Chapter 8: Chapter 8 - Sakura Miyajima
The morning classes flew by, and since being taken to the guidance room by Kyouko Tsukishima, Ito Yoshito hadn't dared to zone out again.
As he was about to head for lunch, his phone vibrated with a notification. He opened it to find a message on Line.
Miyajima Sakura (Sakura-nee): [Hey, Yoshito, want to have lunch together?] (Read)
Yoshito and Sakura had been childhood friends, but because their families lived quite far apart, they usually only saw each other on weekends when he would go to the Miyajima dojo to train or help out.
So, Sakura was delighted to hear that Yoshito would be attending Seishin Academy; it meant they could see each other at school as well.
Ito Yoshito: [Sure, Sakura-nee! Where do I find you?] (Read)
Miyajima Sakura (Sakura-nee): [Just wait for me at the entrance of the teaching building; you're new here, so you're not familiar with the layout yet.] (Read)
Yoshito tucked his phone away, grabbed his lunch, and went to the entrance of the teaching building.
He changed his school-issued indoor shoes for his own, quietly waiting for Sakura.
"Yoshito, I'm here!" A familiar, cheerful voice called from behind him. He turned to see a girl rush towards him.
Miyajima Sakura was clad in Ousei Academy's uniform, but her noticeably developed figure stretched the outfit to her limits.
As she ran, the fabric pulled tightly, threatening to burst.
The black pleated skirt highlighted her long, straight legs, which were as delicate as white jade, lending her an elegant appearance as she elegantly and lightly moved.
Yoshito stepped forward to meet her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Be careful, Sakura-nee, don't run so fast."
He then reached out to wipe the sweat glistening on her smooth forehead.
"I know!"
Sakura replied, visibly enjoying Yoshito's attentiveness.
Her frame bent slightly as she felt the warmth of his hand, her dark purple hair tied into a playful ponytail with a red ribbon, swaying with every movement.
Long strands framed her face, occasionally brushing against Yoshito's arm.
With closed eyes and a blissful smile, she resembled a small puppy, relishing the moment.
"Honestly, seeing you like this makes me worry someone might steal you away"
Yoshito teased, gently ruffling Sakura's hair with a warm smile.
"Not a chance! I'll only let you steal me away, Yoshito!"
Sakura pouted, her delicate cherry-red lips forming the perfect little 'o' as her soft hands covered his.
She gazed deeply into his eyes, her purple irises serious and sincere, echoing the meaning of violet flowers: nebulous love.
Her cheeks, tinted like peach blossoms, radiated a gentle warmth, akin to a cute little beast that darted straight into Yoshito's heart.
"Then it's settled," Yoshito chuckled, feeling warmth spread to his ears. Looks like the weather is heating up!
"Yeah!" Sakura nodded earnestly.
"Let's head over to the kendo club; it's usually quiet there during lunch."
Yoshito took the lunchbox from Sakura and walked beside her.
Since Sakura had arrived a bit late, the entrance was devoid of people at that moment, and their close interaction went unnoticed except by a small blue figure in the distance.
"Hmm..."
...
In the tranquil kendo club's resting area, two figures sat opposite each other, their lively laughter dispelling the silence of the room.
"Taste this, Yoshito!"
Sakura cheerfully offered a piece of meat on her chopsticks, gently holding it beneath to support it as she brought it to his lips.
"It's delicious, did you make this, Sakura-nee?"
Yoshito praised with a smile, then added playfully, "Try my roast duck too!"
"Oh, of course! But some of it was made by my mom," Sakura replied with a light-hearted tone.
Although seen as mild and courteous yet maintain a certain distance from others, she loved to be playful and spoiled only when she was with Yoshito.
If anyone else caught sight of her like this, they might develop plans to "eliminate" the boy who had won Sakura's heart.
Sakura tucked her hair behind her ear while holding the chopsticks, skillfully rolling the meat piece onto them before pulling it back, leaving a trace of sticky, sweet saliva lightly sticking around the chopsticks.
Maybe Sakura hadn't been drinking enough water today; her saliva felt particularly sticky. When she finally pulled the chopsticks away, a delicate, transparent strand adhered to her mouth's edge.
...
The room fell silent, save for the soft sounds of Sakura munching her food.
"Hmm, Yoshito, why aren't you eating?"
Sakura tilted her head, looking up at him curiously, her innocent demeanor combined with adorableness.
Yoshito understood that it wasn't intentional on Sakura's part.
Due to the strict education of the Miyajima family, she rarely watched television and thus lacked certain knowledge.
Though he recognized that Sakura didn't mean any harm, he couldn't suppress the heat rising within him.
"Didn't Sakura-nee drink any water today? Your saliva is a bit sticky."
"Eh! Y-yes, it is…"
Sakura's cheeks flushed slightly, feeling embarrassed. Discussing her saliva in front of Yoshito made her shy.
"Then… how about I feed you some water?"
Without waiting for her to respond, Yoshito picked up his thermos, took a sip, and then leaned closer to her.
"N-no… um," she hesitated, but as she tilted her head back slightly, her flushed face betraying her nervousness, her tender, red lips pouted in a shy manner while her eyes gently closed.
Sakura didn't refuse.
When she was young, she had detested this boy who suddenly appeared in the dojo and could easily defeat her while taking praise from her mother and grandfather.
But somewhere along the line, she found herself inexplicably drawn to him.
Was it when she witnessed him courageously standing against her mother's sword time and again?
Or perhaps when she learned how he smiled in the face of a harsh family environment?
Regardless, none of it mattered anymore.
"Mmm…"
Sakura let out a small, involuntary sound, her first kiss—passively accepting Yoshito's affection.
Her lips were soft and fragrant, reminiscent of an orchid blooming among the stones, providing a fresh and pleasant aroma.
After a few moments, Yoshito finally released her entrapped lips, a soft sound escaping them as they disentangled, leaving behind a shimmering, silvery thread.
Sakura's glistening eyes brimmed with enticing tears, sparkling with faint luminescence.
She felt something unusual within her body, her heart racing like a fawn, the prominent curves of her body rhythmically rising and falling, while a thin sheen of sweat formed on her back without her noticing.
"Whew—ha…"
After several deep breaths, Sakura slowly adjusted her emotions.
Yoshito had kept his actions gentle, merely caressing her hair, knowing the time and place were inappropriate for anything more, thus concluding it at the right moment.
"Yoshito, my mom is asking when you can come over to the dojo for dinner," Sakura leaned against Yoshito's broad chest, savoring his gentle touch.
Yoshito thought for a moment before saying, "How about Saturday? I can come over to help at the kendo dojo and stay for dinner afterward."
"Sounds good! I'll let my mom know."