It Was Always You

Suddenly, in the split second before everything could collapse around her, strong arms grabbed her.

Haru?

The car swerved, narrowly missing them, and in one swift motion, Haru pulled Sakura out of the car's path. They tumbled onto the rain-soaked pavement with a heavy thud. Haru landed on top of her, his soaked body pressing against hers, their faces mere inches apart. Sakura's breath caught in her throat as she stared up into his eyes, those gray depths filled with panic and something darker—something she couldn't quite grasp.

"Haru...!" she gasped, still stunned by the close call. Her pulse raced, her heart hammering in her chest from both the near-death experience and his body against hers.

"Shh... It's okay, Sakura," Haru murmured softly, his voice hoarse, as he gently cupped her face. His hands were warm against her cold, rain-drenched skin. "You're okay. I've got you." But even as he spoke those words of comfort, Sakura could feel the hectic energy thrumming beneath his touch. He was as shaken as she was.

His lips found hers before she could fully process what was happening. It was not a gentle kiss. It was desperate, almost frantic, as if Haru needed her to understand something, something he hadn't been able to say. Sakura froze at first, feeling a mixture of confusion and longing surge inside her. The kiss was intoxicating, igniting a fire deep within her, and yet it was wrong. She couldn't betray Mia, couldn't betray her best friend, no matter how she felt.

However, Haru was relentless. His lips pressed harder against hers, and she found herself responding, her body betraying her as she kissed him back. For that one, fleeting moment, it was like the world faded away, and there was only Haru. Only them.

But as the kiss deepened, something inside Sakura snapped. She pulled away, breathless, panic seizing her as the weight of the situation hit her all at once. She pushed him off, her hands trembling as they met his chest, her heart racing wildly. She scrambled to sit up, her mind still struggling to process everything.

"Haru, why? Why did you do this to Mia? She's supposed to be your bride! How could you just... leave her at the altar like that?" Sakura's voice trembled as she spoke, but there was a harsh edge to her words.

Haru was quiet for a moment, his face solemn, his expression full of regret.

"It was always you, Sakura," he said softly, his voice rough. "I've always loved you. Not Mia. You." Haru's hair drenched from the rain, fell across his forehead, but his eyes never left hers.

Before she could respond, his lips were on hers, warm and sweet against the cold rain. This time, she didn't hesitate. She kissed him back, her fingers gripping his shirt as she let herself feel the intensity of the moment.

When they finally broke apart, Haru rested his forehead on hers, their breaths mingling. "You don't have to run anymore," he whispered.

Sakura shook her head, even though she knew the truth in Haru's words. "No," she whispered, her voice cracking. "No, Haru. You're in love with Mia. You've always been in love with Mia. This... this can't be real."

"I've tried to deny it," Haru murmured, his eyes locking onto hers. "But every moment I've spent with you has been a lie. A lie to myself. I can't do this anymore, Sakura. I can't pretend I don't feel this way."

Sakura's heart raced as she struggled to reconcile his words with the reality of the situation. She wasn't sure if Haru's feelings, but hearing it now, hearing him confess to something so raw and real, made her feel sick to her stomach.

"You've ruined everything," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "Mia...Mia's my best friend. How could you—"

Before she could finish, Haru stood abruptly, pulling her up with a sudden force that caught her off guard. Her heart skipped as she found herself standing before him, his hands gripping her waist tightly. The rain poured down harder, their clothes clinging to them like a second skin.

Without warning, Haru closed the space between them, yanking her into a kiss. It was powerful and intense, his lips urgent against hers. This time, there was no hesitation, no confusion. The kiss was everything he had been holding back, and it consumed her.

Sakura's mind raced, her emotions a whirlwind of confusion, guilt, and longing. She tried to pull away, to protest, but his grip on her tightened, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, and for a moment, everything felt hazy, like a dream.

But then, as reality set in, Sakura's body tensed. She couldn't do this. She couldn't betray Mia like this. Guilt flooded her chest, and with a shaky breath, she pushed him away, her hands placed firmly on his chest.

"No," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "No, Haru. I can't... I can't do this."

Haru's expression softened, but he didn't release her. He just stared at her, as if silently pleading for her to understand. But deep down, Sakura knew what was right.

And as much as she wanted him, she couldn't do this to her best friend.