CHAPTER (10)
Sakura bit her lower lip, holding back the surge of emotions pressing in her chest.
"I'm not selfish..." Sakura's voice was barely audible, "I'm just... tired."
Sasuke spoke firmly, "You think I'm not tired?"
Sakura let out a bitter laugh.
Sasuke fell silent, his gaze softening. He regretted speaking so harshly.
Sakura looked up, meeting those dark eyes with courage. "Are we going to keep living just out of obligation? Don't you want a life of your own, someone who truly loves you for who you are?"
Sasuke didn't answer. A soft breeze blew, lifting Sakura's hair as it danced gently around her face.
He finally spoke, his voice calmer but with a cold tone: "I don't have the luxury of choice."
Sakura frowned.
Sasuke took a deep breath, then exhaled heavily. "I… I have responsibilities. The Uchiha family name, my father's position on the business council... this isn't just about me. I have to protect the family's honor. Even if I refuse this marriage, they've already decided."
Sakura shook her head slowly in disappointment.
Sasuke lowered his gaze, unsure of what to say. Then, slowly, he looked back up.
Sakura looked at him, her eyes softening.
Sasuke remained silent. Then, without a word, he took the red drink from Sakura's hand and took a sip.
Sasuke: "Let's just go through with it."
Sakura lightly tapped Sasuke's arm, but he chose to stay silent.
Sakura: "It's so easy for you to say, 'let's go through with it.' Do you think I'll just agree that easily?"
She continued: "Yes, some people say love-less marriages due to arranged engagements like ours used to exist, but that was in the past. Not anymore. You know that, don't you?"
Sasuke said nothing. Sakura gave a bitter smile, thinking he would agree with her.
Itachi had been hiding nearby all this time. He overheard their conversation and felt pity, but he had no choice but to let them face the reality. He decided to help his brother and Sakura stay together.
Itachi: (I hope everything will be alright.)
...
Ino looked at Sakura with curiosity after spending some romantic time with Sai.
Ino: "You look so gloomy. Did Karin provoke you again? You used to beat people up directly—"
Sakura pouted: "Do you think I'm some delinquent girl?"
Ino grinned and whispered: "You're too old to be called a girl~"
Sakura: "Hey!!"
After the banter—which was really just a joke—Sakura said: "You're so lucky, Ino. You and Sai make such a perfect couple."
Ino laughed and teased Sakura: "You sound like Sai is your boyfriend and I stole him!"
Sakura retorted angrily: "You talk like a fart!"
Ino laughed: "Oh, that's so vulgar. Good thing no one heard you."
Sakura pouted: "Stop teasing me. You're provoking my emotions."
Elsewhere, Sasuke was deep in thought, wondering what was truly best for both of them. From a distance, he was relieved to see Sakura smiling again with Ino. He then remembered their earlier conversation: (It doesn't matter if there's no love… I don't care…) Sasuke thought seriously, trying to convince himself that this wasn't an unbearable burden.
While driving home in silence, Sakura sat beside Sasuke, gazing out the window and watching a young couple playing affectionately in the distance. Sasuke, focused on the road, glanced at her and then looked straight ahead again. He saw her lost in thought, silent, with a complicated swirl of emotions in her heart.
---
(If you'd like to support me and motivate me to keep writing, you can support me on Karyakarsa (@Yayang_). Just search it on Google. Thank you~)