The afternoon sun was harsh that day, beating down on the crowded street where OG stood beside their small folding table. The city moved around them without slowing—cars honking, footsteps rushing past, conversations blending into meaningless noise.
"Excuse me," Hana said again, holding out a ticket with a careful smile. "We're performing this weekend—"
The man shook his head and walked on.
Sakura stood slightly behind the table, fingers gripping the edge as if it were the only thing keeping her upright. Her head felt light, her body strangely hollow. She had felt unwell since morning, but she hadn't told anyone. There was no space for weakness anymore—not now, not when everything already felt like it was slipping away.
Just a little longer, she told herself. I can manage.
But the world didn't listen.
The sounds around her began to fade, as if someone had turned the volume down. Her vision blurred, edges melting into one another. Cold sweat trickled down her spine, and her heartbeat felt uneven, too loud and too fast at the same time.
"Sakura?" Yuki noticed first, stepping closer. "You don't look okay."
Sakura tried to answer. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Her legs trembled, strength draining so suddenly it frightened her.
"I'm fine," she meant to say.
But the street tilted violently.
Her knees buckled.
As her body started to fall, someone caught her.
Strong arms wrapped around her shoulders, steady and sure, preventing her from hitting the ground.
"Hey—!"
The voice was unfamiliar, feminine, sharp with concern.
Sakura barely registered the warmth of another body holding her upright. Her consciousness slipped rapidly, darkness creeping in like a tide she couldn't fight.
"Hakura…" she whispered.
Her voice was barely there—thin, fragile, almost a breath.
Hakura froze.
"Sakura?" she said, tightening her grip. "Stay with me. Hey—look at me."
Hana gasped. "Sakura!"
Aiko rushed forward, panic flashing across her face. "What happened? Sakura, open your eyes!"
But Sakura couldn't respond. The voices blended together, distant and echoing, until even that disappeared.
Her last clear sensation was the steady pressure of arms holding her—protecting her.
Then everything went black.
—
When Sakura woke up, the world felt unnaturally still.
The first thing she noticed was the smell—clean, sharp, unmistakable. A hospital. White light pressed against her eyelids as she slowly opened her eyes, blinking in confusion.
Her body felt weak. Empty.
"You're awake."
Sakura turned her head slightly.
Hakura stood beside the bed, her expression tight with worry. She looked around Sakura's age, her hair pulled back messily, eyes dark with concern that hadn't faded even now.
"You fainted," Hakura said softly. "You scared everyone."
OG stood nearby—Hana with swollen eyes, Yuki clasping her hands together, Aiko standing stiffly, relief barely hiding the fear she refused to show.
Sakura tried to sit up, but Hakura gently pressed her shoulder. "Don't move. The doctor said exhaustion and low blood pressure. You've been pushing yourself too hard."
Sakura swallowed, her throat dry. "I'm… sorry."
Hana shook her head immediately. "Don't apologize."
Sakura stared up at the ceiling, a dull ache spreading through her chest. Not just physical pain—but the realization that her body had finally broken under the weight she refused to put down.
Hakura watched her quietly, something unreadable in her eyes.
Because it was clear now—
Sakura wasn't just carrying her own burden.
She was carrying everyone's.
And it was slowly tearing her apart.