Sakura stood frozen at the side of the intersection, her bag of fruits and vegetables slipping from her hands and spilling onto the ground.
Her eyes were fixed on Sasuke and Karin standing before her, and she could not believe what she was seeing. Why were they getting along so sweetly? Why was Sasuke smiling like that? A wave of confusion and unease swept through her. What was going on?
At the same time, Sasuke and Karin noticed Sakura standing there.
"Sakura?!"
Sasuke's eyes widened, and his chest skipped a beat. It was as if he had been caught doing something he shouldn't—like a thief caught by the rightful owner. But then he thought, No… I'm the one who approached Sakura first. She hasn't claimed me yet!
As this thought crossed his mind, Karin instinctively held Sasuke's arm tighter, a small gesture that made her heart race.
Sakura, seeing this, felt a pang of jealousy shoot through her. Sasuke was still standing there, seemingly oblivious to her presence. Her frustration boiled over.
"Snort!"
Unable to contain her agitation, Sakura bent down to gather the scattered vegetables, brushing the tears from her eyes before spinning on her heel and storming off.
Woohoo!
Sasuke, that… that damn man! He was so close to Karin, and they even seemed on the verge of a kiss!
And what does that have to do with me?!
Even if he were to have two partners, Sakura could accept that in theory. But to openly show affection with one while she was standing there? That was too much! She felt wronged, furious even.
Seeing something was clearly wrong, Sasuke quickly pulled away from Karin and ran after her.
"Sakura! Sakura!"
Though Sakura could hear Sasuke's urgent calls and the sound of his footsteps behind her, she did not slow down. Instead, she quickened her pace, determined to make him sweat a little.
Humph! Let's see how anxious Sasuke really is now. I won't forgive him easily!
"Sakura! Wait for me, Sakura!!!"
Finally, Sasuke caught up to her, grabbing her arm. He gasped, "Sakura! What are you doing?!"
Sakura turned her face away, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Sasuke could tell immediately why she was upset and sighed. "Didn't you agree that I could marry Karin in the future? There's no need to be jealous."
Sakura snorted and wiped her tears, her pride wounded but her heart fluttering slightly.
At that moment, Karin caught up too. She looked at Sakura and said, "Sakura, you know and accept my relationship with Sasuke. So why are you angry?"
Sasuke nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Look at Karin. She isn't asking me to date you exclusively."
Karin smiled softly. "Yes. I only feel sorry for Sasuke."
Sakura's fists clenched. Watching the two of them act so coquettishly made her blood boil. If she could, she would have attacked Karin right there.
Sasuke gently took Sakura's hand. "Sakura, if you cannot accept this kind of arrangement, I will reconsider our relationship. I don't want to be heartless, and I don't want to force you into something you cannot handle. Do you understand?"
Sakura's heart skipped. Sasuke had finally acknowledged her feelings, yet he was speaking about stepping back. She felt a pang of panic.
"Sasuke… what do you mean?"
Her voice was a little sharp, masking the fluster in her heart.
"Sakura… I hope you can accept this. If you cannot, I will not force you. I do not want you to suffer," Sasuke said sincerely.
His words carried weight. After all, Naruto's advice, his parents' expectations, and the future of the Uchiha clan weighed heavily on him. Sasuke wanted to maintain the Uchiha legacy. One wife would mean one child; two wives could ensure the clan's continuation.
But Sasuke also understood that love was essential. Without it, any child born would lack warmth, care, and happiness. He had grown up in a loving household, especially with Itachi's kindness guiding him.
Seeing Sakura cry, Sasuke did not want her to be forced into a situation that would make her unhappy. That would harm both her and their future.
Sakura understood his words but could not give a direct answer. Instead, she expressed the cause of her anger.
"Sasuke, I don't mind if you marry Karin, but you need to keep boundaries. Why are you holding hands with her and kissing her while dating me? That's not fair!"
Sasuke smiled at her clarity. So, it wasn't the thought of Karin being his partner that upset Sakura—it was the public displays of affection.
Karin, noticing Sakura's jealousy, pouted. Hmph! She doesn't even realize that she's lost Sasuke's first affection to me!
Sasuke chuckled softly. "Sakura, you misunderstand. I treat you both the same."
Sakura snorted coldly. "I don't believe you. If you can, then show me."
With that, Sakura closed her eyes and leaned forward. Sasuke laughed and kissed her.
Karin, unwilling to be left out, cried, "I want Sasuke-kun too!"
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him as well. Sakura, no longer restraining herself, hugged Sasuke tightly and returned the kiss.
Sasuke was utterly flustered, caught between two women, each demanding his attention.
"Alright, alright! That's enough!"
He gently pushed both Sakura and Karin away, wiping his mouth and cheeks. Being kissed on the street by two women, though sweet, was hardly the image of the serious Uchiha heir. After all, he was a representative of the Uchiha clan, Naruto's peer, Kakashi's student, and in the future, one of Konoha's key figures.
Unfortunately, someone had witnessed this scene. A photographer from the Konoha Times happened to be passing by and captured the moment—surely tomorrow's headline material.
Sasuke glanced at the photographer, intending to approach him, but was again caught in the embrace of Sakura and Karin.
"Sasuke, come home with me. I just bought groceries, and my parents aren't home," Sakura said, holding one of his arms.
The other arm grabbed him as well, her voice dripping with innocence and flirtation. "Sasuke-kun… come to my house. Isn't that fine?"
Sasuke froze…
Caught between two women, with his image and the future of the Uchiha clan on the line, he had never felt so conflicted in his life.
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