Ran's POV:

It still feels so weird not having to deal with those bullies anymore. I feel like I can finally breathe again. I'm not constantly on edge anymore. I can actually focus again.

Everyone is really glad. I've definitely gotten a bit better now. I've found myself not shying away as much anymore. I actually have started to admit my feelings to the others.

I'm not very good at it, by any means, but I'm trying me hardest. I want to show them I'm getting better. I want to let myself be open to them. After everything we've been through, I think they deserve it.

I really should thank them for everything they've done for me. But, how? What could I do for them? I'm at a loss. I don't know what they'd like me to do.

Hmm... maybe we could go on a date? Yeah. That sounds good. Maybe this weekend we could hang out. I think they'd like that. Now, how am I going to tell them that? Should I just ask them out, or should I wait until the weekend?

I think maybe I'll ask them out at band practice. It'll be the best time to do it. So, I just have to wait until school is over then. It never goes by fast. I really wish it did.

DIVIDER--

After ages, the final bell rang. Good. Now I can focus on my plan. I met up with them at our lockers. From there, we all walked to the CiRCLE.

Should I ask them before or after practice? I think I'll ask them after. When we go and clean up, I'll ask. That should be good.

"Did you finish the new song, Ran?" Moca asked after we entered our room.

"Not yet. I'm a little stuck at one part." I admitted.

"Can we see what you have?" Himari asked.

I shrugged and pulled out my notebook. I don't see why I can't let them look at it. Maybe they could give me an idea on how to continue it.

We didn't spend much time looking at it, though. We soon got into practicing the other songs. We didn't have anything coming up yet. I wish there was an event we could do. But, we never seem to get invited to many.

That just means we have to work harder. So, I'll put my all into practice as always.

DIVIDER--

Before we knew it, our time was almost up. Everyone started cleaning up the room. Now is my time to ask.

"Hey... um, I was thinking... would you guys wanna... hang out on Saturday?" I mumbled. I didn't think about how I should ask them. I hope that was okay.

"Like a date?"

"M-maybe..." I stammered.

"That sounds good!"

"Yeah, it'll be fun to hang out together."

"I can't wait."

"I'm looking forward to it."

That settles it then. Looks like we'll be having a date on Saturday. I'm a little nervous, but I'm also looking forward to it. It's time for me to thank them for all they've done for me.

DIVIDER--

Soon enough, the weekend came. We had decided to meet at my house and hang out there for a while. So, around 11 am, everyone started arriving.

We didn't really plan much. I don't know exactly what I should do. I'm just going to do it as I go and hope that works out for me.

We were all sitting in the living room and talking. We were discussing random topics. It varied a lot.

"So, how come you wanted to hang out, Ran?"

"W-well..." I wasn't expecting that question, "I... I just thought it would be nice..."

"Come on. You can tell us the truth."

They can tell I'm lying, huh? Looks like I'm still not very good at that. I don't know if that is something I should work on. Probably not, honestly. I shouldn't try and lie to them.

"I just... wanted to do something for you guys... since you've done so much for me..." I mumbled as I stared down at the floor. I don't want to look at them. I'm embarrassed.

"That's so cute!" Himari hugged me suffocatingly tight.

"Himari, you're gonna kill poor Ran if you keep squeezing her like that." Moca teased.

Himari stuck her tongue out at Moca, but did loosen her grip on me. I looked at her. She smiled. I kissed her on the cheek. Himari froze up.

Yeah... I'm not normally the one that initiates the romantic stuff. Normally I let them all do it.

Himari smiled and kissed me on my head, "Someone's gotten bolder."

I flushed red and quickly looked back at the ground. Does she have to tease me about it? Can't we just let it be?

"Aren't you gonna give anyone else a kiss?" Moca started teasing me too.

I blushed even more. I felt Moca press herself against me. She had an arm around me. I glanced her way. She gave me a slight smirk.

That's how she wants to play, huh? Fine. I'll play this game too.

I kissed her on the lips. It was only for a few seconds, but it was enough to really catch her off guard. She was gaping at me in surprise. She really did not see that coming.

"Jeez, Ran. Feeling really bold today, aren't you?" Now Tomoe seemed to be joining in with the teasing.

"I can do this whenever I want. I just prefer not to." I huffed.

"So stubborn, aren't you, Ran~" Moca seemed to have recovered from her shock.

"Keep teasing me and I'll show you how stubborn I can be." I mumbled.

Moca chuckled, "You're so cute when you act like this."

I stood up. I... I need a break. This is too much teasing.

"I'll be back... I just... need to do something quick." I mumbled before I went into the bathroom.

I sat on the floor. Jeez... they're really ganging up on me today. I don't they've ever teased me that bad. I just... got overwhelmed.

"You alright, Ran?"

Tsugumi was on the other side of the door.

"Y-yeah... I just... it was too much teasing... I need a moment..." I mumbled.

"Oh... okay."

After a collected myself, I returned to the living room. Everyone was waiting there. They had started talking about random things again. I think they were discussing a book.

"Hey, Ran. Sorry about that... I guess we did tease you a lot..." Himari apologized.

"I-it's fine..." I stammered.

"So, um... what should we do?"

I shrugged, "I um, I didn't really think much about this... sorry."

"That's okay." None of them seemed to care about that.

"Hmm... how about we go to the park?" Moca suggested.

"No way. It's gonna be way too crowded." Himari protested, "It's such a nice day, so that's where everyone will be."

"That's true..." Moca sighed.

"Um... what about the movie theater? Is there anything good showing right now?" Tsugumi asked.

"I don't know..."

We searched up the list of show times to see. We found a movie that we all decided was interesting enough. It wasn't until 2, though. We still had a lot of time to kill.

"Why don't we go somewhere for lunch? Then we could just hang out at the mall until it's time." Tomoe suggested.

We all agreed to that idea. So, we got up off the floor and left my house. We discussed where exactly we wanted to go eat while we walked.

We ended up just buying some food from a grocery store and eating it outside. We couldn't decide on a place to go.

"So, what are we gonna do until it's time?" Tsugumi asked.

No one seemed to have an answer yet. What could we do? The mall is pretty crowded today, actually. I didn't think there would be this many people here. I guess everyone had the same idea for today.

"Wanna go see if the karaoke place has room?" Tomoe suggested.

It's been a while since we've done something like that. We've gone there a few times, but not that many. I wonder if it'll be packed too, though. We might not get in.

"Doesn't hurt to go see. There's other stuff around too if we can't get a room."

So, after we finished eating, we started walking to that place. Thankfully, they still had some open rooms available. We were able to chill in one now.

We all took turns singing random songs. We didn't really sing any of them seriously. We kept goofing around while singing.

It's nice to be able to do this type of thing with them. I'm glad I got to meet them. I don't know how I would've survived without them by my side.

"Well, it's almost time to go in. Should we start heading to the theater?" I asked as I glanced at the time.

"It's been that long already? Wow."

Yeah. Time really flew. We were having a lot of fun, after all. I'm really glad I decided to ask them to hang out today. It beats hanging out at home by myself.

We cleaned up the room and then we started walking back to where the movie theater was at. By the time we got there, we could get our tickets and go sit. Moca left us immediately to go buy some snacks. Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised by that.

The movie was good. It was two hours long. So, we once we were done, it was starting to get late. I guess this date will be over soon. They'll all have to go home now, right?

"So, are we gonna have a sleepover or not?"

Huh? A sleepover. They want to do that? That sounds good. I'd like that.

"If you wanna. I don't mind." I said.

Everyone went their separate ways to go get some stuff for the night. I made my way back home. I guess I'll get the blankets and pillows ready. It'll give me something to do until they return.

By half-an-hour everyone had come back. My parents wouldn't be home until late, so we had the house to ourselves.

We found some board games to play. We decided to play them in my room, though. I don't know why, but I guess it's fine.

"So, Ran~ Was this an acceptable date?" Moca asked out of the blue.

"Uh... yes?" I wasn't exactly sure how to respond to that.

"I have to say, seeing you kiss her on the lips was definitely a shock. You should be more bold all the time."

"N-no way... that's too embarrassing." I protested.

They all started laughing. I don't think I could ever be that bold normally. Only one in a blue moon can I even think of doing something like that. I don't feel confident enough to do that stuff.

"Come on, Ran~ at least initiate some stuff now and again."

"We'll see." I mumbled.

That seemed to appease them enough to stop teasing me. We went back to the game.

DIVIDER--

"Jeez, it's almost 10 already."

When did it get that late? We had been playing some games, talking about stuff, and watching some random videos. Had it really been that long?

"Should we go to bed or are we staying up late?"

"My parents will be home at 11. We should probably go to bed by then. I don't think they'd like us staying up that late." I mumbled.

"That's fine."

So, at 10:30 we all got ready for bed. We made a weird pillowfort in the middle of my room. We were all laying in a circle around it.

"This was really fun. We should do this more often." Himari commented.

"Yeah. We should."

I smiled. I'm glad they liked it. I was a little worried they wouldn't. But, maybe we can do this more often. It would be nice.

"Well, goodnight everyone."

"Night."

"Goodnight."

"Night everyone~"

"Goodnight..."

We all fell silent. Guess we should get to bed.

I closed my eyes. It still sometimes feels surreal. I still don't always believe that this is really how things turned out. How did we end up like this? I don't really know, but I definitely won't complain.

I actually like my life, for once. Things are okay for me now. Everything had finally calmed down.

I'm happy to be alive.