Work Text:
"Come on, Junjun, get on." said Karen as she crouches down, motioning the other to ride on her back.
"What? No, Karen, I can walk." argues Junna with a blushing face, crossing her arms. "Besides, it's raining. You might slip and get both of us injured instead."
Junna surprisingly had asked Karen to stay with her after school for practice. They had an upcoming mini practical for their dance class. Junna was supposed to partner up with Nana; however because of classes with Class B, Nana was exempted from the practical. Therefore, Junna took Karen as her partner.
"Non non, Junjun. It's only a light drizzle. Plus, you can't walk with your injured foot." said Karen.
Junna sighs. "I can walk. It just aches a little, that's all."
During their practice Karen had accidentally tripped and pushed Junna down letting her ankle get a shallow cut from a sharp wood of the floor that was sticking out. Unfortunately, the floor had loose screws, so the wood got out from the impact of their fall.
"Even so, if we do, then the rain will become harder and it'll take us longer to get back."
Tired of fighting back, Junna lets out another sigh and goes on Karen's back. "Ahh- Karen!"
"Wahh! Sorry, I didn't know where it was." Karen adjusts her hold on Junna trying to avoid touching the cut. "All right. Junjun, use your blazer as our cover."
"Why didn't we bring an umbrella." sighs Junna as she does as the other has commanded.
Junna leans on Karen's back, wrapping one arm around the other's neck while her other arm rests on the other's shoulder with her hand holding onto her blazer.
"All preparations are ready. Passenger is secured. Now we take off!" Karen runs out to the streets.
"Karen, don't run!" says Junna as she tightens her hold. "You might- aahhh!"
Karen almost slips on the wet sidewalks but quickly uses her other foot to get them back up.
"I got this, Junjun!" She slightly turns her head for Junna to see her smiling face.
Geez, Junna thinks to herself. Her friend never gives up nor allows frowns. She's the most optimistic among the rest however also the most oblivious. She's lazy, sometimes slow, doesn't wake up on time, and mindless during class. But she's also hardworking, diligent, and competent. She brings the warm sun with her. She's a star that shines all day, and even if she's dim her shine is noticeable. Junna will never regret being friends with her. Her shine guided Junna in finding her own star. She's forever grateful for Karen.
Secretly, Junna looks up to Karen, but she'll never mention that to anyone, not even to Nana.
They stop at an intersection as the light shines red. The timer had only begun, leaving them a minute to wait. The rain was not lighting up, but it wasn't getting worse either.
Karen leans on the post as she catches her breath. "How are you doing, Junjun?"
The said girl had hardly noticed the distance they have covered (they were five blocks away from the dorm) as she found Karen's back quite comforting. She nearly dozed off if not for Karen's question.
"I'm doing well, actually." replies Junna quietly. "Are you okay, Karen?"
She nods and stands up straight. "All good here!"
Junna smiles. Of course. A friend smiling makes you smile, but Karen makes you want to do more than smiling. Laugh. Play. Shout (in a good way). And so, Junna lets out a giggle.
Surprised, Karen asks, "What's so funny?"
Junna lets out one last laugh. "Nothing. I'm just happy."
Karen smiles. "That's great!"
"Thank you, Karen." Junna whispers as her eyes close.
The light switches to green. Karen begins to walk. "Mm. You're welcome, Junjun."
As they near the entrance of the dorm, the rain began to pour harder. Luckily, Mahiru and Nana are there waiting for them with two open umbrellas on hand.
Mahiru was first to notice them. "Karen-chan! Junna-chan!"
She runs to them and covers them with her umbrella. Nana rushes to them.
"Junna-chan? Karen-chan, what happened?" Nana asks as she hands Mahiru her umbrella and takes Junna in her arms. Mahiru returns Nana's umbrella and stands beside Karen.
"When we were practicing, we both fell then she got a cut on her ankle from the floor. Since it was starting to rain and her foot was hurting, I let her ride my back, so I carried her all the way here." Karen explains. They are now in the living room, and Mahiru tries to dry Karen with a towel.
"Did you go to the nurse to treat it?" Nana asks as she does the same to Junna.
Karen nods.
"Okay, you take a warm bath to avoid getting sick." says Mahiru as she finishes drying Karen's face. "Banana-chan, you should wake up Junna-chan. She needs to take a bath too."
With a click from Nana's phone, Junna opens her eyes. "..Nana? Are we at the dorm?"
"Yup! Come on, Junna-chan, you need to take a warm bath." Nana smiles, helping Junna get up. "Go with Karen-chan."
"All right." said Junna tiredly.
"I just realized: Junjun was sleeping on my back."
"That's nice, Karen-chan..."
"Eheh. Let's go, Junjun!" Karen said as she grabs Junna and rushes upstairs.
The next morning Karen and Junna were sick. The two were left behind as the rest went to school.
"Looks like we're also sick buddies!"
"We're only sick buddies this one time."
"What!? Oh no! Junjun, stay as my sick buddy forever please!"
"I am not staying sick with you for the rest of my life."
"Junjun~!"
"..pfft.. Hahaha!"
"Hehe.. Hahaha!"