I know, I'm not a little kid anymore

[keystaff]

WHO: Sakura Kinomoto, OPEN
WHERE: Fai's house! Since she lives with him now.
WHEN: April 1st, early afternoon
WHAT: Sakura's friends are invited to a party for her birthday.
WARNINGS: None?



[Maybe some arrived earlier, to help get the food ready or set up any decorations. Most of it is ready, though some preparation might be more last minute in that morning once she has opened presents from her family - after dealing with an initial prank from her brother, given the date and all.

She hadn't anticipated anything too huge or fancy. Though that might end up debatable given how Fai tends to spoil her at the best of times. Still, the house should hopefully be big enough. She hopes. Sakura fusses a little with her dress, her hair, before coming to try offer to help with any last minute decorations or anything. Once people do start arriving, everyone is free to mingle and enjoy the food and drinks (non-alcoholic).

Sakura tries to get around to say hi to everyone, sometimes but not always managing to be the one to answer the door. She seems to be enjoying herself, glad of the chance to catch up with everyone in person, even if some might not stay all day. And given the weekend, given the holidays, she isn't so worried on staying up late either. She joins in with mingling, and might be easier to corner and get some one on one time later in the afternoon/evening, once others might have already gone home.

She doesn't have a traditional cake, but a number of cupcakes for everyone instead, with those and the rest of the snacks provided being made by Fai. With Xiaolang's help, and maybe Sakura managing to somewhere in the process of making it all.]

Comments

[keystaff]

I'm sorry. I can't have made this easy.....but you're going?

[Already? She hadn't even said anything yet though? But perhaps he had said his piece already and expected that she needed time to think about this. About them and how she felt towards him, more purposefully, in making up her mind. Not that this makes her feel much if any better on leaving things like this, as she glances to him and bites her lower lip in uncertainty.

Part of her knows he isn't wrong and that he probably does need to get going before it gets too late, and that he probably took a lot, in coming out with this, but all the same she can't help not wanting him to leave, especially now.]

[cardcaptured]

[He's already turning to leave, getting ready to head back up the path they took and into the house, when Sakura's words stop him short. For a brief, agonizing second, he thinks that apology is a gentle rejection, but... no, she was just apologizing for not noticing earlier. Swallowing hard, he shakes his head, trying to assure her otherwise. No, it hadn't been easy, but that was mostly on him, too.]

... it's fine. It's... it's something I like about you.

[No use being shy about it, now that she actually knows, although his cheeks still flush over it. Her obliviousness may have been frustrating in turns, but in a way, he preferred it that way. He wasn't sure what'd he do if she noticed how he felt before he was even aware of it.

He chances a look back over towards her and immediately regrets it, her expression breaking at his resolve. It was for the best to leave. The longer he stuck around, the more awkward and uncomfortable this could become, and he didn't want to put her through any more of that on her own birthday. Still... her words, coupled with the quiet, disappointed look in her eyes, told him otherwise.]

... did you want me to stay?

[It's said softly, tentatively, searching her face for an answer. If she had asked, he'd spend the entire night by her side, if that's what she truly wanted. But with things the way they were now, with the uncertainty of her feelings hanging between them, was that really the best idea?]

[keystaff]

I....Well, no. You're right. It is late now. I'll...I'll let you know.

[Once she isn't quite so blindsided by this. Once she is sure her feelings are there and not just because he likes her, or because they liked each other in their other memories, their other lives. Once she has a chance to actually stop and think on it.

Though she still felt bad in not immediately giving an answer either way. Making him sleep on something like this. But even at their younger age, this wasn't something to consider so lightly, was it? Taking that next step. Part of her wants to offer to walk him out even if she understands why he might want to all but immediately flee in calming himself down from this.]

[cardcaptured]

[The small flicker of hope in his chest, that he hadn't made things hugely awkward between the two of them, dies out at her answer. No, this really was for the best. Even if she had wanted him to stay, despite everything, there would still be that elephant in the room, the knowledge that he liked her, liked her liked her, and she... well. 'I'll let you know', she said. It wasn't a rejection, but it wasn't an answer, either. Her feeling unsure about his affections, and him in the limbo about where hers lie... it was an uncomfortable combination that he figured neither of them had to deal with right now.

He was fine with waiting. He'd wait a hundred years to hear an answer from her, as long as what he got was honest. And, in a way, this was sort of a good thing, that she was giving this some thought. He didn't want her to like him in that way just because her other self did, or because she felt pressured into it. He fell for her, regardless of what his memories told him-- he wanted that to be the same for her too.

He offers up another small half-smile, as he looks into her eyes, in an attempt to reassure her that he'd be fine. That he'd be okay with whatever answer she comes to, as long as it was what was best for her.]

... goodnight, Sakura.

[And with that, he turns back around, quietly walking back up the path to the house. It's not until he's back inside, away from the lingering guests and any other prying eyes that his expression crumbles, a fraction of a bit, and he lets out a small sigh.

God. What was he going to do now?]