Sakura Blooms
Something about Sakura making people crazy...
Most of the class had drifted outside to eat, leaving behind soft laughter and half-eaten bentos scattered across desks. Ran was still seated by the window, quietly talking to a girl from the track team.
Shinichi, a few rows away, leaned forward at his desk, elbows on the surface, fingers slowly working the zipper of his satchel open just enough to reach something inside. He glanced once at Ran, then down again at the small pink box peeking out between books.
The sakura charm.
She’d admired it a few days ago on their way home. A soft "It's cute..." was all she said, but he never forgot. The implications of Sakura charm between, he couldn’t help but to purchase it for her.
He hadn’t figured out when or how to give it to her. He barely knew what to say. But he couldn’t just leave it hidden forever—
“Shinichi-kun~” a voice sang behind him.
He startled.
Sonoko was already peering over his shoulder. “What do you got in there?”
“None of your business,” he muttered, zipping the bag shut.
But Sonoko’s eyes were sharp and her fingers faster.
“Oho~? A box?” she chirped. “Looks like a gift box. Looks awfully pink?”
His blood froze. “Sonoko. I’m warning you.”
“Aww, what’s this?” she teased, already snatching the box with two fingers. “A gift for Ran, maybe?"
“Sonoko!”
She shrieked in laughter and bolted.
Shinichi was on his feet instantly, chasing her into the hallway and around the building in circles. She was light, quick, looping between benches and ducking past startled kohais.
“Sonoko, you’re dead!” he shouted.
“You’re romantic!” she yelled back.
By the time they re-entered the classroom, several heads turned. Shinichi was panting. Sonoko had the charm box in her hand and zero intention of giving it back.
“Ran! Help me!” she called out and without waiting, grabbed her best friend’s wrist and dragged her toward the far end of the room.
“Wait—what? What’s going on!?” Ran squeaked.
Shinichi stormed in moments later, eyes locked on the box.
“Sonoko. Give it back.”
“Nope.”
“Give it back.”
Sonoko smirked. “Why? You’re going to confess with it?”
He moved to grab her but with practiced ease, she stepped behind Ran, gripped both his wrists, and pushed Ran forward with her shoulder—
—and suddenly, Ran was wedged between them.
Shinichi stumbled, one arm slid under her armpit, the other draped over her shoulder, both wrists still caught in Sonoko’s grip. He went stiff as stone.
Ran’s breath caught, completely boxed in. “W-what…?!”
“LET. GO.” Shinichi growled through his teeth, squirming slightly but not daring to use strength, not with Ran trapped between them.
Sonoko hummed. “No way”
Shinichi panicked. Her fingers clutched the edge of the box. “Don’t crush it!"
“What? This?” Sonoko shifted slightly, adjusting her grip around his wrists. She opened her pinky and ring finger with precision, showing the pink box. “Relax. I’m a tennis player. I know how to grip.”
Internally, Shinichi cursed. She’s not kidding. Her grip’s deceptively solid. No matter how he pulled, she had his wrists locked just right, and moving too hard would just…
...press him closer to Ran.
Which he absolutely didn’t want. Not with his face now right near her temple. Not when he could feel her breathing.
Ran’s cheeks were scarlet. “S-Shinichi… calm down…”
“I’m trying,” he bit back, then looked down at her flushed face and muttered through clenched teeth, “Your freaking friend is a fuc—”
Suddenly, Sonoko shoved Ran’s body forward with hers, sandwiching her even tighter against him.
“Stop whispering to your husband and taking his side!”
Ran gasped. Their classmates burst into giggles and shocked laughter.
And Shinichi’s lips collided squarely with Ran’s forehead.
He jerked back slightly, tasting the faint copper tang of blood from his own lip.
He wanted to kill Sonoko.
“Pfft—” she snorted. “Not exactly the kind of ‘pounce’ you fantasize about, huh, Shinichi-kun?”
Laughter echoed through the classroom. A few students clutched their desks, others leaned in to get a better look. Shinichi’s jaw clenched so tight it clicked. His skin was hot, face, ears, even his neck burning red.
Ran winced slightly from the sting of the bump but tried to look over her shoulder at Sonoko. “Sonoko… whatever you took from Shinichi, give it back. It’s obviously important if he’s reacting like this.”
At her words, Shinichi’s stomach dropped. He looked down and saw her eyes, her expression. She meant it.
She doesn’t know what it is. She just wants to help.
He looked away instantly, face darkening even more. Behind her, Sonoko blinked, then chuckled to herself. Ran’s innocence somehow made Shinichi even more vulnerable.
But before she could reply, Nakamichi leaned over. “Oi, Suzuki, what did you steal anyway?”
“Yeah!” one of the girls chimed. “What’d you take from Kudo-kun that’s got him this worked up?”
Sonoko hesitated. Her teasing grin faltered for a split second.
“Ehh… secret,” she said with a laugh, curling her fingers tighter around the box. “He should be the one to give it. I didn’t think it’d get this dramatic.”
“Sonoko,” Shinichi warned through his teeth, shifting again—but her grip on his wrists tightened instantly.
“Still trying to move?” she teased. “You’re seriously going to crush your wife.”
More laughter.
Shinichi’s fist tightened, ready to combust.
But then Sonoko straightened a little, smiling mischievously. “Okay! Here’s a deal.” She leaned. “If you answer three questions honestly, I’ll give it back.”
“No,” Shinichi barked instantly. “You don’t get to—”
“You don’t have a choice,” she cut in sweetly. “You want the box back, don’t you?”
Shinichi’s expression twisted in panic. His eyes darted toward Ran—still red-faced, still very much trapped between them.
“Don’t worry,” Sonoko added with a wink. “I won’t ask you to confess. That would be too easy~”
She raised a brow. “But I’ll know if you’re lying.”
“Sonoko…” he warned again.
“First question!” she declared, ignoring him.
“Do you think Ran is a great person?”
Shinichi blinked, then got angry again. “What kind of fucking question is—”
“Just answer, Shinichi-kun!” Sonoko cut in, tightening her grip
His throat moved. “…Yes.”
Cheers erupted. A few people clapped.
“Second question!” Sonoko was beaming now. “Do you think Ran’s pretty?”
“S-Sonoko!” Ran yelped, trying to look at her.
“Shh!” Sonoko grinned wider. “Answer the question, Shinichi-kun.”
He gritted his teeth. Everyone was waiting. Ran’s shaking. His breath caught in his throat.
“…Yes.”
Louder cheering. Some students slapped their desks in delight.
Ran’s face was fully red now. She couldn't look at either of them.
“Final question!” Sonoko leaned in.
“Do you like her smile?”
Shinichi didn’t move. His head was tilted down, fringe shadowing his eyes. His breath was short. He didn’t say anything.
“Shinichi-kun?” Sonoko asked again in her annoying singsong voice, playfully tugging his wrist, pulling him just slightly closer to Ran, who gasped at the proximity.
Behind them, Nakamichi whispered, “C’mon… just say it.”
But then—
“…No.”
Silence.
The air shifted. Gasps all around.
Sonoko stared. “What the hell are you saying, Shinichi-kun?! I told you, I’ll know if you lie!”
Shinichi’s voice was low. Quiet. Firm.
“Then it just means you don’t know anything.”
Everyone froze.
Maybe it was Ran’s palm, still resting on his chest or maybe her breath against his neck, too close.
He exhaled.
“I didn’t like Ran’s smiles,” he said slowly, each word heavier than the last.
“I’m… crazy about them.”
The room stopped.
Even Sonoko’s grip loosened. Ran’s eyes widened, her breath caught in her throat.
And in that instant, Shinichi twisted his wrist free, snatched the box from Sonoko’s stunned hand, and shoved it into his pocket without a word.
He turned, refusing to meet Ran’s eyes, and stuck out his tongue briefly at Sonoko.
Then walked straight out of the room.
The moment the door slid closed behind him…
“KYAAAAAAAA—!!” the class exploded.
Cheers, laughter, whistles. Someone shouted, “I knew it!!” Another yelled, “Kudo-kun’s got game!!”
Shinichi slapped a hand over his face in the hallway, wanting to disappear.
Back in the room, Sonoko let out a laugh so loud it echoed.
“That sly detective geek…”
Ran stood frozen in place, the warmth of his voice still ringing in her ears.
And for the first time in a long while, her lips trembled into a smile she didn’t even notice.
#shinran fanfiction #nicetoreadthis #afteralltheseyears
