Nozaki had to wait three days to work up enough nerve to face Sakura and apologize. It was funny, he had never felt nervous about anything except when Ken-san was viewing an idea. During those three days he watched Sakura carefully. Her face was always looking down, as if examining the floor for places she might trip. When he did see her face, it was permanently fixed with a heartbroken look full of regret.
During the short time that he had known Sakura, he'd never seen her without a smile. It had sort of gotten to the point that he forgot she had other emotions, and was human. He had taken her prescence for granted and didn't realize how important she was to the group. Mikorin stood by him, but his heart was uneasy.
Sakura had said she wanted space, but space was the last thing on her mind. Seo had noticed how uncharacteristically silent she had been for the past few days, but she assured that it would all pass. Her monthly cycle was affecting her more than usual, was her excuse. Of course, her dear friend knew much more was at hand, but accepted the pathetic lie and did not push the subject.
The past days since the Incident (yes, capitalized because it was no ordinary event), her body had been going through the motions and not truly experiencing what was going on around her. Today had been different. She glanced subtly at Nozaki (she was quite the expert at not drawing his attention), and tried to gauge his emotions. She was shocked to see that his countenance showed a worry and bewilderment she'd never seen on him before. The way his furrowed brows crinkled his nose hit her heart hard. His head was balanced on his right fist, all the while biting his lip and tapping his pencil lightly against a desk. What made her chest feel so painful though was his eyes. They were hurt and confused, and she knew she was the cause of it.
She would apologize for all she had done today and ask if they could still be friends. Her heart had a spurt of hope, and she felt like herself again.