Sakura's voice trembled as she whispered, her tears streaming down her face like rain: "Kai... it's you... I've finally found you." Her words hung in the air, heavy with emotion, as she gazed at Kai with eyes that shone like stars on a clear night. The atmosphere around them seemed to vibrate with unspoken history, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a moment of pure longing. Sakura's lips parted slightly, as if whispering secrets only Kai could hear. The scent of blooming flowers wafted through the air, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within her.
Without another word, Sakura began running towards Kai, her feet barely touching the ground as if carried by her own heartbeats. Her long hair flowed behind her like a golden banner, and her eyes locked onto Kai's back, burning with intensity. The sound of her footsteps echoed through the silence, a rhythmic cadence that seemed to match the pounding of her heart.
Shinji turned to Lila, confusion etched on his face: "Lila, what's going on? How does Sakura know Kai?" Lila's transformation was striking – her usual bright smile replaced by a subtle frown, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and her lips pressed together in a thin line. Her eyes, normally sparkling like diamonds, had dulled to a soft, muted shine, as if a veil of sadness had been gently draped over them. Her skin had paled slightly, and her hands were clenched into fists at her sides, betraying a hint of tension beneath her calm exterior.
As Sakura reached Kai's side, he suddenly turned around and began walking away from her, his voice low and firm: "Don't you dare come near me." The words sliced through the air, leaving Sakura frozen in her tracks, her eyes widening in shock and hurt. The sound of Kai's footsteps receding into the distance seemed to echo the ache in Sakura's heart.
Sakura's face crumpled, tears welling up again as she whispered: "Kai... why?" Her voice was barely audible, lost in the space between them. Kai's back remained turned to her, his shoulders tense, as if bracing himself against some unseen force. The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken emotions and unresolved conflicts.
Sakura stood frozen, her eyes fixed on Kai's back as he walked away from her. The words still echoed in her mind like a haunting melody: "Don't you dare come near me." Her heart felt heavy, weighed down by the crushing rejection. Tears continued to stream down her face as she watched Kai reach Lila and Shinji.
Kai's voice was casual: "Let's go guys, we have nothing else to do here." Shinji looked confused, his eyes darting back to Sakura with concern, while Lila's expression was equally perplexed. Her mind raced with questions about what had just transpired between Kai and Sakura.
Sakura's legs moved on autopilot, propelling her forward with desperate urgency. She appeared in front of Kai within an instant, her face contorted in anguish. "What wrong, Zayn... did I do something wrong?!" Her voice cracked, and her body shook with sobs as she reached out to Kai, pleading for answers.
But Kai's expression remained cold, his eyes blazing with determination. He pushed Sakura away, his voice low and menacing: "We were friends, Sakura... but not anymore." He pulled her close, his breath whispering against her ear: "...now you are one of those 3 Heroes who betrayed and killed me... along with that Akira. And I will have my revenge on all of you."
Lila's eyes widened in horror as she witnessed the scene unfold. Kai pushed Sakura away again, his voice dripping with venom: "Don't even bother looking for me... I'll come after all of you... at once." The air seemed to vibrate with Kai's anger, leaving Sakura shattered and Lila frozen in shock.
Sakura fell to the ground, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably. Kai's words cut deep. She couldn't process the pain that washed over her.
Meanwhile, Kai began walking away from the guild training area, his strides long and purposeful. Shinji pulled Lila's arm, whispering, "Let's leave them alone, this is personal." Lila's eyes lingered on Sakura, concern etched on her face, but she nodded slightly.
Shinji and Lila followed Kai, their footsteps fading into the distance as they disappeared from view. Sakura remained alone, her body shaking with sobs, the silence punctuated only by her anguished cries.
The Guild Master, who had watching the scene unfold, quietly was filled with pity as he gazed at Sakura's crumpled form, her body wracked with sobs. He took a gentle step forward, his voice soft and concerned: "Are you okay, Sakura?" Sakura slowly covered her face with her hands, her tears still streaming down her cheeks. Her voice was barely audible, muffled by her palms: "Just give me some time alone, please..."
The Guild Master nodded understandingly and turned to leave, disappearing into the distance. The silence that followed was oppressive, punctuated only by Sakura's ragged breathing.
Meanwhile, at Lila's cozy house, the warm glow of the lamps and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed tea enveloped Kai, Lila, and Shinji. Lila pulled Kai aside, her eyes locked intensely on his: "Okay Kai, we've been honest with you... I think it's time you told us the truth about yourself."
Shinji sat down on the plush couch, ignoring the scene unfolding before him, his expression neutral. Kai slowly looked at Lila, then replied: "Okay, I'll tell you... but it's not going to be a good story." He took a deep breath before beginning: "I was the leader of a group with Akira, Sakura, and Kaito... My name was Zayn Kaito Thompson."
Kai's voice cracked with emotion as he recounted his past, his eyes gleaming with a mix of pain and anger. "But fate had other plans... I was reborn into this world." Shinji suddenly stood up, his expression firm: "Kai, that was your past... you don't need to explain it to us now. You're Kai, not Zayn... right? And let's keep it that way and move forward as The Nobles."
Kai looked at Shinji and nodded his head slowly. Lila replied, her voice cautious: "Okay... but only on one condition." Kai and Shinji turned to her, curious, their faces filled with anticipation.
Lila's eyes locked onto Kai's, her voice firm but cautious: "We hear Sakura's side of the story."