Writer's Note:
This story might be one of my favorites, I will keep updating don't worry. I'm not going to abandon my one and only SasoSaku. I'm going to update Curiosity soon since I finish it within my head.
"Thank you for coming at Ichiraku's ramen!" Sakura said with a wave when one of their last customers leaves. Once they close the glass door to take their leave with a full tummy, she releases a satisfied sigh.
"Amazing work Sakura!" Sakura turned around and smiled at Teuchi, the cook and the owner of Ichiraku's Ramen.
"Thank you very much! I'm happy to help you with your business, It was tough but I enjoy every part of it," Sakura stated while cleaning the tables.
"I should be the one to thank you in the first place," Teuchi with his grateful tone. He is currently putting a new batch of chopsticks in its storage,"Ever since Ayame started to go to college, you conquered all her work too."
"It's not a big deal. I'm just returning the opportunity that Ayame-san gave me," Sakura stated while putting all the dirty plates and glasses in the sink.
Sakura opens the tap of the sink and begins to wash all the dish,"What course did Ayame-san take again?"
"Culinary," Teuchi answered,"She wants to grow this ramen restaurant as a gift for me, after that she's planning to build her own restaurant with her own menus. I didn't expect that my daughter will follow my steps in building a restaurant."
Sakura snorts,"What's wrong with that? It's legal."
"Ever since that my first business fails. I'm considering myself as a total loser and all of my future businesses will become a great failure," Teuchi said with a hint of sadness.
"You worry too much, you know," Sakura criticized,"I believe that Ichiraku's ramen serves the best quality of ramen, both tasteful and relaxing. Once the noodle touches your tongue, you'll forget your own name."
Teuchi snorted,"You are asking for an extra salary?"
"I wouldn't mind that," Sakura said while releasing a soft chuckle, Teuchi releases a laugh and then crossed his arms, he looks at the ceiling, having a flashback.
"You see, this mini restaurant existed for 7 years but still old fashioned that's why the attractiveness of its facility is not that pleasing for the customer," Teuchi explained,"less attraction will be lesser customers. Fewer customers, weak business. I'm not good at marketing that's why my wife left me in a pool of debts."
Sakura smiled,"But I don't think that Ayame-san is blaming you for her mother's absence. Another thing is, your lack of confidence and strategy to get all her luxuries is not a big deal either and I think that she's more willing to help you than to waste her time to gamble herself with her co-teenagers."
"Still, as a father, I should provide her all the things that she clearly deserves. I'm her father, I should be the one to help her," Teuchi stated.
"If that's what you believe, I will not meddle with your opinions anymore," Sakura said while closing the tap of the sink, "But I just want you to know that Ayame-san is lucky to have you. Actually, I envy her for having a father like you."
"Sakura..."
"Don't mind me," Sakura said softly with a smile,"I'm not affected by my father's death anymore. I moved on long ago. But still, you can't help but wonder what kind of life would you inherit if your father is still here, brushing your hair roughly and pinning your hair in a very horrible way but at the end of the day, you'll realize that he's doing our best to make you look good in his own way."
"I'm sure that he will be proud of you and he will thank all the mightiest being in the world for blessing him a courageous daughter like you," Teuchi said.
Teuchi releases a relieved sigh,"Thank you Sakura, it was nice to have someone to talk to. I'm sorry if you have to listen to all my conflicts in life. Old people's doing, you know."
"No problem, Teuchi-san. It's a pleasure to be trusted with one of the best ramen cooks in the whole Konoha," Sakura stated while her giving him a smile.
Teuchi handed her a plastic of ramen,"Here, one for you and one for your mother. Enjoy eating it while it's still hot."
"You didn't have to bother yourself preparing it but thank you," Sakura said while handing the plastic of ramen from the good old man. She ignored about sharing.
Teuchi smiled at her and turn the 'open' signboard into 'close',"Well, that's enough for today! Go home and take a rest, I'm sure you're tired."
Sakura nodded and before she leaves, she looked back and smiled at her second father,"Please tell Ayame-san that Ino will have a birthday party next Friday. I can bring one friend and I think that Ayame would love to join."
Teuchi crossed his arm,"I will think about it."
"It's an all girls party."
"Who am I to decline?" Teuchi replied and they laughed together.
After that, Sakura started to take the path through their house. It was the third day and there is no texts or calls from her mother, the answer is obvious. No one bought her.
She looks at her wristwatch, 7 hours before her cell opens and the wings of freedom will spread through the air. The first thing to do is to call Ino. She will leave her mother for good and live on her own but her budget is not enough to sustain a personal shelter that's why she decided to stay with the Yamanaka temporarily.
Sakura dialed her friend's number and after 3 rings, Ino picked it up.
"Sup forehead?"
"That's not the proper way to greet a friend," Sakura demanded while rolling her eyes.
"Blah blah blah! So many words, so many dramas, and so many smart arguments, forehead. What do you want?" Ino said in an annoyed tone.
"Can I stay in your apartment for a while? I'm planning to lea-"
"Wait, what? NO!" Ino cuts her words in a complete disagreement.
Sakura's brows twitched, that was unexpected. She will admit that asking for a temporary shelter was never an easy thing, but Ino was the last person she knows that will decline.
"Why?"
"M-my mother ca-came here last night and you know, my whole apartment is a mess and she nearly kills me and closes all my bank accounts. Two people in the same apartment can be troublesome, more people more trash," Ino said while doing her best not to... do something.
Sakura was not offended, she knew there is something else.
"I am neater than you. Even your great-grandmother knows that." Sakura stated, trying to convince her best friend to let her stay.
"Stop it! It tickles!" Ino stated away from the phone, but the pink-haired woman catches it. She became more suspicious.
"What was that?" Sakura asked, doubtful.
"Wha-what? It's nothing! M-my m-my dog is licking my foot! You know that my foot is my weak spot," Ino said while stuttering.
"You don't have a dog, pig."
"I-I have! Really!"
"When did you bought it?" Sakura asked.
"Uhm? Yesterday?" Ino said, skeptical.
Sakura knew that her best friend is lying, she maybe not good at reading people but someone like Ino was like reading your own name. They are best friends, they know every smell of their fart and every toothpaste that they use.
But to respect her best friend's decision, Sakura sighed.
"Alright, I guess see you on Monday then..." Sakura said in a low voice.
"Right right right! Goodbye!" Ino didn't bother to wait for her reply, she hung up immediately.
Sakura looked at her phone while her lips are pouted,"Why can't I stay with her? Her excuse is too lame."
If her mother is outraged about her untidiness, why would she bother to buy a pet?
Sakura shooked her head, Maybe Ino treasures her personal space that much. Sakura remembers when she borrowed her notebook to get some notes in Integrated Science since she's absent the day before, she accidentally gets her personal diary instead and there, she found out that she lost her virginity to Kiba.
They didn't talk for months after she found that out until Sakura decided to apologize for intruding her privacy even if it is unintentional.
Her thoughts were interrupted when her tummy growls, Sakura doesn't have the appetite to share her ramen with her mother that's why she decided to go to a near convenience store to fill her tummy.
"A bottled water," Sakura said while putting her bottled water on the counter.
The cashier woman look at her plastic where the ramen was placed, "You're gonna eat with that in here?"
"You should work on a funfair and buy a tent, you are a great future teller," Sakura said while handing her money.
"Clever," the counter girl complimented while giving her the exchange and receipt.
"That's a compliment," Sakura said with a smile and then get her water.
Sakura looked for a table to eat. But unfortunately, all of the tables are occupied and there is no available for her to eat.
"Hey..."
It was low but she knew that greeting was for her, her pink hair flew as her head turns to face the man she didn't expect to meet again.
"We meet again," he said while his honey eyes are still half-lidded like his whole life was made of boredom.
Sakura didn't dare to answer, is it coincidence? Maybe, there is a huge possibility since the convenience store is near in the lake area.
"Sit down," he ordered.
It was an order, not an offer, she was about to decline when she notices that there are no available sits and her ramen is getting cold. Asking for hot water will be troublesome and a waste of time.
Sakura gulps all her saliva and sits in front of the red-haired man,"Thank you."
He didn't bother to reply, Sakura did her business and unwrap the two ramen. One bowl is too huge so she concluded that she needs to share the other one.
"I have two since my boss asked me to share it with a friend," she said while avoiding his stare,"Do you eat ramen?"
The man stared at her and then to the ramen that she's offering, what's wrong with him today? It was like he sewed his mouth this time. Unlike the other time, he's less talkative.
"I want it."
Sakura looks at him blankly, there is something behind that answer and it was a hint but she can never jump into conclusion since she asked him if he eats ramen. She washed all the dirty thoughts away and nods.
Sakura handed him the ramen and a pair of chopstick,"Eat it while it's hot."
"I know that food is not fun to eat when it's cold so don't worry," he replied while separating the chopstick. She shrugs and then starts to eat her own ramen.
"I didn't expect that you will be around in here, you live near here?" The vermillion-haired man asked while crushing the noodle.
"No, but I work in Ichiraku's ramen," Sakura stating the obvious since the plastic has the logo of Ichiraku's ramen.
"I see," he said softly while looking at the plastic.
Silence slips between them and the only noise that they heard are the crowd around. Sakura eats her own ramen and she notices that it was one of her favorite flavors.
'Teuchi-san has the great eyes for customer's tongues.'
"About last time," the man broke the silence,"You wished that will be the last time of our meeting, I'm offended."
'Ground, please eat me,' Inner Sakura pleaded silently. Her appetite to finish her ramen vanished and her eyes are pinned on it.
"I'm sorry I offended you," Sakura managed to answer,"I'm just depressed that time and my manners are out of reach."
The man pinched his chin, what is he thinking? Unlike Ino, this man is both confusing and mysterious, every move he makes is another deadly path and she doesn't like it.
"You are forgiven," he said without a smile.
Sakura finished her ramen and then drink her water. After that, she gathers all her things.
"This time, I mean it," Sakura started that caught his eyes,"I'm going to consider our meeting as a coincidence. I wish that this is REALLY the last time."
The man looks at her blankly, unimpressed.
"You're depressed again?" he asked.
"No," Sakura stated while shaking her head," I just don't trust anyone."
The man stood up but he remains at his place, he looked at her and then spoke.
"Since this is the last time, I think you deserve to know my name," the man said with a tone of 'it's-going-to-be-your-lost'. Sakura didn't bother to protest since he's the one who's making a useless move anyway.
"My name is Sasori, remember that," He said and after that, she takes her leave.
"You're late," Mebuki greeted her once Sakura entered their house. Her mother is watching television.
Sakura ignored her mother and then made her way to her bedroom. But then, fate is toying with her.
"I told you to quit school, You can't survive being a working student," Mebuki said.
"Who do you think you are to tell me about quitting," Sakura said with an annoyed tone,"I'm the one who's paying my own tuition fee, so don't bother yourself with my school life. It's annoying."
"I'm your moth-"
"No!" Sakura shouted and then faced her mother, this never-ending feud between her and her mother is depressing her like crazy. It makes her want to obey Sasori's suggestion to end her life instead.
"You are just a mere woman who meant to brought me to life," Sakura said in a very sarcastic one,"You are not the basis of my decisions and most of all, you are a gold digger and a gold digger doesn't deserve my respect."
After that satisfying outburst, she received the most painful slap she has ever had. Lip bleeding and swelling cheeks but her tears are not in the mood to get out.
Sakura looked at her mother like she's the biggest obstacle in the world,"Now tell me, are you still my mother?"
There is always a lesson within her words and everybody who talks with her notices that she deserves to be a teacher someday. Everybody learns from her but her mother is a different story.
Mebuki gropes her arms and leads her to the kitchen where a three briefcase of money is waiting for her.
"What..."
Sakura removed her mother's grip and touch the case. It was real and the amount of it is something that you can never found on a street.
"Where did you get this?" Sakura asked while handing a group of money.
"I'm asking you, WHERE THE FUCK DID YOU GET THIS?!" Sakura asked while her tears are pushing up to meet her eyeballs. Even if the answer is obvious, she doesn't want to believe it.
"Isn't it obvious?" Mebuki answered while looking at her like she's the most stupid person in the world,"You are SOLD! And someone bought you!"
Sakura's feet turn into jelly, she landed on the kitchen floor. Dumbfounded.
"He meets me this morning, he said that he is willing to buy you in exchange for 3 million yen," Mebuki starts to tell the most horrible story of Sakura's life.
"He handed me three briefcases to confirm his intentions, and guess what?! I accepted it and voila! I'm rich!" Mebuki said hysterically.
The bird's wings have been cut off, the bird bled to death. It was painful and she felt that she's all alone, her life was never been meaningful, her life was never been an ideal life to live with.
Why... Why is this happening to her?
"You are lying..." Sakura said while releasing a laugh,"Mother, are you that desperate to get rich? What part of your human body did you sell to get this large amount of money? Or rather, did you stole it?"
Mebuki shook her head,"You are the one who sell yourself, Sakura."
FUCK. She wants so curse to death.
"You said that you'll make your entry beyond satisfaction,"Mebuki reminded her," And I think that your entry is indeed magnificent."
"Who is he?" Sakura asked while her eyes are pinned on the floor.
"Wh-what? I thought you meet hi-"
"WHO THE FUCK BOUGHT ME?!" Sakura asked with anger in her tone.
"You already meet him! He said that she'll meet you at Ichiraku's ramen, I thought that he already made a move," Mebuki explained.
Sakura looked at her mother, confused,"What?"
"He said that he will meet you after your work in Ichiraku's ramen and with your reaction, it seems that you didn't meet him today," Mebuki stated.
Then the realization hits her, could it be?
Mebuki's phone rang, they look at each other as Mebuki answered the call.
"Hello? Yes, she's already here..." Mebuki said while the man is muttering more questions.
"I thought that you'll meet her. Wait, really?"
Sakura get on her feet and faced her mother, Mebuki gave her a look but her focus is on the man on the other line.
"Give me the phone," Sakura demanded.
"Sakura... Wait, she asked me to hand her the phone," Mebuki said on the other line.
"Are you sure sir?" Mebuki asked for confirmation.
"Alright, I will hand her the phone. I will apologize in advance for her unpleasing behavior," Mebuki said.
Her mother handed her the phone and then she slowly hovers it in her ear, there is a silence on the other line but she can hear heavy breathing.
"Your video was a piece of an art, I'm satisfied both passionately and sexually," The man stated that made her cringe.
"Wh..who..."
"I told you to remember my name right?" the man on the other line said with an annoyed tone.
"My name is Sasori, remember your new master's name."
To Be Continued...
