The cool evening breeze swept across the front of the school. Dark clouds had gathered above, and the air carried the smell of an approaching storm. But no matter how cold the wind grew, the warmth in Saki's chest refused to fade. Walking beside Hiroki made every step feel unreal—light, nervous, and full of trembling hope.
They walked quietly for a moment.
Then… they stopped.
Hiroki slowly turned to face her. Their breaths mixed in the small distance between them. The world seemed to fall silent—slower, softer, almost gentle.
Saki felt her heartbeat slamming in her chest.
Her lips parted slightly.
And… she took one more step forward, closing her eyes.
Hiroki leaned in too.
His fingers slipped into hers, and Saki instinctively squeezed back. Their lips were only a few centimeters apart.
Breaths held.
Hearts paused.
Time froze.
And then—
CRACK—!
A sudden bolt of thunder split the sky.
Saki jerked back with a gasp, nearly jumping away.
Her hands flew to her chest.
Hiroki froze mid-step, the disappointment on his face impossible to hide. His lips parted, but no words came out.
And just then, the rain came crashing down—sudden, heavy, unforgiving.
Water soaked their hair and clothes in seconds.
Saki reached for her bag, then stopped.
Her fingers trembled.
Oh no… I forgot my umbrella…
"Seriously, Saki… of all days to forget it," she muttered, hugging her arms around herself.
"And our romantic moment got ruined too…"
Hiroki pushed his wet bangs back, laughing softly.
"Well… you looked pretty cute when you got scared."
"H-Hey!"
Saki blushed, though the disappointment in her chest still lingered.
If only the thunder hadn't—
When she glanced at Hiroki again, a tiny smile escaped her.
Maybe… I'll get another chance.
Hiroki met her eyes. Saki was about to reach for his hand—
"Ah… sorry Saki," he said, scratching the back of his head.
"I don't have my umbrella either. I gave mine to Miyuki yesterday… and forgot to take it back."
Saki's inner voice screamed:
Of course… Hiroki…
"You too?" she said aloud.
Both lowered their heads at the same time.
"No waaay…"
Suddenly Hiroki stood straight.
"Alright! There's only one solution."
"W-what?"
He grabbed her hand and gently pulled her up from the bench.
"We run home."
The rain thickened, falling harder and harder.
"Y-yeah, running might be… smart," Hiroki said, though he was trying not to laugh.
Saki walked beside him; their hands remained intertwined.
Despite the rain, despite the noise of cars and water slapping the pavement—
Saki felt strangely at peace.
Hiroki smiled too. Being next to her warmed him in a way the rain couldn't touch.
Then suddenly, Saki couldn't hold it in anymore.
"I love you, Hiroki!!"
But the sound vanished into the rain and traffic.
Hiroki didn't hear a thing.
"Hm? Did you say something, Saki?"
He leaned closer.
Saki's face turned bright red. She bit her lip.
She couldn't repeat it.
"Y-you can go home first if you want, Hiroki. I can walk alone…"
Hiroki chuckled.
"Even soaked like this, you're still thinking about me… That makes me proud, Saki.
But my priority is you. I'll take you home first."
Warmth spread through her chest.
She was freezing, but her heart wasn't.
Then Hiroki suddenly released her hand.
"H-Hiroki?"
She looked up.
Hiroki took off his jacket and gently placed it over her shoulders.
"I'm not letting you get sick."
Saki's eyes softened.
She felt closer to him than ever—close enough to feel his warmth through the fabric.
"Saki watch out!"
Before she could turn around—
Her foot splashed into a deep mud puddle.
"A-ah!!"
She slipped forward, reaching for Hiroki—
but her hand slid off his.
His foot slipped too.
Both of them fell with a loud splash, landing right into the mud.
Saki ended up face-down, completely covered.
Hiroki, trying to catch her, fell beside her.
For a moment they just stayed there.
Then Hiroki slowly lifted himself up and helped Saki do the same.
"You okay?"
Despite her love for cleanliness, Saki felt… oddly calm.
"Y-yeah…"
They continued walking—muddy, soaked, embarrassed… but together.
Hiroki finally stopped.
"We're here, Saki."
Saki stepped in front of him and looked up.
"…Thank you, Hiroki."
"What was that? You're too far."
He leaned in.
Saki moved closer to his ear.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Hiroki gave her that soft, charming smile.
He took her hands gently.
"Don't worry about me. Go inside before you get even more soaked."
But Saki's heart twisted.
Leaving him like this… after he walked me all the way?
Is this really okay, Saki?
He even got drenched for me…
Hiroki began to pull his hands away to leave—
But Saki caught them.
Her fingers trembled—shy, uncertain, afraid of going too far.
Their relationship from now on… depended on her courage.
Her choices.
Her heart.
And under the falling rain, two souls kept reaching for each other—again and again.