The Next Day...
The moment I stepped into class, I could feel it.
The stares. The whispers. The quiet smirks.
Hinata leaned toward me, whispering.
Hinata:(Whispers) Kiyomi... I think you're trending again.
I sighed.
Kiyomi:Do I even want to know why?"
Akio, sitting beside the window, turned slightly.
Akio:Let me guess... Ayaka?"
Hinata nodded dramatically.
Hinata:Bingo. Word on the hallway is that you confessed to Akio during recess yesterday.
Kiyomi:(Surprised) What?! Who even starts these rumours? I didn't confess to anyone!
Hinata:Welcome to high school, sweetheart. Truth travels slowly, but lies take the express route.
Akio:(Grinning) Well, I don't mind people thinking you confessed. I'm getting a lot of jealous looks from the guys.
Kiyomi:(Rolling my eyes) You're enjoying this way too much, Akio-kun.
Hinata:Please. He's been smiling since morning. Someone's ego just leveled up.
Akio:I'm just saying... it's not every day people think the class introvert is in love with me.
Kiyomi:For the record, I am not in love with you.
Hinata:Yet.
Kiyomi:(Annoyed) Hinata!
Hinata giggled, leaning back in her seat.
Hinata:Relax, I'm kidding. You'd probably faint if someone actually confessed to you.
That made both of them laugh, but I didn't. Because Hinata wasn't exactly wrong.
Love always felt... terrifying. Like standing under a thunderstorm without an umbrella. Beautiful, but dangerous.
Just as I thought about that, a loud boom of thunder echoed outside.
Akio looked out the window.
Akio:Wow. Perfect timing, huh?
Hinata:Looks like the weather heard your thoughts, Kiyomi.
Kiyomi:It's just rain, Hinata.
Akio:Yeah, but you look like you're remembering something.
I hesitated. Then quietly…
Kiyomi:(Quietly) I just don't like the rain. It reminds me of... something I'd rather forget.
Hinata looked curious, but before she could ask, the class rep entered.
Asahi:Alright everyone, recess is over! Back to your seats.
Later, during the last period, the rain grew heavier. The windows rattled. The lights flickered once or twice. The sound drowned out even the teacher's voice.
Akio whispered from the seat next to me. Akio:Hey, Kiyomi... you okay?
He said with concern in his eyes.
Kiyomi:Yeah. Just... don't like thunder.
He smiled softly, sliding his umbrella across the table.
Akio:Then after class, walk with me. You can borrow this.
Kiyomi:You'll get soaked.
Akio: Then we'll share it.
That line made my heart skip a beat — just once. I tried not to show it.
Hinata, watching from the next row, mouthed to me: "You're blushing."
I ignored her completely.
After school...
The rain hadn't stopped. The hallway was noisy with everyone complaining about getting wet.
Akio held out the umbrella.
Akio:Ready?
Kiyomi:(Unsure) I guess...
Hinata:(Teasing) Hey, lovebirds! Don't catch a cold!
Kiyomi:(Annoyed) Hinata!
She laughed, running off before I could respond.
We walked under the umbrella together. The sound of rain tapping above us was strangely calming.
Akio:You know... rumours are just noise. They fade away eventually.
Kiyomi:Yeah... but noise can still be loud.
Akio:True. But don't let it drown your peace.
There was a pause — not awkward, just quiet. The kind of silence that said more than words.
And somehow, even with my fear of love, I realized something:
Akio made the rain feel a little less scary.