Life seemed to go on like the usual after Sakura's recent blogpost, despite the pang in his chest.

Thankfully, they didn't cross paths in the studio, in the management's office, nor anywhere else. And he wanted to keep it that way.

Besides, how else could he extinguish the fire in his heart if he's exposed to the one that ignites it?

But then, in a few weeks time, he would have to see her again. Although he could opt to make up excuses in attending the upcoming Konoha Star Awards, he just couldn't figure out anything to say and he knew he shouldn't lie to his manager who knew him so well.

He didn't know what to do. As the said event was fast approaching, his internal turmoil kept on increasing.

For he wasn't sure if he was ready to see Sakura again, clinging into the arms of her official boyfriend, and smiling ever so genuinely at him with a chemistry that is beyond a mere onscreen dimension.

He wasn't prepared to face the new normalcy, wherein another man would be standing on what used to be his place for the past four consecutive years.

And he wasn't looking forward to the ambush interviews that would come his way for they would be in the same venue for the first time since her announcement that she now has a boyfriend, one that was not him.

Despite the curiosity of his fans as to who he would bring to the event, he didn't even bother finding a date. He didn't want another talk of the town to arise once he appeared at the red carpet with another woman holding his hand, for he was sure that being there on his own was already something the fans would ramble about in itself.

After all, there's only one woman whose hand fit in his like a puzzle piece.

If her open letter was merely a hoax, and the arrangements to cut the ties between SasuSaku didn't happen, he would surely be in front of her doorstep an hour before the event just like the past years, waiting for her to open the door and reveal her dazzling self in a gown that emphasizes her natural curves and enhances her beautiful face.

But no, he had to face the truth that it was already the endgame for SasuSaku, so that wouldn't happen anymore.

He stared at the mirror while he fixed his black bow tie. This year, he didn't need to worry about matching the color of his suit or tie with her dress. But it was only in pretense that he wasn't bothered about it, for without preamble, her face entered his head once again.

"I'm ready, Sasu—!" There was a long pause as widened green eyes stared back at him by the doorframe. Sakura swallowed thickly, looked away, and then pouted in that adorable way that Sasuke remembered. "That's so unfair!"

He raised an eyebrow in question.

"You can't just come here looking so damn good and make me look like a little rotten peanut beside a humanized angel!" She crossed her arms, causing the off-the-shoulder lace top of her gown to slightly rise in disarray.

"You don't have to use a lot of words just to say I look handsome, Sakura." Sasuke grinned in amusement, reaching out to straighten the said part of her top against her shoulders just a tad below her shoulder blades. "Also, you're not a little rotten peanut. You're a flower. And flowers are blooming." He then turned his back and smirked, slightly catching a glimpse of her reddened cheeks and widened eyes before he walked towards his car.

"I...uh…h-hey! You don't have to use a lot of words just to say I look beautiful, Sasuke!"

He tipped his head over his shoulder and snorted when he saw her smirk right back at him, but with her cheeks still pink from the compliment. "Hn. Let's go."

Grabbing his navy blue suit jacket from his bed, he quickly brushed off the thought that there was already someone else complimenting how beautiful she was right now.

Sasuke stared at the folded card in his hands. When he received the digital invitation a month before, he was already informed that he would be one of the announcers of the award-winner for a certain category. He had conflicted feelings, however, when he learned through the card that the name he would be calling onstage was the one that he was actually trying to forget.

He was, yet again, proud of her. But he knew that this wasn't something they could celebrate together anymore, making it difficult for him to move on. To think that she never even became his to begin with.

"Sasuke, I really don't think I could give justice to my role as Leah," Sakura admitted after a concept meeting with their director. "It's just my second year as an actress but this is such a huge production and I don—"

"Tch. Everyone here believes in you, except you."

"Everyone? You mean...you really think I could do a KSA-deserving performance for this role?"

Sasuke smirked. "I wouldn't allow myself to be paired with someone who isn't capable of doing just that, Sakura."

His leading lady slowly grinned, eyes becoming glassy. And then in an instant, Sasuke was being engulfed in a bone-crushing hug that unexpectedly warmed his heart. "Thank you, Sasuke. I...I really...appreciate you. I wouldn't be able to do this without you as my leading man...without you always believing in me."

He sighed but returned the hug as tightly as he could, smiling against her hair in the process. "You know what? You're annoying."

She only giggled. "This annoying girl would win something in KSA soon though!"

And that was what indeed happened – she was nominated for three awards and won as Best Supporting Actress on her first time at the KSA's, a year after their pair was officially established. Other than that, SasuSaku was awarded as that year's Best New Loveteam.

This year, there wasn't even any doubt anymore that the Best Lead Actress Award belonged to her. After all, he was with her in that movie – their last project together – that showed every bit of her acting prowess.

She worked so damn hard just to be the actress and the woman that she is now. For Sakura Haruno, there was no easy way out. Even if she had to go through a hole in a needle, she would willingly and passionately do so until she improves and reaches her dreams.

That's one of the things he loved about her. And that's what made him so proud of her as he journeyed with her in the industry for the past years.

Yet of all the other artists who could possibly announce for the category she was in, why did it have to be him?

He heaved a sigh at the realization that there was no turning back. As much as it pained him, he still had to face it. He still had to face her. Even after successfully avoiding seeing her since the red carpet entrance hours ago.

Stepping on the stage after his cue, Sasuke scanned his card again and delivered the exact script written there with ease despite the galloping sensation in his chest, "As flowers bloom, artists excel in their craft as well and all of our nominees have exemplified such. Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner for this year's Best Lead Actress Award is...Miss Sakura Haruno."

Thunderous applause filled the huge auditorium as a tinge of maroon caught his eye from the other end of the stage. His lips were on a thin line, but he was mindful enough to show a small smile before turning to glance at the awardee in front of everyone in the room, the result of years of acting manifesting for all to see.

And then there she was, approaching him ever so gracefully, clad in a maroon gown with a halter top and long train studded with tiny diamonds that made everything else in the venue nothing but dull. Her face was more blooming since the last time he had seen her. And it was accentuated by her now long pink tresses tied on the side with its ends loosely curled.

He was at a loss for words. For the first thing he wanted to do after meeting her gaze was to kiss her right then and there.

She was so, so beautiful. But, she wasn't his.

"Congratulations," was the only thing that came out of his lips once she reached him with a huge beam on her face and leaned for a usual announcer-awardee onstage hug.

He wondered if she felt how awkward that was too. But when she murmured "Thanks, Sasuke. I miss you…," he knew he had to hand her plaque as quickly as he could and exit the stage without meeting her eyes again.

When he reached the backstage, his chest was heavily rising and falling as he tried to calm himself. It's been three months, Sasuke! Three months since she announced that she's now happy with someone else!

If only she knew how much he has missed her too. If only she knew how much he wanted to tighten that casual hug while twirling her around and whispering in her hear that he was so proud of her.

If only...if only she was his.

It wasn't too long until Sakura appeared at the backstage too, happy tears glistening on her cheeks before her gaze landed on Sasuke who was casually leaning against a wall with an unreadable expression on his face and clenched fists hidden in his pockets.

The leading man didn't even hear anything from her acceptance speech, but he was sure that it reflected her happiness not only about her award but also about pretty much everything else in her life right now.

That fact made his heart constrict again.

He tensed when he looked up and met her eyes, mentally scolding himself for not returning to his seat immediately after his announcement. But it was too late now.

While smiling with that dashing smile of hers, Sakura walked up to him, not even having the slightest idea that he was trying so hard to forget about his feelings for her in the past few months. "Hello, Sas—"

"Sasuke! Sakura!"

Their heads instantly turned towards the direction of the voice, making Sasuke thank the Heavens for having such perfect timing. For heading their way was the organizer of this year's Konoha Star Awards. Saved by the bell.

"Hi, Shizune-san." Sakura was quick to greet the running woman.

"I'm sorry this is all too sudden. But we've just been notified that Naruto and Hinata wouldn't be able to come in time for their part in the program." Shizune panted in front of them while grasping the clipboard in her arm. "Their flight from Kiri after their movie premiere was delayed. So we realized, who else could announce the winner for this year's Best New Loveteam other than the ones who bagged the same award a few years back?" She smiled, albeit apologetically. Besides, she had no other choice. "Here's their script. There's just a few more categories left before this one. It's really short and I know you're so used to this so I really hope it's okay."

So much for being saved by the bell. There was a short pause as Sasuke processed the situation. He knew it was just a part of their job. But he was also aware of how awkward it would be to stand with the woman he's in love with onstage while doing something that they used to do so well together, before things had changed.

Sasuke observed how Sakura's smile seemed to falter a bit at the sight of the script. There was that slow movement in her hand as she reached for the small card but before she even accomplished it, he cleared his throat and spoke, "Wouldn't this cause an unnecessary issue?"

Sakura whipped her head towards him, hand retreating in surprise.

"Oh." Shizune continued to smile. "I get what you mean. I don't think it would."

"Us being on the same stage again after a long time already stirred a reaction from the crowd moments ago."

"Don't worry, Sasuke, it's just a short announcement. I believe a small SasuSaku reunion wouldn't go against the new arrangements you both have."

"But Sakura's boyfriend is in the audie—"

"Sasuke, it's okay."

While his eyes travelled to the person who uttered those words, he felt a sudden warm sensation due to a mere touch on his forearm. It was as if his skin has been frozen for such a long time that the unexpected contact caused it to have a meltdown, only to be left freezing again once she retracted her hand and grabbed the script in front of them.

Was she really agreeing to this?

"It'll be fine." His former leading lady smiled at him, and he almost internally screamed about how he wanted so bad to be the reason behind her smiles all the damn time. She chortled then. "Besides, I'm your best partner in crime, Sasuke. Don't you want to be with me for another time?"

No. He wanted to answer. I want you to be with me for a lifetime, Sakura. Not as my partner in crime but as my partner in life. He looked away, and then his gaze fell on the other script still extended right in front of him.

Soon enough, he curtly nodded in resignation, reminding himself that this was merely a part of his job. "If there would be no complications then."

"Thank you so much, you two! I know you'll both do well! I'll prompt you once you're up next."

Sakura beamed yet again as Sasuke finally accepted the other small card. He wasn't sure if she was really into this or it's just her innate always-ready-to-help self manifesting.

"Wow. The last time we did this was–I think...what?–more than a year ago? Makes me excited to host with you again, Sasuke! Do you want to have a quick runthrough of the script?"

"I need to go to the restroom. Excuse me."

Sasuke heard her giggle as he began to walk away. "Alright. I see you still prefer rehearsing your script alone."

He wished it was just as easy as that to walk away from his feelings too.

The restroom was fortunately empty when he entered. Heaving a loud exhale, he firmly placed both hands on the countertop and faced his own reflection in the mirror. Looking at it closely, there were dark circles under his eyes that he didn't notice before. It only proved the fact that he has been denying to himself: he had been dreading the arrival of this day way too much. And now that everything that he wanted to avoid has happened in a span of a few minutes, he didn't know what else to do.

He wanted to be as professional as he could be, but as much as he wanted to focus, all that dominated his brain after seeing Sakura in that damn maroon gown was her. Just her. But his thoughts about her weren't ones that were filled with wonderful memories and favorable possibilities.

Every time he met her gaze, it reminded him that those eyes were now looking fondly at someone else not because of a script, but because of a real deal love.

Every time he saw her smile, his heart constricted knowing that another man was already the main cause of that.

And every time he focused on her lips, he couldn't stop himself from imagining how those same soft lips he used to kiss could lock with someone else's not because she had to, but because she wants to.

He shook his head and snorted at his reflection, unconscious of the fact that his hands were now clenched into fists, leaving creases on the card he barely remembered he was holding.

How did I end up like this? We are just actors, right? Nothing more than that.

His brain pointed out the fact that whatever they did together was just a part of their job, oftentimes coming from a script and instructed by a director.

No one told him to feel something deeper than a professional connection for his leading lady.

But he was the loser who fell for the woman he was paired with onscreen. The loser who didn't know how to stand on the thin line dividing work and personal life. The loser that Sakura didn't choose for whatever reason that only she knows.

This time though, he had to be solely professional in dealing with her despite his hurting heart. For no matter how dragging the night was, it would still eventually end.

And she still wouldn't be his.

Sasuke absently scanned the small card given to him as he returned to the backstage. The glam team was giving Sakura a touch up so he thankfully didn't have to communicate with her. But the moment she glanced his way, he mentally repeated the words "Be professional. Short announcement. Quick exit." as if a mantra that would let him survive the rest of the night.

She was staring, he realized. But it wasn't the kind of stare that made his heart skip a beat. It felt like a stare of someone that you only used to know. "You still look like a humanized angel."

There was a momentary widening of his eyes at the realization that she remembered that scenario which also resurfaced in his mind before tonight's event. He had to avert his gaze.

And you still look like a blooming flower, he wanted to say. One that isn't mine. But he settled with merely nodding in thanks, until they heard Shizune's cue to standby.

The hardest part came, wherein as a natural gentleman – and a "professional", he reminded himself (though the other part of himself noted that it was simply out of habit specifically with her) – he had to offer his arm for Sakura's hand to curl around it. There was that feeling of being melted in place again, but he only heaved a sigh and nonchalantly led them to the stage.

As expected, the responses of the audience were more intense than those they've given to any other artist who have stepped onstage throughout the entire program. It was the first time that Sakura and Sasuke would be doing something together – as SasuSaku – after nine long months. And even just a short hosting segment was already enough to somehow quench the thirst of their longtime fans.

Flashing cameras and raised phones were visible here and there. Sasuke was aware enough that even their slightest movement could be watched and interpreted in the wrong way, which could eventually cause another unnecessary worldwide trend on social media. If this happened months ago, he would've said that he was already used to such commotion; in fact, he would've thought that it was good for their marketing. But not anymore. Not now that SasuSaku was merely a chain from a failed past.

Still, as prim as he usually was, he flashed a rehearsed smile to the audience. Be professional. Short announcement. Quick exit.

Sakura, on the other hand, was grinning from ear to ear, her grip on Sasuke's arm slightly tightening. Sasuke knew it was the sentimental part of her taking over. But again SasuSaku was over now and he couldn't expect her to suddenly approach their manager and breach the contract they've signed a few months back, just so she could be with him again.

He cleared his throat and leaned closer to the mic in front of him, relaying the exact script Naruto was supposed to deliver. "Good evening. It is our privilege to announce tonight the best pick among the newest pairs that captured your hearts since their appearance on national television this past year."

Then Sakura's melodic voice filled the venue. "A few years back, we were overjoyed to be heralded with the same title. And personally, being on that journey with Sasuke was one of the best things that ever happened in my life. I couldn't wait to see how this next loveteam will not only touch the fans' hearts but also each other's! Right, Sasuke?"

That wasn't even a part of Hinata's original script. Each other's, huh? If he was able to touch her heart, then why did she allow someone else to claim it fully?

He refrained from clenching his jaw as he saw how his partner was now glancing at him. "Aa."

But then, he forgot how Sakura was so good at improvising spiels live that he almost felt like snapping right in front of the hundreds of fans and celebrities in the venue.

"Now to add a little suspense, before we reveal to them the winner for this year's Best New Loveteam, why don't we share a few stuff about our time as SasuSaku? Do you want that, guys?" Sakura giggled as the audience cheered with such exuberant voices. "Alright! So Sasuke, what is the best thing about being in SasuSaku? For me, it's getting to meet lots of people who believe in me and what I can do. How about you?"

A pregnant silence consumed them as Sasuke found himself staring at Sakura's green orbs. He didn't know how long it took him before he finally answered, but when he did, there was a slight widening of Sakura's eyes for he said, "Meeting you."

It was too late when he realized what he had uttered over the mic for another uproar was given by the crowd. Then he felt the absence of the hand that was clutching his arm moments ago. Damn it, Sasuke! Be professional! Short announcement! Quick exit!

"Now off to the big reveal," he quickly called the people's attention without waiting for any reaction from his partner. "Everyone, we present to you, this year's Best New Loveteam is…"

They both leaned closer to the mic and declared, "NejiTen!"

Everything else happened quickly as they congratulated the awardees and then returned backstage. Again, out of habit, he offered his hand to Sakura to assist her down the stairs, but instantly let go of her hand once she reached the last step.

He mentally prayed he'd be able to let go of her that quickly too.

Then just when he thought that he's already okay now knowing that the only thing left for him to do was to have a quick exit back to his chair, his eyes suddenly caught sight of Sasori mouthing congratulations as Sakura reached their designated seats, before kissing him right then and there on her soft lips.

Sasuke shifted his direction and went straight to his car.

From: Naruto Uzumaki

Oi, Teme! We're finally in the area! Don't you dare ditch the Konoha Star Awards After-party! I have an announcement to make and I need a boost so my best friend should be there! See ya! ;)

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June 2019 | AriannJS

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