You sat there in shock, wondering why this woman would want to train you. After all, you were just a random girl she had saved.
"Why?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.
The woman, whose name you still didn't know, looked away from you, her gaze fixed on the cherry blossoms drifting down from the tree. She reached out a hand and snagged one of the petals.
"Y/n, I sense potential in you," she said quietly.
You flinched at the sound of your name, not expecting her to know it. "How do you know my name?" you asked, fear creeping into your voice.
The woman fixed you with an unamused stare before replying. "You're as confused as they were when I first met them, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that I tell you my name. I'm Sakura."
You stood there, stunned. "You mean the village protector from twenty years ago?" Sakura was famous in the village. You had seen kids looking up to her, but you had never believed that demons or monsters really existed.
Before you knew it, exhaustion overtook you and you passed out.
--Timeskip/3rd Person--
Four figures stood around the exhausted girl who was lying on a futon, her breaths shallow and ragged, "Will she be okay?" Yuri asked, fidgeting with a strand of her purple hair that had fallen in front of her face.
Sakura, the master of the group, placed a gentle hand on the girl's forehead and looked at the others reassuringly. "She passed out from exhaustion, but she'll wake up soon."
Haruka, the black-haired girl with piercing red eyes, sneered in a snarky tone. "Are you really going to teach her the Sakura breathing techniques? She looks weak."
Sora, the girl with her silver hair tied in an intricate bun, smacked Haruka on the back of her head. "Haruka, be quiet!" she hissed. "We didn't think you were weak when you first came here."
Haruka rubbed the back of her head and growled in retaliation. "Shut up, Sora! Just because you were the first student of sensei doesn't mean you're stronger than the rest of us!"
Feeling irritated with the girls' bickering, Sakura gave them both a fierce glare. "Stay quiet, you two," she commanded sternly. "Let's give Y/n some space to rest. Talking and screaming will only disturb her. Let her body bloom on its own time."
Ashamed at their behavior, Haruka and Sora both bowed deeply to their master. "Sorry, master," they apologized in unison, their faces flushing with embarrassment.
--Timeskip/3rd Person--
The girl with h/c hair slowly fluttered her expressive e/c eyes open, but her vision remained blurry. She sat up and rubbed her eyes to make her vision clearer. Y/n realized that she was in an unfamiliar room. She removed the blanket and saw that her legs, which used to have scratches, were now bandaged. She slid off her kimono to assess the extent of her injuries and discovered that her stomach was covered in bandages as well.
Through the small window, Y/n saw that she was on a mountain based on the view. She immediately got up, despite her sore and aching body. Y/n carefully opened the door, trying to avoid alarming her kidnappers.
Y/n gingerly stepped on the wooden floor, and with every step, the floorboards emitted small creaking noises. Her senses felt heightened and disoriented as she tried to make sense of her surroundings.
Suddenly, she heard a voice that startled her. "Ah! You're awake."
Y/n quickly turned around to see a girl standing behind her who looked about her age. The girl had short purple hair and purple eyes, looking at her intently. Y/n tried to speak, but her voice came out as a hoarse whisper.
The girl noticed and quickly stepped forward, holding a tray with a steaming bowl of ramen and an odd substance that didn't resemble water. "Please don't stand up and start walking around! You might affect the wound," she said, gently guiding Y/n back into her room and onto the futon.
With a sigh of relief, Y/n settled down onto the futon, feeling the softness comforting her sore body. The girl set the tray of food beside her, and as Y/n took in the aroma of the ramen, her stomach grumbled with hunger.
"You might be wondering where you are and who I am..." the girl began, breaking the silence.
Y/n nodded, still feeling disoriented and unsure of her surroundings. She took a few sips of the broth, feeling her energy levels slowly returning.
The girl's lips were upturned into a gentle smile. "I'm Yuri, the second student of Sakura," she said. "You're currently in the Sakura Shrine, situated high above the Sami village."
Y/n furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of the girl's words. "Wh-What do you mean second student?" she asked through a croaking voice, her throat dry and parched.
Yuri's response was a soft chuckle. "Looks like you need water," she said, holding out a cup filled with a strange liquid. "Please drink up and save your energy for later."
Y/n eyed the liquid with suspicion before taking it from Yuri's outstretched hand. "What is this...?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the murky substance.
"That is a healing herb mixed with water. It's said to cure wounds and fever," Yuri explained patiently. Without a moment's hesitation, Y/n drank the concoction down, feeling the liquid's coolness soothe her parched throat. She let out a deep sigh of satisfaction and gratitude, feeling the liquid work its magic on her body.
Yuri rose to her feet then bowed politely. "Please save up your energy by eating. Although I'm afraid I must go now. Bye, Y/n." With that, Yuri slipped out of the room, shutting the door silently behind her.
Y/n's hands shook as she picked up the bowl of ramen and the chopsticks that Yuri had left for her. She took a deep breath, the aroma of the steaming broth filling her nostrils.
As she took her first bite, Y/n's taste buds exploded with a burst of flavor, and she felt tears prick her eyes. The ramen was simple and unadorned, yet it tasted heavenly. She devoured it greedily, realizing that it was probably the first proper meal she'd had in days.
Y/n savored every bite, each mouthful filling her with warmth and comfort. She closed her eyes, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. For the first time since she woke up in the shrine, she felt at ease.
After the young girl was done, she place the bowl on the tray and set the tray aside, she digged onto the futon with a thick blanket covering her entire body and snoozes off.
--Meanwhile--
The three students stood in solemn silence under the majestic Sakura tree, gazing out at the breathtaking view of the shrine below. As expected, it was Sora who finally broke the quietude.
"Do you think Y/n will pass?" She asked, her tone laced with concern. Haruka rolled her eyes in response, "Tsk. She looks like a weakling, to be honest." Yuri let out a deep sigh upon hearing Haruka's words. "Give her time," she said, "Just like our master says, her body will bloom when it thinks it's ready."
Sora nodded in agreement, "I feel bad for her losing her little sister..." Haruka's expression softened at the mention of Y/n's loss, "I still wonder why our master only trains those who've suffered a great loss."
Yuri plucked a sakura petal from the ground with delicate fingers, "Perhaps our master too lost someone very dear to her," she mused. The young woman then proceeded to blow the petal into the gentle breeze, watching it flutter and twirl until it finally came to a rest atop a nearby minka.
There was a moment of contemplative silence as the trio let Yuri's words sink in. The breeze carried the soft rustling of leaves and the distant laughter of children at play, creating a serene scene. The Sakura petals fell like snowflakes in a gentle dance as the trio continued to gaze out at the tranquil landscape.
Eventually, Sora broke the peaceful trance, "I have a feeling Y/n will surprise us all," She said. Haruka just scoffed, while Yuri gave a small smile, "I believe so too," she said, "Our master knows what she's doing."
The three students then turned and made their way back into the shrine.
--Timeskip--
Y/n's eyelids fluttered open, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face. She blinked a few times to adjust to the light, then looked around to take in her surroundings. She found herself outside the shrine, eagerly awaiting Sakura's return to conduct her test. Y/n's heart raced with anticipation and fear, for she knew this test would be a challenging one that would test her every skill.
Just then, Y/n saw a blur of movement and looked up to see Sakura standing before her, donning her fox mask and dressed in her elegant black kimono. Shocked by the sudden appearance, Y/n couldn't help but think to herself, 'Did she just teleport in front of me?!?'
In a voice that was both stern and reassuring, Sakura said, "We'll be traveling to the Saki forest, and you might want to bring this with you." With graceful fluidity, she produced a gleaming katana and handed it over to Y/n, who looked at it with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Perplexed, Y/n asked, "Why do I need a katana?" Sakura simply ignored her question and began to walk, leaving the girl with so many unanswered questions.
Feeling a bit uneasy but also intrigued, Y/n followed her 'new' master.
--2nd Person--
The grueling journey had gone on for an hour and at long last, Y/n and Sakura arrived at the dreaded Saki Forest. But there was no welcoming committee for them in the form of sunlight, instead, it was a murky, moonless night that awaited them. The sight of the woods was enough to unnerve Y/n as it appeared sinister in the pitch-black night. The trees stood like a swarm of titans looming over them while the foliage whispered and rustled in the wind.
Sakura broke the silence, her voice so low it was barely a whisper, "Welcome to the Saki Forest, it's known to be one of the most dangerous demon-filled places. The villagers can only venture here during daylight hours to gather bamboo and other supplies. But now, it's going to be you that does the hunting until you kill at least three demons."
Y/n's face was white as a bedsheet as the mission seemed impossible. In an unsteady voice, she stuttered, "H-Huh?!? I barely even had proper training! How can I take on these demons without being slaughtered by them?"
Sakura was silent under her fox mask, the only indication of a response was her piercing stare. "Trust your body and concentrate on your target is the only tip I have for you. This is your fight, after all." And with that, Sakura turned her back and began walking away.
Panic seized hold of Y/n as she screamed out, "He-Hey! Don't leave me!" However, Sakura had disappeared, leaving Y/n vulnerable, and her frail body ripe for the picking by the demons that prowled within the shadows of the Saki Forest.
You tried to regain your composure, taking deep breaths as you walked deeper into the forest, all the while muttering under your breath, "That damn woman... She barely taught me anything, and she gave me this? I really hope I survive until morning or something..." You played with the sword at your side, ready for any sudden attack.
Suddenly, you heard the sound of crunching leaves, as they were almost as if someone was walking towards you. You immediately unsheathed your sword with trained precision, assuming a defensive stance, as the sound of the leaves turned into a frantic pace. You scanned your surroundings, trying to identify the source of the sound.
In an instant, a male demon appeared out of nowhere and barreled towards you. Reflexes kicked in, and as you took a deep breath, Sakura's words echoed in your mind, "Trust your body and concentrate on your target." With your eyes closed, you focused all your energy.
As the demon tried to strike at your head, you opened your eyes, and time slowed down. You glared at the demon with the intensity of a warrior, feeling all of the force of gravity on your feet, you released that energy by jumping towards the demon. You gripped your sword tightly with both hands, then sliced through the demon's neck, decapitating it in one clean strike.
You landed hard on your butt, panting heavily, and stared at what you had just done. The headless demon began to disintegrate, leaving only a pile of ash in its place.
You gazed at the sword in your hands, wondering if what had just happened was real. Your shock slowly morphed into a proud smile as the reality of the situation set in. "Did I really just kill a goddamn demon?! Holy cow! When did I become so powerful?!" you exclaimed loudly. But your proud moment was short-lived, as you remembered that two more demons awaited.
You groaned in frustration until you heard the sound of two pairs of footsteps approaching at a rapid pace. You grabbed your sword and stood up, trying to psych yourself up. 'Come on, Y/n. You killed a demon in the most dramatic way; you can handle two more,' you thought to yourself, trying to silence the doubt that was creeping in.
But as soon as you turned around, two demons appeared in front of and behind you. Without hesitation, you jumped to the left, causing the demons to smash their faces into each other.
"OI oi! What are you doing? This is my prey!"
"What do you mean, fucking bastard? I haven't eaten in days!"
"Get your own meal, bitch!"
They began to argue like a bickering couple, and you took this opportunity to dash towards them. But just as you got closer, one of them pushed back, leaving the male demon's head severed from his body.
The female demon snarled fiercely, revealing her blood-red teeth before turning her attention to you, "Good thing that ugly jerk is dead. How did I even fall in love with him?" She then swiftly darted towards you, but you blocked her attack with the blade's edge. You were both locked in a deadly struggle to land the final blow.
You couldn't help but feel disgusted and sad for the demon who had sacrificed her love for food. Suddenly a memory of your sister's body made you cry, but you shook it off. You gathered a second wind and struck the demon's head with your sword, only for her to dodge it with ease. In a swift motion, she punched you in the stomach, sending you flying towards the nearest tree. The impact caused your injury to flare up, and you could hardly breathe.
But you weren't the type to give up. Grasping your sword firmly, you stood up and yelled out, "You sacrificed your love for food! Don't you feel anything?" The demon snarled and charged towards you once more, "Little girl! In this world, the only thing you should be saving is yourself!"
With the world around you moving in slow motion, you mustered your training and calmed your body. You dodged the demon's attack and hit her on the back of her neck with your elbow, causing her to faceplant on the ground. You looked at her with a mix of sadness and sympathy before delivering the final blow.
As you stared at the lifeless body before you, you asked yourself, "Why am I feeling sympathy towards a monster that killed my sister?" But before you could answer, Sakura's hand was on your shoulder. "You passed the test, Y/n. Your training begins tomorrow," she said with a small smile.
You turned around to ask her how you had done it. "H-Hey! How did I do that though?! Was I that powerful?!" Sakura smirked enigmatically before walking away. "Maybe, who knows?" she replied.
"HEY! ANSWER MY QUESTION!"
---
Beneath the soft shade of a blooming cherry blossom tree, you eagerly scanned the surrounding pink trees, seemingly entranced by their beauty.
"Are you enjoying the view?"
You flinched at the sudden voice that seemed to break through the peaceful atmosphere. Turning around, you spotted Sora's silver locks rippling in the gentle breeze as her sharp, gray gaze settled on you. Clutching two wooden swords, she flashed you a friendly smile. "A-Ah, Sora! What are you doing here?"
Smoothing out her robes and placing the swords aside, Sora beamed brightly. "I'm here to train you since the rest of the team went out to run errands for the village," she explained, her voice carrying a hint of desperation. "Honestly, it's so mundane doing the same thing every day. I'm not really fond of the idea of becoming a servant like Sakura."
You tilted your head, perplexed. "Eh? I thought it was so cool to be like you guys..." Sora let out a small 'hum' before speaking again, "Well, you don't understand, do you? As the first student of Sakura, I never really had a choice. I couldn't become a Demon Slayer because she was worried for my safety and didn't want to lose me. So here I am today, an 18-year-old girl who will probably never become a Hashira."
As you watched Sora stare at the multiple cherry blossoms, you struggled to grasp what she had just revealed, 'What's a demon slayer?'
Suddenly, she smiled, "I remember this cherry tree and climbing up here to hide from her training..." You felt a small smile crept up on your face. "You guys seem really close," you remarked. "How old were you when she trained you?"
Sora turned around, a nostalgic expression on her face. "About 9 to 10 years old," she replied. You gasped, realizing just how long Sora had been under Sakura's tutelage. "So isn't Sakura supposed to be like your mom by now?!" you blurted out, astounded.
Sora shrugged, the smile on her face was bittersweet. "In some ways, I suppose. But she could never replace my real mother, who died when I was young." As she spoke, Sora gazed back at the cherry blossoms, lost in thought.
Your eyes widened as you looked down at the ground, feeling the weight of Sora's words. "Sorry for your loss," you mumbled, not knowing what else to say to comfort her. Sora just sighed, brushing off your sympathy with a flick of her wrist. "Oh, come on, that isn't the spirit! Anyways, let's start training. I hate talking about my past," she replied, her tone growing more determined.
You gulped nervously at her request but donned a determined expression nonetheless. "Alright, I'll try my best," you responded.
A smirk tugged at the corners of Sora's lips. "That's what I like to hear! We'll start by learning how to attack properly!" she declared, pulling out a wooden katana and offering one to you. "If you want to learn Sakura breathing, you've got to learn how to fight first."
You quickly fell into a fighting stance, bracing for Sora's next instruction. "Yes, ma'am!" you acknowledged with enthusiasm. Sora smiled widely, clearly pleased with your response. "That's the spirit! Now try and attack me!" she challenged, her eyes flashing with excitement.
As you prepared to make your move, you suddenly noticed that Sora didn't have a sword. "Wait, Sora, why don't you have a sword? Isn't it dangerous?!" you exclaimed, worried for her safety.
A wicked smirk appeared on Sora's face as she laughed. "I'm stronger than I look, don't worry about me," she assured you. Despite her reassurances, you couldn't help but scan her body for potential weaknesses, considering which angle would be best to strike first. Should you go for her stomach or aim for her head to knock her out? You would have to be quick and strategize accordingly.
Your desperation to impress Sora had led you to recklessly charge towards her with a tight grip on your sword. Stupidity had taken over as you attempted to strike her in the stomach, but she effortlessly dodged your attack and grabbed your arm, flipping you over in one swift move.
You let out a pained groan as your previous injury, numbed for days, flared up once again. "Oh my, that was really bad," Sora laughed tilting her head mockingly, rubbing salt in the wound.
You couldn't help feeling a twinge of anger at her mocking, but you swallowed it down, "I know...I'm not really fast," you admitted, somewhat ashamed. Sora snorted, offering a small compliment that almost made you feel better. "You were actually quite fast, almost caught me off guard. But you were kind of stupid about where you were going to strike me."
You sighed, feeling defeated and disheartened as Sora continued to nitpick the failures in your technique. You remained silent, allowing her to prattle on about how poorly you performed.
Sora finally stopped smiling, taking a look at your dejected figure. "Hey, don't be so silent~ I'm sure you'll get better. Come on, let's train again, but without the sword this time," she offered with a reassuring smile.
You assumed your fighting stance once again, your mind racing as you considered possible strategies to weaken her properly. Suddenly, a flood of memories raced through your mind, recalling a time when your little sister had been bullied.
--Flashback/3rd Person--
The menacing drunk man cackled with delight as he yanked on the hair of a helpless girl, causing her to emit a painful squeal. His words were filled with malice as he mockingly taunted her, "What's wrong, little bitch? Gonna cry to your momma that doesn't even exist?"
Just then, an apple flew through the air and smashed directly into the man's eyes, causing him to recoil in agony. Rubbing furiously at his eyes, he bellowed, "Who the hell did that to me?!" Squinting through blurry vision, he noticed a girl with h/c hair, s/c skin, and e/c eyes glaring at him. Recognizing her as Y/n, he sneered, "Aw, so you're Y/n, eh? You must be that female dog's sister. You don't look half-bad yourself!"
Y/n looked over at her trembling sister before turning back to the man and addressing him in a cold, menacing tone. "I am not interested in your stupidity. Stop abusing S/n before it gets any worse."
The drunken man scoffed in return, "What can a girl like you do? You're better off working as a prostitute!"
Y/n's temper flared at the insult, and she charged at him with incredible speed. With a swift kick, she toppled the man before delivering a brutal knee to his face, followed by an elbow to his neck that left him unconscious.
As Y/n turned to comfort her sobbing sister, she gently whispered, "It's alright, S/n... It's alright." She wrapped her arms tightly around S/n, determined that no one would ever harm her sweet sibling again. "I will never let you get hurt," she vowed, her eyes blazing with protective determination.
Oh how bad of a liar she was...
--Present/2nd Person--
Your mind raced as you reflected on your past actions - you were so foolish, so naïve. A cringe-worthy smirk spread across your face as you realized just how terrible a liar you truly were.
If only you could go back in time and slap some sense into your younger self.
Suddenly, Sora's voice broke through your thoughts. "Oi! Are you good?" she asked with a bored tone.
You quickly straightened up, nodding your head and taking your stance once more. This time, however, you had a plan. You were determined to catch her off guard.
"Oh! Hi Master!"
You called out, waving at an imaginary person. Sora turned her head to follow your wave, and you seized the opportunity to run towards her, hoping to throw her off balance.
But to your dismay, Sora was too quick for your ruse. She grabbed your legs and twisted them slightly, causing you to let out a sharp yelp of pain. "Oh dear, that's a bad move. Sometimes cold people could just twist your leg if you aren't fast enough," she teased, a sly grin spreading across her lips.
You glared daggers at Sora as you used your hands to pry her grip off your legs. Determined not to let her get the upper hand, you launched a fierce kick using your non-broken leg, successfully striking her on the side.
Sora's eyes sparked with excitement as she praised your effort. "You're doing great," she exclaimed, "but you should be prepared for what I'm about to do."
Sora's lithe body slid towards you with such incredible speed that you barely registered her movements. In the blink of an eye, she was soaring over your prone form while gripping your head, her powerful legs striking your back with bone-crushing impact. You shouted out in agony as the blows triggered your already aching wounds, gagging from the pain that radiated throughout your entire body.
Sora stood over you with her hands on her hips, her expression one of absolute confidence. "You should always be prepared for attacks like that," she chided, her voice filled with smug satisfaction.
As you lay there, nursing your agonized body, "Can we take a break?" Sora rolled her eyes before seating herself on a nearby rock. "Fine," she said grudgingly, "Though you only get 15 minutes. You better come back - you're awfully weak."
You nodded feebly, still feeling the weight of your defeat heavily upon you. You couldn't help but feel a little sad that you couldn't measure up against her.
--Timeskip--
The day had been a grueling battle between you and Sora, each move calculated and intense. Sweat poured down your face as you fought tirelessly, determined to prove yourself. Eventually, Sakura and the others returned, breaking up the fight and forcing everyone to calm down.
As you sat getting treated for injuries by Yuri, Haruka suddenly barged in, "Oi brat! Did you really think you can learn something amazing like Sakura breathing?!" You widened your eyes as you stuttered, "I-I..."
"Well just give up! You're not even worthy!"
Her harsh words cut through the room. "You could barely protect your sister, so why even bother? I bet you'll just let the entire village down!" She berated you, making you feel small and worthless. Her words were like knives, slicing through your confidence and leaving you wounded.
"HARUKA! Stop that! Get out!" Yuri stepped in to defend you, but the damage had been done. As Haruka stormed out, you stared at the ground, lost in thought.
Could it be that Haruka was right? Were you truly weak and incapable of ever mastering the powerful Sakura Breathing technique? The weight of self-doubt crushing down on you, you wondered if you were destined to be a failure, unable to protect those you cared about.
Yuri finished patching up your wounds, her gentle touch soothing your battered body. She looked at you with a warm smile, her eyes filled with understanding and kindness. "Y/N," she spoke softly, "Don't let Haruka's words get to you. You tried your best to save your little sister and that alone shows your strength as an older sibling."
Her words were like a balm to your soul, bringing comfort and reassurance. As Yuri left the room, closing the door behind her, you felt a sense of peace wash over you. You sank into the soft mattress and closed your eyes, letting yourself drift off into sleep, freeing yourself from the doubts and worries.
---
"Wake up, brat."
You slowly opened your eyes, still shrouded in the veil of a wonderful dream. However, this blissful state was swiftly disrupted as you realized that it was Haruka who had rudely awakened you.
A scowl crept across your face as you met her inquisitive gaze. "Why are you glaring at me?" She asked, unfazed by your irritation. "I'm just here to remind you that the master will be training you today."
With an eye roll, you reluctantly stood up, your body still heavy with exhaustion. A wave of frustration washed over as you recalled the events of the previous day - Haruka's unnecessary outburst towards you and your sister. A part of you wanted to lash out, to strangle the girl for her audacity.
But instead, you bit your tongue as she made her way out of the room, leaving you with a visceral sense of confusion and anger.
As you dressed, you couldn't shake off the feeling of disdain you had for the girl. What gave her the right to insult you and your sister in such a way? The very thought made your blood boil, each passing second only fueling your animosity towards the arrogant girl.
With each step, the frustration continued to simmer within you like an angry volcano. You shadowed Haruka out of the minka, trailing behind her like a reluctant child.
Finally, your steps came to a halt as your eyes alighted upon Sakura, your "master." She met your gaze with an emotionless expression, her piercing eyes seeming to look through you. Her voice brought you back to your surroundings, "Are you ready?"
You nodded tentatively, the weight of the situation still looming over you. Sakura handed you a sword, and a sense of unease crept through you as you felt its heft in your hands. But before you could express your apprehension, she said, "Alright, we won't be fighting today. Instead, we'll focus on learning how to properly hold a sword and swing until your entire body succumbs to exhaustion."
The blood drained from your face at her words. You could feel a sense of dread begin to build within you, amplified by the sound of Sora and Haruka's laughter in the background.
God... why are you so UNLUCKY-
--Timeskip--
You grunted with each swing, your muscles screaming in protest as you pushed through the exhaustion. The sun was sinking in the sky, marking the end of what felt like an eternity. Sweat dripped down your face as you set the sword down, your arm numb from the relentless training.
As you sat down to eat with the others, the feeling of numbness spread from your arm to your whole body. The group chatted around you, but you were too exhausted to really take it all in. Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered as Haruka and Sora began to bicker over the last tempura.
"That's mine!" Haruka snapped, grabbing for the dish.
Sora snickered, "Oh please, you've had more than enough. Let me have it."
The argument escalated quickly, and you watched on in silent horror as the two tore at each other over a piece of food.
Sakura remained silent, her expression unreadable. It was clear she was not amused by the squabbling, silently pondering why she had chosen these two as her apprentices in the first place. By the time Yuri let out a sigh of disappointment, the argument got worse and the last tempura lay forgotten on the plate.
As Haruka and Sora continued their squabble, you watched their fight with a half-hearted interest. All you really wanted was that last, savory tempura. Slowly, ever so slowly, you inched your hand towards the plate, hoping to go unnoticed.
But as you took the last tempura, a sense of satisfaction washed over you. You savored the crunch of the crispy breadcrumb coating and then the delicate tenderness of the shrimp within. A warm feeling filled you as you swallowed the last bite.
Suddenly, Haruka bellowed in outrage, pointing an accusatory finger at you. "Hey FATASS, don't you dare eat that!"
You just shrugged with a devilish smirk as you ate the tempura without a care in the world, pushing Haruka's protests aside.
As the other two watched in horror, their anger and frustration evaporated, and they resigned themselves to defeat. All Sakura could do was give them a stern look, shushing them up before lecturing them about their behavior.
"Shhh...if you two want to be treated to more tempura, it's better if you act your age first," she scolded, forcing the two to straighten up and take their seats. They both murmured their understanding, replying in unison, "Yes, master."
You lightened the mood with a chuckle at their close relationship with Sakura.
Maybe perhaps, one day, you too would become close with the Sakura and the three...
Edit: Rewritten ^_^