Akane Sato remained a constant figure in Sakura's life, and by extension, in mine. She was Sakura's closest friend, a fellow member of the Student Council and Drama Club, and someone who understood the world Sakura came from better than almost anyone. Our relationship meant I was interacting with Akane-san more often, and her perspective on Sakura and her world was becoming increasingly apparent.
I saw Akane-san working tirelessly on Student Council duties with Sakura. She was incredibly efficient, organized, and had a sharp mind. She wasn't just a friend; she was a formidable partner for Sakura in the demanding world of school leadership.
One afternoon, I was waiting for Sakura near the Student Council room after her meeting ran late. Akane-san came out first, looking tired, her usual sharp gaze a little softer from exhaustion.
"Still waiting for Sakura, Tanaka-kun?" she asked, acknowledging me.
"Yeah, Sato-san," I replied. "Meeting running late?"
She sighed, rubbing her temples. "A bit. End of the semester always brings extra work. Plus, planning next year's major events is already starting."
She paused, then looked at me, her gaze thoughtful. "Sakura's been working even harder lately. With the club winning the contest, Student Council duties, and now focusing heavily on exams... she's pushing herself."
It was a simple observation, but it underscored the pressure Sakura was under. Akane-san saw it too.
"I try to help when I can," I said. "With studying. Or just... being there."
Akane-san gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "She needs that. More than she lets on."
She leaned against the wall, her usual guard slightly lowered in her fatigue. "People see Sakura Yamato, the perfect, effortless idol. They don't see the hours she puts in, the pressure she handles, the fact that she rarely gets a moment to just... breathe."
Her words echoed what Sakura herself had said about the expectations. Akane-san understood the hidden cost of Sakura's seemingly perfect image.
"Her father was pleased about the club win," Akane-san commented, shifting the topic slightly, her tone neutral.
My stomach tightened slightly, remembering the dinner and his subsequent concerns. "Oh? That's good."
"Yes," Akane-san said. "He has... high standards. Especially for Sakura." She looked at me directly. "Winning the contest was good. It fits the narrative of success. But the real test... will be the exams. And university."
Her gaze was assessing again, not hostile, but observant of how I reacted to the mention of the 'real test.' She knew about the pressure. She knew it was the most important thing in Sakura's father's eyes.
"I know," I said. "Sakura's told me. She's working really hard."
"She is," Akane-san confirmed. "She feels... a lot of responsibility. Not just for herself."
"For her brother?" I ventured softly, remembering the brief mention of her sick brother.
Akane-san's expression softened further, a flicker of sadness in her eyes. She nodded slowly. "Yes. For him. He was... he was supposed to be the one. The heir to the academic legacy. When he got sick... it shifted everything. All that weight... transferred. To Sakura."
It was a rare glimpse into the core of the pressure Sakura carried, confirmed by someone who knew her history. It wasn't just about living up to a family name; it was about carrying the torch for a beloved brother whose path was tragically cut short.
"She doesn't talk about it much," Akane-san added. "She just... carries it. And tries to meet every expectation. Every single one."
Seeing the depth of Sakura's burden, articulated by her closest friend, made my heart ache even more for her. It also made me feel incredibly small and inadequate. How could I, average Hiroshi, possibly be a source of support or refuge against that level of deeply rooted pressure and expectation?
Akane-san looked at me, her gaze serious. "Being with Sakura isn't easy, Tanaka-kun. Not just because of the attention. But because of the world she lives in. The pressure. The expectations. Can you be there for her? Truly be there? Not just when things are easy, but when the weight gets too heavy?"
It wasn't a threat this time. It was a question. A challenge. And perhaps, a test of whether I understood the reality of what being with Sakura truly meant.
"I... I want to be," I said, my voice quiet but sincere. "I care about her, Sato-san. A lot. I want to support her. Be whatever she needs."
Akane-san studied my face for a moment, searching for the truth. Then, she gave a small, almost-smile, a flicker of something that looked like cautious hope.
"She's happy with you, Tanaka-kun," she said softly. "Happier than I've seen her in a long time. Just... don't let that change. Don't let the pressure... or anything else... take that away from her."
With a final, weary sigh, she pushed off the wall. "I need to get back. Tell Sakura I'll see her inside."
She walked back into the Student Council room, leaving me alone in the hallway again, the weight of her words and the glimpse into Sakura's burden heavy on my mind.
Akane Sato, the formidable guardian, had shown me a piece of the reality Sakura faced. She had acknowledged the genuineness of our relationship, but also laid bare the immense challenge that came with it. Being Sakura's boyfriend wasn't just about romance; it was about being a steadfast presence, a source of strength, and a refuge in a world of relentless expectation.
And I wasn't sure if I was strong enough for that.