The faint glow of early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft beams across the room. Sakura woke up to the quiet hum of the city outside her window, the only noise in the stillness of the apartment. The clock read 7:00 AM, marking the beginning of another hectic day. She stretched under the covers, feeling the familiar ache in her muscles from the long hours spent in class and hospital rotations.With a deep sigh, she pushed the blanket aside and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Her feet met the cool floor, and for a moment, she sat in the silence, gathering her thoughts.I am tired as fuck.Sakura wasn't one to linger in bed for long though—time was always tight with her demanding schedule. She had goals that needed to be achieved. The pressure of becoming a top-tier doctor weighed heavily on her shoulders, mind and soul, and there wasn't room for distractions.She padded to the kitchen in her pajama shorts and oversized T-shirt. The apartment was small but cozy, with just enough space for her to feel comfortable. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as she prepared her usual breakfast: oatmeal, topped with honey and some fruit if she had it.Sitting at the small table by the window, she took slow bites of her breakfast, savoring the moment. Her phone buzzed beside her—Ino had messaged her again."Sakura, don't forget about lunch today! Neji and I are meeting up with some other classmates. Come join us! :)"Sakura smiled softly, shaking her head. Ino was always pushing her to step outside her studies and socialize more. But it wasn't that she didn't want to spend time with friends. It was just that, right now, Sakura's focus was elsewhere, in a lot of places actually. She appreciated Ino's persistence, but it was hard to balance everything. Still, she didn't want to completely isolate herself."I'll see how my schedule looks. Thanks for the invite."The crisp autumn air wrapped around Sakura as she stepped outside, the cool breeze mixing with the earthy scent of fallen leaves. She absolutely loved autumn!She was dressed for comfort but with a sharp, understated style that made her stand out without trying. She wore black boots that clicked softly against the pavement. Her black jeans fit her perfectly, hugging her figure and tapering at the ankle, just high enough to show off the boots. The fabric had a slight stretch, giving her the freedom to move easily as she rushed between classes. On top, she wore a black blouse with a subtle tie at the neck, soft fabric flowing elegantly over her frame. Layered over that, she threw on an oversized black hoodie, its cozy fit giving her a cool vibe. The hoodie was roomy enough to be comfortable.Her hair was tied back into a messy ponytail, a few strands of pink framing her face.Sakura slid into the driver's seat of her fully black car, it was a Lexus IS sport, the car's smooth, polished surface gleaming in the morning light. She started the engine, the hum of the car a familiar comfort, and pulled out of her apartment complex with ease. The streets were still quiet, a sign of the early hour, with leaves swirling around in the crisp autumn breeze.First stop was Naruto's apartment, just a few blocks away. Sakura parked and honked twice. A few moments later, Naruto came bounding down the steps, his usual energetic self, waving enthusiastically as he approached the car while eating a sandwich that the pink head didn't even know how managed to turn out as one being so filled. He threw open the door with his usual energy and tossed his backpack into the backseat."Morning, Sakura-chan!" Naruto said, grinning ear to ear as he slid into the passenger seat."Morning, Naruto," Sakura replied, her tone calm but with a small smile. "You're late, as usual.""Eh, you know me!" he said with a chuckle, settling in and grabbing his phone.The next stop was Ino's place, just a short drive from Naruto's. Sakura parked, and Ino was already waiting outside, holding her bag and adjusting her jacket, her blonde hair shining in the soft morning light. She jumped into the seat next to Sakura."Hey, you two! I see you didn't leave me behind again," Ino teased. She exchanged a smile with Sakura before slipping back into her usual relaxed posture."Of course not, Ino," Sakura replied. "Naruto's not cruel enough this morning to mess with my sanity.""Sakura-chan!" Naruto protested, "I was hungover, alright?""You always are hungover," Ino shot back raising an eyebrow and turning to look at him, "Surprised you're not today."Naruto rolled his eyes smiling."How was your date with Shikamaru?" his voice teased."Oh, go to hell already!" Ino snapped, rolling her eyes."I tried that already at your insistence," Naruto said, looking out the window. "He threw me out because, according to him, I misbehaved too much. I still don't know what that means."The ride was filled with their usual banter. Naruto was as loud and excitable as ever, talking about his latest ideas and plans for the day. Ino, ever the social butterfly, discussed a party she had heard about over the weekend. Sakura listened with a bemused smile, but her focus was mostly on the road. She wasn't one for wild plans or partying; she was thinking about her classes and the work that awaited her.Still, she appreciated their company.As the campus loomed ahead, Sakura expertly maneuvered through the morning traffic and parked in the university lot. The autumn sun bathed everything in a soft glow, the leaves above casting dappled shadows on the ground. Sakura stepped out of the car first, grabbing her bag and giving a final, quick look at her friends."See you at lunch, Sakura!" Ino said quickly, never forgetting to share a smile with her best friend.Sakura nodded, offering a small smile in return as she locked the car. Watching Ino walk into the building, she let out a quiet sigh. The day was just beginning, and the usual energy of her friends already felt distant in the background. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy their company—it was just that she was built differently, always thinking a few steps ahead, always focused on what was to come next.With one last glance at the bustling campus, Sakura turned and made her way toward the medical faculty building.