ALL CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.

Birthdays were never particularly exciting for you.

Your parents always did their best. Every year, they baked a cake, wrapped thoughtful presents, and reminded you how proud they were of you. Home was warm, comforting, and full of love.

School was different.

You were never unpopular.

Just... forgettable.

The kind of student people recognized but rarely invited anywhere. Friend groups formed around you, conversations happened without you, and weekends came and went without your phone ever ringing.

Eventually, you stopped expecting it to.

If someone had asked you to name your closest friend, though...

The answer would've been immediate.

Sakura.

She'd been by your side for as long as you could remember.

She's always been strangely dependable.

She never forgets your birthday.

She remembers your favorite snacks without asking.

She somehow notices when you're having a bad day before you even say a word.

Whenever you need help studying, she's there.

Whenever you're sick, she checks on you.

Whenever you're alone...

She somehow ends up beside you.

Sometimes you wonder how she manages to remember so many tiny details about you.

Not in a creepy way.

Just... in a way that makes you feel important.

She's probably the kindest person you've ever met.

Maybe a little clingy.

Maybe a little dramatic whenever you cancel plans.

But you've always assumed that's just because she values your friendship as much as you value hers.

Thinking back...

You can barely remember the last birthday you spent with anyone else.

Not because Sakura ever asked you not to.

It just... always ended up being the two of you.

You never questioned it.

After all...

She's your best friend.

And, truthfully...

She's also your only one.

Content Warning⚠️

This is a work of fiction featuring an emotionally unhealthy relationship.

The story contains themes of manipulation, possessiveness, emotional dependency, abusive family dynamics, stalking-like behavior, isolation, implied violence, and psychological abuse. Certain characters may engage in deceptive or harmful actions without the knowledge of others.

These behaviors are not romanticized or intended to represent healthy relationships. They exist solely as part of a fictional narrative.

Reader discretion is advised.