The school bell had just rung, signaling the end of the day, but no one expected the sky to get dark and start pouring suddenly.
Yuuto was walking out of the school gates, his bag hanging loosely over his shoulder, when the rain came down hard, almost instantly.
He brought an umbrella today. Just by coincidence, he didn't think that it would rain like this today. The sky was clear till lunch.
But he didn't use it because he like to get wet in rain and enjoy it.
The calmness that the wet streets and gray clouds brought. He liked it.
Hikari, on the other hand, had left her umbrella in her locker. She stood by the gate, watching the rain turn the sidewalks into rivers. Her jacket was no match for the downpour.
She sighed and pulled her jacket up, trying to shield herself from the cold, but it wasn't enough. So she was standing under the store roof.
As she looked around, she wondered how long this would last. She could wait it out under the school's roof, but the thought of being stuck there made her groan.
Yuuto spotted her from the corner of his eye. Hikari looked a little out of place standing there, soaked and frustrated. His steps slowed as he walked toward her.
He wasn't sure why he was going over, but something about her standing there made him feel like he should do something.
Why am I doing this? It's just Hikari... just another classmate. But... she looks frustrated, and it's raining. I can't just leave her standing there.
"Uh… Hikari?" he called, standing a few feet away from her.
She looked up. When she realized who it was, she gave him a sheepish smile. "Oh. Hi, Yuuto. Looks like I'm stuck here."
Yuuto tilted his head slightly. "You didn't bring an umbrella?"
She shrugged, looking sheepish. "Guess I thought the rain would hold off. Bad timing, right?"
Yuuto couldn't help but chuckle at her frustration. It was a little funny—he was probably just as unprepared—but he had an idea. "Well, I have one," he said, a little awkwardly.
Hikari blinked at him, surprised. "You have? Then why are not using it?"
"Because I like getting wet in the rain."
"Oh! But don't you get sick?"
"No I am immune to rain." He said jokingly.
"Hahah!" She laughs.
Then he hesitated for a second. (Why does it feel awkward offering this?) "I could... I mean, we could share mine. It's big enough for two, I think."
Hikari opened her mouth to argue, but Yuuto was already pulling out his umbrella. She said, half-laughing. "You sure?"
"It's fine," Yuuto said, opening the umbrella with a smooth motion. "Better than standing here, right?"
Hikari eyed the umbrella for a moment. And thought this is awkward... but I guess it's better than standing in the rain. He doesn't seem bothered by it, though. Why does that feel... comforting?
"Well, okay. If you say so."
The umbrella wasn't huge, but it was just big enough to cover both of them. They stood side by side, walking down the street in silence. The rain was falling in sheets, but under the umbrella, they were mostly shielded. Still, they both had to adjust slightly to avoid getting too close to the edges.
This is... weird. Hikari thought, her mind racing. I'm so close to him, but it doesn't feel bad. Why doesn't it feel bad?
For a while, neither of them spoke. The quiet was oddly peaceful. Hikari couldn't help but notice the way the rain fell around them, creating a kind of world just for the two of them. Normally, she would have been embarrassed by the closeness, but today... Today was different.
"Thanks for sharing your umbrella," Hikari finally said, her voice breaking the quiet. "I guess I owe you one."
Yuuto shrugged. "No need. It's not a big deal."
Hikari smiled, grateful, but she could feel the warmth creeping up her cheeks. I'm sure he gets thanked all the time. But... I meant it. I do owe him for this.
"So," Yuuto spoke up again, his voice just a little softer than usual. "You cold?"
Hikari was caught off guard. "Huh?"
"You're shivering a little," he said, his eyes darting over to her. "You should probably zip up your jacket more, or something."
Hikari blinked at him, surprised by his sudden concern. "Oh. It's nothing," she said, trying to brush it off, though she couldn't deny the chill creeping under her skin.
Yuuto didn't say anything more, but after a beat, he adjusted the umbrella, shifting it so it covered her more. It wasn't much, but it made her feel a little warmer. Why does he care so much? Why does this feel so... different?
Hikari wasn't sure if it was the rain or something else that was making her heart flutter, but she appreciated the gesture more than she wanted to admit.
They walked in silence again, but this time, the quiet felt different. It wasn't uncomfortable; it was just... peaceful. When they reached the intersection near Hikari's house, she slowed down, glancing up at Yuuto.
"Well, here's my stop," she said with a soft smile. "Thanks again. Seriously."
Yuuto nodded, looking over at her. "You're welcome. See you tomorrow."
Just as she was about to step off the sidewalk and into her driveway, something impulsive made her stop and turn back toward him.
"Hey, Yuuto," she said, her voice slightly nervous. "Thanks again… for walking with me. I didn't think the rain would feel this nice."
Yuuto blinked, a little surprised. "Huh? The rain?"
She nodded, brushing a wet strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah. I usually hate getting soaked. But today felt... different."
Yuuto looked away for a moment, hiding a small smile. "Maybe it's because you weren't alone this time."
Hikari felt her heart skip, just a little. He always says things like that—quiet, simple, but somehow it gets to me.
She smiled, warmer now. "Yeah. I guess that's it."
"See you tomorrow," she said, a little breathlessly, before quickly walking into her house.
Yuuto stood there for a moment, watching her go. He smiled to himself, a quiet, content smile. Something about today, about how they shared that umbrella, made him feel closer to her. He wasn't sure what it meant yet, but it felt... nice.
And once again, he liked the rain more.
To be continued....