Chapter Text
Epilogue: Daylight
It's been six months since Sasuke's international movie came out and I still can't believe Sasuke's really back 😭♥️
IKR?? And now he's back here!!! Idek where he was all these years. But I'm just happy he's back and acting again, and in an international movie, too. But I hope he'd release music again, too.
Well, babysteps. For now, I'm just excited to see him tonight! His first event here in Konoha after what? Like 5 years?
Yeah, more or less.
Sasuke's POV
Okay, I admit, I'm feeling a little nervous.
It's been a long time since I've shown myself in a public event as Uchiha Sasuke here in Konoha.
Me and Naruto have been invited a few times for music fests, concerts, balls and awarding nights for music here before, but going as Indra with my mask was a lot easier.
I guess Uchiha Sasuke's reputation just carries a lot of history. And I just can't do anything about that. When you're famous, there will just be people who'd remember the things you wish no one remembered.
I just hope that since it's been five years, the media will be a lot more welcoming to me.
I wish I can go with Sakura, but that can cause more issues with what the public knew about our past, and what our reputation is now.
It's been three years since Sakura and I officially got together—since that first concert of Otsutsuki here. But to be honest, for me it's been longer than that.
I've been clear about my feelings for her before I left. And when I was in Whirlpool, after I did a lot of reflections, and did a lot of healing, I think I've been even more honest about what I'm feeling—the positive and the negative.
Throughout that year that I would go and visit her in secret, we were both more affectionate towards each other. Honestly, I feel like since then we've both already understood that we were exclusive.
Especially with Sakura giving me permission to stay at her home whenever I come back to Konoha.
But the girlfriend is always right, and according to her, we've only gotten together three years ago. I don't care about the details. I'm just happy we're finally together.
We seriously took a very long road to get here.
But since then, a lot has also changed.
Now, I'm back in Konoha for good. Although I will still be required to go back to Whirlpool every few months or so to fulfill my committments there. But thankfully, with the technology now, me and Naruto can continue making music even with him there and me here.
And when I have to go back there, then I'd probably just take Sakura along with me. We can probably do something to free her schedule by then. I just don't want Sakura to be left here alone.
I wish she was with me now. But she insisted that we should just meet at the event. I'd go to the venue now, but I don't wanna arrive to early. I don't want the media to get ahold of me and be able to ask too many questions, and I don't think I can be completely comfortable talking with some of the artists and celebrities I know from when I was active in the business here. They haven't heard from me for years, after all.
So I guess, all I can do is wait. Sakura is probably still getting ready with Yamanaka.
--
"OH MY GOD! THAT'S SASUKE! IT'S DEFINITELY SASUKE! HE LOOKS SO GOOD!"
"WHERE? WHERE??"
"RIGHT OVER THERE!"
"SASUKE!!!"
"His hair is so long now!!!"
"SASUKE!! SASUKE, WE LOVE YOU!!!"
"SASUKE!!!!"
I waved and smiled to the fans waiting at the side of the pathway as I passed by them. If I was still the 18 year old kid who had only gotten a big break from my tandem with Sakura, I probably would have stopped by and interacted with them for a few minutes. But honestly, I'm not quite sure how to do that now. I can't remember how it was being Uchiha Sasuke, the celebrity. Indra only ever really needed to sign autographs and pose for pictures with the mask on.
When I got inside, I saw a few familiar faces.
Deidara was with Sasori, but they were all the way to the other side and didn't see me.
I saw Neji and Tenten talking to some celebrity in the red carpet, a camera in front of them. I guess they're hosting for tonight.
I see some other familiar faces—co-artists from Kakashi's management who've I've never really been close with, but had worked together. They smiled and waved at me, and I greeted them back.
Then I saw Ami, who has just arrived. She's with Zaku, her current, and longest love team to date. I looked away before she noticed me. I don't really have anything more to say to her, and I don't the night to start of with awkwardness.
Then I saw Suigetsu from across the room. He has shorter hair now, and I was a little surprise to see him with Karin. I guess I've missed a lot of things.
Our eyes met, and for a moment we just looked at each other. Then he gave me a nod and a smile in greeting, and I returned it.
We never really were able to mend our friendship, but I do think that after all these years, we both might have just left everything that happened between us in the past.
It doesn't really matter now, anyway. We were just two strangers who used to be friends before.
I went ahead and walked through the red carpet so I can finally go inside.
When it was my turn for a short interview, Tenten and Neji were friendly and only asked me the basic questions—how was I, how was it filming an international movie, what were my next plans.
It was a quick interview, and after them asking me for a message for my fans, I finally was able to go inside the hall.
Inside, an usher led me to my table, and told me that the thing I asked delivered was under my sit. After thanking the guy, he left to guide other guests.
I guess I was still a little early since I was the first one in our table. But that was a good thing because I immediately noticed that there was something wrong.
Sakura was also in this table but her seat was right across from mine. So before anyone arrived, I quickly took the place card with her name and put it right beside my sit, exchanging it with someone named Haku—he's probably a new artist, I'm not really updated with what's been happing in showbiz here in Konoha.
I was just in time, too, because the usher had returned to my table with more guests.
I waited for another 15 minutes before Sakura finally arrived.
As soon as I saw her, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I've seen her dress before—she had shown me a few dresses and asked me which I preferred. This was one of my choices. And she looks amazing on it.
I was feeling a bit frustrated because I wanted to hug her, but of course I couldn't.
There were a lot of media people here, and I know a lot of my photos have already been taken ever since I stepped out of my car.
We have to act like we're just old acquiantances.
As Sakura approached our table, I stood up to greet her. She gave me a warm smile and a loose hug, and I helped her take a seat.
When I sat back down, and we were both settled, I took her hand under the table.
From my peripheral view I can see her rolling her eyes, but smiling.
When I saw her bring her phone out, I did the same.
'You look pretty.' I messaged her at once.
'You don't look bad, yourself.' She replies.
'I missed you.' I sent next.
I hear her let out a laugh.
'We were together five hours ago.'
'Exactly. It's been so long.'
She laughs again, but is distracted when the next guest arrived and sits on her other side.
I felt a little put out that her attention was taken away from me. But since we were still holding hands, I didn't mind much. Anyway, I knew we really couldn't interact much when we are in public like this.
I can't wait for this to be over so we can just go home and relax.
--
"Uchiha Sasuke!"
There were a lot of applause and cheers when my name was called out. I felt Sakura squeezed my hand under the table, before letting it go. I stood up then and the spotlight and cameras turned to me and followed me as I made my way to the stage.
I was only really given an honorary awards—the Hokage Award as acknowledgement for my contributions in helping shape the industry. I got this because of my recent movie, that has been a big hit globally. Because it starred me as one of the main characters, a lot of my past projects were given spotlight in the global stage, giving way for international audience to discover Konoha's film and television dramas. So now a lot of our local shows, old and new, are being streamed online internationally.
I went up the stage and received the award from a veteran actress, Kurenai. I gave a short speech, simply thanking the awarding body, my fans, my friends and family. I wish I could mention Sakura but I simply gave her a smile.
They gave me a round of applause and I made my way back to our table.
Sakura surprised me when she welcomed me with a congratulatory hug. But I was happy he did, even knowing that that might be headline news tomorrow.
Because the media hasn't change, and probably never will.
But the rest of the people in our table has also approached me to say their own congratulations, so I hope the media doesn't exaggerate it too much.
There were a few more awards given, but I was just waiting for one more.
And finally, the nominees for the Best Actress for this year was announced.
Sakura is one of the nominees. She has constantly been so in the last few years, and already two times before. She lost last year, however. She's hoping she can win this year.
I'm pretty sure she will. Her acting in her latest movie was probably her best yet.
After they showed clips from each of the nominees' movies, it was time for them to announce the winner.
I feel Sakura squeezing my hand in both excitement and nervousness, and I responded by letting my thumb gently caress her hand.
I know she got this. I already knew it.
But when they announced her name, I found myself standing up in excitement and clapping.
I was the first to do so, as well. But the rest of the people in our table also stood up to clap their hands and congratulate Sakura.
With a big, unbelieving smile on her face, Sakura also stood up and made her way to the stage.
She had a big hug with the presenter—Sasori and after talking off the mic for a moment, she started giving her own speech. It was mostly the same speech as mine, only he also mentioned Indra when thanking her loved ones.
I couldn't help but smile.
It was nice that the people at least know that Sakura is in a relationship. Even if they don't know it's with me.
And it's nice that Sakura can just mention me whenever she wants to.
As she makes her way back to our table, I went and took out the thing I had delivered here earlier.
She smiles when she sees it, even laughs a little. When she reached our table, I gave her the bouquet of daisies. The same flowers I gave her that time before I went to Whirlpool.
A bouquet that symbolizes new beginnings.
"Congratulations." I tell her, conscious of the cameras pointed at us, but not caring at the moment.
"Thank you." She just says simply.
Then we were sitting back down.
When they started announcing the nominees for the next award, and most of the people's attention was back on the stage, I leaned a little to Sakura to tell her, "I told you, you'd win."
She grins at me and thanks me again, bring her hand under the table to grab my hand once more.
"I can't wait to go home and properly celebrate." I whisper next.
She rolls her eyes and didn't comment.
But both of us almost jumped when both our phones started vibrating.
Sakura took out her phone to check, but I opted to just look at hers.
"Oh my God, we're trending." She tells me.
I wasn't very surprised. I was sure a lot of people had recorded our little moment earlier.
"I think they're mad at you, Sasuke." Sakura says next, however.
"Huh?" I asked, confused. "For what?"
Instead of answering, she just showed me her phone.
We both really were trending. And now I knew why my phone also kept vibrating. People are tagging both my Uchiha Sasuke and Indra accounts.
'MY SASUSAKU HEART 😭❤️'
'My divorced parents 🥺"
'I'm so glad they're still friends even after all these years.'
'Sasuke shouldn't be too close to Sakura, though. He does know she's with Indra, right??'
'It's not like he's doing anything wrong. They're just being friendly.'
'Look, I ship Indra and Sakura. I love how Indra is with Sakura, like he's so proud of being with her his account is filled with her face, and no one even knows what HIS face looks like, but WHY IS SASUKE LOOKING AT SAKURA LIKE THAT 😭 IM WEAK'
'This is why their love team was so big back then. They really have such great chemistry.'
'SASUKE IMMA NEED YOU TO BACK OFF. SAKURA IS INDRA'S GIRL'
'OOPS, WHAT IS THAT HUG. INDRA HAS STARTED TYPING.'
'Indra I got this. SASUKE FIGHT ME. MY MOM IS TAKEN AND YOU'RE NOT MY DAD'
'Just give up, Sasuke. Sakura is already happy.'
'Why didn't Indra go to this awarding ceremony anyway??'
'HE PREPARED A WHOLE ASS BOUQUET FOR HER?? INDRA WHERE ARE YOU'
'SASUKE MOVE ON FROM YOUR LOVE TEAM IT'S BEEN YEARS. LEAVE HER ALONE.'
I sighed, looking at all the very passionate posts. I still don't really get why people get so invested in someone else's relationship.
So this is how it feels like when people think you're trying to get between a love team—or in this case, a public celebrity couple.
I shook my head, a little amused.
I took my own phone out and log on to my Indra account. I made a new post and selected a photo. Before I could post it though, Sakura tugged at me.
"What are you doing?" She hissed.
"Trying to give them another thing to talk about?"
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yeah. But I won't if you don't want me to."
She looked a little conflicted for a moment, and then she sighed.
"Fine, just let me turn off my phone.
I chuckles, and finally posted the photo. I didn't put any caption, the photo already says everything.
It was a photo taken just earlier this morning. A photo of just our hands, and Sakura finally wearing the ruby ring I've been holding on to for months now.
Because she finally said yes.
"They'd know sooner or later, anyway." I tell Sakura beside me. "It's better we announce it now while you're still not showing."
"Yes, but I think it would have been better that you told your management, and Naruto first before announcing it to the world." She commented, looking a little exasperated, but still looking very happy.
It has been a very happy day for the both of us.
"Right, I probably should turn my phone off, too."
But my phone has started ringing.
"Too late." Sakura laughs. "Naruto's calling."
𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕰𝖓𝖉 𝕰𝖓𝖉 😊
