CHAPTER (5)
Sakura was stunned when she learned she had to live at the Uchiha residence — it was an agreement between their parents. She let out a bitter laugh. Something that made no sense had now become reality, all because of the Uchiha family traditions.
Uchiha Mikoto looked genuinely happy; she had always longed for a daughter, and the presence of Haruno Sakura had become a source of joy for her.
Mikoto: "Don't call me ma'am. Just call me mother, call me mom~"
Sakura: "Umm, Mom..."
Sasuke and Itachi observed how happy their mother was with Sakura. Itachi, who had no interest in marriage, was pleased to see it. Sasuke, on the other hand, felt proud — he was getting married while his older brother was still single!
For two days, Mikoto and Sakura slept together, and the head of the household would silently watch his wife as she ignored him. Itachi noticed this, but pretended not to know anything.
Itachi in his thoughts: (No way... father...?)
Sasuke nudged Itachi's arm. "Not interested in getting married?"
Itachi frowned at his younger brother's arrogance. "Haven't found the right one yet."
As Sakura became busy again with her daily activities, Sasuke began to feel ignored. Sakura didn't even reply to his messages — she felt that engaging with him like that was beneath her.
---
During her night shift in the ER (Emergency Room), Sakura was too busy to check Sasuke's messages. To her, her responsibility at the hospital was far more important than replying to a guy who kept sending her annoying emojis.
"Tonight is so exhausting. I just started dating and I'm already this busy. Ugh, sorry, Sai~," Ino muttered as she sent a quick message on her phone.
"Is he mad?" Sakura asked Ino, who turned to her.
"Sai's not mad. He's super sweet... truly my dream guy~," Ino answered with a shy smile.
Sakura chuckled. "Wow, that kind of praise... is really rare from you~."
---
It was Itachi who came to pick Sakura up, as Sasuke was still caught up with work.
(Inside the car)
Sakura: "Thank you, big brother. Sorry to trouble you."
Itachi smiling: "Don't say that. You're not a bother at all. In fact, I'm happy... feels like I have a little sister again."
Sakura smiled shyly.
Itachi smiled casually as he drove, then glanced at Sakura who was sitting beside him. "With you around, our family's really lucky. We're going to have our own personal doctor."
Sakura laughing softly: "I'm still an intern, big brother. Not a real doctor yet."
Itachi smiling: "But you will be. It's just a matter of time."
---
(Uchiha Residence)
At 2 AM, Sakura finally lay down in bed after showering. Just as she was about to close her eyes, her phone vibrated. But because she was exhausted, she chose to ignore it. Sakura knew very well that it was most likely another message from Sasuke — full of angry and annoyed emojis.
Sakura murmuring: "So annoying..."
---
The next morning during breakfast, Sasuke's face looked incredibly gloomy. Meanwhile, Sakura seemed relaxed as she enjoyed her meal and prepared to leave.
Sasuke softly: "I'll drive you—"
But Itachi quickly cut in: "I'll take her. Let's go, Sakura."
Sakura smiling and nodding: "Okay, big brother."
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto remained silent as they watched the scene unfold. Mikoto nudged her husband gently, reminding him that they had previously talked to Itachi to do this so Sasuke would be more honest with himself. What they witnessed did not disappoint them.
Sasuke grumbling: "Tch!"
Annoyed, Sasuke bumped into Itachi's shoulder and got into his own car. Itachi ignored his younger brother's childish behavior and opened the car door for Sakura.
Sakura politely: "Thank you, big brother."
Itachi: "Sure."
Itachi smiled with satisfaction as he saw Sasuke angrily speed out of the garage in his car.