Tohru_X

Sakura Suzuki has always prioritised her friendship with Mia Yoshino, even when it meant burying her own heart. In their second year of college, both girls fall for Haru Soma, but when Mia confesses her feelings, Sakura chooses loyalty over love, silently stepping aside to help Mia win his affection.

Years later, on Mia and Haru’s wedding day, the carefully constructed facade shatters. In a shocking turn of events, Haru kisses Sakura—the maid of honour—and confesses a long-hidden truth:

"It was always you, Sakura," he said softly, his voice rough. "I've always loved you. Not Mia. You."

Guilt and longing consume Sakura as she grapples with the revelation. That night, she makes a wish at 11:11—and wakes up nine years earlier, back in college, on the day she first met Haru.

Given a second chance, Sakura is determined to claim the love she sacrificed—but rewriting the past is far more complicated than she imagined. Her choices start to unravel everything she once knew. Friendships are tested, hearts are broken, and Sakura must confront the painful truth: Pursuing her own happiness could cost her everything she holds dear.

Will she find the love she's always dreamed of, or will her second chance destroy the very life she hoped to protect?

The Groom Chooses The Maid Of Honour

They found a quiet spot outside to sit, the cool breeze brushing past them. Sakura still held the ice pack to her nose, but now it was more to give her something to do than for the pain.

"I thought it was really brave, what you did today," Haru said, his voice sincere.

Haru hesitated, glancing at her with something like admiration in his eyes. "You know, for once, I feel like you didn't just say yes."

Sakura tilted her head, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Haru scratched the back of his neck, looking uncertain but determined. "Look, I don't know much about you yet, so maybe I don't have the right to say this… but I feel like I actually saw the real you today. Not that girl who always says yes, even when she doesn't want to."

Sakura froze. She always knew Haru could see through her, but hearing it out loud shook her.

"You got me," she said with a sad smile, her voice cracking slightly. "I'm not... I'm not who everybody thinks I am."

"Why?" Haru asked, his tone filled with genuine curiosity. "Why do you do pretend to be someone you're not?"

Sakura shrugged, her gaze dropping to the ice pack. "Everyone expects me to be 'Sweet Sakura,'" she said, mocking the nickname with a bitter edge. "The girl who never says no. I'm worried about what happens when they realise who I really am."

Haru's eyes softened, but his frustration was evident as he spoke. "Every day, I see you put on this... plastic smile. A smile you don't want to give. And honestly? It looks too painful to watch."

Sakura's breath caught, her fingers tightening around the ice pack.

"I saw it again yesterday," Haru continued, his voice firm but careful. "When Jules asked for your help after college. The way you just said yes, even though you didn't want to. I could see it on your face. You didn't want to do it, Sakura."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing. "Helping someone out once or twice is fine, but every single goddamn day? Jules is exploiting your kindness because she knows you'll never say no."

Sakura blinked, taken aback by the intensity in his words.

"And yeah, I know she helped out today with Katy and Himari—and I'm grateful for that. But seriously, when does she ever come to you just to be there for you? When does she check in with you without asking for something? Because the last time I checked, that's not friendship."

Sakura stared at him, her mouth slightly open. She hadn't looked at it that way before. Jules had always been her friend—or at least, she thought so. But now, Haru's words made her question everything.

"And you know what? I bet you're going to help Jules again later," Haru added, his frustration breaking through. "Just like you did for an entire year, you're still going to say yes. Because that's just what you do. You put everyone else ahead of yourself, even when it's tearing you apart."

How Do You Know That?