Halfanhourlater, Sakura finally managed to speak with the police. Her hands still trembled uncontrollably, and she clung to Haru, barely able to process the words she was saying. Every sentence felt like a weight pressing down on her chest, but she pushed through. Once the officers had taken her statement, they immediately contacted her parents.
Sakura's parents wasted no time. The moment they heard, they rushed to the scene with urgency.
"Sakura!" Her mother, UmekoSuzuki, cried out as she spotted her daughter. Her voice cracked, filled with panic and disbelief. Behind her, RenSuzuki, Sakura's father, followed closely, his face unreadable.
Haru instinctively took a step back, giving them the space they needed, but his eyes remained locked on Sakura, his presence still a steady anchor.
Sakura was frozen, her body unmoving as if it were made of stone. When Umeko reached her, her eyes widened at the sight of Sakura's torn jumper and disheveled state. Without a word, she enveloped her daughter in a tight hug, her tears soaking Sakura's hair.
"Oh, my darling… I'm so sorry," Umeko sobbed, clutching her as if she could protect her from the pain with just her embrace.
But Sakura didn't respond. Her limbs felt numb, her mind clouded. It was as though everything around her was happening to someone else.
Ren, noticing his wife's frantic reaction, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. His voice was calm, though there was an edge of concern in his tone. "Umeko, breathe. Let's take her home."
Umeko wiped her tears, trying to regain some composure. "Let's go home, sweetheart," she said, trying to pull Sakura away.
Sakura's eyes widened with panic as she felt herself being guided away from Haru. Her breath caught in her throat, and without a moment's hesitation, she rushed back to him, her feet stumbling as she cried out in a voice barely above a whisper.
"Please… don't leave me," she begged, gripping the hem of his shirt like a lifeline, tears streaming down her face.
Haru, his heart breaking for her, immediately wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He didn't care who was around or what anyone thought—he wasn't leaving her. "I'm not going anywhere," he whispered soothingly, rubbing her back gently in an attempt to calm her.
Sakura clung to him for a long moment, the fear and trauma overwhelming her. When she finally released him, she only let go reluctantly, still not ready to be apart from him.
Ren watched quietly, his gaze flickering between his daughter and the young man who seemed to have a firm hold on her, both physically and emotionally. He said nothing at first, but the silent question was there. He could sense the bond between them, but this wasn't the time for such things.
Finally, Ren's voice broke the tension.
"Excuse me," he said, his tone authoritative but calm, masking the concern in his eyes. "Who are you?"
Haru hesitated, a knot forming in his stomach. Introducing himself to Sakura's father under these circumstances felt strange, almost wrong. But he couldn't ignore it. He stood tall, his voice steady, though a part of him was unnerved. "I'm Haru Soma. I'm Sakura's boyfriend," he said with confidence, though inside, he felt like a small boy meeting the man who held his future.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Suzuki," Haru added, though he didn't extend a hand—his arms were still wrapped protectively around Sakura.
Ren's expression tightened slightly, a flicker of something he couldn't quite hide. "I see," he replied, his tone neutral. His mind was racing, piecing things together. This wasn't the moment to confront Sakura about her relationship, especially when she was in such a fragile state. But he couldn't help but wonder what role this young man had played in what had happened to his daughter.
"I understand," Ren said, though his gaze didn't soften. He turned his focus back to Sakura, noticing how she was still tightly clutching Haru's side.
"Mr. Suzuki," Haru spoke up, his voice respectful yet firm. "If it's all right with you, I'd like to accompany you home. I don't want to leave Sakura's side."
Ren regarded him for a moment, considering the request. Sakura was so clearly attached to Haru, and the thought of her being alone, even with her parents, was unsettling. Ren's eyes softened ever so slightly. "Very well," he said, his voice quieter now, giving a subtle nod. "Come with us."
As they all made their way to the car, the weight of the day lingered, but Sakura's quiet sobs in Haru's arms were the only sound that filled the air. They had all been shattered by the events, but Haru's resolve was stronger than ever. He wouldn't leave her. Not now, not ever.