"Sakura, you need friends."
Sakura, a young asian woman with frizzy black hair, makes a befuddled expression on webcam, sharing their pinched look through the screens that separated them. "Sorry, I think I misheard you."
"You need friends..."
"S-Sorry, I think this language is lost on me." Sakura's voice, her soft, taciturn speech, contrasted with Ben's optimistic and bubbly tone, which was almost the exact opposite of the smaller Sakura. He was exceptionally tall and sported blond hair and blue eyes, holding himself strong within even the comfort of his own home.
"You know exactly what I said, Sakura Hitayoshi~!" Ben chuckled. "You need friends-- heck, clubmates even!"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You know exactly what I'm talking about! Isn't it lonely that I'm your only friend!?" Ben paused. "Put yourself out there! Live a little more! Don't you want... a girlfriend?"
"S-Shut up! W-What are you even suggesting to begin with?" She leaned in, steepling her fingers in the process. No, it did not help her hear him better.
"Well, there is another friend that I've garnered recently that also has, presently, a lack of friends." He smiled.
Sakura looked hesitant. "Another one of your harem?"
"Oh, jeez, Sakura, no." Ben chuckled. "I-- I have no idea where this misunderstanding came from, they're all just friends, okay!?"
"Right, so--"
"Even then, no, I only got to know them recently. They're interested in joining the Art Club and all!"
"For real?"
"Yeah, yeah! I'm pretty sure they're your type as well."
"W-Woah! Woah! A-Are you... wingmanning me?"
Ben nodded, a smile on his face. "You could say that."
"T-There's no way, it's a gamble."
"Well, regardless, I think you guys would be great friends-- they have difficulties making friends as well!"
"What's their name?"
"Angel, I swear, you'll love 'em! Meet me outside of my locker tomorrow and we'll go to meet them, okay?"
"W-wait... do I have to meet you tomorrow? Does it have to be in person? In such a public place-- that doesn't seem safe for my well-being."
"You'll be alright, no one will care, okay? You have too much distrust in your heart, Sakura, dear."
After her call with Ben ended, she recalled a dream she had had before waking up that morning. It was a dream from her childhood, of being out at sea with her father. It was a rare occasion, an occasion that hadn't occurred again throughout her 18 years of life. That feeling of the boat rocking against the waves of the ocean felt so real; it was as if she had gone back in time.
She admired the ocean, found beauty in storms. The pieces of art that Sakura would create mimicked that roaring storm, the crashing of waves within each line she etched across a canvas. She could surmise that this could've been the moment where that admiration had begun, as a storm was brewing out from the east of their boat. It was a hurricane, far off the coast, yet it will become so close soon enough.
That calm chaos was almost inspiring, that calm before the storm, the sound that raged on within her ears of water sloshing against metal and stone.
Her father spoke up. "Sakura, take in all of this... the air, the floating feeling you have when standing on this boat, the possible nausea. Take in every moment, because only here can you reach it." He pointed out from the opposite end of the storm, watching as the sun set. "Only here can you make it... only here can you reach that horizon. If you remember this, one day, you can reach it. That horizon... your goal."
Sakura looked out to where her father had pointed, watching as the sun was overtaken by the clouds of the raging storm that approached.
They went back inside, and Sakura could recall that she had spent all night watching as rain beat against the windows of their oceanside home.
And now, she looked out of her window in the present day, after her talk with Ben had ended with mock-agreement, instead of a storm, or the sight of an ocean, she was met with only a city skyline.
Sakura peeled herself off her seat, walking into the other room right beside her like a daily routine. Paintings of women, sea creatures, and the like. This was her life's work; outside of school, she worked on these paintings. They're sold out, but she keeps pictures that she takes as mementos.
***
The next day, Sakura begrudgingly met with Ben in front of his locker, who was already there to meet her.
He smiled widely, giving Sakura a small wave as she approached, sheepishly huddled into the hood that she was wearing that day, attempting to use it as a mask.
"Greetings, friend!" Ben waved enthusiastically, a big dumb grin spreading even wider across his face.
"H-Hey, can we go? I'm here, that's all you needed, right?"
"Why do you look like that?"
"I don't want your gaggle of fans seeing who I am..."
Ben looked a bit flabbergasted by Sakura's attire. "I... I think they could figure it out regardless, you're the only one in school who consistently wears a blue tracksuit, Sakura." He paused. "And also, y'know, other noticeable traits, but you get my meaning, right?"
"I'm not taking my chances."
Ben visibly cringed a little, chuckling to himself. "Well, anyway, they should be at your club at the moment."
"Really? Already?"
Ben looked confused. "Didn't I mention it?"
Pretty sure he didn't. Sakura thought to herself. "Uh... sure, let's just go."
From afar, they were being watched. A young woman with platinum blond hair sat from behind the corner of the hallway, looking out to Ben meeting up with this unknown woman, whilst a brown-haired girl wearing a sailor uniform stalked from behind her as well, a sweatband stretched across their forehead.
"Was that Ben?"
The blond girl narrowed her gaze, "He was meeting up with some girl..."
Her cohort leaned in. "It isn't that unusual."
"Yes... But I could do without any more outside factors."
"We could always just check?"
"And we'll do just that, gotta wait until they're alone though."
The smaller, brown-haired girl saluted. "I'm on the case, Madam Kyra!"
During this time, Ben and Sakura had finally arrived at the Art Club's classroom, standing directly outside the doors. Sakura looked expectantly at Ben as he made his way inside, both of them greeted by an exceptionally large woman with short black hair, bangs covering their eyes. Their caramel-colored skin shone under the lights that peeked into the art room, draping the curtains with a yellow hue.
"We're here, Angel!"
They stood up, clicking their tongue. "I told you not to call me that, man." She scratched her head as they crossed over to both him and Sakura.
Sakura was intimidated by the sheer size of this woman, easily reaching around 193 to 201 centimeters in height, trumping Ben. "Sorry, Ariel." Ben chuckled, scratching his head. "Anyway, this is the friend I was talkin' about." He motioned to Sakura, who attempted to cower away behind him, failing as he pushed her away.
Ariel smiled, their teeth almost resembling a shark's due to how sharp they were. "Yo."
Sakura glanced at Ben for help, who purposely avoided her gaze. Sakura sighed and then looked back up to Ariel. "H-Hello."
"Quite the shy one, ain't she?"
Ben chuckled. "She isn't very good with strangers; she's had quite a few bad experiences after all."
"Plus, I probably look scary, right?" She looked back at Sakura.
Sakura grimaced at the comment, as if caught red-handed. "Yeah... kinda. Sorry."
"Ain't no problem."
Sakura could recognize this girl. It wasn't just because she was built like a brick shithouse that had her scared, but it was also because Ariel Joaquin Garra was one of the most notorious delinquents in the school.
Ben smiled, watching the two. "Anyway, I'll head off now, you guys can handle the rest, yeah?"
Sakura looked helplessly at Ben as he left, almost attempting to reach out to him as the monstrous Ariel smiled. Sakura looked back at Ariel, soon becoming curious-- this curiosity overtaking her fear. "You... are you interested in art?"
"Kinda, but there's..." Ariel smirked, rubbing her stomach, "One thing that I'm more interested in at the moment. Y'see, I'm feelin' a bit peckish, y'know?" Ariel seemed to have remembered something, walking around the art room, "Also, I seemed to have remembered..." She pulled up a sheet covering one of the canvases that were scattered around the room. "I noticed that you're quite the artist."
Sakura leaned in, lowering the hood covering her head as she became more curious about what Ariel had to say.
"Every single painting I've seen of yours has been... genuinely amazing."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah, totally, these are mesmerizing to look at, truly impressive stuff."
"O-You don't mean that~!" Sakura scratched her head, getting giddy at Ariel's compliments.
"Which is why I ask you... This is a huge favor, I know, but could you do me a solid?" She pressed her palms together in prayer and bowed to Sakura, "Could you please... get me somethin' to snack on?"
"H-Huh?"
"Surely an amazing artist like you could get me a little something, right?" Ariel's eyes lift from behind her hands, revealing one eye, staring at Sakura like a begging puppy.
"Y-Yeah, it isn't that big of a deal-- w-why don't you do it yourself tho--"
Ariel fell to the ground pitifully. "I... I'm so hungry I could even faint... actually... I'm feeling thirsty too-- you wouldn't mind helping me, would you? Please, I'm desperate, especially since I have no money, and I'm impoverished."
"W-Well, no..." Sakura scoffed. "Not-- There isn't a single problem, I-I'll go get it now, okay?"
"Yes, thank you!"
Sakura left the Art Clubroom to go get Ariel food and drink, leaving her by her lonesome. Ariel leaned back, smirking. "What a dumbass. All I needed was to kiss a little ass?" Ariel chuckled, rubbing her stomach. "Welp."
Sakura was now in pursuit of snacks, determined to impress her new friend further, aside from her artistic talents, no! She must impress them by buying them snacks! Only then, when Sakura had said it in her head, halfway to the next snack machine, did she realize what had truly happened. She isn't the wisest in the bunch, and now, she has failed to realize someone is attempting to exploit her.
Sadly, Sakura is not one to break their promises, continuing their pursuit, regardless of Ariel's intentions. Sakura took this as an opportunity to steel herself for the inevitable confrontation between her and the physically superior "Angel", as Ben had referred to her as at some point.
But is it worth it? Maybe it'd be better to just run away rather than deal with someone who could easily beat your ass?
Those thoughts circled in Sakura's head as she arrived at the first Vending Machine. There were drinks on one end, various snacks on the other. Sakura put a coin into the machine, just choosing anything at this rate, as Ariel hadn't requested anything in particular other than food and a drink.
She watched as the metal coil holding everything spun ever so slowly until... squish.
It's stuck. She tried the drink-- it just didn't work.
Alright, next one is the charm. And so, Sakura moved on to the next one.
Broken as well. Someone seemingly pelting their foot into the side of the machine, making it go dark, so the only way to get anything would be to wait for someone to fix it, or to try and break the glass. Sakura was not brave enough to involve herself in such delinquency, so her only choice was to move on once more.
Just before she could leave, she was suddenly interrupted.
The brown-haired girl from before grabbed onto Sakura, and like a cat, she jumped away, slamming into the wall behind her. "Oh!" The girl exclaimed as Sakura fell to the floor.
"O-Oww~"
They kneeled. "Hey~... I'm Ishizumi, I wanna ask some questions, is that okay?"
"W-Who?"
Suddenly, Kyra appeared, and Sakura instantly recognized them. They were almost just as popular amongst the students of the Academy as Ben was, known for their experience in modelling for well-known companies and organizations. "We want to ask you about your involvement with Ben, if you don't mind."
"H-huh!?"
"I just want to ask, one, simple, question... okay?"
Sakura paused, waiting for it.
"How do you know Ben?"
"We're friends...?"
"Okay... I'm going to be blunt with my next question, okay?"
Sakura nodded, her composure falling apart more and more; her entire body shaking at this point.
"Do you like Ben?"
Have you ever seen an animal go from a fear state to baffled? Just stupefied at what had just occurred in front of them, that, instead of a fear response, they're more like a deer in headlights? That was Sakura. Her expression went dead in an instant, shocking the two interrogating her.
"So...?"
Sakura blinked, genuinely not knowing how to respond. To her, it felt like the dumbest question possible. She suspected that something like this would've occured, but when the time came, she froze, mind genuinely going blank cause for her, the mere idea of ever thinking of that man as more than a friend was a complete impossibility, and even entertaining the notion was so stupid that it'd have been better if she wouldn't ever bother in even stating the latter, or the former of any side of this... absurd debate.
"N-No..." Sakura muttered, barely able to even push the words out.
"You don't."
"No." Sakura became more firm, surprising them again as her face proceeded to contort into a mock-disgust. "Can I go?"
"W-Wait, so you're friends? Where do you know him from?"
"We play games together..."
Ishizumi looked to Kyra. "Oh, he plays games--" She turned back to Sakura, "Like... Video Games?"
"Yeah...?"
Kyra and Ishizumi whispered to each other for a moment before Kyra looked to Sakura to speak. "That's it?"
"Yeah... He wanted me to m-meet up with him so... so I could make a friend and..." Sakura stopped. "Can I go?"
Kyra blinked. "Uh... yeah, sorry for holding you."
Sakura proceeded to scuttle off, leaving Kyra and Ishizumi perplexed. Ishizumi just shrugged to Kyra before moving on. Well, that was simple. Kyra thought to herself before leaving.
Today had just been an absolute mess for Sakura. One thing after the other, going wrong. She couldn't deny that she blamed Ben partly for this failing. Eventually, she finally encountered a Vending Machine that worked properly, buying the items that she needed right outside the school building-- off to the side, near a grass field leading into a forest that stretched out into a part of this niche town that they all live in.
As Sakura began throwing a random chip bag and a water into her bag, her thoughts were interrupted by some bickering. She was situated around the underbelly of a staircase leading to the second floor of the school, and right in front of this staircase were Aeonia and her goons. Aeonia was one of the more wealthy members of the school, with parents being directly involved with the School Board itself.
Aeonia's hair is dyed blond. She wasn't unattractive; in fact, she was one of the prettiest in the school, but she held a cold air about her, almost inauthentic.
"That Kyra... what should we do about her?" Aeonia spoke, clearly directed at her gaggle of girls who follow her wherever she goes. Some were prim and proper, while others shared visible bruises and wounds covered by cold patches and bandages.
A girl from the peanut gallery spoke up. "What about the Student Council President? Ben seems closest to her from what I could tell."
That's for sure-- The Student Council President of the school was a Childhood Friend of Ben after all, and they hang out all the time. Whenever he isn't playing games with Sakura, he's always talking on calls with his muse of the President. He's sworn up and down that there isn't anything between them, but Sakura, in more of an attempt to mess with him, insists on the former.
"Too loud, it'd be better to handle one of the lower cast first, y'know? Plus, I have some strings I can pull amongst her ilk to fuck shit up."
"What do you mean?"
"My family's got a client involved in her industry."
"That's a great idea!"
"Hm... but what should I have 'em pull?"
Sakura peeked her head around the corner to see one of the richer folk amongst their peanut gallery walk over to one of the girls kneeling on the ground, whimpering to themselves. They look disheveled. Sakura could only imagine why.
The girl kicked one of the weaker ones. "How about we give them the same treatment as these bozos!"
Sakura knew, as the conversation continued, that she was hearing something she shouldn't, turning her back to the stairs and going on her merry way.
Aeonia spoke up. "We can start with Gravure, and have them take it a bit too far, y'know? Also, you have that one purple-haired idol guy's number?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Get him, he'll probably be able to teach her a more... direct message, y'know?"
"Hey, you see that?"
Sakura knew immediately that she was caught, and in the next moment, she found herself on her knees as well.
A look of recognition came across Aeonia's face. "You're that Hitayoshi, girl."
Sakura scanned her surroundings, her entire body shaking in fear.
"What did you hear?"
"I-I didn't-- I didn't hear; I just went to grab snacks... and a water... uh..."
"Really?"
"I-I got duped so... I'm not... I... I--" Sakura's words failed her. Sakura's surroundings had begun to blur as her heart rate rose.
"Sa--"
Before Aeonia could continue, Sakura made a break for the staircase, quickly tripping over herself midway up the first few steps. Aeonia closed the distance, becoming as panicked as Sakura was.
Sakura spun around, looking as Aeonia approached, trying her hardest to get back up and onto her feet. Right as she was about to stand up, she was pulled back down onto the hard steps below, knocking the wind out from under her. Sakura gasped as the peanut gallery watched in shock as Aeonia, in a panic, wrapped her hands around Sakura's throat.
"Don't try to run, don't! I can't have you do that!"
Sakura's breath became constricted, and two thumbs violently pressed against her trachea. Sakura was truly bewildered, confused as to how things turned out this way. Her mind raced for solutions, but soon enough, she found trouble thinking about anything other than trying to breathe.
Her vision blurred, and her face became flushed. I can't breathe, I can't... wh... help, someone, someone... She repeated those words like a mantra as the enraged form of Aeonia sat above her, straddling her by her waist.
She couldn't swallow, she couldn't do anything but helplessly flail against Aeonia, smacking against her arms, attempting to throw her off with her legs-- over and over, Sakura's attempts failing.
Eventually, Sakura became hard of hearing, unable to hear her groupies attempting to de-escalate the situation. Aeonia spat back with vitriol, questioning what would happen if Sakura were to escape now, of all times. Aeonia wasn't thinking straight, but so was Sakura, who slowly faded in and out of consciousness, eyes flickering as oxygen began to fail to travel toward her brain.
Saliva pooled at the rim of her mouth as tears had begun to form, gasping out pleas as best as she could. "Please... stop... please..."
For all Sakura could tell, everything was going to end here.
Please... please... something... someone save me... I... I don't want to die.
The silhouette of something appeared in the sky... some vision before death, a serpent circling a cloudy sky. Rain fell, one by one, and soon, Sakura could breathe again. Aeonia groaned in pain as her shoulder buckled, causing her to recoil as the sky's tears continued to fall onto her, each drop hurting more than the last and almost sending her straight into the stone staircase below.
After retreating from the barely conscious Sakura, she just watched as a very small localized area around Sakura appeared to have rain falling around her. It was subtle, and, for all they could tell, it was only a drizzle seemingly occurring at the school due to the clouds above.
What Sakura could see, though, was different.
A Serpent circled the sky, rain being emitted by a small bit of fog from the mouth of this creature. It was long, blue, with a sharp spine running across its back-- the entire body spanning about 3 meters in length.
As air returned to Sakura's lungs, she assessed the situation, holding her neck, tears still streaming down her face as she pulled herself up the stairs.
W-What is going on...? What is that?
Aeonia couldn't understand what was occurring in front of her, so instead of being rational, she rushed forward, attempting to tackle Sakura once again, but was quickly pinned to the ground. The rain was heavy, and Aeonia was under it.
Sakura took this as an opportunity to escape, rushing to the second floor of the building.
She scrambled through the door, falling onto the marble ground below, before her stood Ariel, who looked down at her with a shocked expression on her face. "Yo! Where the hell have you been!? It's been forever!"
Sakura recoiled, which halted Ariel in place almost immediately. Seeing Ariel's reaction, Sakura relaxed, but then remembered Aeonia and her goons, attempting to rush past Ariel.
Ariel stopped her, grabbing Sakura in full. "What the hell are--"
Aeonia rushed through the door, beaten up by the damage that the rain from earlier caused.
"P-Please!" Sakura cried out, and Ariel simply put Sakura behind her, straightening her back against the fairly small Aeonia. Sakura blinked at the sudden protectiveness of Ariel.
Aeonia immediately backed down, dread slowly spreading across her face.
Ariel noticed, "Something wrong?"
Aeonia shook her head, running off, knowing that this was a fight that she shouldn't pick.
Ariel sighed after she left, looking over at the terrified Sakura. "What the hell happened!? Where...?" She looked at the bruise on Sakura's neck. "Y-You gettin' bullied or somethin', what the hell happened, chica?"
Sakura noticed Ariel's expression. Ariel genuinely was worried; Ariel seemed to genuinely care. And with that, Sakura burst out into tears.
***
Ariel rubbed her face down in stress, looking at the passed-out Sakura sitting out in front of her within the infirmary of the school, face caked with dried up tears. Ariel licked her lips, "Yo... you ready to talk yet?"
Sakura remained silent for a moment. "I-I'm sorry... I... I'm... I didn't mean to..."
"Woah, okay... uh... take a step back, or... forward? I don't... get this-- what the hell happened? Why was Aeonia chasing after you? What's with the... did she try to choke you? Are you gettin' bullied or somethin'?"
"I heard something I shouldn't have."
"I... guess that's the first mistake-- so... what happened?"
"They... I don't know, they wanted to... hurt... people... something about... I think it was some inner rivalry thing...? I think they were after Ben and wanted to eliminate competition...?"
"Who out of those lemmings don't? Like... how would that justify trying to choke someone out?" Ariel chuckled.
"They... I think they wanted to hurt Kyra... more than just physical... psychological..."
Ariel cocked a brow. "What do you mean?"
"They were talking about connections... her industry... something about Gravure...?"
"W-Woah..." Ariel continued her nervous chuckle. "There's no way, that's... I think I'm getting ahead of myself."
"They wanted to lure her, I think? I don't know what..."
Ariel scratched the back of her head. "This is... this is nuts... I..." Ariel sighed. "Are you good, by the way?"
"I've been better."
Ariel rubbed her hands together, anxious. "Uh... the snack and water were... they were good by the way... shit does that sound dumb?"
Sakura couldn't help but chuckle, as that facade from earlier was completely dropped, and even the facade that Ariel had as an average delinquent seemed to be completely gone as well. Sakura almost broke out into tears again as she forced out the words that she'd say next. "I... I thought she was going to kill me... I even saw stars I..."
"Jesus..." Ariel was clearly out of her element, which made Sakura smile. It was some semblance of humanity that made a person charming. A flaw that anyone could relate to. A flaw that makes this person... a human to begin with, a trait that Sakura appreciated in people, for the one thing she loved most, despite not getting along with people, was humanity itself-- the creativity and flaws that go behind making a person, a person. Despite her fearful view of people, she can't help but appreciate something small such as this.
Sakura blinked, now looking face-to-face with what seemed to be the serpent from earlier. A sense of familiarity washed over her as she looked at it, looking more like some sort of toy than a creature of any kind. It had scales, it was also made up of some odd tube, and where its eyes are are two beady, sky blue orbs.
Its mouth moved like a serpent's would, though. Sakura had a name for it. "Casper..."
Ariel looked confused. "The friendly ghost, what?"