Us? Forever.

Chapter Nine: Names

Chapter Nine: Names

Helping my mum took way longer than I expected.

By the time I was done, it was past 10 p.m.

I felt a little disappointed.

There was a high chance Sakura wasn’t even online anymore. Probably asleep.

I mean… who waits for a stranger?

Still—

It wouldn’t hurt to try.

Motoko: Hi, Sakura.

Just as I was about to leave the app, I noticed the small green dot appear under her profile.

Online.

A smile crept onto my lips before I could stop it.

Sakura: Kusanagi… missed me? 😏

I instantly buried my face in my pillow and screamed softly.

Then I froze.

Wait…

Why am I this happy?

Motoko: Yeah… I did.

Sakura: Thought as much. My charm’s still active 😌

I laughed.

Motoko: I’d rather call it a spell 🤭

Sakura: How did you find out my secret?

I frowned slightly.

Motoko: What do you mean? 🤔

Sakura: I’m a witch 😌

Motoko: Oh really? Cooool

Sakura: You’re weird, you know.

Aren’t you supposed to be scared?

Motoko: Nope. I love witches.

Sakura: You’re crazy. Anyway, I was just kidding 😅

Motoko: It was kind of obvious.

Silence settled in for a few minutes.

Then—

Sakura: By the way… I’m Ezra. What about you?

Ezra.

The name felt soft.

Delicate.

Beautiful.

I repeated it in my head, and for some reason… I loved it instantly.

Motoko: That’s a rare name… and really beautiful.

I hesitated for a second before typing again.

Motoko: I’m Violet. Kind of a weird name, right?

Why did I even say that?

Sakura: Trying to flatter me… or just being sincere?

Sakura: Violet, huh. That’s a peculiar name. I like it.

My heart skipped a beat.

I felt a light blush creep onto my cheeks.

Gosh… what is wrong with me?

Since when did I become this… soft?

I’m not like this.

I’m usually cold.

Unaffected.

And for heaven’s sake—I’m a tomboy.

Yet here I was…

Blushing.

Over someone I just met.

Come to think of it, I’ve been acting strange ever since I started talking to her.

I’ve never been this… open.

This soft.

Not with anyone—except Kiera.

Even she knows I’m the boss.

Another reason why being with guys never worked.

But with her…

Why does it feel like I’m slowly letting my guard down?