Future Gazer

In commemoration of the fact that I got the opportunity to personally see Matsui Jurina in the flesh for the SKE48 Hamlet Play, I've decided to post a JuriSaku OS I had in my phone's draft folder pfft.

It's totally random so regardless, hope you all will read and enjoy it :)

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Matsui Jurina shyly entered the dressing room prepared for the AKB48 Senbatsu members, greeting an empty room. She felt relieved that no one was there yet.

She should be used to stepping into the dressing room as it was part of her work but her 2.5 months hiatus completely made it feel like she was starting all over from her debuting days.

Walking over to a makeup table, she let herself slump on the chair and stared at her reflection on the mirror. She looked well-rested but she could notice how nervous she looked as well.

Suddenly, the door opened and a figure stepped in after waving at whoever she was talking to prior to stepping into the room. The person momentarily froze at the sight of Jurina, and Jurina returned the same expression.

“Ah... umm...” The person bowed, “I’ll be in your care.”

Jurina shot straight up from her seat and returned the gesture, “L-Likewise... Sa... Miyawaki... san.”

Sakura swiftly went to another makeup table that was opposite of Jurina’s so their backs would be facing each other. The only way they’d be able to see each other is if they either turned around or looked at each other through the reflection in the mirror.

It was awkward and quiet. Sakura had quickly did some touch up on her makeup before deciding to look at her phone most of the time and Jurina? Jurina couldn’t help but look at Sakura through the mirror, as indirectly as that was.

It hurt her deeply inside when she could only adore the girl like this from now on. Her feelings remained unchanged for Sakura— she loved her, despite the whole drama that happened between them. But she knew that it would be best that there is a timeout period between them.

Jurina became restless, seeing Sakura smiling at her phone from time to time, probably chatting with someone, who she could guess was Lee Chaeyeon, a PRODUCE48 contestant like both her and Sakura. But the difference is that she and Sakura were basically best friends formed through the show— or perhaps something even more?

Jurina was about to open her mouth to say something to Sakura, especially to congratulate her in debuting with IZ*ONE, since she had been watching the show during her hiatus and knows what’s going on, but the door swung open with a happy Soukantoku stepping in, greeting everyone in the room.

“Heeeeyy~ oh it’s just Saku-chan and Jurina-san— wait. JURINA-SAN?!!!”

Jurina quickly ran over and gave Yui a tight hug, the latter laughing away and patting Jurina’s head as Jurina started saying random things from apologies to greetings out of nervousness.

Sakura greeted Yui as she usually does and the members that started to come into the room, as they slowly gathered around Jurina to check up on the recovered Ace. Everyone was excited that Jurina had finally returned but of course, they all realised there was a rift between Sakura and Jurina.

Nana, being one of the closer Senbatsu members to Sakura, went over to her after greeting Jurina and talking to her a bit. Sakura gave her an awkward smile and Nana sighed.

“It’s gonna take time eh?”

“Hmm?” Sakura acted puzzled.

“You and...” Nana’s gaze shifted to Jurina who was happily catching up with the rest of the Senbatsu members, “... Jurina-san.”

Sakura stayed silent, turning her attention to her phone once again. Nana couldn’t help but sigh again, “Well... I hope you two will be able to get over your differences soon. Don’t you think it’s quite a sad note to leave on?”

“... Some things can’t be helped can it, Naa-chan?” Sakura said with a tint of sadness present in her voice.

“Saku-chan...”

“Hey you two, we need to go on stage now!” Yui exclaimed at Sakura and Nana who quickly affirmed and went over.

—————

Jurina ran.

She knows full well she shouldn’t be exerting her body at all but she just had to run at full speed, knowing she might be too late.

She ignored the confused and surprised gazed of the public who may have caught on that it was Jurina in the flesh and ran straight to the departure hall’s entrance. There, she noticed familiar staff members from the PRODUCE48 show and three Japanese members she was well aware of.

One of which was the reason she ran all the way here in the first place.

She reached out her hand to catch her attention, the girl’s name just wouldn’t come out from her mouth until the shorter member beside her noticed Jurina’s action.

But at that moment she tripped, and fell face down on the cold floor beneath her, garnering more attention. As she was about to quickly stand up, holding in the pain, the girl she had wanted to see had knelt down beside her, helping Jurina up without a word. Jurina looked at her in awe while the latter’s gaze was elsewhere.

“Sa... Miyawaki-san—“

“Are you seriously going to keep that up, Jurina-san?” Sakura sighed, pulling down her surgical mask and finally facing Jurina properly.

Jurina was stunned. She literally forgot why she even rushed here in the first place. She just blanked out immediately after Sakura appeared before her like this.

But she just had to blurt something out before things could get more awkward than it already is.

“I... well... Can I still call you Sakura-tan...?”

“I don’t think the “-tan” is really necessary but yes... I think we’re still good on a first-name basis,” Sakura’s lips couldn’t help but form a wry smile at how nervous Jurina was, eventhough she herself was feeling just as nervous.

She continued, “... So why are you here...?”

Jurina tried her best to regain composure and let out a deep breath before continuing, “I... I needed to see you, and tell you something before you leave to become part of IZ*ONE... which uh, congratulations by the way.”

“O-Oh. You knew?”

Jurina nodded, making Sakura smile, “Thank you. So what is it you wanted to tell me?”

“I will always support you okay? I’m sorry for everything that has happened between us but just know that... I really...” Jurina looked downwards, blushing while rubbing her nape nervously, “... I really love you... and I don’t expect a response from you. I just want you to know how I truly felt in case you think I hate you or anything...”

Sakura’s heart stopped for a moment when she heard such words from the senior who she currently has a bit of issues with. She totally didn’t expect that, but she still had to say something.

“J-Jurina-san... thank you but...”

As if on cue, Sakura’s phone rang and she had picked it up on instinct, displaying Chaeyeon on the screen as it was a video call.

“Sakuraaaa~ are you at the airport???”

“Chae—“

Jurina laughed, “Lee Chaeyeon-san?”

Chaeyeon heard Jurina’s voice and asked Sakura who it was that said her name, allowing the latter to tilt her phone towards Jurina awkwardly.

“Wait you’re... Jurina-san?!!! Hello!!!”

“Hi,” Jurina smiled, “It’s been a while huh?”

“Yes it has! I’m glad to see you’re okay! But wait... why are you at the airport too???”

Jurina took a glance at Sakura who quickly looked away when their gazes met, “Just wanted to see my fellow members off. Congrats on debuting by the way.”

“Aww thank you so much!”

“Oh one more thing Chaeyeon-san, take good care of Sakura yeah? I’m counting on you to make her happy at all times,” Jurina winked.

Sakura became flustered, “W-What in the world are you saying Jurina-san?!”

Chaeyeon grinned, “Of course I’ll take good care of Sakura! Don’t worry!!”

“I’ll call you again when I get to the boarding hall Chaeyeon.”

“Saku—“ Sakura has quickly ended the call out of sheer embarrassment.

“Chaeyeon-san is a good person. I’m glad you found someone you could confide in that isn’t just in HKT,” Jurina smiled, a tint of loneliness showing.

“I... well... yes... she’s someone dear to me.”

“Guess I was too late after all huh?” Jurina laughed, “Then again we had loads of stuff happen between us, I was just being silly to have continued loving you in ‘that’ way.”

Sakura slowly wrapped her arms around Jurina’s waist and buried her head on her left shoulder, “I’m happy you came all this way to tell me though. I’m happy to know that you’re actually fine with me... and I want you to know that I’m fine with you too... also...” Sakura’s hold tightened, “...I loved you too actually... so it’s nice to know our feelings would have been mutual.”

Jurina’s eyes widened for a moment before it started to water, and she quickly hugged Sakura back, without saying another word but just sobbing and apologising again about what had happened. Sakura couldn’t help but tear up too, apologising to Jurina as well.

As long as Nako and Hitomi we’re trying to distract the staff members from egging Sakura to go, they were already at their limits and a staff member exclaimed at Sakura to get going.

The rival Ace pair quickly broke the hug and wiped away their tears, sharing one final smile and laughter before Jurina gave Sakura a pat on the shoulder and words of encouragement.

“Do your best in IZ*ONE, Sakura. You’ll be missed.”

“I’ll keep in touch with you Jurina-san. If that’s okay...?”

Jurina gave her a thumbs up and waved gleefully at her and the other two members who were trying to get Jurina’s attention too.

"Till we meet again?"

"Yeah. Till we meet again."