Work Text:
Rasca and Ranka were the best of friends, it was a well known fact. They constantly watched movies together, pulled pranks together, helped each other, it felt as if they would never fight.
But that was the main flaw of their friendship.
★
After one of Rasca’s solo practices, he was getting ready to go back home. He quickly wiped off his sweat, changed his shoes, and left the room, locking it with a click.
Rasca strutted down the hallway, letting out a yawn. UpBeats’ next live performance was upcoming and everyone had been preparing immensely as usual. He was determined to be a pillar for UpBeats, he wanted everyone to know that he could be relied on. After all, he doesn't want to make the same mistake twice..
Whilst he walked, he could hear an ever so slightly distressed voice, though it was too muffled for Rasca to properly identify the words. He hurried his steps and followed where the sound got loudest..
“I'm telling you … no, I don't …”
The words kept fading in and out but Rasca could name that Ranka was the owner to the voice. He's never heard the sleepy one so down, he's always assumed Ranka had no issues as he never seemed to voice anything. He came closer to the room Ranka seemed to be in until..
“I don't want to walk a path that means hurting someone.”
… What?
Rasca froze, what did Ranka mean by that? Hurting who? By walking what path? Why weren't any of these concerns brought up with Rasca in the first place? He's always thought Ranka trusted him a lot and if he didn't bring up anything, then he must've been fine right..?
“I want to quit performing. I don't thi.. huh..?” Ranka was cut off from his spiraling to witness Rasca by the door. And he didn't seem happy at all.
“What do you mean you want to quit?!” Rasca raised the first question before Ranka could even utter another word. He quietly just hung up on the ongoing call, his parents could spare him a moment..
“Rasca.. no.. I-I mean I didn't..” Ranka was at a loss for words, how could he explain his words without Rasca getting angrier? Rasca was already scary like this..
“I didn't think.. anyone would hear-”
“So it is true. And you didn't think to tell me about these doubts?!”
“N-No I-”
“Didn't I tell you to rely on me..?” Rasca could only dejectedly ask, Ranka does remember that. He always did. Rasca always told him that he'll be here or that he can always be counted on.
But seeing the rest of the group members always rely on Rasca.. Ranka always felt guilty asking for Rasca's help, seeing how busy the other was all the time.
“You always seemed to busy so I didn't think to-”
“I told you that doesn't matter!”
“You … You're always doing this Rasca! Pushing yourself to the brink of exhaustion for others..” Ranka couldn't help but snap, taking Rasca from surprise. Though, Rasca was too exhausted to make any points that were thought out and only pent up emotions came out.
“So what? If it's for everybody else's efforts, what else matters..? As long as everyone else is happy then-”
“You don't get it!! You're so.. annoying!”
“Oh, so I'm the annoying one now? You're the one who's always sleeping out on practices, you're the one who keeps going missing and now trying to leave without consulting anyone! You've always been the annoying one!!”
A complete slip of the mouth, even Rasca snapped out of his haze, realizing what he had just said, instantly backtracking.
“No.. wait.. I didn't mean it like-”
“Rasca.. is that really what you..” A stifled noise interrupted him. Ranka was crying, and it was all Rasca's fault.
“No, no, no, that wasn't-” Before he could even finish his sentence, Ranka ran out the room. Rasca only stood in pure shock, how could he say that to someone, let alone Ranka out of all people. But he couldn't chase him now, Ranka probably wouldn't even want to see such Rasca after spewing such words.
Rasca felt nothing but horrible guilt, he's never fought with Ranka like this ever. He was sure that they were always on the same wavelength, that they always agreed.
But it seems like they disagree today.