Chapter Text
The sun was dipping low in the sky, casting a warm orange glow over the streets of Makochi as Sakura, Nirei and Suo, patrolled the area. The sidewalks were a blur of shadows and light as they moved with purposeful strides, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of trouble.
As they turned a corner, a gentle yet insistent voice called out to them. It was an old woman, standing in the doorway of a small convenience store they had visited the week before. She waved a gnarled hand, beckoning them closer. Recognition dawned on Sakura's face. It was the same woman they had assisted when she was being harassed by a group of local delinquents.
Her eyes crinkled into a smile as she spoke. "Ah, if it isn't the gallant trio from the other day!" she exclaimed. "Please, come in. I've prepared a little something to thank you for your kindness."
Sakura hesitated, but Nirei and Suo nodded politely, understanding the gesture of gratitude. They followed her into the cozy store, the bell above the door jingling cheerfully. The warm scent of simmering broth filled the air, a stark contrast to the cool evening outside. The old woman shuffled back to the counter and emerged with a tray that held three steaming bowls of soup. Her hands trembled slightly as she offered them the meal, with clear excitement etched on her face.
The moment of warmth was almost shattered when, with a clatter, she lost her grip on the tray. Time seemed to slow as the bowl tipped precariously, the rich broth spilling over the side. Nirei's eyes widened in surprise, his heart skipping a beat as the hot liquid approached. However, Sakura's instincts kicked in. He lunged forward, pushing Nirei aside with surprising gentleness, his movements as swift and graceful as a cat, almost as if he had anticipated the spill happening. The soup arced through the air, narrowly missing Nirei's chest, and instead splashed onto Sakura's forearm.
The old woman gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in horror. "Oh no, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, her smile fading into a look of concern.
Sakura's eyes never left Nirei's face, even as the hot soup stung his arm. "Nirei, are you okay?" he asked, his voice tight with worry.
Nirei stared at Sakura, his heart racing. "Y-yeah, I'm fine," he stuttered, blinking in astonishment. The soup had missed him by mere inches, and yet Sakura had moved as if he had anticipated the soups spill before it even happened.
Suo, ever the composed one, stepped in to help Sakura to his feet. He gently took hold of Sakura's arm, inspecting the burn. "It seems to be quite severe," he noted, his voice calm yet concerned.
Nirei's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the burn. It was a deep, angry red, the skin already starting to bubble and blister. "Oh my god, Sakura, that's a third-degree burn!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in panic.
Suo, his grip firm yet gentle on Sakura's arm, met Nirei's gaze with a nod. "Indeed," he said calmly, his expression a mask of concern. "We must get it treated immediately."
Sakura, unfazed by the pain that would have had anyone else writhing on the floor, waved his hand dismissively. "It's nothing," he insisted, his voice gruff as he tried to shrug off their worry. "Just a little burn."
The old woman, her eyes wide with concern, insisted on treating the wound properly. She disappeared into the back room and emerged with a first-aid kit, her hands trembling more than before. Nirei watched in amazement as Sakura took the bandages and disinfectant without a word of protest, his expression unreadable.
Sakura took a deep breath and began to clean the burn with the disinfectant. His friends held their breath, waiting for a reaction, but none came. Not even a twitch of his eyebrow or a clench of his jaw. Nirei and Suo exchanged confused glances, their worry morphing into something else entirely. How could he stand the pain?
The old woman's hand hovered over Sakura's arm, a look of bewilderment on her face. "Are you okay?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling of the bandages she had provided.
Sakura nodded, his eyes focused on the task at hand. "I've had worse," he murmured, his voice low and even, as if recounting a mundane anecdote rather than describing a painful experience. He carefully applied the ointment before wrapping his forearm in the bandages with a deftness that suggested he had done this before. His movements were methodical, each step precise and measured.
Nirei and Suo couldn't help but watch in stunned silence. The lack of reaction from Sakura was unnerving. They knew he was tough, but this was something else entirely. They had never witnessed his body's apparent indifference to pain.
Finally, Sakura looked up from his task, a question in his eyes. "Is that good enough?" he asked, holding up his bandaged forearm.
Nirei nodded, still in awe of Sakura's stoicism. "Yeah, it'll do," he said, his voice still shaking slightly. "But you really should get it checked out."
"Are you sure you're okay Sakura-kun?" Suo asked, his voice tentative. "That's gotta hurt, right?"
Sakura looked up at them, his expression unreadable. "Why would it?" he said, his tone flat. Before anyone could respond, he turned to the old woman. "Let me help you serve the soup," he offered, his voice a mix of insistence and a desire to change the subject.
The old woman's eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded gratefully. "Oh, yes, thank you, Sakura-kun," she said, handing him the remaining bowls. He took them with the same calmness that had carried him through the ordeal, and moved behind the counter to serve the customers who had gathered, curious about the commotion.
Nirei and Suo couldn't help but exchange glances as they watched Sakura handle the situation with such ease. Despite the pain he had just endured, there was no sign of discomfort in his face, nor any hint of his usual bravado. It was as if the incident had never occurred.