Thread by @lightcee_

Extra Entry #1 #ssshoujoweek23
#ssssnippetaday #ssficthread #ssthreadfic

so this is an old story that's already posted on AO3. it's the first ever story i posted when i still don't have many followers, so i just wanna share it here. it's connected to day 1's entry. 😊

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Hidden Moment

The gang was in Konoha library, not studying, but resting. This was normal for them when they get their unusually long breaks (usually when a teacher—ehemKakashi— announce he's not going to make it to their class).

They would sleep in the library (It's quiet there

and they would not be disturbed) or just find solace far from terror professors and nosy schoolmates, or even study when they needed to.

Currently, Sasuke and Sakura are sleeping—the school festival has just finished last week and the two of them have been very busy during the

preparation with Sakura being the class representative and Sasuke trying to make sure Sakura doesn't do everything by herself. They probably were catching up on sleep.

Meanwhile Naruto, Ino and Shikamaru are talking among themselves (well mostly the first two).

That's when Naruto's bright idea came up.

--

Sasuke heard movements and he lookep up. He saw Naruto's and Ino's panicked faces while Shikamaru covered his with nonchalance as he lifted up Ino's bag.

"Ino's going to the ladies room. Right, Ino??" Shikamaru lied, trying to play

it cool. It was so obvious, Sasuke resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"YES!" said Ino immediately. "Toilet." She unnecessarily added, panic written all over her face.

Sasuke didn't notice where Naruto went or what they were up to. But he knows they are up to something. And

they are probably waiting for him to go to sleep again.

At the moment, he still felt tired to care (Sakura had mostly done everything herself after all with only him helping without having to be threatened). So with a halfhearted glare and a sigh of resignation, he just went

right back to sleep.

Not long after that, he was woken up yet again. Now, he heard unconcealed movements. Naruto and Ino were talking rather loudly. He was half asleep so he didn't understand much. And he still didn't care so he didn't try to understand.

After a little while, it seems Naruto dropped something and went to get it. He heard the chairs were moving but he wasn't interested still, so he just tried to ignore the noise, still in the middle of wakefulness and sleepiness.

He expected to hear them sitting again and so was

surprised to hear their footsteps fading.

He sat up, now fully awake. So that's what they're up to.

'Those three. Playing matchmaker again.' He inwardly sighed.

He glance at Sakura. She was still deeply asleep, looking as tired as he felt. He was about to wake her up but then

change his mind. She must be really tired if they didn't wake her up with all the noise they made.

So he just sat there beside her. He wasn't sleepy anymore. But it was for once, peaceful.

No noise, no eyes, no implying smiles or jibes. It was just him and his thoughts. He

decided he'll just wait for Sakura to wake up.

He's actually quite thankful that they left them alone. Not that he don't like their company (though he will never admit it to them). He enjoy his time with them. It just that it can get tiring—their meddling, their childish antics.

It's a relief not to be in Ino's peripheral vision for once. Sometimes he just felt like a fish in an aquarium, the way she's always silently watching. He didn't know if she wanted to push her to Sakura, or push her down the stairs.

Sakura wasn't lying when she said that Ino

is a little overprotective of her friends—her mostly.

And it's not just Ino. Naruto and Shikamaru are surprisingly observant as well. Though Shikamaru tries to be more subtle.

They have always teased them, ever since their first week there in Konoha High. But it seems they are

they are much more predisposed with their taunting nowadays.

Sasuke relented that he and Sakura are much more closer now. So maybe (he hopes) that's why.

Just then, Sakura moved and Sasuke's eyes were automatically on her form. He chuckled as she cuddled more to her books. She

looks comfortable in her rather awkward position.

He really doesn't know when it started but

'I love her.'

Maybe it shows and hence, the teasing.

Or maybe Sakura feels the same and confides in their friends?

No. That's probably just his wishful thinking.

'I love her.'

Their friends are already suspicious but he thinks he does a well enough job of being vague and subtle about what he really feels.

He didn't really want anyone to know.

It's not that he's scared of being rejected. Right now, both him and Sakura have their own dreams to chase

and they have to focus on that.

And for another, he didn't really want to change anything between them.

'I love her.'

And maybe that's enough for now.

Sometimes it may be frustrating but it's for the better.

At least she's beside him. She trust him. She relies on him.

And that's enough for him for now.

'I love her.'

It was really appeasing saying it even just in his head.

"I love her." He said out loud, tentatively. It was even more so.

"I love you." He said softly to Sakura.

He stiffened when she moved. She was still asleep but he wasn't

sure if she heard him or not.

"Sasuke-kun?" She asked sleepily. Then she took out her phone and read something.

"It's Ino-chan. She said there was an emergency, and they had to go." Sakura said.

'Lame excuse,' Sasuke thought.

"Didn't they text you?" She asked.

Sasuke just shook his head.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Sakura asked, gathering her things and preparing to go.

"I just woke up," Sasuke lied smoothly. "I didn't even realize they were gone." He said as he got up, too.

"Let's go." She said already walking.

"Sakura?" It was out of his mouth before he knew what he was going to say.

She turned around look up at him and answered, "Hm?" With a smile.

He melted.

"Nothing," He managed to say.

Sakura arched an eyebrow at Sasuke and he just shook his head.

"Nothing, I just remembered something."

'I love her.'

It is enough.

He has these hidden moments with her.

'That's more than enough for now.'

END