Hello everyone. First thanks for supporting this story. I hope you guys like this update and feel free to share your thoughts about it. The story is going to be a bit of a slow burn. But I am going to do my best to make the ride worth the while. On with the show!
"I Heard You But Can You Hear me?"
Ino called Sakura's phone for the 10th time since arriving at the hotel lobby. It seemed that the pinkette was too wasted on jetlag. "Forehead must be out like a log." The blonde muttered loud. The blue-eyed belle decided to walk to the reception and push her luck. She eyed the lovely-looking receptionist and explained her cause.
"So can you help me get to her room or send someone to wake her?" The blonde inquired. "I am beginning to worry since she is not answering." The front desk officer nodded and called for room service personnel to check on the guest.
As expected the rosette was in deep sleep. A female housekeeper went inside the room to wake her up. She was quite groggy but her green eyes widen seeing a stranger in her room. As the pinkette was about she noticed the personnel's uniform. As her eyes searched the room it dawned that this is not home. She is in a hotel in Tokyo to see Sasuke Uchiha's concert. And tonight her friend Ino was supposedly to come and visit.
Recalling the rendezvous with the blonde her eyes widened. Checking the clock it was past the agreed time. The medical student knew for sure she is in deep trouble. The blue-eyed guest must have been furious. "Is my friend waiting downstairs?" The chambermaid nodded. The pinkette sighed and immediately stood up from the bed. "She is going to roast me."
Sakura eyed herself in the mirror, she has not yet changed clothes, and her hair is a mess with droopy eyes. She cannot go to the lobby looking like this. "Miss, can you just allow her to come up? I don't look presentable right now." The hotel staff suggested she call the front desk. If they will agree then it can be done.
The rosette dialed the front desk and explained her situation. Fortunately, they agreed to let Ino up since the blonde was also a regular client. As the blue-eyed woman entered the room, the appearance of the pinkette shocked her. "Jet lag is your worst enemy forehead."
"Tell me about." The jade-eyed lass confirmed. "Make yourself comfy while I take a shower. I feel like crap." The guest nodded and collapsed on the sole chair inside the room. The suite was rather too plain for the blonde's taste.
"You have not changed, still thrifty as always," Ino commented. "You should have told me you were coming. I am a regular to this hotel because some of my events are hosted here." The blue-orbed woman continued to explain. "They could have given you a discount or I could have given you some passes for a better place."
The room was kind of small Sakura can hear the blonde talking. The pitter-patter of the shower could be heard loudly in the room. "I am just sleeping here. No need for anything fancy." The medical student defended. "And you know I am not into luxury."
"Whatever forehead." The visitor answered back. "I am going to turn on the TV and wait for you to finish." The well-manicured fingers of Ino began to channel surf. "Honestly, ordinary cable channels? Are medicine students this thrifty?" she whispered to herself.
Sakura came out in the shower wearing comfortable sweatpants. The blonde shrieked at the monstrosity of the attire. "Forehead, just look at you! At least get yourself some elegant silk or stylish cotton pajamas. This is not gym class."
The rosette sighed. "Don't make me regret that I asked you to come over." As the two continued to banter, a replay of the news appeared on the TV screen.
"Rock star and entrepreneur Uchiha Sasuke was spotted in public." The two in unison looked at the television.
Ino gasped the place that Sasuke was seen is near the hotel where Sakura is staying. "Sak, that location is just a few blocks from here."
Could he have seen her after the trip to the convenience store? No, it can't be. He would not notice her. "It's just a coincidence pig. Maybe it's some publicity gimmick. This area is full of his fans."
The two women watched the frenzy on the television screen. Sasuke is so popular and his family background is also escalating the events. The Uchiha's are like royalty, even if Sasuke was not a celebrity, he would have caught attention otherwise.
The youngest Uchiha looked irritated in the video. The loyal assistant Kakashi by his side, the music prodigy grabbed his phone. Sakura is very familiar with that look. It is the face Sasuke makes when he is trying his best to be patient. He probably did not want to lash out in the media. But why was he in the open anyway?
As the footage was about to end Sasuke directly eyes the camera. His eyes were piercing but underneath is a certain gentleness. Sakura's heart throbbed, this is how his eyes would look whenever he would ask a favor. Sasuke was a man full of pride, he would never bend even for his family. The young Uchiha would only show this face to her, whenever he would ask her to…
"If it's not much trouble, come see me play," Sasuke stated in a clear sincere voice. "At the fan sign, I will be waiting."
The words pierced to Sakura's very being. She cannot put a finger on it. It was the man's fault they grew apart. He was the one who never contacted her, to begin with. Then he suddenly gives her a plane and concert ticket. She stupidly accepted the invitation but due to pride decided not to let him know she came. Then out of nowhere, he appears on media stating the words he knew she could not turndown.
-o-
Sakura was busy finishing her paper inside the library. Sasuke was beside her with arms on the table, the boy was sleeping. It was almost time for dinner, the pinkette decided it was time to finish up. The lady started clearing her side but the Uchiha remained asleep. He must have been very tired, but why did he just not go home and rest?
As she zipped her bag, the black-haired lad was still in slumber. Sakura observed his facial features. Sasuke had beautiful long lashes, for a male, his skin is porcelain-like, and his lips were just..
Sasuke stirred and opened his deep onyx eyes. It goes well with his lashes, Sakura thought. "You're done?" He asked in a husky tone. The girl nodded. "Let's get going." The man invited as he straightened up and pulled himself out of the chair. He extended his hands indicating like always he will be carrying her stuff.
"You did not need to wait for me," Sakura stated as soon as they were out of the library. It was already dark and the streetlights illuminated the surroundings. Sasuke kept silent. "I know you are practicing and working hard on your music. Plus your studies, I think you should spend whatever time you have rest."
"I was sleeping while waiting. Isn't that resting?" The male retorted.
"Sasuke, I meant in the comfort of your home." The girl answered back. The boy just shrugged. "Honestly, that sleeping position you had on earlier is bad for your back."
"Want to get coffee?" The musician suddenly asked which caught the lady off guard. Is he even listening? The lass thought.
"I'll pass, it's almost dinner. I need to keep my appetite." The lad muttered suit yourself and the pinkette stopped walking and looked up to him. "Is there anything important you want to tell me?" He probably waited for because of some reason right?
"What do you think it is?" The boy inquired back.
"I did not ask a question to be answered by another query." Sakura rebutted. "If there is nothing to say then just be normal like everyone else and say there is nothing."
"Do you think I am like everybody else?" The man continued to question. His strong gaze is piercing her soul, she could feel her body shiver.
Sakura took a deep breath, she just can't take this any longer. This mind game they are playing, she wants to stop. Her mind is too tired and she is hungry too. She will just let him win this argument.
The pinkette decided to break their eye contact. Redirecting her sight towards the road, the rosette decided to walk ahead. As she was about to step away the Uchiha spoke.
"If it's not much trouble, come see me play."
-o-
"Sakura?" Ino called out to her friend. "Hey, Sakura! Get your mind of the gutter." The final sentence pulled the medical student of her reverie. "You have been in a trance since the telecast of Sasuke ended. What gives?"
She might as well tell the reason why she is in Japan. "I am here to see his concert." Ino raised an eyebrow. "He sent me tickets, I did not buy it mind you." The lady reasoned defensively. The blonde smirked at her. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"He doesn't know you are here." The blue-eyed female stated. "But for some reason, he is hoping you would come."
Sakura felt a blush creep her cheeks. "What are you saying? The jerk never contacted me for the longest time." The blonde with crossed arms and swayed her head. "What's with the look? You know something I don't?"
"Stupid forehead, you have not been listening to his songs." The other lady state with a smirk on her face. "The last few years, Sasuke has been releasing singles about spring and cherry blossoms." So what it probably is just a coincidence, the pinkette thought. "Don't show me that face forehead, everybody knows, Sasuke does not do sappy tunes."
The jade eye girl kept silent. Yes, Sasuke was never the type to be expressive and affectionate. "Spring is here but the cherry blossoms are gone, it just feels like winter." Ino enunciated loudly and slowly. "That is the lyric of his best single ever forehead. Go figure."
Sasuke was never direct but was a man of action. Maybe he was unconventional in contacting her. But did he try? What if he just used those feelings to make a song? Isn't that how creative people do it? Did he purposely stay away from her to get creative? If he did then why invite her to this concert? Is this some sort of thank you for her indirect contribution?
"Forehead, whatever your thinking, that is too much you brainiac." The blond friend reprimanded. "Everybody knew he only wanted one woman in his life. But she was too absorbed in studying to notice." Sakura kept silent. "It did not help too that Sasuke is beyond normal in expressing social skills."
"I don't want to assume things Ino." The pinkette retorted. " We are doing okay living separately. I don't think he needs me." As the sentence finished Ino threw a pillow on Sakura's face.
"He gave you a plane ticket, which screams come home. Then the concert pass that stands for go see me. And you know that fan meeting being advertised, I will not be surprised if you have an invite." The acquaintance blurted in frustration. The woman in question remained speechless and blushing. "Gosh Forehead, you have a fan meet invite." The rosette nodded. "You need to go see him face to face. Or else the concert will be ruined." Jade eyes widened at the suggestion, Sakura was about to protest but the friend cut her off. "If you don't show your pathetic face to Sasuke, his performance will be a mess. If his career ends due to bad reviews it is your fault."
"Stop insinuating that he wants me!" The pinkette argued. "Sasuke will be alright, he always managed to thrive." He had always been strong, truly an insignificant person like her won't matter.
"You know, when you went overseas and we took that trip to Hakone. He looked so sad." The blonde stated. "We were used to him being a loner, but that day he looked broken" Ino looked Sakura in the eye with a strong gaze. "During the stay, he would just stare at the cherry blossoms from outside his room." The blonde's pink lips curved into a sympathetic smile. "Sakura, you accepted his invitation because you missed him too right?" The pinkette could only sigh. "That phrases he said on that coverage it was meant for you." Ino continued to explain. "Sasuke might have been busy with his career but you were preoccupied too."
"Ino it is different he ignored me." The pinkette explained.
"Did he?" The blonde raised an eyebrow and asked a daunting question. "Who was the one waiting for you to finish studying in the library?" The pinkette held her breath. "Who often adjusts the schedules so you two can meet?" Sakura clenched her right hand. "Who would often ask for time?" The rosette can feel the tension building up within her. "Sakura was there ever a time he said no to you?"
The question made the medical student recall a particular event. "You remember don't you?" The blue-eyed female smirked. "Sasuke, skipped a gig because you needed someone who can drive you to that village in the middle of nowhere." That event almost cost Sasuke his career, a good thing Naruto was able to divert the crowds' attention. "You even dared to ask him to play for an event to earn for that charity." The blonde continued to refresh her memory. "Honestly that place, Sasuke's Sharingan corporation has been funding them ever since."
"Sakura, what if he was not avoiding you but just giving space?" Ino smiled sincerely to the medical student across. "We both know how much you ignore him when you are engrossed in studying."
"Ino, I don't know.." The pinkette muttered
"Of course you don't know." The blonde confirmed. "That is why you are going tomorrow to find out." The blue-orbed maiden pushed again. "You want to see him it too, believe me, girl for once in your life, indulge on the fact he wants you to."
"Ino! Don't make it sound pervy!" Sakura exclaimed. In all their life together, Sakura never advanced with Sasuke to a romantic level. "He, he probably does not see me that way." The rosette steadied her breath to calm herself down. Why was Ino assuming something was between them?
"Her green eyes did not look sorry giving back the button." Ino began to sing a tune. "Had to turn my back to walk away from the embarrassment." The guest continued the song. "When is she gonna know? That I gave it because I want to." Once again Sakura's emerald eyes widened, her face reddening as the blonde finished the tune. "My pink spring, hopefully, one day come notice me."
"What was that?" The doctor to be questioned
"The lyrics of the song that Sasuke wrote for Naruto's band." Sakura's eyes widened at the revelation. "You gotta listen more to Sharingan Corp's songs forehead. They released it after you left."
