Sakura cannot simply return to Shinobu, because the problem goes far beyond the fact that she cheated. Her actions damaged not only their romantic relationship, but also the trust, gratitude, respect, and emotional foundation that had been built between them.
- She genuinely betrayed Shinobu.
Regardless of whether the cause was a misunderstanding, loneliness, or emotional collapse, she ultimately chose to have a relationship with Nakanishi. This was not merely a moment of emotional confusion; she acted on it.
- She did not give Shinobu a chance to explain.
Shinobu had supported her for a long time, yet she did not properly confront him or confirm the truth. Instead, she accepted what she believed she had seen or heard and moved toward another man.
- A misunderstanding does not excuse betrayal.
Even if Sakura believed that Shinobu had hurt her first, that did not give her the right to retaliate by cheating. Being hurt does not remove responsibility for the choices she made afterward.
- It was not just one impulsive mistake.
If it had happened only once in an extreme emotional state, it might still be described as a serious but isolated failure. However, her continued involvement with Nakanishi turned it into a repeated and conscious choice.
- She remained silent when her new friends attacked Shinobu.
During the moving scene, her new friends criticized and belittled him, but Sakura did not defend him or show any discomfort. Instead, she warmly told them, “I look forward to getting along with you.” This showed that she was willing to enter a social circle that was openly hostile toward Shinobu.
- She failed to protect even Shinobu’s basic dignity.
Even if their relationship had already ended, Shinobu’s past support was still a fact. Sakura should at least have said that the situation was more complicated or stopped others from casually insulting him. Instead, she chose silence.
- She abandoned not only love, but also gratitude and loyalty.
Shinobu had supported her emotionally, professionally, and personally. Yet when she left, she behaved as though all of that could simply be discarded, without gratitude or respect.
- She continued to see herself mainly as the victim.
Sakura may believe that everything happened because she thought Shinobu had betrayed her. But as long as she focuses only on her own pain and does not fully acknowledge the pain she caused him, genuine reconciliation is impossible.
- She did not actively take responsibility.
Someone who truly wants to return should be the one to explain, apologize, and face the consequences. She should not expect Shinobu to understand her automatically, forgive her, or wait for someone else to resolve the misunderstanding.
- She chose escape instead of communication.
Rather than speaking honestly with Shinobu, she moved away, changed her environment, relied on new friends, and became closer to Nakanishi. Her way of dealing with the relationship was avoidance, not repair.
- Shinobu can no longer trust how she will react in the future.
Even if the truth is revealed, he would naturally wonder what she might do the next time she feels lonely, pressured, or misunderstood. Would she communicate, or would she run away and choose someone else again?
- Love may remain, but emotional safety is gone.
Shinobu may still love Sakura, but love alone is not enough for a relationship. Once trust and emotional security are destroyed, even strong feelings can become a source of pain.
- A reunion would risk making Shinobu responsible for repairing everything.
If the story simply asks Shinobu to understand, forgive, and accept Sakura again, then the person who was hurt the most would also be forced to clean up the damage. That would be deeply unfair to him.
- Sakura has not yet shown enough through her actions.
Crying, regretting what happened, or missing Shinobu only proves that she is suffering. It does not prove that she has learned how to be honest, faithful, communicative, and accountable.
- The truth can explain her actions, but it cannot erase them.
Even if it is later proven that Shinobu never betrayed her, that would only show that Sakura acted based on a misunderstanding. It would not undo what happened between her and Nakanishi.
The core reason Sakura cannot simply come back is that she did not only betray Shinobu romantically. Through her silence, avoidance, and acceptance of a new life that treated him as the villain, she also rejected his past sacrifices and dignity.
Unless Sakura fully admits what she did, apologizes without excuses, accepts the consequences, and understands that Shinobu may never forgive her, “returning” would only mean asking the person she hurt to sacrifice himself once again.