Chapter 23: What the Heart Can’t Say

The next morning felt heavier than the one before.

Haruto woke early, even before the sun had fully risen. He sat on the edge of the bed for a long time, staring at his hands, thinking about everything that had happened at the office yesterday. The broken pen. The shouting in the car. The way Sakura looked when she thought no one was watching.

He knew what he had to do.

Even if it hurt.

By mid-morning, everyone had gathered in the living room. Sakura’s parents sat together on one side. Masato and Aiko stood near the door. Kenji leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Sakura stood quietly, her eyes moving between faces.

Satoshi arrived a few minutes later, greeting everyone politely, trying to keep his voice steady.

Haruto stepped forward.

“Uncle,” he said, looking at Sakura’s father. “Can I say something?”

The room went still.

Sakura’s father nodded slowly. “Go ahead.”

Haruto took a breath.

“I think… you should let Sakura marry Satoshi.”

The words felt sharp as they left his mouth.

Kenji turned his head quickly. Aiko’s eyes widened. Even Masato looked surprised.

Sakura froze.

Her father stared at Haruto, confused. “What are you saying?”

Haruto kept his voice calm. “She chose him. And she’s been fighting for that choice for a long time.”

Satoshi looked at Haruto like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Haruto continued, “She ran away from home. She stood against everyone. That’s not something someone does unless they’re serious.”

There was silence again.

Sakura’s father slowly leaned back in his chair. His face was hard to read.

“I don’t understand you,” he said after a moment. “You brought us here. You stood beside her. And now you’re telling me to let her go?”

Haruto looked down for a second, then back up.

“I just want her to be happy.”

Sakura’s mother quietly wiped her eyes.

Her father let out a long breath.

“I still don’t know why you are doing this,” he said slowly. “But… I respect you.”

Everyone looked at him.

“If this is truly what Sakura wants… then I will not stop it.”

Sakura’s eyes widened. “Dad…”

“But,” her father continued, raising a hand gently, “you must stay for the wedding.”

Haruto blinked. “Me?”

He nodded. “Yes. You started all this. You should see it through.”

Then he looked at Haruto more closely.

“And tell me something… why were you going to leave without saying anything?”

Haruto didn’t have an answer.

He just gave a small, quiet smile.

Sakura’s parents exchanged a glance, then her mother spoke softly, “Please stay. At least until the wedding is over.”

Haruto nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Sakura stood there silently, her fingers tightening around the edge of her sleeve.

For the first time, her parents weren’t fighting her.

They had agreed.

And somehow, that made her chest feel even heavier.

That night, the house was quiet.

Most of the lights were off. The hallway was dim, filled with soft shadows. Haruto stood outside Sakura’s room for a moment, staring at the door, his hand raised but not knocking.

He finally tapped gently.

A soft voice came from inside. “Come in.”

He opened the door slowly.

Sakura was sitting on the edge of her bed, her hair loose, the earrings still in place. She looked tired but calm.

“You’re still awake,” Haruto said quietly.

She gave a small smile. “Couldn’t sleep.”

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

“I came to tell you something,” he said.

She looked up at him.

“Your parents agreed,” he said softly. “They won’t stop the wedding anymore.”

For a moment, Sakura didn’t react.

Then she looked down.

“Oh.”

Haruto waited, expecting her to smile. To feel relieved.

But she didn’t.

Instead, she just sat there, silent.

“Isn’t that what you wanted?” he asked gently.

Sakura nodded slowly. “Yeah… it is.”

But her voice didn’t sound happy.

Haruto noticed it but didn’t say anything.

“Well,” he said after a moment, forcing a small smile, “everything will work out now.”

Before she could respond, the door suddenly opened.

Aiko walked in without knocking.

She looked from Haruto to Sakura, then crossed her arms.

“So it’s true,” she said sharply.

Sakura frowned. “What is?”

Aiko stepped closer, her voice rising. “You’re really going through with this?”

Sakura straightened. “Yes.”

“And you’re okay with hurting him like this?” Aiko pointed at Haruto.

Sakura’s face hardened. “No one is hurting anyone.”

Aiko let out a short, frustrated laugh. “Really? Then what is this?”

Haruto stepped forward. “Aiko, it’s fine. This is her choice.”

But Aiko ignored him.

She looked straight at Sakura.

“You’ve changed so many boyfriends before,” she said bluntly. “You always chased the thrill. The excitement. The drama.”

Sakura’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t start this.”

“But this time it’s different,” Aiko continued. “Haruto isn’t just some random guy. He loves you. Can’t you see that?”

The room went quiet.

Sakura didn’t look at Haruto.

“Love isn’t everything,” she said quietly.

Aiko’s voice softened a little. “Then why do you look so unhappy?”

Sakura finally looked up.

For a second, her eyes met Haruto’s.

Then she looked away again.

“I made my choice,” she said. “And I’m not changing it.”

Aiko shook her head, frustrated. “You’re running again. That’s what you always do.”

“I’m not running,” Sakura replied firmly. “I’m moving forward.”

Aiko looked like she wanted to say more. But she stopped.

After a long silence, she turned and walked out of the room.

The door closed behind her.

Haruto stood there, unsure what to say.

Sakura let out a slow breath.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

He shook his head. “You don’t have to apologize.”

But the words felt heavier than he expected.

And for the first time, both of them felt the distance between them more clearly than ever.