Y-You’re Lying!

The words hit both Haru and Sakura like a punch to the gut. Haru froze, his breath catching as he turned to face Sakura, eyes wide with shock.

Sakura's heart pounded fiercely as a storm of questions swirled in her mind. How does Mia know that I like Haru? she thought, confusion spreading like wildfire. Why would she tell them and not me? Is it that obvious I like Haru?

Her gaze locked with Haru's in the crowd, and for a fleeting moment, everything else faded. But as she caught the flicker of surprise in his eyes, a wave of panic surged through her. Does he know now? The thought gripped her chest like a vice.

Her heart pounded, and her mind raced with questions. Did Katy's outburst make it obvious? What if he starts acting differently around me now? She felt exposed, as though the crowd wasn't just watching the scene unfold—they were watching her every move, piecing together secrets she wasn't ready to share.

A sudden realisation pierced through her like a cold gust of wind, leaving her breathless. I wasn't even here on the first day like Mia. I met Haru on the second day—the day Mia wasn't around because of those two. How could Mia have known how I felt about him?

Her eyes flickered away from Haru's, in confusion. But if Mia didn't know, then how could she have suspected anything? The pieces of the puzzle didn't fit. Something wasn't right. Mia would never keep this from me?

Sakura straightened up and placed a hand on her hip with a confident smirk curling on her lips. "I wasn't here on the first day of college like Mia. I met Haru on the second day—the day Mia wasn't around because of you two. So why would Mia be worried about how I feel about someone I didn't even meet until then?"

Himari shifted uncomfortably, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Y-you're lying!" she stammered, her voice rising slightly as she shot a glance at Katy, who avoided making eye contact with her.

"Am I? Let's see." Sakura tilted her head, a sly smile playing at the corner of her lips as she regarded the situation with a mixture of curiosity and challenge.

"Jules!" Sakura called, her voice cutting through the noise of the crowd.

Jules appeared through the throng of students, her voice carrying as she answered, "Yeah?"

"Do you remember what you said to me at the end of class on the second day?" Sakura asked.

Jules looked confused for a moment, then recalled with a frown. "Oh, right, I asked you for help on both the first and second days—even though you weren't in on the first day?"

Sakura turned back to Himari with a victorious smile, her proof undeniable. "Also, Mia wasn't here yesterday either, so do you want to tell me what you actually did to Mia?"

The crowd buzzed with whispers, the energy shifting, and Himari's face flushed with fury. She clenched her fists at her sides. "Ugh! I fucking hate you!" she screamed, her voice cracking with rage.

SMACK!

The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the courtyard, silencing the crowd. Himari didn't slap her. She backhanded her face. Gasps rippled through the students, followed by hushed whispers. Some stared with wide eyes, while others exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what to do.

"Sakura!" Jules cried, rushing forward to catch her friend as blood began to drip from her nose. The crowd gawked at them, their eyes glued to the scene unfolding before them.

Sakura clutched her nose, blinking away the stinging pain. Her vision swam for a moment, but she forced herself to stand tall. She wouldn't let Himari see her falter. Not now.

A sharp voice cut through the stunned silence like a blade. "Your lies get exposed, so you resort to violence!"

Haru's words were like thunder, his voice cold and commanding. He moved with a furious intensity, each step toward Katy and Himari filled with purpose. The crowd instinctively parted to let him through, the weight of his anger sending a shiver down the spines of everyone watching.

"I never recall either of you mentioning that Mia has a crush on me!" Haru shouted, his tone low but deadly

Katy and Himari froze, their eyes wide with fear, and then, without another word, they turned and fled at his presence.

Haru extended his hand to Sakura, his gaze softening as the anger that had gripped him melted away, replaced by something warmer. His fingers brushed gently against hers, the touch sending a quiet, comforting warmth through her. "Let me help you," he said, his voice low and soothing, filled with a tenderness she hadn't expected. He guided her away from the crowd, his presence steady and protective, as if nothing else in the world mattered but making sure she was okay.