Ihaine07: They still have to face a lot of problems together... let's see how that goes

Chapter Thirty-five

Trust

The days continued to pass.

It was Thursday and Sakura was coming out of her last marine biology class. She really loved it, she couldn't wait to be in her second year to start her internship and dive around Tokyo Bay, studying and analysing the corals and small animals that lived there.

"Do you have plans for this weekend?"

She looked up, meeting Yue's blue eyes. She had met him on the first day of university, he was the same age and they studied the same thing so they saw each other every day and had hit it off right away.

"Yes, I have. A friend of Tomoeda's is coming to visit," she replied, her face twisting at the thought of Meiling.

"Then you're going to have a girls' weekend," he said, raising his eyebrows.

Sakura smiled, shaking her head.

"Not really, we'll spend it with our boyfriends too."

Yue pursed his lips slightly and didn't answer, averting his gaze. The two of them left the building through the front door in silence, something she didn't mind.

"If you're going out, you could invite me to meet your friends," Yue commented, pausing.

Her eyes were fixed on the building across the street, where Syaoran was studying English philology, watching to see if she saw his messy hair appear near the door. She turned her head slightly to glance at Yue and answer.

"Sure! Give me your number and I'll let you know what plans we make."

He nodded and she pulled out her phone, jotting down her new friend's number.

Sakura glanced sideways at the other building again and her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the figure of Syaoran, who was walking down the stairs. Suddenly, two arms wrapped around her waist.

"What are you doing?" she asked, pulling away and frowning.

"We're friends, aren't we? I was just saying goodbye," Yue replied grimly.

Sakura blinked several times in surprise.

"Right, sorry. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you," he said, narrowing his eyes in the direction of Syaoran, who was already only a few feet away from them.

He walked away in the opposite direction as Sakura put her phone in her jacket pocket.

She looked up to find a grumpy Syaoran, his eyes fixed on Yue's back.

Sakura took a few steps towards him and stroked his cheek with her fingers. He blinked a few times and looked down into her green eyes. His face softened.

"That was meant to annoy me."

"What do you mean? The hug?" Sakura asked in confusion.

Syaoran nodded, tangling his fingers in some of the coppery locks that fell down her shoulders and leaning toward her.

"That boy likes you, I know it."

Sakura snorted, rolling her eyes.

"You always think everyone likes me, Syaoran. You're overreacting."

He leaned closer, brushing his lips against hers without actually kissing her.

"And it's true, you're the prettiest girl in the whole campus and you have us all pining for you," he whispered, staring at her.

She shivered from head to toe, sighing unintentionally. Syaoran smirked and claimed her lips, kissing her slowly until she was breathless.

"But you're only mine," he added, pulling away a few millimetres.

"Yes, I am," she admitted, blushing and smiling.

He smiled back at her and draped an arm over her shoulders, starting to walk with her.

Sakura was still looking at him, trying to breathe normally again after the incredible kiss he had just given her.

"Was that... was that a fit of jealousy, Syaoran?" she asked, biting her lip to keep from laughing.

He made a face, clicking his tongue.

"Not exactly... Well, maybe a little. I trust you, but I don't like seeing others flirting with you. I'm sure he hugged you because he saw me from afar, I know what guys are like. He wanted to make me jealous."

She raised a hand, running her fingers along his jaw.

"No matter what they try, they're not going to get anywhere."

Syaoran stared down at her.

"I know."

They continued walking until they reached the garden area where there were dozens of trees of all kinds, the place where they always met their friends for lunch. Eriol and Takashi were already there, sitting at one of the wooden tables and taking the food out of their backpacks.

Sakura sat at Takashi's side and Syaoran sat right across from her, next to Eriol. They started talking about the upcoming exams, waiting for Tomoyo and Chiharu to arrive.

"Syaoran!"

The four turned their heads and saw a brunette girl running towards them. Sakura frowned at the sight of her. Her face looked familiar, but she couldn't remember why.

"Sango? what's wrong?" Syaoran asked, standing up.

She reached him and stopped, resting a hand on his chest as she caught her breath. Sakura wrinkled her nose.

"I almost forgot to give this back to you and you're going to need it this afternoon."

She dropped her backpack at her feet, bent down to open it, and stood up again a few seconds later with several sheets of paper in her hand.

"The notes you left me yesterday, I've already copied them. Thank you very much."

Syaoran took them with a smile.

"You're welcome. I'm glad I could help you, but try not to miss any more classes."

"Yes, you're right. Save me a seat next to you tomorrow," she said, winking at him.

Eriol and Takashi raised their eyebrows at that. Sakura narrowed her eyes, clenching her fists on the table.

"We'll see..." Syaoran muttered, turning his head to the side. "Hey, do you remember Sango? She's from our school, but a year older," he added, looking at his friends.

"Oh, I thought her face looked familiar. Nice to meet you, Sango," said Takashi.

She gestured in his direction and looked back at Syaoran.

"I'll see you tomorrow, right?" she added, tilting her head and placing a hand on Syaoran's shoulder.

He took a step back, still smiling.

"Yes, see you tomorrow."

Sango made a funny face when she saw that he had moved away, but said nothing more and nodded. She picked up her backpack from the ground and, after saying goodbye to the others, walked off in the direction of the campus exit.

Syaoran sat back down next to Eriol and glanced sideways at Sakura. As he expected, she had a dark face.

"Is that a fit of jealousy, Sakura?" he asked in a mocking voice.

She growled through her teeth, which elicited laughter from the three boys.

"And I'm the one with people after her," she replied, snorting in annoyance.

"She's right. That girl was looking at you like she wanted to eat you," Takashi commented, trying not to laugh.

Syaoran scowled and gave him a hateful look.

"Don't fuck with me by saying shit like that, Takashi. You know I'm capable of saying much worse things to Chiharu."

Takashi blanched and Syaoran grinned, victorious. He looked back at Sakura, who was half-smiling.

"No matter what they try, they're not going to get anywhere," he said, repeating her own words.

Her smile widened.

"I know, I trust you."

Takashi slipped an arm around Sakura's neck and looked at Syaoran, blinking several times.

"I trust you too, Syaoran," he said teasingly.

Eriol wrapped his arms around his waist.

"And so do I, sweetheart," he murmured close to his ear.

Syaoran rolled his eyes and broke away, punching Eriol on the shoulder.

"Stop it, you fools."

The four of them laughed.

Chiharu and Tomoyo made their way to the table, sitting down next to their friends. They opened the bentos full of food and placed them in the middle to share them.

Friday came. That afternoon Meiling was coming, and Chiharu planned to pick her up at the bus station in northern Tokyo.

As soon as classes were over, Syaoran rushed off to the architecture building. The campus was so big that it took him almost ten minutes to get there. He stopped by the door, panting and looking around for his friend. He recognised her brown pigtails among the people exiting the building and walked towards her.

"Chiharu!"

She looked up at the sound of her name and approached him.

"What are you doing here, Syaoran? I'm not going home with all of you, I have to go get Meiling."

"I know, I'm going with you."

She frowned.

"Why?"

"I want to talk to her and tell her everything before she sees Sakura," he replied, still breathing very fast.

Chiharu sighed.

"Yes, it's a good idea for her to hear it from you first. Come on, let's go," she agreed, heading for the exit of the university campus.

Syaoran followed her and they walked to a bus stop.

"Does Sakura know you're coming with me?"she asked, narrowing her eyes.

He shook his head.

"I haven't told her anything so she won't worry."

The bus stopped right in front of them and they both got on, sitting together in the seats at the end.

"Maybe she won't react so badly. It's been almost three years since you were together and maybe she doesn't care anymore," Chiharu said quietly.

Syaoran stared at her incredulously.

"You know her very well... she's going to think that we've been lying to her, and that Sakura and I have been together for a very long time."

Chiharu grimaced.

"Yes... maybe. But she had to find out at some point anyway."

"And I'd rather it be from me. I'm not going to let her yell at Sakura or anything like that," he replied with a frown.

Chiharu raised a hand and ruffled his hair a little.

"You're so good to Sakura, I like you two together so much."

Syaoran's face relaxed and he smiled.

"Thank you. You've all been very supportive since we told you."

Chiharu nodded, reciprocating his smile.

"I can tell you really love each other. You can always count on me, Syaoran."

"Likewise. If you ever need me to beat Takashi up, let me know," he said softly, draping an arm around her shoulders to hug her.

They both laughed.

"I'll keep that in mind," she replied with a chuckle.