's trust issues deepened.
Now, at 24, Sakura's past haunted her.
Kaito's gentle nature and genuine interest had stirred something within her.
But fear held her back.
The next morning, Sakura arrived at Petals and Posies, lost in thought.
Natsumi noticed her friend's distant expression.
"Hey, Sakura? Everything okay?" Natsumi asked.
Sakura forced a smile. "Just tired."
Natsumi's eyes narrowed. "You're still thinking about Kaito, aren't you?"
Sakura's cheeks flushed.
Natsumi placed a comforting hand on Sakura's shoulder.
"Your past doesn't define you, Sakura. Maybe it's time to let go."
Sakura's eyes met Natsumi's, a glimmer of determination sparking within.
As Sakura reflected on her past, a faint memory lingered, elusive and unclear.
Suddenly, Natsumi's voice broke the silence.
"Sakura, did you know Kaito's family used to live nearby?"
Sakura's curiosity piqued. "Really?"
Natsumi nodded. "Yeah, I remembered because our moms were friends."
Sakura's eyes widened. "That's weird. I feel like I've seen him before..."
Natsumi's expression turned thoughtful. "Maybe you have."
Later that evening, Sakura received a package from an unknown sender.
Inside, she found an old photograph of two children laughing together.
One was unmistakably Kaito.
The other was Sakura herself.
A note attached read:
"Remember me?"
-K
Sakura's heart skipped a beat.
Kaito was her childhood friend, Kaito Nakamura!
They had grown up together, exploring the neighborhood and sharing secrets.
But after his family moved away, Sakura lost touch.
And forgot.
The realization stunned Sakura.
Why had Kaito kept this secret?
And what did it mean for their budding relationship?