Sakura's date with Jenji, the charming barista with the easy smile and warm eyes, was... nice. It wasn't anything earth-shattering or extraordinary, but it was pleasant in a way she hadn't expected. He had picked a chill café for their date, one tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, where the sound of a nearby fountain added a soft background music to their conversation. Jenji was everything a woman could ask for on a date—funny, attentive, polite. He asked her about her work at the hospital and actually seemed interested in the stories she shared.

He even had a knack for making her laugh, weaving little jokes into their chat that caught her off guard. It was easy with him. Comfortable. Over the next three weeks, Jenji became a steady presence in her life. He'd show up with a latte after her shifts, text her silly memes during her breaks, and listen intently whenever she wanted to vent about her day.

Her friends all had their opinions, as they always did of course.

Neji thought Jenji was intelligent and grounded. They had bonded briefly over a shared interest in old literature during a group hangout, which had earned Jenji an approving nod from Neji. Naruto liked him too, mostly because he wasn't too uptight and didn't shy away from Naruto's boisterous energy. Even Shikamaru seemed to appreciate his calm demeanor, saying he was "decent enough for a barista."

But Ino? She wasn't as sold.

"I don't hate him, Saku," she said one evening when they were curled up on Sakura's couch with a bowl of popcorn between them. "He's nice, sure, and he treats you well. But there's something about him... he's too quiet. Like, does he ever argue? Does he have any fire in him?"

"He's thoughtful," Sakura countered. "Just because he's not loud doesn't mean he's boring."

Ino had shrugged, clearly unconvinced. "I don't know. Maybe it's just me, but don't you feel like... something's missing?"

"I think we're looking for something that's way too moves-like, Ino." Sakura giggled.

The question lingered longer than Sakura wanted to admit.

As much as she wanted to prove Ino wrong, she couldn't ignore the feeling gnawing at the back of her mind. Every time she looked at Jenji, she couldn't shake the thought that it was all a little too easy. There was no flutter in her chest when he leaned closer to her during their dates. No rush of warmth when he brushed a strand of her hair aside. And when he laughed at something she said, she felt content but not... electrified.

Was this what dating was supposed to feel like?

Late one night, as she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, she let her mind wander. He was the perfect gentleman—kind, respectful, funny. So why didn't her heart race when she thought of him? Why didn't her stomach flip when he touched her hand or leaned in closer?

"Maybe I'm not supposed to feel that spark," she whispered to herself. "Maybe I've just been chasing a fantasy all this time. Maybe real love isn't fireworks—it's peace. Stability. Comfort."

Sakura had been looking forward to a relaxed night with her official boyfriend after the busy scheduled she has with the exams and also hospital shifts. They decided to have a nice date at the cinema, as today they launched a new movie and everything had a sense of calm when she was around Jenji. He wasn't trying too hard, and that was something she appreciated—no pressure, no drama, just easy companionship.

As they walked into the cinema, hand in hand, Jenji cracked a joke about the absurdity of romantic comedies and their exaggerated plots. Sakura laughed, playfully rolling her eyes as she adjusted her scarf. She was grateful for his lightheartedness. The simplicity of his company was refreshing, a stark contrast to the tangled feelings she had.

The cinema was buzzing, packed with couples and friends, and Sakura's focus remained on Jenji as they chose their seats near the middle row. His ability to make even mundane moments feel comfortable was a rare trait, one she valued the most.

The movie had just started when Sakura spotted a familiar figure in the corner of her eye. Her chest tightened slightly, but she forced herself to stay composed. It was Sasuke, unmistakably leaning back in his seat just a few rows behind them, with Karin perched at his side. Sakura noticed Karin's hand lightly resting on Sasuke's arm, her face very dynamic as she whispered something to him.

Are they dating now, or what?

Sakura quickly turned her gaze back to the screen, but not before catching Sasuke's eyes flicking down to where her hand was comfortably nestled in Jenji's. He didn't react visibly, but there was something in the brief moment of eye contact that felt… heavier than it should.

What's his problem now? He first tries to take care of me, then acts cold, then treats me well, then tries kissing me, then disappears and shows up bothered by god knows what accompanied by this witch.

Jenji, oblivious to the tension, leaned in and whispered something about the opening scene that earned a soft giggle from Sakura. His casual manner helped her brush off the awkwardness, and she found herself relaxing back into the moment, determined not to let Sasuke's presence affect her.

Halfway through the movie, Jenji turned to her, a small, warm smile on his lips. The glow of the screen reflected in his eyes as he leaned in, his movement tentative, seeking her permission. Sakura blinked, caught slightly off guard, but she tilted her head just enough to meet him kiss was gentle, soft, and unassuming. Jenji pulled back just as lightly, his smile unchanged.

But as her lips tingled faintly from the contact, she couldn't help but notice that elusive something was still missing. That spark people always talked about, the one that left you breathless and aching for more—it just wasn't there.

Meanwhile, in the row behind, Sasuke's jaw tightened imperceptibly as he caught the exchange. He didn't realize his fists had clenched on the armrests until Karin nudged him.

"Are you even watching the movie?" Karin asked, leaning closer, her voice tinged with annoyance.

"I'm watching," he replied curtly, though his dark eyes briefly flicked back to the couple sitting ahead of them. His focus lingered on Sakura's hand, still clasped in Jenji's, and the faint curve of her lips as she smiled.

Karin sighed and leaned away, muttering something under her breath that Sasuke didn't register. His mind was elsewhere, clouded by an unfamiliar weight in his chest that he couldn't name.

I must do something about this motherfucker before it's too late.