-✘-

The car ride on her way home was quiet. Sasori was driving her home while she was on the passenger seat, wearing Sasuke's shirt and wrapped around Sasori's travel blanket. She appreciated Sasori for knowing she didn't want to talk. He didn't ask anything at all.

Still, she wanted to explain or at least try to say it's not what it looks like after realizing he needs at least an explanation, although he did not know what Sasuke had mentioned to him.

"I was out there to have him sign some documents." She feebly says.
"I know you better than that." He says with a straight face, his eyes focused on the road.
"Fine" she discreetly bites her bottom lip in frustration. "He didn't show up for work and I thought he had ghosted the contract."
"Did you bother asking Kira or someone from his team where he was before going out here?" The redhead asks, still composed.
"No.." Sakura avoids his gaze and looks out the window. "I thought he left and I would absolutely hate if he does it again. God I hate that guy so much" she rolls her eyes.

Sasori finally sighs with relief. "I understand." Fortunately, he wasn't too occupied with his work when Sasuke sent him a text. He couldn't believe Sasuke was asking to pick up Sakura in his place to begin with. He has so many questions, but he would rather wait for Sakura to explain. When he had arrived, she looked confused, and.. somehow sad. Why was she sad? Was it because of that raven guy or was it because he had ruined a moment?

Now she's back to the regular Sasuke-hate club. When she finally gave up finding him after half a year, she spent the next half despising him. After that, she drove her focus somewhere else and studying turned out to be a great help. The mere mention of his name was a taboo and she appeared she no longer cares for him. Sometimes he would catch her spacing out filled with sadness in her eyes, but it wasn't as frequent as recently. It was worst than seeing her angry with him.

"I tried to leave, but my car broke down in the middle of the rain so I got wet." She sniffles. She wasn't crying, but felt a cold coming in. Damn rain.
"Talk about timing" He says, offering his handkerchief.  "Anything else happened?" He follows up.

Sakura blushes at the memory of them kissing again. She wipes her mouth at the thought as if erasing any traces that his lips was on hers not too long ago. "Nothing, I just realized how much I hate him"

"I thought you moved on?"
"I did, but I also want to make him miserable." She crosses her arms and sneezes.

"You know Sakura, you don't have to be so involved with him to make him miserable. I mean, it's fun to think about doing the same thing he did to you, but he can tolerate that."
"What do you suggest then?" Sakura squints her eyes.
"Nothing. Just be happy.. show him you're no longer affected by him"
"That sounds stupid" Sakura snorts. "That'll only work if he actually cared enough."

Sasori was silent for a moment. As hard as it was to admit, he knew pain was in the raven's eyes earlier, and a part of him knew that this is not what he wanted. He did leave her for a different reason. The redhead was almost sure of it. But what could it be?

He wanted to let Sakura know, but it's going well for the two of them and Sakura had gone this far without that guy. Maybe he was overthinking what he saw earlier. Why didn't he fight for her if he really did love her?

"We'll revisit that make-him-miserable part and fix your cold first."

Sasori drops Sakura off her house before taking off to buy her some meds. Thankfully, both her parents were gone for the day and no one else would be asking what happened to her. She sneezes again.

She lies down on her bed, and closes her eyes to rest. It was peaceful now. The sound of the rain outside her window, the warmth of her bed, and the scent... this familiar scent.. the scent was coming from Sasuke's shirt. Sakura bolts up with the realization and quickly takes it off.

What happened earlier with them, as she replayed it over and over her head, really meant nothing. If anything, it only made her furious with him. He still wants her? Really? After he left her without a word five years ago? Is he crazy? If he meant it, then why didn't he look for her? No answer would make sense except he's playing with her. Maybe earlier she had felt some glimmer of hope, but now that she's back to her senses, she quickly killed the idea. Still, she did come here in hopes to do what he had done to her, and just randomly dump him after he's fallen head over heels with her. It didn't really played out the way it should've, but him kissing her was clearly progress for her petty revenge plan.

If what he said about him still wanting her is true, then she could use it to her advantage.

-✘-

The next day, Sasuke made sure to come early to the office. He stopped by the coffee shop near his building first and bought himself some double espresso. As he walked out the shop, a small voice greeted him "good morning", stopping him for a second, probably mistook it for Sakura since she's been running around in circles in his head for while, but instead it was a young teenage girl, in a high school uniform who was just outside the shop, and she was holding a pinboard with a bunch of keychains hanging on it, he noticed.

"Hi s-sir" she squeaked, her face was turning red, obviously intimidated. "Sorry for troubling you, I'm selling my art resin keychains for my college funds, if any of these interests you" she blushes as she shows her keychains hanging on a small pin board. Sasuke wasn't particularly interested in such things, but he took a time to look into each of it and acknowledged her talent.

"How much?"
"¥500 each. I also take commissions or accept custom designs on my resin keychains too if you are interested."
"Here" he gives her the bill and turns to leave.
"For which one? And uh sir... I don't have change for this" she shrugs, holding the ¥10000 bill that was handed out.
"No worries. Keep it and study hard"
"B-but I can't-"

Sasuke walked out and gave her no chance to give it back.
"Sir wait—" she says, running in front of him so he'd stop.
"Please take this. What you gave is a big help for my future. I won't forget this!" She bows down to thank him and leaves abruptly with a big smile on her face.

Sasuke watched her leave and looked at what she placed in his hand after she was no longer in sight. It was her business card, and it was a resin keychain.

A pink sakura flower.

■ ■ ■ ■

Even his team couldn't believe he was there first.

When he pondered why Sakura had ambushed him yesterday at his house, of course not buying the birthday guest of honor excuse, he realized she probably thought he left her.. again. He wasn't sure of it, and the chances are low, but still, he arrived early anyway for his peace of mind.

Apparently, he liked the quiet in the morning better than his overtimes in the evening. Only a few employees had arrived given it wasn't 8 yet, so the office was still peaceful. Even the sun rays inside the office weren't present yet. He would've appreciated it more if he didn't have a cold from yesterday. He wore a black surgical mask to make sure he won't be affecting anyone else.

He slouched to rest a little, his cold giving him a little headache from time to time. While at it, he took a quick glance on the sakura flower keychain he got from the school girl earlier placed on his desk and tried to think where to put it. Near the keychain, a particular envelope underneath a couple folders looked unfamiliar to him. When he checked, it was an invitation to Sakura's birthday this weekend. He felt flattered to be invited, really, but after all what happened between them, it may not be best to ruin it with his presence, even if she had already moved on. He also didn't want the chance to meet her parents.

"Good morning, sir Sasuke" Kira greets, cutting off his thoughts. "Can I get you coffee or..medicine?" He adds, noticing the raven's mask.
"No, thank you."
"Got it, I'll be here when y-"
"Wait.... will you be going to Ms. Haruno's birthday this weekend?"

"Uhm yes, she invited us over. Will you be coming sir?"
"No, I... just have a favor"

-✘-

Sakura has indeed gotten a cold after that stunt she pulled yesterday. She wanted to take a sick day off, but she didn't want Sasuke thinking what happened to them got to her. Actually, she didn't care what Sasuke thinks, she just wants to go to work.

Oddly, he was already at his office, but she didn't bother to look at him and went straight to work. She decided to stop herself from thinking of him. Hatred and all. Instead, she just wants to think of her weekend. It will be her birthday party. She can't wait to get drunk. It'll just be a small gathering, family, a few friends and colleagues. She immediately regrets she had given an invitation to Sasuke. Oops. There's him again. Shooing him.

A few hours had passed, and Sakura was grateful she was at peace doing her work until there was a knock on her desk.

"Tenten!" She leaps at the sight of her and attempts to hug her but immediately stopping herself. "Sorry I have a cold. What are you doing here?"

"Dropped off some documents to you know. Sir Itachi asked for a favor." She grins. "Want to go to lunch?"
"Yes please! I'm glad you came!" The pinkette says before covering her mouth to sneeze. "Ugh sorry"

"Wanna tell me about that cold?" Tenten asks as they were walking out of the building.
"From yesterday, my car broke down in the middle of the rain" Now that she mentioned it, it was still in Sasuke's place. She completely forgot.
"Oh okay. I thought you were smooching Sasuke"
"What??" She flinches at this, "Who told- what do you know??"
"Sakura, relax. It's a joke. It's just that he has a cold too"
"Oh."

Tenten squints at her after a few minutes of pondering what the pinkette said. "What do you mean who told me????? Did it happen???"
"No! Forget about it!"
"You're not telling me something!!!"

"Shut it! Is that Sai and....." Sakura squints her eyes at the couple walking outside. It's not what it seems but somehow it kinda is....
"Ms. Yamanaka?!" Tenten's jaw dropped. The blonde was obviously in disguise and not in her usual glamorous outfit. That's why it wasn't what is seems. Are they on a date??

Thankfully, this ought to distract Tenten for a while. It was the perfect timing. A great save. But Sai and Ino? Wow. She's gotta talk to Sai soon, but probably wait for him to bring it up.

"Still can't believe it." Tenten says as she blows the steam off her noodles. "You don't suppose it was a date?" She asks. Sakura snaps out of her distractions and was glad she heard the last part the brunette said.
"I don't think so, maybe they're still getting to know each other?"
"So like a date" Tenten says suggestively.

"Anyway, your birthday is coming up. Are you excited?"
Sakura slurps her ramen and thinks about it. Given all the circumstances that had happened recently, all she wanted now is a quiet and an extra small party. "A little. Sasori said he'll take care of it."

"Maybe he'll propose" Tenten says nonchalantly, making the pinkette choke on her food. "Really, Sakura? Are you dense about his feelings for you or are you purposely avoiding it?"
"Stop it Tenten" Sakura wipes her mouth with the tissue, flustered. Sasori's feelings for her had always been an uncomfortable topic for her. Not that he had forced it into their conversation. He's just pretty open about it, just as she is open to let him know she's not ready for him. It never stopped him from supporting her all these years, and she had always felt guilty for it. Most of the time, when she considers accepting Sasori's advances, a faint image of Sasuke pops up in her head out of nowhere. She wasn't sure if it was a warning of her previous heartbreak, or if it was a reminder that she's not yet over him. To avoid it completely, she stopped considering Sasori's advances, or any romantic involvement altogether.

"Wanna go shopping for your birthday? I'll ask Hinata if she's available later too" Tenten suggests.
"Sure" Sakura agrees, and only hopes this could distract her from what happened yesterday.

Sakura bids farewell to the brunette and heads back to her building. She sprinted to catch the elevator, noticing it was about to close.
"Sorr-" she says upon entering, catching her breath. There was only one other person in the elevator. Unfortunately, it's the person she wants to be with least.

4th floor.
Silence.

8th floor.
This is getting awkward.

10th floor.
"Sorry about that" she says. Noticing he was wearing a mask, and remembering that Tenten said he also has a cold. Why can't she just shut up and let it be awkward? What part of not getting involved is she not getting?? She asks herself.

11th floor.
"About what?" He responds. Both of them not looking at each other in this conversation.

14th floor.
"About your cold. I feel responsible." She says. picturing him topless in the rain as he checks her car engine. Erasing the picture on her head right away. "I shouldn't have insisted on going home right away"

17th floor.
"It's not your fault. You were uncomfortable." The raven says.

19th floor.
Somehow she wanted to deny it, but thought it would be best not to. "Thank you for calling Sasori."

21st floor.
"No problem. I also had your car towed and brought to the mechanic to be fixed. It'll be delivered to your house so you wouldn't need to come back"

23rd floor.
Good. Now she doesn't have to come back to his place ever again, plus he made it sound that she was no longer welcome. "Thank you." She says with a stern voice. She hates everything about this conversation.

25th floor.
"I'm sorry about the other thing too. I guess I wasn't fully sober that time." He adds. Sakura knows exactly what he was talking about, and it only made her more furious. Not sober? That's his pathetic excuse?? Hell, the kiss was at least long enough for her to notice any faint smell of alcohol if there was. What a liar.

26th floor.
"It's alright, we can't change our past. We just need to move on from it." Sakura says instead.
"It was a mistake." Sasuke adds.

27th floor. Their last stop.
"It was." Sakura says in a cold unfamiliar voice and abruptly leaves as the elevator door opened. He meant to say the kiss yesterday was a mistake, but somehow it sounded like she meant their whole relationship. Their eyes never met and it seemed like Sakura avoided gazing at him at all costs. But he saw a glimpse of her. It wasn't the same Sakura anymore.

Never had Sasuke thought two words could hold so much pain.