Us? Forever.

Chapter Eight: Why Does It Matter?

Chapter Eight: Why Does It Matter?

Sakura: Well, I don’t really think I’m interested in anything like that. I have a good friend—a male friend. He has feelings for me. I’m aware of it.

Sakura: When the time feels right, if he’s still available… I might marry him. We’ve known each other for a long time. I trust him.

As I read her message, my chest tightened.

What was wrong with me?

Why was I feeling this way?

I couldn’t understand it anymore.

It felt like I wasn’t even in control of myself.

Motoko: I have a feeling that kind of love isn’t always reciprocated…

Motoko: But just be patient. The right person for you will come.

Sakura: You think so?

We’ll see about that.

Even as I typed those words, something inside me felt heavy.

And I had no reason to feel that way.

It was strange.

Normally, I wouldn’t care this much.

So why was this different?

We continued texting after that—about random things.

Anime.

Music.

Little jokes here and there.

It felt… easy.

Too easy.

The way we talked, the way everything flowed—it didn’t feel like we had just met.

For the first time in a long while…

I felt happy.

Later, my mum, Marisol, got home. She needed my help with something.

I told Sakura I was going to be busy, and she was fine with it.

She told me not to forget about her.

I replied that I’d try.

But honestly…

I couldn’t forget her.

She stayed on my mind the whole time.

I even caught myself trying to guess her real name.

Smiling.

Laughing softly.

Replaying our conversation over and over again.

What is happening to me?

My mum asked what was wrong.

I just smiled and kept going.

What was I supposed to say?

She would never accept me being a lesbian.

That thought hit instantly.

The tightness in my chest returned.

The heaviness came back with it.

And deep down…

All I wanted was to finish quickly and go back to the one person who had made me smile—

naturally—

for the first time in a long time.

Sakura…

What could your real name be?