Chapter Text
Going to Inoshima had become, at some point during their highschool years, a yearly tradition that followed them into adulthood and became part of their ‘same as always’. Without much time to spend together these days thanks to college, it was the perfect group activity.
As expected, they had a routine down. Wake up early to take the train, spend the day jumping from restaurant to shop to street food stall -not without Himari complaining about gaining weight-, maybe try a new tourist hotspot and finally head down to the beach to see the sunset.
And that’s how Ran found herself strolling along the seashore, dragging a long branch she found across the sand.
It wasn't bad, she had to admit. September was the thin line between hot and just right, even the rainy days being a relief, and the cold sea breeze on her hair was nice enough, so Ran tried concentrating on that.
But she couldn’t. At least not with the distant noises of Himari talking Tomoe’s ear off about how they needed to take a good couple selfie or something, and Tsugumi calling for Moca to help pick up whatever piece of driftwood had caught her eye.
Ran took a deep breath and held it in.
A suppressed memory crept back on her. It was similar to the way she felt back in middle school: the particular sort of loneliness that came from being the only one missing out on something, like she'd been left behind.
She exhaled, looking down at the sand.
The loneliness felt stronger when Ran couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Ran resumed her pace, maybe walking away far enough would drown out the noise in the beach and her head. Yeah, that would have to work.
Unfortunately, and as she probably should have expected, it didn’t.
She had been naive enough to believe that spending the day out with her friends would’ve kept her thoughts at bay, but it only worsened them. Tomoe and Himari were no more or less open about how in love they were with each other, so that wasn’t just it. Maybe the interrogation on Tsugumi's relationship with Sayo and Moca bragging about Lisa were the last straw.
With more force than she intended, she stabbed the branch into the sand. Perhaps she really was going mad. Ran had never been particular about ‘girl talk’ or gossiping, yet lately she’d caught herself entertaining the idea that it’d be nice to join in on those conversations.
Intent on distracting herself, Ran looked at the line where the sky and the sea met. It was pretty today, the sun that had recently set leaving behind pink colored clouds that smoothly transitioned into the light lavender color of the sky, almost like…
Oh come on! She was doing so good at trying to focus on something else!
She dug the branch deeper and sat down angrily, not caring for the damp sand beneath, blaming her very stupid brain for developing a crush on the most sickeningly gorgeous woman Ran knew.
Curled up, she groaned. Even in her mind, it was embarrassing to say that name.
She had only realized recently, but it was evident that the feelings had been there for way longer than Ran would like to admit. The way she always wished for those intense yellow eyes to cross with hers and focus on Ran and Ran only, or how her heart rushed every time Ran heard her own name wrapped in the heavenly voice that belonged to none other than...
A long sigh. Way to indulge your brain, Ran.
She took the branch and started absentmindedly tracing spirals on the sand. The waves were quick to cover up her work, almost as if the sea was mimicking and mocking her and the very pathetic attempt at ignoring her troubles. At the very least the water couldn’t call her out or tease her with words. That was enough.
It had become harder and harder to hide it as time went by. Years of zealously claiming to be her rival and suddenly Ran couldn’t take the other woman out of her mind, constantly making up excuses to see her because she wanted to be close with…
Yukina Minato.
The words she had unintentionally written in the sand looked back at her. Maybe it was time for Ran to embrace the fact that-
“Oh~? What’s Miss Crabby writing that for, hm~?” Was all she heard as she felt a weight on her back.
Ran kicked the sand and the offending name as if that could take away the horrible fact that Moca had seen it. She was done for. Might as well run into the water and never go back to land.
“I-I was just-” Or she had the branch, she could push Moca and run. “It was just… It’s none of your business!” Ran almost screamed as she forcefully stood up, throwing Moca off-balance and making her fall to the floor with a small ‘Oof’.
But Moca had the gall to laugh and Ran couldn’t help but freeze in place as she held the branch close to her chest, a full-on blush across her cheeks.
Ran quickly turned to glare at Moca. “W-What are you laughing at?” She hoped it sounded threatening but the bread lover knew better, and she let Ran know by the shit-eating grin plastered on her face.
"It's not whatever you're thinking!" Ran added hurriedly.
"And what is it I shouldn't be thinking~?"
Ran clenched her jaw and clung to the branch as if it could help hide her shame. Of all people, Moca had to be the one to look. Fucking great.
"It doesn't matter..." She offered her hand in defeat. "Get your ass off the sand or you'll catch a cold."
Moca shook her head, disapproving. "Keeping secrets from the wise Moca-chan is just no good, Ran. I didn't raise you like this~"
Ran stared at Moca, eyebrows knit angrily and after a simple ‘Fuck off’ she started walking into the direction she came from. She wasn't up for indulging Moca's teasing.
"Eh~? Boohoo, you're just gonna let your dear Moca-chan die here?"
"Yes!"
“Oh mercy~ I have a sexy girlfriend and her baby bird friend waiting for me back home~”
Ran kept the brisk pace. Stupid Moca and stupid sand and stupid stupid Yukina Minato! The shuffling noises behind her wouldn't deter her. Suddenly, Moca's hand was wrapped around Ran’s wrist, stopping her. Ran didn't look back.
"Hey, Ran." Moca got closer and hugged her from behind. "There’s no shame in it, you know?"
Ran hummed low as she tiredly leaned into the embrace, previous crimes momentarily forgotten. Talking about feelings wasn't their forte, so the physical contact was comforting when words failed them.
"Maybe Lisacchi and I could help you set up a date." Moca nuzzled Ran's shoulder. "Work out our matchmaker muscles~"
Ran rolled her eyes. "Right. And someone wants to be thrown into the ocean."
"Aw come on, Ranny, don't be such a killjoy~" Moca said cheerily as she stepped aside and took Ran’s hand. "You just need a little push to ask Yukina-san out."
"First of all, what makes you think I want to date Minato-san? And second-" she freed her hand as if she’d gotten burnt. "If I wanted to, I would be perfectly capable of doing it myself." She knew she was bright red again, and Moca's raised eyebrow and devilish grin told Ran her friend wasn’t buying the act.
"Uh, whatever," Ran muttered and went on her way. "Having you as a dating coach might do more harm than good, anyway."
"Pfft, but why when Moca-chan has managed to score a girlfriend all for herself~?" Moca followed closely behind.
"Because you're insufferable. I don't know how Lisa-san puts up with you."
"That only proves how charming I am~"
"Nah, she's just a saint."
Moca took a second too long, answering with a tiny voice, "I do mean it though."
Her tone was infuriating, Ran didn't need to be pitied. She turned to give her alleged ‘best friend’ a piece of her mind but she choked on her words as she met with the rare sight of solemn blue eyes. Ran lost her bravado, her shoulders sagged and the annoyance left her body, leaving behind the miserable inkling of longing for someone she didn’t feel worthy of.
“I’m hopeless, huh…”
“Nooo…” Moca flicked her wrist as if the gesture would reassure Ran. “Or, maybe… but it’s not like you’re a lost cause.” She looked down in thought, and Ran didn’t know if she should feel grateful or scared when Moca raised her finger as if she’d come up with the mother of master plans. “There’s a cat café opening near the shopping district soon, ask Yukina-san out and test the waters~!”
Well it was… a simple enough plan. Simple, if you took out the part of actually asking someone out on a date, especially if that someone was the Yukina Minato.
“Earth to Ran~?” Moca waved a hand near her face. “We cannot have you die just yet when you still haven't kissed that girl~”
“Maybe I should really throw you into the ocean.” Ran was quick to swat Moca’s hand away, making a displeased face.
Ran was about to continue when they heard Tomoe calling out to them from the stairs that lead to the main street. They’d lost the notion of time. It was getting pretty late and they couldn't miss the train home.
Before they could get there, Moca lightly elbowed Ran’s arm. “You don’t have to do it now, but think about it~” And left it at that with a wink.
And maybe, just maybe, Ran would consider it.