Rain came without warning that evening, tapping softly against Toshio's window.The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and gray outside, the kind of night that felt heavy with things left unsaid.
Toshio sat by his desk, pretending to study, but his mind was far from his textbooks.All he could think about was Airi — her voice, her message, and that transfer student who had walked into their lives like a shadow from her past.
"Ren Kurogane…"
Even saying the name out loud left a strange taste in his mouth.
He didn't want to admit it, but jealousy was clawing at him. Not because Ren was handsome or confident — but because Airi knew him before. Because there were parts of her life Toshio had never seen, and Ren had been there first.
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Why does this even bother me?" he muttered.
A soft ping broke his thoughts.His phone buzzed — another message from Airi.
Airi: "Are you awake?"Toshio: "Yeah. What's up?"Airi: "Can you meet me outside? I… need to talk."
His heart skipped. The rain hadn't stopped, but before he could second-guess himself, he grabbed an umbrella and ran out the door.
Outside, the air was cool and damp. Airi stood near the fence that separated their houses, her uniform slightly wet from the drizzle. Her eyes reflected the dim streetlights, shimmering like wet glass.
"Toshio," she said softly, "I'm sorry about earlier. You must've felt awkward because of Ren."
He shook his head. "You don't have to apologize. I just… didn't expect that."Her fingers twisted around the handle of her umbrella. "Ren and I… we used to live next door in Tokyo. Our parents were close. But after something happened, my family moved here."
Toshio frowned. "Something?"
She hesitated, biting her lip. "Let's just say… Ren isn't exactly who he used to be. He changed after his parents' divorce. He started getting into fights, skipping school. I tried to help, but…"
Her voice faltered. "He pushed me away."
The rain grew heavier, but neither of them moved. Toshio could feel her pain even through the cold air between them.
He wanted to say something — anything — but Airi spoke first.
"Today, when I saw him again, it was like seeing a ghost," she whispered. "Part of me was happy… but another part of me was scared."
"Scared?" Toshio echoed.
Airi nodded. "Because Ren never liked letting go of people. Especially me."
That sentence sent a chill down Toshio's spine.
The next morning, the air at school was tense. Ren acted friendly as always — smiling, chatting with classmates — but there was something sharp behind that smile now. A silent message that only Toshio seemed to notice.
During lunch, Toshio found Airi at their usual rooftop spot, but this time, she looked uneasy.
"Ren cornered me before class," she said quietly. "He asked why I'm always with you."
Toshio's jaw tightened. "What did you say?"
"I told him it's none of his business."
Toshio couldn't help but smile, but it faded when he saw her expression. She was worried — not for herself, but for him.
"Airi," he said gently, "if he ever says or does something, tell me."
She looked at him then — really looked. Her eyes were full of something fragile yet powerful.
"Toshio… you don't have to protect me."
"I know," he replied softly. "But I want to."
The words slipped out before he could stop them. Airi froze, her lips parting slightly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The wind brushed past, carrying the scent of rain and blossoms.
Then, before either could say anything more, the door behind them creaked open.
Ren stepped out, his gaze sharp and unreadable.
"Well," he said smoothly, "looks like I'm interrupting something."
Airi stood quickly. "Ren, this isn't—"
He chuckled. "Relax, Airi. I was just looking for some fresh air. Didn't know it was your private spot."
Toshio met his gaze. "There's enough air for everyone."
Ren smiled faintly, his tone mock-sweet. "Oh? You seem tense, Toshio. Something on your mind?"
"Not really," Toshio replied calmly. "Just wondering what someone like you wants with Airi after all this time."
A flicker of emotion crossed Ren's face — something dangerous and possessive.
"She was always special to me," he said simply. "And I don't like losing what's mine."
Airi gasped softly. "Ren, stop it."
But Ren only smirked and turned to leave. "See you around, lovebirds."
The door clicked shut behind him.
Silence filled the rooftop again. Toshio clenched his fists, fighting back the urge to chase after him.
"He's trying to get to me," Toshio muttered. "To make me angry."
Airi placed a hand on his arm. "Don't let him. That's what he wants."
He looked at her, his heartbeat slowing as her touch lingered. Even through all the tension, all the confusion, this was what grounded him — her presence.
"Okay," he said quietly. "But I won't let him hurt you again."
Airi smiled faintly. "You already haven't."
That night, Toshio found himself staring at his phone again. No messages this time — just silence.
Outside, thunder rolled far away, echoing like a warning.
He didn't know it yet, but Ren's reappearance wasn't just about the past.
It was the beginning of something darker — something that would test everything he and Airi had built.