The rain had started like a secret—light, hesitant, almost shy. It wasn't loud or wild. Just a quiet drizzle that turned the world silver.
Haruki stood outside the convenience store, clutching a plastic bag of chips and melon soda. He stared at the falling rain and muttered:
"No umbrella… great."
He sighed, resigned to becoming a soggy disaster, when—
"…You'll catch a cold like that."
He turned.
There she was.
Yuki.
Wearing a long, deep blue jacket that fluttered slightly in the breeze. The sleeves were a bit oversized, her hands hidden inside like a kitten in a blanket. A white shirt peeked out beneath the jacket, and black tights hugged her legs, catching droplets where the rain reached.
Her white hair shimmered under the cloudy sky, and her soft blue eyes met his. She held a clear umbrella, rain tapping gently on it.
"You forgot yours?" she asked softly.
Haruki nodded. "Didn't expect it to rain."
She stepped closer and tilted the umbrella toward him. "Let's share. I don't live far… but you'll get soaked like that."
Haruki blinked. "You sure?"
She gave a small nod. "It's fine. There's room."
So they walked, close under the tiny umbrella. Her jacket sleeve brushed against his arm now and then. She smelled faintly like something soft and clean—like fresh sheets after sunlight.
"…You look nice," he said quietly.
Yuki tilted her head. "Hmm?"
"I mean… blue suits you."
She blinked, then gave a tiny smile. "Thanks. I like this jacket."
Haruki rubbed the back of his neck, heart thumping. "I like it too."
A pause.
"…Thanks."
---
They reached a familiar street, but the rain hadn't slowed.
"My house is closer," Haruki said suddenly. "You wanna wait there till the rain eases up?"
Yuki looked at the sky. "Okay. If that's alright."
"It is."
---
His room smelled like vanilla air freshener and laundry detergent. Yuki sat on his bed, still holding her umbrella like a shy guest, then finally set it aside.
Haruki handed her a towel. "Sorry it's small."
She dried her hair, the long strands falling around her face.
"You always keep your room this clean?" she asked.
Haruki looked around. "I cleaned it this morning."
"…Just in case?"
He flushed. "No! I mean—maybe."
Yuki laughed softly, hiding her smile behind her jacket sleeve.
They shared snacks, sitting side by side on the bed, legs swinging off the edge. Outside the window, the rain whispered like a lullaby.
Yuki reached out and drew a little heart on the foggy glass.
"Do you like rain?" she asked.
"Only when I'm not alone."
She turned to him, surprised. He looked back. And just for a moment, the quiet grew sweeter.
Outside, the rain kept falling.
Inside, something warmer had begun to bloom.