Chapter no.1

[ Best friends ]

Understand when you say forget it

Wait forever when you say just a minute

Stay by your side when you say leave me alone

Those are the reasons they call us..

-Best friends

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My dearest friend...

I often refer to myself as the flower among the bugs. -Stop that! I can hear you all laughing! Yeah, even though the laughter isn't now, at least.-

And it's true, right? I'm always the only girl among us four. But I don't complain, really. Instead, I'm happy because that way I can be the most beautiful. Haha...

Time flies, doesn't it? The last moments we can spend in this place have arrived. I don't know if I should be happy or sad. Do the three of you feel the same way as I do? Of course I'm happy. Finally, I'm graduating too. Hey, being a graduate with the highest score isn't a bad thing, is it? I hope you're also proud of me, like my mother and uncle. But... it's also heavy to leave this place. Even though I'll still stay in Konoha, it's heavy to think about not being able to go to school early in the morning and meet the three of you again. You guys are the best things I found in this place. Really, I'm not lying!

I'll surely miss the times when we shared a table in the canteen with you all, the times when we argued about trivial things in class... Basically everything. Every moment I spent with you all is always fun. Hey, do you still remember the silly punishment Mr. Hatake Teacher gave us before? Haha... I'll miss him too because of that. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be like this now.

Do you know, I cried all night thinking that we'll soon be parting in the near future? Ino was confused when I called her. But she said it's normal for me to cry. Only you (ah, not really. To be more precise, one of you) think that crying isn't normal. Hopefully, the swelling in my eyes has subsided by now. And I think it has. Because if not, you would have teased me already, 'what a girl!'

I know that no matter how much I cry, it won't keep you close to me. But I hope, even though we are apart, our hearts will still be close to each other. This way, the bond of friendship between us will be maintained.

Naruto... Wow! I can't believe you got a scholarship to study in Suna! That's far away... But congratulations. I will surely miss you. No one can make me laugh like a crazy person except you. It's sad to think that I won't be able to see your blond hair suddenly popping up in the restaurant and your screams ordering ramen. Konoha will definitely be empty without you. When can we play again?

Oh, yes... My mother said, thank you for being a loyal customer at our restaurant and for willingly providing live music for free on the weekends! She said you're funny and your voice is also good. Hey, I think you've got another fan. My mother! haha...

Not just my mother, I also want to thank you. Thank you for being my friend, thank you for always being there when I needed you. And... thank you for loving me. Sorry that I cannot reciprocate your feelings. I hope that someday you will find a girl who truly loves you, a girl who can make you happy. Not like me who only broke your heart. Sorry for my behavior before, but trust me, I always love you. Like a brother to me.

Sasuke... I want to make a confession, but I hope you won't be angry. You are the coldest, most arrogant, most boastful, most conceited, most annoying, and the worst of the worst that I have ever met in my life. But you are also the most handsome guy. Haha... Sometimes I still wonder how I can still tolerate being friends with you, cruel Lord. I think my head hit something.

Hey, don't be angry. I'm just kidding. You are a GOOD enough friend... I'm not lying. Behind your cold attitude, I think you have a soft side, although of course you don't show it openly. And you are also very attentive.

Thank you so much, Sasuke... Because you have accompanied me in difficult times, when I lost someone I love, especially when I broke my heart for the first time. Thank you for strengthening me. Although you make fun of my nonsense more than you say anything comforting, you are willing to lend me your shoulder to cry on. And... I like your perfume scent. Haha... Oh, yeah... I'm glad you study in Konoha too. That way at least I'm not completely lonely.

And Sai... I don't know what to write for you. You're weird... Oops, just kidding. But it's true. You always show a sweet expression, but your words can be very disrespectful. Ah, strange artist as usual. I still don't accept you calling me 'ugly'.

But despite that, you are a fun friend. Especially when having discussions about art (although to be honest, that topic can be a bit boring. I remember when we all went on a summer vacation to Kiri last year, you were discussing art with Dei's older brother until late at night. You two were not even affected when the rest of us fell asleep from boredom). You are very talented in that field, friend. I am still surprised why you left Konoha Art Academy. But I was not surprised when you told me you were going to study Journalism in Ame. I think that is the best place for you. You still want to be an art journalist, right?

Thank you for everything, Sai... Thank you for happily capturing every moment of our friendship. Your photos and paintings are beautiful. Especially the painting of the four of us that you made for me on my 18th birthday. One of your masterpieces. Don't listen to Sasuke's words. I really like it.

What is clear is that I will miss our togetherness. I will miss you all very much. Especially Naruto and Sai, because I can still meet Sasuke in Konoha. Would you promise to always remember me wherever you are? To always remember our friendship? Say you're willing, please... I will be very miserable and suffering for life if our friendship ends just like that. Ah, that's probably an exaggeration. Haha...

But I'm serious!

Well, I guess I have written too much here, I hope you are not bored reading it. And never be bored if I write super long emails for you later. You know me, don't you? Miss Chatty. But all of that is to show you—so you know that I love you three very much.

With love,

Sakura Haruno.

PS: Naruto, don't cause trouble in Suna. Sai, send me pictures of nice places in Ame later, okay! Sasuke, I'm still waiting for something from you... Everyone, pray that I can achieve my dream of becoming a professional actress! Yeah!

The young pink-haired girl looked at the paper in her hand with satisfaction. Carefully, she folded the paper and put it into an envelope. She turned when she heard someone calling her.

A young man was waving his hand to her. His blonde hair was covered by a graduation cap. "There you are! Come on, let's take a class photo!" he cheered as usual.

"Wait, I'm coming, Naruto!" Sakura replied as she quickly put the letter safely into her pocket. Sakura got up from her seat on the grass of the far end of the Konoha High yard and patted the back of her gown. The girl ran a little to join Naruto and others for a group photo.

Naruto immediately grabbed her hand when Sakura was close and dragged her through the crowd of children who were already lined up in front of the photographer. "Move over! Make way for our best graduate!" he shouted. Some children grumbled and glanced disapprovingly before making way.

"No need to be like that, Naruto," Sakura scowled a little embarrassed but happy. The girl whispered apologies to everyone who was pushed by her friend. A smile never left her lips.

Sasuke and Sai were already waiting for them right in the middle of the line. Both of them looked cool with their own gowns.

"Where were you ?!" Sasuke shouted with his usual scowling expression.

Sakura retorted with a scowl. "I had some business," she replied curtly.

"Your mother was worried when you suddenly disappeared. It makes people anxious," Sai reminded from beside Sasuke.

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry..." Sakura chuckled as she apologized. "I have something I want to give all three of you later," she continued to the three young men. "Don't run away yet, okay!"

"What? What?" Naruto asked excitedly.

"Later. We'll talk about it later!" Sasuke snapped while roughly pulling Sakura's hand to stand beside him. Naruto shrugged before taking his place next to Sakura. Sai stood on the other side of Sasuke.

"Alright? Everyone ready?" the short-statured photographer shouted in front of them.

"YOOOO...!" all the students shouted in unison, closing the ranks.

Sakura, sandwiched between Sasuke and Naruto, nervously tucked her hair behind her ear and cast her gaze around. The girl smiled when she saw her mother standing not far away. A proud smile was clearly visible on her calm face. The middle-aged woman waved at her daughter. Next to her, Naruto's kind-faced foster father, Iruka Umino, raised his thumb at his foster son while smiling broadly. And not far from them, Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha stood. Sasuke's beautiful mother was wiping away her tears while his haughty-faced father placed his hand on her shoulder. Itachi, who stood next to his father, showed a proud expression towards his younger brother. Sai's grandfather was also there. His fake smile was identical to his grandson's.

Together with them, the teachers. All of them smiled proudly as they watched their students graduate. Mr. Hatake, the late but strict Algebra teacher, stood with Mrs. Yuuhi, the beautiful Biology teacher, and Mr. Sarutobi, the killer Science teacher. Also, Mr. Maito, the energetic Physical Education teacher. In short, all the teachers were there.

Graduation ceremonies are always emotional events. Where all the graduated students gather together with their families and teachers. Receiving the results of their hard work for three years in high school. At the same time, enjoying their final moments in this place filled with memories. Usually, almost no one goes home with dry eyes afterwards. Sakura can see Hinata Hyuuga wiping her tears with a handkerchief at the end of the line. Ino's eyes are also teary.

"Ready ya..."

The call from the photographer breaks Sakura's thoughts. She blinks and is shocked when she realizes her eyes are wet. The girl quickly wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"Everyone say cheese... Okay? Three... two... one..."

"CHEESE...!"

Click!

"Whooaaa..." the atmosphere immediately became noisy when all the students threw their caps up and shouted full of joy, embracing each other, patting each other's shoulders.

"Group hug!"

Sakura heard Naruto shouting beside her, and the next moment the boy pulled her into a hug, while his other arm reached out to Sasuke and Sai at the same time. Sakura screamed with laughter when she felt the bodies of others rushing them from all directions, joining in a small circle. Ino, Chouji, Kiba ... who else, Sakura doesn't know anymore who pats her back, or messes up her hair. What she knows is that a feeling of happiness bursts in her chest, so there is no longer room for protest or objection with all those personal space violations.

The girl's face turned red, tears streaming down her face as she hugged her friends.

TBC...