Scene opens with the Crystal Brawlers walking through a bustling city street. Neon lights flash, advertisements fill the air, and the sounds of crowds echo around them. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow over the city. Shauna is leading the way, and Kouchu and Sakuro follow closely behind.

  Kouchu: rubbing his stomach “Ugh, I could really go for a snack right now. This place smells amazing!”

  Shauna: grinning “You’re always thinking about food, Kouchu.”

  Sakuro: quietly, with his arms crossed “We’ll get food soon, I’m sure. Let’s stay focused.”

  As they continue to walk, a group of bullies wearing roller skates and other skating gear appear, blocking their path. They laugh arrogantly, looking down on the trio.

  Bully 1: snickers “Well, well, if it isn’t the Crystal Brawlers. What’s the matter? You scared to skate?”

  Bully 2: smirking “Yeah, I bet none of you have the guts to try.”

  The bullies start skating in circles around the trio, taunting them.

  Shauna: frowning, crossing her arms “I’m not interested in your games.”

  Kouchu: nervously laughing “Skating… I’m not sure I’d be very good at that.”

  Bully 1: mocking “Oh? You afraid to try? I bet your friend here would be the perfect candidate.”

  The bullies point to Sakuro, who stands a little apart from the others, still calm and collected.

  Sakuro: raises an eyebrow “You think I can’t skate?”

  Shauna: looking concerned “Sakuro, don’t—”

  Kouchu: panicking “This is a bad idea! They’re just trying to mess with you!”

  Sakuro’s serious expression hardens. He steps forward and cracks his knuckles.

  Sakuro: coldly “Fine. I’ll show you I’m not scared.”

  Sakuro grabs a pair of roller skates from one of the bullies and straps them on. The bullies laugh, thinking he won’t last a minute.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Bully 2: laughs “Alright, let’s see how long you last, tough guy.”

  Sakuro takes a deep breath, focusing on his goal. He pushes off and starts skating, but quickly loses control and crashes, tumbling hard onto the pavement. He winces in pain as he tries to push himself up but winces from his injured arm.

  Kouchu: shouting in panic “Sakuro!”

  Shauna: rushing to his side “Are you okay?!”

  Sakuro: groaning, rubbing his arm “I think I broke it…”

  Kouchu and Shauna exchange worried glances as the bullies laugh louder.

  Bully 1: mocking “Guess you’re not as tough as you thought, huh?”

  Bully 2: laughing “Pathetic.”

  Sakuro, gritting his teeth, pushes himself to sit up. Despite his pain, he doesn’t want to admit defeat.

  Sakuro: clenching his fist “I won’t give up.”

  Kouchu: frowning, frustrated “Sakuro, you can’t keep pushing yourself like this. It’s too dangerous!”

  Shauna: angrily, but caring “You’re not some superhero, Sakuro. You don’t have to prove anything to them.”

  Sakuro’s face softens, but his resolve doesn’t waver.

  Sakuro: quietly, but determined “I have to prove it… to myself.”

  Cut to a training montage. Sakuro, despite his sore knees and broken arm, continues to practice skating in secret, determined to win. With each fall, he gets back up, slowly improving. He glides a little more smoothly each time, pushing through the pain. Kouchu and Shauna, seeing his effort, begin to support him in their own way.

  Kouchu: encouraging “Come on, Sakuro! You’ve got this! Just keep going, don’t give up!”

  Shauna: grinning “That’s it! You’re getting better!”

  Finally, the day arrives when the Crystal Brawlers have to face the bullies again. The bullies stand arrogantly, thinking that they’ve already won.

  Bully 1: grinning “Well, looks like you’re back for more. Ready to lose again?”

  Sakuro: with a fierce look in his eyes “This time, I won’t lose.”

  The challenge begins again, and Sakuro is on a roll. He glides smoothly, dodging obstacles and skating with precision. The bullies try to block him, but Sakuro is faster and more skilled than before. With a final push, he makes it to the finish line first, his victory clear.

  Sakuro: panting, but proud “I did it.”

  Kouchu and Shauna cheer loudly from the sidelines.

  Kouchu: excited “You did it, Sakuro! You really did it!”

  Shauna: grinning “I knew you could do it, you stubborn idiot!”

  The bullies, defeated, stumble back, utterly shocked.

  Bully 2: grumbling “We… we lost?!”

  Bully 1: glaring at Sakuro “You’re lucky this time, but don’t think you can get away with this forever.”

  Sakuro: smirking, confident “I’m not running away. Not anymore.”

  With that, the bullies walk off, muttering under their breath. The Crystal Brawlers are victorious once again, and Sakuro smiles, his arm still sore but his spirit stronger than ever.

  Kouchu: grinning “You showed them, Sakuro! I knew you had it in you!”

  Shauna: giving him a thumbs up “Yeah, nice work, tough guy.”

  Sakuro looks down at his arm and then back at his friends, his usual stoic expression softened by a rare smile.

  Sakuro: quietly “Thanks… both of you.”

  As the Crystal Brawlers continue on their journey, they head off towards the next challenge, stronger and more united than ever.

  Kouchu: grinning “Let’s keep moving, guys. On to the next medal!”

  Shauna: smiling “Let’s go!”

  Sakuro nods, and the trio continues down the path, ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.

  End of Episode 44.