Chapter 3: Once in a Lifetime
O.o Enjoy.
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Story Title: The Girl I Used to Know
Chapter Three: Once in a Lifetime
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Sakura turned hesitantly to her manager, panic on her face.
Tsunade approached her and pulled the mobile phone from the pop star's grip. "You can't take it here," she merely replied, eying the numerous guests and staff.
Sakura nodded mutely before she eyed her vibrating phone. Tsunade turned the phone off and returned it to Sakura's right pocket, shaking her head.
Sakura's gaze then travelled back to Sasuke's confused expression, eyes downcast, before he put his phone down, probably annoyed that Sakura wasn't picking up.
"That's strange. Sasuke-kun never calls me," Sakura murmured, but enough for her manager to hear.
"Forget about it. Uchiha Mikoto is here," Tsunade exclaimed as she pulled Mizaki towards the crowd of employees towards the honorary table in front. It was a long table with white, silken coverings, glistening utensils and identical flower arrangements, making it appear elegant. Sakura's breath hitched when she realized that her manager was pulling her towards Sasuke's direction.
Or rather to a fine looking lady beside him.
"A pleasant evening, Mikoto-san. This is Akaya Mizaki," Tsunade immediately greeted, bowing in courtesy.
Mizaki studied Sasuke's mother for the first time, gasping silently at the striking resemblance to his son. The lady stood from her seat charmingly and extended her right hand. "I'm Uchiha Mikoto. It's nice to finally meet you in person, Mizaki-chan," the Uchiha paused and smiled. "I can see that Tsunade had taken good care of you. I'm so proud that we're all working with you."
"N—nice to meet you, too," Mizaki greeted back, adjusting her voice in case Sasuke might notice. She took the older Uchiha's hand and it felt soft against hers.
"Aren't you the sweetest young lady I've ever met?"
Sakura blushed at the comment as the Uchiha giggled softly. The pop princess looked up again, never believing that she was actually talking to Sasuke's mother. The only thing she knew about Sasuke's parents was that, aside from the fact that they're incredibly rich, they're always out of the country; Sasuke never really spoke about them.
Mikoto sat on her cushioned chair and passed a folder to Tsunade, winking on Mizaki's direction. "That's a contract under negotiation for your world tour. We're planning this for the summer vacation. Tsunade here told us that that's all we could get since you need to keep up with your studies. I heard you are home-schooled, is that correct?"
Something on the older lady's voice soothed Sakura's anxious senses. "Yes. I'm in Senior High standing now," she smiled with outmost cheeriness, equally matching Mikoto's.
"Really?" Mikoto asked, her bright onyx eyes crinkling softly.
Wow. Her eyes… They're just like Sasuke-kun…
"Well, my son here is in Senior High too, right, Sasuke?"
Mizaki bit her lip and tried to avoid Sasuke's eyes.
"Sasuke, she's the one I'm talking about. She is very popular, I know you've heard of her," Mikoto said fluidly, turning to her youngest son.
Sasuke grunted in response.
Mikoto beamed before she leaned towards Tsunade. "I believe you are watching over him, Tsunade." She threw his son a pointed glance. "I heard you took over Sarutobi-san."
Tsunade grinned. "It feels strange but I'll live. I dragged Shizune in. Whenever she's there I guess I can manage."
Mikoto giggled in amusement. "Oh, before I forget. Mizaki-chan, I'd like you to meet the new chief producer of your junior album. He's a friend of ours." Tsunade nodded and led Mizaki towards the other side of the table. She briefly caught Sasuke's empty gaze before she swallowed hard. She soon caught sight of Ino in her formal, velvet top—which look horrible on her, Sakura happily pointed out—and ignored the hell out of her. They soon stopped in front of the man seated beside Ino, with Tsunade bowing to the guest.
"Yamanaka-san, it's our pleasure to work with you," Tsunade exclaimed. "Mizaki-chan, Yamanaka-san is a prominent business man in Italy. His floral business is one of the most popular among international trade. His family moved back here in Japan because they became the official business partners of the Uchihas. They were immediately awed by your singing voice and impressive career that they are willing to step in the entertainment business. Contract signing with them is scheduled next week." Tsunade turned to the older Yamanaka and bowed again, "Thank you for giving us a chance to showcase her talent."
Mizaki's brow rose but her hand was tugged down by Tsunade into a low bow. "First the Uchihas, and now them? That guy's daughter is my enemy!" she hissed but Tsunade just brushed it off.
"You have a fine talent here, Tsunade. I am very impressed with her. I'm looking forward in working with you, young lady," the chief producer-slash-Ino's dad said thoughtfully.
Tsunade nodded professionally. "Same here, Yamanaka-san. And, oh, is she your daughter?"
Sakura rolled her eyes as Tsunade pertained to Ino. She had the overwhelming urge to scoff upon seeing Ino smiling in fake sweetness to her manager. Her eyes narrowed in utter disbelief on how the girl could be so deceiving. Her heated glare continued until he noticed Sasuke's gaze on her. He must've noticed her irritated approach on the Yamanaka heiress that he even mimicked Mizaki's glare and eyed Ino in disgust before his bored onyx eyes went back to the pop star.
"Mizaki, I hope we could be friends," she heard Ino propose.
Mizaki cautiously turned to the blonde. Ino smiled again. "We could go shopping sometimes. Are you in?"
HELL NO!
"Well, of course she could, right, Mizaki-chan?" Tsunade answered in behalf of her. "Her schedule is a little tight but I'm sure she can manage a night out or two. I'll gladly call you if she has time," Tsunade assured as Ino looked very much excited.
This time, Sakura scoffed. Then she heard Sasuke snort, probably feeling glad that he wasn't the only one forced to actually spend time with the blonde. She shook her head and felt like telling Ino that she is none other than little Haruno Sakura she bullied early that morning and smear it right on her face.
Hah! Now who says she looks as dorky as ever?
"So Mizaki-chan, can you sing for us," the older Yamanaka asked with a genuine smile on his face.
Tsunade immediately affirmed, walking swiftly towards the small makeshift stage in the middle even before Mizaki could protest. She tapped the microphone twice to get the attention of the staff members, producers and some of the media personalities. "Good evening," she greeted everyone, her hazel brown eyes crinkling in delight. "May I ask everyone to take their seats for our beloved Mizaki-chan will give us all the pleasure of hearing her voice."
The crowd applauded and went back on their respective seats, with the whole conference room turning dim. A white spot light turned to the small stage, with the people waiting in anticipation for Mizaki to step in.
"What's this? I can't sing here!" Mizaki complained as her manager caught her arm, pulling her towards the makeshift stage.
"You need to! You have to show them your appreciation," Tsunade whispered and pushed Mizaki towards the stage. "Now do it!"
Mizaki stumbled on an uprooted carpet and cursed as she approached the limelight hesitantly. She closed her eyes momentarily because of the bright light before she stepped in the stage. She heard Tsunade mumbled a soft 'right here!' and faced towards the direction of the voice. The dim light made everyone appear like silhouettes, but she is vaguely aware that everyone could see her.
Soft guitar plucking reached her ears and she recognized the song immediately. She was actually in the mood to rock on yet the slow beat of the song made her realize soberly that she can't.
"Take the world, shake and stir and that's what I got going on." She cleared her throat softly before continuing. She held the metal stand of the microphone, trying not to sound nervous. "I throw my cares up in the air and I don't think they're coming down. Yeah, I love how it feels right now."
A smile crept on her lips upon hearing the staff singing with her. The thought that she was actually singing in front of Sasuke made her anxious, with the fear of getting caught. But then he was deceived easily like Naruto, like Tenten and pretty much like everyone else. If he really is someone special he could've figured out the resemblance. But then, who would ever think that there's actually another side of her?
The other one who's just like anybody else—
—the one who's always by his side…
"This is the life, hold on tight. And this is a dream—it's all I need. You'll never know where you'll find it. And I'm gonna take my time, yeah. I'm still getting it right—this is the life."
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"I still haven't forgotten the fact that you've been secretly dating that scary witch. Plus the fact that you locked me inside this office for three hours while you mingled with my Mizaki-chan!" Naruto exclaimed, looking affronted as he stood up on Sasuke's mahogany desk. "I officially hate you, teme!"
Sasuke sighed and spared his office a glance. He winced upon seeing it half-devastated. "As far as I remember I left you with those stacks of papers neatly piled on my table. Care to explain why they're now glued on my windows?" he hissed, horrified.
"I'm getting bored! And you're secretary threatened to push me off your office balcony if I touch anything so I decided to take retribution in advance," the blonde answered casually, still not occurring to him to get off the table. "Seriously, teme, why did you hire someone like Karin for that job? My fan girl detecting senses are tingling. Be wary on the documents and contracts she brings here for you to sign. You might 'accidentally' sign a marriage one. Or just get rid of her altogether before it's too late," Naruto warned, unaware of the death aura emitted by the Uchiha in front of him.
"Dobe, get off the table before it's too late!"
Naruto scowled before he leapt off the table, leaving his evident shoeprints on it.
Sasuke groaned upon seeing the extent of the damage Naruto did on his office. But the thought that Karin would be the one cleaning it appeared pretty much amusing. By doing so the redhead could get on her senses and resign her spot. That's much better than seeing her sneaking inside his office from time to time to, well, 'check him out'.
"Now tell me what happened during the party!" Naruto insisted, attempting to leap on the table again.
Sasuke pulled out a fountain pen from his pen holder and brandished it in front of Naruto like a weapon. "One more step and you'll be free to leave this office."
Naruto pouted and settled down on a couch, muttering incoherent words. "Much better?" Sasuke grunted in response. "Now tell me what happened. Did you talk to her? What's she like in person? She's beautiful, ne?" Naruto asked, his eyes sparkling dreamily.
At the mention of the pop star, Sasuke remembered something quite important and began rummaging his drawers.
"What?" Naruto asserted, looking offended that Sasuke wasn't paying attention to his queries. "Hey! What are you looking for, anyway?" he asked as he went towards the table.
"Have you seen that girl's album here? I believe Karin gave me a copy of it."
Naruto grinned. "If you're looking for the two of them I kinda kept them for you."
Sasuke paused. "You stole them?"
Naruto held his arms up. "Whoa, teme. Stealing is different from 'keeping them safe'. I appointed myself to do the latter and they're on my house now. I can assure you that they're as good as new," Naruto exclaimed, looking proud on his supposed noble act.
But Sasuke knew that giving Naruto the favor to do so would mean giving the copies to Naruto completely.
"If you want the albums you can borrow them, but you must return them to me for 'safe keeping'," Naruto chirped.
Sasuke shook his head in exhaustion of going down the level of someone like Naruto and closed his drawers shut.
"Why do you want them all of a sudden? They're rotting when I found them," Naruto pointed out, "Unless you realized that my Mizaki-chan was such an angel and you want a piece of her. I told you she's an ultimate charmer! And now you're hooked!"
"No."
Naruto blanched. "What? You get to spend three hours with her on a date and still unable to harbor any reverence for her? She's the most popular and most beautiful teen in the whole country; what else can you ask for, teme?" Naruto inquired, eying his friends as if Sasuke's some form of a foreign object. "I might just have to believe Itachi about you being homo and all. Poor Sakura-chan."
"It's not a date. It's a party. And what does Sakura have to do with it anyway?"
Naruto turned around and shrugged. "Not telling." He went back on the couch and sat comfortably. "So what happened in the 'party'? Got a one-in-one interview with Mizaki-chan?"
"No," Sasuke replied curtly. He rested his back on his revolving chair and sighed. "Mom was so pleased to actually meet your idol. She hadn't stopped talking to her until the party ended."
"And what about Ino? I thought she's with you?"
"Like I care."
Naruto laughed. "Good point."
"But dobe," Sasuke began, leaning on his table. "Wouldn't Mizaki remind you of someone else?" Sasuke paused and let those nagging thoughts flood her mind. It all got freaky when he heard her singing. "I need those copies of her album to remember as to who reminds me of her."
Naruto looked up, startled as if Sasuke spoke some form of blasphemy. "What do you mean? There's none in the whole entertainment industry that sings like her."
Sasuke fell silent and leaned back on his chair. "It just feels weird," he mumbled mostly to himself, staring distantly.
"Of course! She has a voice of an angel! You should start listening to her songs. It'll make you less grumpy," Naruto suggested. "Her golden voice box is extraordinary. I assure you that there's no one that sings like her. I should've noticed that first because I'm her number one fan. I know everything about her—I mean, her showbiz life. There's just no website about her personal life and all. But no worries, I've been doing detective work and found out that she's home-schooled!" Naruto exposed, feeling pretty much pleased on his gathering skills.
"And on Senior High standing," Sasuke filled in.
Naruto gapped. "What the hell? Are you sure? How did you find that one out?"
Sasuke threw him a pathetic look. "Her manager. In the party."
"Argh! I knew it! I should've come with you, teme!"
"Are you crazy? That's an exclusive party," Sasuke said. "Besides, Mom wouldn't want any casualties."
Naruto's brows furrowed. "And what do you mean by that? I'll just ask for an autograph, and then maybe a picture. A kiss in cheek is also preferable. And I think her number one fan deserves a song… And oh, should I ask her a ticket for her concert on Saturday night? And a backstage pass! And—"
Sasuke rolled his eyes heavenward. He wouldn't be surprised if Naruto asked the girl's hand for marriage. It's just so good that Karin locked Naruto up inside the office—the redhead could be efficient sometimes, though he is pretty much eager for her to resign. The sole reason why he lets Naruto in and to wreck some havoc on his office every single day was so that he could get rid of his secretary for good. Then maybe he could hire someone much reliable—probably like Saku—
"Dobe. Do you know where can Sakura be at this time?"
Naruto's dream bubble burst upon the mention of their pink-haired friend. "Probably home. Why?"
"I called her."
"And she didn't pick up? Of course. I'll strangle her if she did."
Sasuke's eyes darkened dangerously. "And what do you mean by that?"
Naruto scoffed and leapt on the table again, startling the Uchiha. "You officially betrayed your friends—including me. What do you expect? Immediate redemption? Well, I'm sorry to say that you won't be getting any for the time being."
"That's just childish."
Naruto growled in front of him, his brows meeting in the middle. "Call us childish but the last time I checked, you used to be our friend. We have the right to know. Especially when it concerns that Ino."
Sasuke swallowed. Naruto never calls Ino by her name.
"You aren't forgetting what we overheard from Sakura and Ino's argument back in fifth grade, are you? You, of all people, should know what could possibly happen if this continues." Naruto looked down, searching for the right words.
"For Sakura, friends cannot be replaced. I hope that there won't come a time that she would have to do it again."
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"My, my, my… So many felonious students nowadays…" Kakashi exclaimed lazily, looking down at the three faces in front of him. "I gave you enough time to accomplish your homework and this is what I get?"
Naruto slumped on his seat and pouted. "You're still late."
Kakashi raised a brow. "I was actually hoping that students would finish their assignments while waiting."
"Lalala. Not listening," Naruto sang, mocking their silver-haired Math teacher.
"You still haven't got away from that prank earlier, may I remind you. That eraser you placed on top of the door was quite offending," Kakashi exclaimed, looking oddly amused at the blonde's lack of respect.
"You deserve it, right, Sakura-chan?" Naruto inquired, grinning to the girl seated beside him.
Sakura looked up fearfully to Kakashi and avoided his gaze. "I… I don't think so…"
"So, Haruno." Sakura stiffened at the acknowledgement. "I was expecting much from you, considering you got the highest grade from your school in Junior High. What could possibly happen? Your homework was just a review of what you took last year, any reason as to why you weren't able to finish it?"
Naruto turned to Sakura. "Yeah, Sakura-chan. It's impossible you forgot to do it. You know it's only your work that I would want to copy."
Sakura looked down on her lap and took a delicate gulp. How in the world can she tell her teacher without him freaking out that she attended a party for her two successful album releases and was up all night thinking of none other than Uchiha Sasuke and the fact that he's with Ino—of all people? And oh, how about the part of her being NONE OTHER THAN AKAYA MIZAKI? Sakura sighed, waiting any ideas from Inner Sakura to get out of this mess.
Inner Sakura just groaned mentally due to the lack of sleep and gave out nothing—leaving Sakura pretty much alone in the endeavor to come up with another excuse.
She shifted on her seat, feeling the eyes of both Kakashi and Naruto on her.
"Cut it off. Now."
Kakashi blinked and turned to the student seated beside Sakura, the third and last student that was unable to finish the homework: Uchiha Sasuke.
"How about you, young lad? Any excuses?"
"Hn."
Kakashi scratched the back of his head and looked down at the familiar teen. The staring contest persisted for the next minute until he saw the blonde raise a hand from his peripheral vision.
"Sensei, he's orally and socially incapacitated," Naruto happily informed their teacher. Naruto immediately jumped off his seat as he clumsily dodged a flying pen, curtsey of Sakura.
Kakashi raised another intriguing brow, seeing how the Sasuke and Sakura tend to save each other from further humiliation. He wondered if it works on Naruto too.
"Okay," Kakashi finally said. "Haruno Sakura, since you have a record of being a responsible student, I'm letting you go. I hope this won't happen again, can I hold onto that?"
Sakura nodded eagerly.
"And for you Uchiha." Kakashi gulped as he received Sasuke's full-force glare. "Try not to get in trouble just to save someone out. I won't tolerate it again."
Sakura furrowed her brows. "What do you mean by that, sensei?"
Kakashi brushed that one off and turned to Naruto. "As for you, Uzumaki. Hmm… I'll double the assignment you missed and be sure to pass it on to me before tomorrow ends." Kakashi's eyes crinkled in delight as he waited for redemption for the poor blonde's luck from his friends.
"Naruto, we'll see you tomorrow, okay? I'm late for work. Good luck!" Sakura exclaimed, picking up her bag. Sasuke also stood from his seat and in a flash, the two were out of the classroom, not even bothering to look back.
"Sakura-chan! Teme! Don't leave me here!" Naruto cried out but the classroom door closed swiftly. He wailed before he turned remorsefully to his math teacher.
"Looks like you're on this by yourself," Kakashi teased.
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Sakura gasped as Sasuke grabbed her wrist. "What?"
"One minute," is all that he said, tugging her arms towards another hallway.
"I—I've got to work," Sakura exclaimed but remained unheard, seeing Sasuke wasn't budging and letting her go. She looked down, suppressing the slight anger she used to feel to him until she had that talk with Shizune yesterday. Sakura still hasn't told him that there was actually nothing to worry about now.
Sakura sighed before realizing after sometime that they reached the oval, on towards the freshly mowed field.
Yes. On the soccer field, seeing the two goals situated on the opposite sides.
"W—what are we doing here, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura inquired as soon as they halted. She spared the field a glace, spotting the soccer varsities having their routine jog around the oval.
"Are you mad?"
"No."
She heard him sigh, probably not believing her answer.
"I called last night."
Sakura nodded. "I—" spent the whole night with you, don't you remember, Sasuke-kuuuuun? Sakura bit her lip and cursed inwardly. Now Inner Sakura was revived—what a right time to do so. "I'm… working. My phone's on the locker. Is there something you wanted to say?"
Sasuke leaned on one of the goals and waited for the varsity team to reach their spot, leaving Sakura to stare him confusedly.
He's crazy. That's official. Uchiha Sasuke is crazy.
Why would he open up to an ex-fan girl, accept the fact that they could be friends and even trust her with all his life?
Why would he allow himself to let his Math assignment rot on his drawer and stay out with the rest of those who were unable to complete it, despite the fact that he worked so hard to finish it up?
And why in the world would he be in this soccer field in the first place when he still has loads of work back on his office and disregard the possibility of facing his secretary's wrath afterward just to be with her?
—all for one girl…
And he's willing to do anything just to make her happy.
Anything.
"Hey! Uchiha—get down here! Practice will start soon! C'mon!" yelled out a fellow freshman recruit, Kiba, it seemed, waving his hand from the opposite of the field.
The expression on Sakura's face was priceless—something that tells him that his efforts were acknowledged, not remaining unnoticed as to what happened to him all his life.
"R—really? Sasuke-kun? You signed up for the team? F—for real?"
She hopped towards Sasuke with unusual glee. "Oh my god, you made it for the Spring Senior League! We'll definitely be there to cheer you up!" Sakura assured with outmost elation, looking up to him with those appreciative eyes.
Let he be damned for falling prey into insanity. Hell, he had taken the risk long before consequences were determined.
And he won't stop. He can't, not now, not ever.
"Tell Naruto my office is locked. Don't let him come over there," Sasuke exclaimed, swinging his small duffel bag on his shoulder.
Sakura blinked at his retreating form, still unable to get over the shock.
He looked over from his shoulder with his reserved face. "I'll call you again later."