That afternoon, the rain started.
It wasn't heavy—just a soft, steady drizzle tapping the windows and soaking the school grounds.
By the time the final bell rang, most students had pulled out umbrellas and bolted for the gate.
Shuu didn't move.
He stood at the classroom window, watching the rain blur the cherry trees into watercolors.
A few seats behind him, Motoko was humming as she packed her bag.
Across the room, Sakura neatly zipped up her pencil case, eyes drifting toward the window as well.
Then she paused.
Shuu turned his head just in time to catch it—that tiny expression of concern as she looked at the rain.
He glanced down.
No umbrella by her desk.
Of course.
She probably didn't expect rain.
He considered offering to share his, but—
"Hey, Sakura," Motoko said brightly, swinging her bag over her shoulder. "You forgot your umbrella?"
Sakura blinked. "Ah… yes."
"No worries. I brought a big one. Let's walk together."
Sakura hesitated. "Are you sure?"
"Duh. What kind of dramatic anime rival would I be if I left you to drown in romantic rain?"
Sakura smiled softly. "...Thank you."
The two of them left together.
Just like that.
Shuu stood frozen at the window, still holding his umbrella in hand.
He hadn't even gotten a word in.
He stayed there for a while, staring out at the wet world beyond the glass.
Motoko wasn't the heroine.
She wasn't even a love interest.
She came out of nowhere. She teased and joked and stole scenes.
And yet…
She noticed when people forgot umbrellas.
She stepped in before anyone else could.
She was just better at this than him.
Shuu tightened his grip on the umbrella handle.
This wasn't about who got the girl.
This was about something deeper.
Relevance.
In a world full of side stories and supporting roles… how do you stay in the story at all?
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