Bottled Up Final Level Scene

Another day of school ends. The students mill about until their friends finish packing, before they leave in groups of two or three. Ran finishes packing the rest of her things, happily humming along to the tune of her favorite show. 

Today happens to be one of the rare free days where her mom doesn’t need anything. She can finally hang out with Sakura again, like in the good old times. However, her friend’s familiar presence is startlingly absent, and Ran frowns when she notices. 

I wonder if she’s busy today, Ran thinks to herself. I haven’t gotten the chance to ask what her schedule’s like. 

I’m sure it’ll be fine! She thinks optimistically, I’m sure she just got caught up in something. I’ll go surprise her for a change. 

Her worries don’t last long after that, quickly melting away like ice cream on a hot summer day. Ran resolves herself with a small grin. Anticipation eats away at her as she practically skips out of the classroom and down the hallway towards Sakura’s class. 

Hmm… if I remember correctly, Sakura says her classroom should be… right about… there! 

Skidding to a stop, Ran reaches out a hand to open the door when she pauses upon hearing muffled voices from the other side. 

Girl 1 (nervous, shaky): A-Are you sure this is fine? 

Girl 2 (forceful, hostile): What? Think you’re so high and mighty now, when you were so willing to go along with it as long as it benefits you, huh? 

Girl 1: N-No, that’s not what I meant--

Girl 3 (blunt, pragmatic): It’s a bit late to be pretending you’re innocent in all this, Hina. 

Girl 1: You’re right… sorry, Nao. 

Girl 2: Tsk. ‘S not like we’re forcing Sakura to hang out with us. I don’t even like her! What happened to her other dumb friend anyway? The ditsy one. 

Girl 3: Now, now, Yuu. We’re all friends here. Sakura’s just more willing to do what we ask. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. 

Girl 2: Whatever helps you sleep at night. 

Anger fills her to the core, but Ran restrains herself from slamming open the door and demanding what they mean. She shakes her head of those thoughts before taking a step back and calming her trembling fists. She needs to find Sakura and get answers. 

Before she can turn around, she hears Sakura’s voice behind her. 

“Ran? What are you doing here?” 

Of all the cliches to stumble upon today, Ran groans. 

“I was just going to find you, Sakura.” Ran glances at the three cans of peach juice in her grasp and her smile dims. “Are you busy?” 

“A little,” she admits, shifting uncomfortably underneath Ran’s scrutinizing gaze. “You can wait for me in your classroom. I’ll come find you after.” 

Sakura turns away, hand reaching out for the door, and Ran darts in front of her with her hands spread to stop her. 

“Actually, can we talk now?” Seeing Sakura’s conflicted expression, Ran drops her hands, adding a hesitant, “Please?” 

With a sigh of resignation, Sakura relaxes her posture. “Okay.” 

She sets the cans on the floor just outside the classroom before grabbing Ran by the hand and walking down a series of halls until they reach a quiet and secluded spot of the school. Sakura drops Ran’s hand eventually and crosses her arms over her chest. 

“What did you want to say?” 

“Those girls,” Ran frowns, “they’re not your friends, are they?” 

Sakura gives a tired sigh, frowning at the end. “They are. Besides, why does it matter to you?” 

“Why does it matter? Are you seriously asking me that?” Ran shouts incredulously, throwing her hands in the air in disbelief. Her eyes are as wide as saucers. “You’re being bullied, of course I care!” 

“I’m not,” she adamantly denies. “Those girls are my friends. Besides, you’re never around anyways.” There’s an unusually harsh, bitter edge to her words that catches Ran off guard. She never thought Sakura thought like that. All this time, she thought things were fine between them. She thought that Sakura would be happy that she’s standing up for her. 

“Sakura, I--”

“Listen, you don’t need to worry about me, Ran. I’m not being bullied.” With a huff, Sakura turns away from her friend. “Besides, aren’t you busy?” 

“I’m not too busy for you!” Ran protests. “I care about you.” 

Sakura frowns hard. Tears threaten to spill over her cheeks as she mutters, “You can’t say that now. That’s not fair.” 

Ran’s eyes widen when she notices the sludge-like substance return, almost completely enveloping her friend. The substance ebbs and flows until she can no longer see Sakura amidst the inky matter. As much as she knows she’s the only one who can see it, her heart stings and she unhooks her pink yo-yo from her backpack. 

“I’m sorry, Sakura.” 

I’ll make things right, I promise. 

---

There’s a heavy tension that falls over the two of them as they both try to come up with things to say to the other. Surprisingly, it’s Sakura that breaks the silence first. 

“I missed you, Ran. I wanted you to think I was fine so you wouldn’t worry,” she admits. “I know you’re busy these days.” 

Ran reels back in shock. “That’s true… but I always felt bad when I had to turn down your invites! And if you’re not fine, you should definitely say something!” 

“I didn’t want to be a burden.” 

“You will never be a burden.” She takes Sakura’s hands in hers and meets her eyes. “I’m serious. Please don’t ever think that.” Ran gives a soft, self-deprecating laugh, squeezing Sakura’s hands tighter in hers. “I know I’m busy, but I will always make time for you if you need me.” 

Sakura chokes out a laugh, tears now falling freely down her face. “You don’t have to do that for me.” 

“But I want to.” 

“Thanks, Ran.” 

“Anytime, Sakura.” 

A brief period of silence passes by the two as Sakura dries her eyes. When she’s done, she looks down at her feet in guilt. 

“I thought if I made other friends I wouldn’t feel so lonely without you,” she admits softly. “I knew they weren’t really my friends, but I kept trying to tell myself that it’s okay as long as I didn’t bother you.” 

Ran flicks her friend on the forehead. “You know that’s not true! I’m happy to be bothered by you.” She pauses. “And I’m sorry. I was always busy, caught up in my own head about helping people, that I failed to notice when you needed me, too.”  

“It’s not your fault. I’m also sorry I never said anything sooner.” 

“Then, you have to promise me that you’ll let me know these things, and I promise that I will always have time for you.” Ran holds out her pinky in the universal symbol of eternal promise. “You’re my best friend for life, Sakura.” 

Sakura giggles, linking her pinky with Ran’s. “I promise, Ran.” 

Ran breaks out into a wide smile herself, feeling as if a load was taken off her shoulders. Perhaps she’s spent so long helping everyone else out she forgot what it was like to prioritize herself and take care of the people she really cares about. 

Taking her yo-yo, she places it in Sakura’s hand. She gives a confused glance at the trinket, but Ran believes that they have plenty of time to explain things in the future. Giving Sakura a bright smile, Ran pulls her towards the school exit. 

“So, how does that karaoke place sound right about now?”