Chapter 4: The Fainting Incident

The narrow staircase creaked slightly under Haruto Takeda’s careful steps as he followed Sakura Fujimoto upstairs. The private room his future in-laws had prepared was simple but elegant: tatami mats, a low table, and shoji screens letting in soft afternoon light. Everything was orderly—exactly the kind of calm Haruto liked.

Sakura, however, seemed oblivious to order. She leaned against the wall, swaying slightly as she tried to maintain her balance.

“Haruto-kun,” she said with a teasing lilt, “so this is our… private conversation?”

“Yes,” Haruto replied, bowing slightly. “We can talk here. Quietly.”

Sakura smirked and plopped onto the edge of the low table, causing it to wobble. “Quietly, huh? I hope that means fun is allowed too.”

Haruto’s lips twitched. “Fun… in moderation.”

She laughed softly, tilting her head. “Moderation? That’s boring, don’t you think?”

Before Haruto could answer, Sakura wobbled more dramatically. One moment she was sitting, the next her legs slid out from under her, and she collapsed onto the tatami with a soft thud.

Haruto’s eyes widened. “Sakura-san!” He rushed forward instinctively, kneeling beside her and placing an arm around her shoulders to prevent her from hitting the floor.

“I-I’m fine!” she slurred, her cheeks tinged pink. “Just… a little dizzy…”

Haruto glanced at the half-empty sake bottle tucked behind a cushion. His eyes narrowed slightly. “You were drinking…?”

She gave him a sheepish grin. “Maybe… just a tiny bit. Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

Haruto pinched the bridge of his nose, flustered. He had expected chaos, but not this level of unpredictability. Still, he carefully helped her sit up, steadying her with gentle hands.

“There, there. Sit still,” he said, trying to maintain his composed tone. “It will pass.”

Sakura leaned against him slightly, her gaze half-lidded but amused. “You’re… really serious, aren’t you? Even when things are… messy.”

Haruto blinked, a strange warmth spreading across his chest. “I… try to maintain composure.”

Just as the tension seemed to settle, the door burst open with a loud bang.

“Haruto! Sakura! Are you okay?!” Kenji’s voice shouted before he appeared, tripping over the threshold and nearly colliding with the low table.

Haruto shot up, mortified. “Kenji! What are you—how did you—?!”

“I… I came to check!” Kenji said, holding a hand to his chest, eyes wide in alarm. “Is she—wait! Oh no!”

Sakura, still leaning against Haruto, snorted through a hiccup. “Kenji… why are you… so dramatic?”

Kenji froze mid-step, glaring at her, then at Haruto. “You… you didn’t tell me she might… faint?!”

Haruto pinched the bridge of his nose again. “I did not expect… this level of chaos.”

Kenji tried to help, but in his flustered state, he knocked over a small decorative vase on the low table. It teetered, clattered, but Haruto’s quick reflexes caught it mid-fall.

“Kenji!” Haruto hissed, hands tightening around the vase.

“I… was helping!” Kenji protested, holding his hands up in surrender.

Sakura giggled, leaning further against Haruto, her flushed cheeks radiant. “See? I told you. Life’s never boring.”

Haruto sighed, simultaneously exasperated and amused. He helped Sakura to the floor, ensuring she was sitting properly and stable. She leaned slightly against the wall, closing her eyes with a contented sigh.

“You… really don’t lose your cool, even now,” she murmured, almost dreamily.

Haruto blinked, uncharacteristically flustered. “I… I am… trying.”

Kenji, still standing awkwardly by the doorway, whispered, “I think this counts as… a first impression.”

Haruto gave him a pointed glare. “Get out.”

Kenji’s eyes widened. “What? Me?”

“Yes. Now.”

Kenji hesitated, then gave a dramatic bow. “Yes, sir! But… she’s adorable when she’s… unpolished.”

Haruto groaned. “Kenji!”

Once Kenji shuffled out, slamming the door behind him, Haruto turned back to Sakura. She was sitting on the tatami, head slightly tilted, a playful smile teasing her lips.

“You… aren’t annoyed?” she asked, voice soft.

Haruto hesitated. “I… I am a little… concerned. But… you should rest. It will pass soon.”

Sakura hummed softly, leaning lightly against him again. “Even serious London doctors… can be… kind.”

Haruto’s lips twitched. “I… am… serious, yes. But…” He stopped, unsure of what he wanted to say, and instead gestured for her to sit properly.

For a moment, they were quiet. Haruto was aware of her warmth, her soft presence, and even her disheveled, unpolished charm. Despite the faint chaos, he felt… amused.

Finally, Sakura’s eyes fluttered closed as she leaned back against the wall, sighing contentedly. Haruto exhaled softly, standing to give her some space while keeping a watchful eye.

“Messy… but somehow charming,” he muttered under his breath.

And despite himself, he found a small, secret smile tugging at his lips. Somehow, this unpredictable girl had already begun to leave an impression… one that would be hard to forget.