The car slowed down.
And finally—
stopped right in front of Sakura's apartment.
The engine turned off.
Silence filled the space.
For a moment—
neither of them moved.
Sakura unbuckled her seatbelt slowly.
"…Thanks for dropping me."
Koharu nodded.
But didn't say anything else.
Didn't start the car.
Didn't leave.
Because the truth was—
She didn't want to.
She didn't want Sakura to go.
And maybe more than that—
She didn't want to be away from her.
---
The Message 📱
Sakura's phone buzzed.
She glanced at it casually—
And froze.
"Keep Koharu with you."
Her eyes widened.
"…WHAT?"
She almost said it out loud.
Koharu turned slightly. "What happened?"
Sakura quickly locked her phone.
"N-nothing."
Her brain started racing.
Keep her with me?? How??
She looked at Koharu.
Then at her building.
Then back at Koharu.
And suddenly—
An idea formed.
A very bad…
very obvious…
very effective idea.
---
The Act 🎭
Sakura hesitated for a second.
Then looked at Koharu again.
Her voice softened.
"…Actually…"
Koharu waited.
Sakura lightly played with her fingers.
"OG went out for dinner… no one's home."
Koharu blinked.
"…Okay?"
Sakura looked away slightly.
"I don't really like staying alone at night…"
A small pout formed on her lips.
Unintentional.
Or maybe—
a little intentional.
"…They said they'll come late."
Silence.
Koharu stared at her.
Processing.
Then—
"…Do you want me to stay?"
She said it calmly.
But her voice carried something deeper.
"…Or," she added quietly, "can I stay… until they come back?"
Sakura looked at her again.
And smiled.
Soft.
Warm.
"…Yeah. Let's go upstairs."
---
The Truth Behind It All
Koharu stepped out of the car immediately.
No hesitation.
No second thought.
Because she was already—
completely gone for Sakura.
Meanwhile—
Somewhere else—
Aiko looked at her phone and smirked.
"Hooked."
Rinn, beside her, sighed.
"…We're really manipulating our CEO's love life."
Aiko shrugged. "For a good cause."
Rinn shook her head. "You're evil."
Aiko grinned. "I know."
---
Upstairs 🌙
Sakura opened the door.
Lights off.
Silence inside.
Just as she said.
Empty.
She stepped in first.
Koharu followed.
Closing the door behind her.
And suddenly—
The space felt smaller.
Quieter.
More… personal.
Koharu glanced around.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Very Sakura.
"You live alone here?" she asked.
Sakura nodded. "…With the girls usually."
A small pause.
Then—
Sakura turned toward her.
"Sit," she said softly.
"I'll get something."
Koharu sat down on the couch.
Watching her.
Every movement.
Every little thing.
Like it mattered.
Like she mattered.
---
Too Close, Too Quiet
Sakura came back with water.
Placed it on the table.
Sat down.
Not too far.
Not too close.
But still—
closer than before.
Silence filled the room again.
But this time—
it wasn't awkward.
Just…
heavy.
With everything unsaid.
Sakura glanced at Koharu.
"…You really came fast earlier."
Koharu looked at her.
"You called."
Same answer.
Same tone.
But this time—
it felt deeper.
Sakura smiled slightly.
Looking down.
Her fingers played with the edge of her sleeve.
"…You didn't even question it."
Koharu leaned back slightly.
"I didn't need to."
Sakura looked up again.
"…Why?"
Koharu held her gaze.
And said simply—
"Because it was you."
---
Something Shifts
Sakura's breath caught slightly.
Her heart skipped.
Again.
That simple sentence—
felt heavier than anything else.
She looked away quickly.
Trying to hide her reaction.
"…You say things like that so easily."
Koharu replied calmly,
"I don't say them to anyone else."
Silence.
Again.
But this silence—
was different.
Closer.
Warmer.
More dangerous.
---
And in that quiet apartment—
With no one else around—
No interruptions.
No distractions.
Just the two of them—
Something was slowly building again.
Not forced.
Not planned.
Just…
happening.