Chapter 21: Overthinking Doesn't Bring Peace At All

After Sakura knew the truth about who Yamaguchi Alan really is, she thought that he could only make her college life worse. Things already started to get out of hand, and she knows that she must take the necessary precautions in order for her life to be peaceful, even once. Even if she doesn't have that many friends, as long as her life is peaceful… Sakura couldn't wish for more aside from that.

Thus, the girl only smiled at Alan's kind words and responded, "I don't think if that would ever happen though."

Without waiting for his response, Sakura now turns her back at Alan, swiftly types her code, and dashes her way inside once she hears that automatic click once she got her code right. Through the small gap of her door, she could see the genuine sadness in Yamaguchi Alan's eyes as he proceeded to walk past her room and outside their apartment. As bad as she may have felt for treating the poor guy that way, Sakura knows that it is only for the best.

***

The following day at Hirosaki University, Nakano Yuna reports to Sakura the good news that the school underground site was finally taken down as well as the post about her. But Sakura can't really be one-hundred percent happy about it knowing that it has already been viewed by almost all the students of this school and her life is close to being truly finished and miserable for the rest of her years here.

"Come on, cheer up girl. At least the site can't produce any rubbish contents any longer," Nakano Yuna now sips to her yogurt drink with the tiny straw punched on top of the small bottle. Still, Sakura feels heavy about it.

"Here," Yuna finally offers her extra drink to Sakura. "I hope it makes you feel better."

Not every day can she receive something from someone else, so without a doubt, Sakura smilingly receives the drink from her while expressing her gratitude afterward. Tanaka Ryo, on the other hand, complains that it was his drink Yuna gave to Sakura.

"Shut up and go buy some more if you want!" Nakano Yuna clicks her tongue in annoyance and walks back to her seat. Tanaka Ryo weeps in silence.

***

The secret school site might have been taken down now, but the intimidating stares that the students gave her and their act of talking literally behind her back didn't die just yet. Sakura can still feel them all, and yet she still tries her best to walk with her chin held high as she walks her way towards the cafeteria after being dragged down by Nakano Yuna and Tanaka Ryo to join them.

The hate letters she has been receiving for two days straight now have continued even after the site was taken down, which she only stares at for a few more seconds before deciding to throw them out into the nearest trash bin.

While she was suffering like this, Mori Ken was there witnessing it all. He would always be there standing at a good distance or sitting not far from where Sakura is seated and witness that sad glint in her chestnut eyes. If there is only one way he could do to ease her trouble, he would eventually do it… for old times' sake.

***

As their class in College Algebra is about to end, Mr. Nakamura makes the whole class groan as he assigns a ten-item homework that the whole class needs to pass tomorrow. Unfazed by their reaction, the college professor soon leaves the classroom while shaking his head disapprovingly.

Sakura was already done stuffing things inside her bag when she realized that Mori Ken is now out of sight already. Since she doesn't pay him much attention, Sakura has no idea where the guy went after being dismissed. Shrugging, she couldn't care less now. All she needs to care about is how to go to work without being noticed by her fellow schoolmates.

She was just about to leave the room when the mini speakers placed at the corner of their room suddenly made a sound, meaning that someone is in the broadcast room right now and is about to announce something. Stopping for a while, Sakura waits for the announcement.

"To all the students of Hirosaki University, hear me out this once…"

Sakura's eyes widened when she immediately recognized that voice even without the introduction. And all her classmates must have recognized it too because of their astonished reactions painted on their faces as well.

"I know you have been harassing Hayashi Sakura of Accounting Class 1-A just because we know each other. But the truth is, I was the only one who pushed myself to be friends with her even if she didn't want to. I was the one who put her in this kind of situation that she doesn't deserve at all. She is unique in her own kind of way, and I pray that you all would see that too. I will stop bothering her from now on if that's what makes you leave her alone..."

Sakura could now feel the questioning stares that her classmates are throwing at her as they all listen to Alan's words over the podcast. Meanwhile, teachers of the faculty department are in chaos right now as they listen to it as well, and some started to rush right towards the broadcast room.

However, the last part pains Sakura to hear it for some unknown reason. She wants a peaceful college life for herself, and that would only happen if she stays away from a person like Yamaguchi Alan. But… she also wants to continue being friends with a nice and friendly guy like him as well.

The podcast continues…

"But once I know that Sakura is still being harassed by anyone in this school in any way possible, I'll see to it to make you pay for your actions right away. That is all…."

The podcast dies shortly after that, with a voice of a teacher shouting in the background that made some of them laugh. Sakura is still in awe of what Alan did for her, and Mori Ken appears back inside the classroom with a serious look on his face.

"Watanabe Rin…" he calls out to the girl sitting at the back. The latter jumps back to her seat and looks at him expectantly.

"You are hereby being called at the faculty department. Now," he added. Mori Ken briefly looks at Sakura for a split second and soon leaves afterward.

Watanabe Rin is still in shock but she follows the boy soon afterward right towards the faculty office.

When you least expect it, help will soon arrive just like that…. Sakura thought to herself.

***

Sakura took another leave from work and went straight for the apartment where she waited for Alan in the lobby, with a book in hand, as soon as she's done changing into her casual clothes and a quick splash on her face to refresh herself.

The moment she hears the apartment door swing open, Sakura takes a peak from her book. Surely enough, Yamaguchi Alan has finally come back and is about to go for the door when he immediately spots Sakura sitting in the lobby with a book in hand.

However, he remained true to his word and only walked past her, ignoring her in the process which truly brought pain inside Sakura's chest.

"I don't care anymore what people would think of me …"

Sakura's sudden declaration makes Yamaguchi Alan pause in his tracks. Hearing this from a shy, introverted girl he came to know about really shocked him that made him anticipate the next words she is about to say.

The book in Sakura's hand is now placed on top of the table, revealing her face full of mixed emotions to it as she proceeded...,

"It took me years to realize that minding the opinions of others did not bring peace to my life at all. And all I wanted was to have a peaceful college life, so...I realized that I could only achieve that when I put my mind at ease and stopped overthinking certain things."

Alan now spins around and looks at the girl expectantly. He doesn't really know what he is expecting to hear from her exactly, but…

"I guess, all I wanted to ask after that crappy long speech I just made is that if we could still be friends? If that is okay with you?" Alan can't help but chuckle at this last statement of hers which also made Sakura laugh a shy laugh.

For Sakura who has fewer friends that she could only count on her fingers, losing a potential friend is much harder than an actual breakup. After carefully thinking about it, it wouldn't really hurt her if she is friends with this certain nice guy, right? No matter what his social status is...

With a thumbs-up, Alan replies, "Affirmative.", making Sakura smile instantly.