Sakura stayed.
Not just for an hour or two – but all night.
I wasn't sure when the casual teasing shifted into something else, but as we sat there, curled up together on the couch, neither of us seemed in a hurry to move.
Her hand stayed laced with mine, resting lightly between us. The TV buzzed softly in the background, long-forgotten.
Every now and then, she'd squeeze my hand – gently, like she was reassuring me she was still there.
It felt… nice. Too nice.
I glanced sideways at her. She had her head resting against the couch, violet eyes half-lidded as she absentmindedly traced circles on the back of my hand with her thumb.
"Sakura," I said softly.
She hummed, not looking away from the ceiling. "Hmm?"
I shifted slightly, suddenly aware of how warm the room felt. "Why… did you stay?"
She turned her head, meeting my gaze without hesitation.
"Because you looked like you didn't want me to leave."
I opened my mouth to deny it – but the words wouldn't come.
Because she was right.
I hadn't wanted her to leave.
My hand tightened around hers unconsciously. "I guess… I didn't."
Sakura smiled faintly, her eyes softening.
"I like this," she admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "Being here. With you."
The way she said it – quiet, honest, like it was the simplest truth in the world – made my heart flip.
I swallowed, my eyes drifting down to our hands.
"I like it too," I mumbled, feeling my face heat.
Her thumb brushed over the edge of my palm, slow and deliberate.
I wasn't sure how long we stayed like that – sitting in comfortable silence, wrapped in a bubble that felt fragile but warm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By the time I woke up, the sun was already creeping through the curtains.
I blinked blearily, rubbing my eyes as I tried to remember when I'd fallen asleep.
That's when I realized two things.
First – I was still on the couch.
Second – Sakura was still there.
Her arm was draped lazily across my waist, her head resting against my shoulder.
I froze, heart hammering so loudly I was sure she'd hear it.
Oh no.
Carefully – very carefully – I tried to move, but Sakura stirred, tightening her hold on me.
"Mmm… morning," she mumbled against my shoulder, eyes still closed.
My face turned red instantly. "M-Morning."
Sakura yawned, stretching slightly but refusing to let go.
I shifted nervously. "Uh… you're kind of… still holding me."
She cracked one eye open, smirking lazily. "I know."
I groaned. "Sakura—"
Before I could finish, she sat up slowly, hair falling in soft waves around her face.
Her eyes lingered on me, playful but warm.
"Relax, Yuki. I'm not in a rush to leave."
I tugged at the hem of the hoodie I'd fallen asleep in, feeling suddenly small beneath her gaze. "You are way too comfortable with this."
She grinned. "Maybe. But you didn't exactly push me away."
I opened my mouth to argue – but nothing came out.
Because, again… she was right.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An hour later, we sat on the floor eating toast and eggs.
Sakura glanced up from her plate, watching me carefully.
"You're quieter than usual," she noted, tilting her head. "Everything okay?"
I hesitated, poking at the corner of my toast.
"I was just thinking about… everything," I admitted softly. "The changes. You."
Sakura arched an eyebrow. "Me?"
I nodded, swallowing. "You've been helping me this whole time. I just… don't know how to feel about it. About us."
The room fell quiet.
Then Sakura set her plate down, scooting closer until our knees brushed.
"You don't have to figure everything out right now, Yuki," she said gently. "We can take it slow."
I glanced at her, searching her face. "And if I… if I don't go back to how I was before?"
Sakura's hand found mine again, her grip steady.
"Then we figure it out together."
I exhaled, feeling some of the weight lift off my shoulders.
"Thank you," I whispered.
Sakura smiled, squeezing my hand. "Anytime."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later that afternoon, Sakura stretched out on the couch, fiddling with her phone.
"You know," she said casually, "since I'm staying over more, I could just leave some clothes here."
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you moving in or something?"
She grinned. "I could."
I rolled my eyes. "You're impossible."
"And you like it."
I hid my face behind a pillow. "Unfortunately, yes."
She laughed, tugging the pillow away and leaning closer. "Good. Because I'm not going anywhere."
Her words settled into my chest like an anchor – grounding, steady, and safe.
And for the first time in a long while… I didn't feel alone.