Chapter Text
'11:30pm
Meet me on the playground down your street. I don't accept a refuse.
-Miki'
Ehh? What does she want this late anyway? Miki just texted me a couple of minutes ago and to be honest I don't want to meet her. I just feel so horrible about the things I've done and I've said to Sakura. I left her crying there on the beach earlier today and quickly ran off. I just took the first train and came home. I am in big trouble with the managers for acting like that but there's nothing I could do. I didn't want to face Sakura after behaving the way I did. I feel like a monster.
"You're finally here." Miki said as she soon as she saw me sitting down on the swing next to hers. I just grabbed whatever clothes I had in my reach and with my sneakers on, I came running down the street towards the playground. That just contradicts what I said earlier, didn't it? Oh well...
"I'm sorry, Miki-chan." I apologised to the other woman; I know she didn't do anything wrong. Neither did Sakura. I am at fault for this whole drama because of my overthinking.
"You don't have to apologise to me. Sakura... She's feeling awful. We had to reschedule the rest of the photo shoot for another day because she couldn't work in the state she was in and you... just ran away." Miki said as she stood up. "Let's go for a walk." I did as she said and she started walking down the street.
"I know... Fuku-chan called me earlier today and told me everything that happened after I left. Sakura told her everything."
"Well, we all know everything now." I was surprised by her words; did she really tell everybody about us? "We had a meeting with just us the members and we discussed about some things. Without you and Sakura, since you two needed time for yourselves."
"What does that mean?"
"We agreed on not keeping secrets from each other anymore. This is why we were in such a big misunderstanding. Fukumura-san and Ikuta-san explained everything going on between the two of you." I kept silent, knowing that I am the only one to blame. I made a fuss out of something I that wasn't even real.
"You never dated Sakura officially, right?" I asked her, even though I already figured out the whole situation.
"Never. I had a crush on her after I debuted and she asked me out. She figured that she can't return my feelings, so we decided to be just friends. Another person has my heart now anyway. And this one, I want to keep forever." She proudly showed me her phone; there was a cute selfie of her and Akane on the lockscreen. I couldn't help but stop the girl from walking and hugged her as tears started falling down from my eyes. I just feel so overwhelmed by everything.
"Hey now, why are you crying?" She hugged me back and pat my back.
"I just feel happy, and relieved." She hugged me tighter and so did I. "I am so happy for you, Miki-chan." I never really thought that she had something going on with Akane. I don't know why I am so sensitive right now but I feel like I could cry because of anything, eighter of it's a bad thing or good thing.
"You know who else went on a date today?"
"... Who?"
"Kaga finally asked Makino out. Those two have been all over each other for the past few months."
"Maria-chan?" I started sobbing even harder, knowing that the only member I considered as my baby sister isn't a baby anymore. I am just so overwhelmed with joy that everything is on the right track now, and that everyone is happy.
"Geez, you're such a cry baby. But let it all out. You have to get yourself ready to talk to Sakura."
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Miki walked me home, and said her goodbyes; I just bowed countless of times and apologise for my mistakes and for my misunderstanding. She brushed it off like nothing happened and told me to just get ready and go to Sakura's house tonight. It was past midnight when she told me that, but she said it's ok and Sakura will be pleasantly surprise to see me after all the crying and pain that she's been through today.
So here I am, in front of her house. I just got out of the taxi and I could see that her whole house was in pitch darkness. I hesitated a few minutes to knock on the door in case her mom or her siblings are sleeping, but after a few deep breaths in which I gathered up the courage, I knocked on the door. But no-one answered. I knocked again and again, still nothing. I turned around and started walking down the front yard; I think I'll come back again tomorrow when someone will be awake.
"Maa-chan?" Just as I was about to walk down the street to the nearest taxi station, I heard her voice. She was peeking from inside through the cracked door. I couldn't see her face properly because of the darkness, but I could tell it was her.
"Yes, it's me." I said as I made a few steps towards the house but I got stopped before I could reach it. Sakura fully opened the door and came running to me. She hugged me tightly and upon the contact with her body, I started crying. I wrapped my arms around her; I will never let go of her ever again. I could hear her breathing heavily as she started crying as well.
"Why are you here?" She broke the hug and cupped by face, whipping away the tears that kept falling.
"I came to apologies... And to make things right... Please don't hate me... I know I am a horrible person but... I was scared... And I was selfish and... I couldn't think straight and--"
"Seeing you cry is more painful than anything. Please stop." I took a few moments to calm myself down and to get my breath back. She started carresing my face and I could feel all the warmth and love that she has for me. "I hate seeing you cry, Maa-chan. This is so not you." I couldn't help but smile hearing her; her words gave me courage. I am never this emotional -well except earlier with Miki but we will not talk about that again- but she is making me feel this way. I have a weakness when it comes to her, you can say.
"Oda-chan... Odango--" I couldn't even finish my words because she pressed her lips on mine. It was a simple and sweet kiss, unlike the heated lustfull kisses we had before. I like this one much more.
"You haven't call me by that nickname in such a long time." She was smiling at me, her face has lightened up upon hearing the nickname I gave her years ago.
"I love you, Odango. I--" She stopped me from talking again by giving me another small kiss.
"I don't need more explanation. Those words are enough for me. I do love you too, Maa-chan. I am sorry if I gave you a wrong impression about my feelings. I am sure now and I know what I want." I smiled after hearing her words, understanding what she means by them. "Come on in." She grabbed my hand and lead me inside her house, directly to the other side of it. The whole house was in pitch darkness, I could see a few pairs of curios eyes glowing in the dark as we passed the living room; it's probably her cats. I suddenly felt a bit nervous about being here in her personal space, though I know I shouldn't be. I watched her close the door to her bedroom behind us and turn on a lamp before going to her wardrobe; I just realised how cute she is in her light pink pijamas. She handed me a white t-shirt and a pair of grey shorts, probably telling me to get myself comfortable and to relax. I did as she intended me to do, feeling a wave of heat creeping up my cheeks as I was only in my underwear and bra. I saw a coy smile playing on her lips as she was looking at me change, but I chose to ignore it. I am too shy to say anything.
"Are you sleepy?" She asked as her eyes were still glued on me, but I couldn't bring myself to say a word. "Come here, Maa-chan." She sat down on her bed and extended her hand, which I gladly took and sat down as well.
I never really planned to stay the night, yet alone sleep in the same bed as she is, but I guess I have no choice. Not that I'm complaining, I just know that I won't be able to sleep knowing that I have her beside me. I'm not used to share beds with anyone since I'm a chaotic sleeper, but I will have to get used to stuff like these. I actually plan on bringing her to my house now that everything is settled down and maybe reintroduce her to my parents, not as a co-worker or a Morning Musume member but as Sato Masaki's girlfriend. And how beautiful that sounds. Oda Sakura is Sato Masaki's girlfriend.
"Maa-chan, did you hear anything I told you?" I snapped back to my senses as I heard Sakura's sweet voice.
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking. What did you say?" I looked at her and she started giggling. "What's so funny?"
"I'm here, stop thinking about me, silly." She grabbed both of my hands and pulled me towards her, making both of us fall onto the bed.
"How did you know I was thinking about you?" We were both laying on our backs beside each others, looking up the dim lit ceiling. I took a glance to my side to see her; she was looking back at me.
"You have this look on your face every time I'm in the same room as you. Like you are in love or something." She rolled over to her side and started giggling; I know too well what is she talking about.
"I wish you would have noticed that earlier. 2-3 years ago maybe. We could have been like this a long time ago."
"I wish that too. But I'm happy to be here with you tonight." She rolled over even more and now she is cuddling me. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her head, as she was resting it on my chest.
"I am happy too."
"I can tell. Your heart is about to explode."
"I am just nervous, Odango. I never really thought I might end up with you like this. It feels surreal." My words made her bring herself up to look at me. She then leaned in and kissed me, slowly and gently.
"Everything that is happening is real. All these kisses I'm giving you. All these moments and touches. All these words I'm telling you. All these beats my heart are making for you. Everything is real, Maa-chan."
"Everything is real, eh?"