note.

Gonna make you all suffer for one more week.

Apologies to all the new (wonderful) readers that have been leaving me only nice words when I'm making you all suffer with today's updates.

track 46.

Treading slowly towards Sakura, Idate wondered whether he was doing the right thing.

Once again, the great Uchiha has managed to make the girl he's so enamoured with a raging mess of emotions. Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke weren't meant to be together. It didn't make sense. That was why even though they were so close nobody bothered to interfere between them. There didn't need to be an interference - they would have broke apart themselves.

But why did it feel as if he was taking advantage of the situation?

Honestly speaking, the sportsman in him is a little put off, but never has any girl caught his attention like Sakura. And why should he give up before even trying? It was the first time anyone had ever acknowledged him for his hard work that came before all his achievements. She saw past the shiny medals and genius facade. They weren't middle schoolers, it wouldn't do to be simply crushing and forgetting when it could be their last chance before graduation.

Swallowing the uncomfortable feeling in his gut, he sat down by her. In love and in war, there is no right or wrong.

There is only the winner and the loser; and Morino Idate had no intention, no space in his agenda, to become the loser.

"You know, Sakura-san, the team manager space is still on offer." They could start slow. He could let her get to know him a bit more first. His times guaranteed that a place on the national track team was already secured after graduation, so he'd have to try and fit her in somehow. Sakura was good with numbers, a quick analyser of situations, and she had good reflexes - probably some experience in sports herself too - she'd make a great manager. He'd asked around and knew of her interest in medicine, that could come in handy too.

"Sorry, Idate-san, now's not a good time."

Sighing, he leaned his face on his left hand, supported by a knee. Turning to look at her from a lower angle. "Listen, it's never going to be a good time. Everyone at school can see that you like the Uchiha. You two don't exactly blend in with the crowd."

"So?" She glared. He had obviously picked the right button to push. "I don't know what you're trying to say."

"Simple. I'm saying, give up on the Uchiha and pick me."

Her eyes widened. Give up on Sasuke-kun?

"Wha-" The brunet cut her off, blowing a piece of his long bangs out of his face callously. Arms now folded over crossed legs. "Or you could just use me to forget about him. There's the celebrations tonight, there's going to be a barbecue... fireworks... all that good stuff. You could come join us at the track team table as my plus one."

Sakura stared, eyes wide at his implausibility. She had thought this guy was a bird of the same feather when she jumped in to save his ass. But no way. This guy was delirious. Absolutely crazy. She didn't know why she had initially thought that. "I don't like you that way, Idate-san. You have no idea what you're talking about." Standing up, she moved to head towards the girl's changing room to get away from him.

"No. I do know what I'm talking about." He grabbed her by the hem of her sleeve. "I'm athletic, and I'd protect you. I've already got a job after graduation. I come from a stable family. I don't have any sisters or crazy ex-girlfriends you have to worry about. And honestly speaking, I'm good looking too. Moreover... I like you, Sakura-san. Isn't that what's important?"

Reminded by yet another confession, Sakura almost felt guilty when she saw the sincere look on his face. Only this time, when she looked at him - brown eyes lost its melanin to fade into the sky's endless blue.

"Sakura-chan, do me a favour. Promise me that you'll at least give the next person that confesses to you a chance. Accept them."

Flinging her hand away from him, taking it back, she tried to discourage him further. "You're crazy! Can you hear yourself?"

Staring into her eyes, Idate could't understand why she didn't just say 'yes'. He wasn't asking her to marry him - but just to give him a chance to prove himself to her. Show her that they could work. "We're all crazy in love."

"I won't lead you on." She whispered.

"I'm not asking you to."

Promise me that you'll at least give the next person that confesses to you a chance. Accept them.

The next person. Accept them.

"I'm only asking for you to join me for the celebrations tonight as my plus one. I don't expect anything from you."

Sakura felt her resolve shatter slowly at those words.

What did he know about expectations? Maybe he had eavesdropped on her previous argument with Sasuke. And maybe, she should guard herself better around someone that can so skilfully manipulate her weakness. But in her state of confusion and heartache, the athlete in front of her was saying all the things she wanted to hear. She wanted to feel needed by someone at this moment and Idate was doing exactly that.

Accept them.

Naruto's voice ringed and her pinky finger curled up. Hands forming a fist.

Accept them. Accept them. Accept them.

Accept them.

"No expectations."