Once they finished eating, they sat in silence for a while, letting the food settle. The restaurant's warm air made them feel lazy but peaceful.
Outside, the sky had begun to dim, and a few low rumbles of thunder echoed in the distance.
Kyouko glanced toward the window, noticing the clouds swirling darker than before. "I think we should head home now," she said with a soft smile, turning to Haruki beside her.
"Okay," Haruki replied. He stood and stretched slightly before heading toward the counter to pay.
Kyouko followed behind, adjusting the strap of her bag as she walked. After he paid, they stepped outside together.
The air was thick and humid, the scent of rain hanging heavy.
They walked slowly toward the car. Without warning, the sky gave way. A sudden, heavy downpour crashed down around them.
"Ah!" Kyouko gasped and without thinking, grabbed Haruki's hand—her fingers warm and small as she pulled him with her. "Quickly!"
Haruki blinked, surprised, but didn't resist. They dashed toward the car, splashes echoing under their feet.
By the time they reached it, the rain was pouring even harder.
"Where's the key... ah, where is it!" Kyouko muttered, digging through her purse.
Haruki let out a small laugh despite being completely soaked, his hair sticking to his forehead. "Take your time, Kyouko-san. No rush," he said, water dripping from his chin.
Kyouko glanced up at him, her bangs wet and clinging to her skin, a small smile forming even as she kept fumbling. "Don't laugh... This is terrible timing," she said, fighting to keep the smile from spreading wider.
Finally, she pulled out the key with a small triumphant sound and unlocked the car with a beep.
They both jumped inside, the door shutting out the rain's roar like a curtain falling.
Kyouko turned on the heater, the soft hum filling the car as warm air began to flow from the vents.
She started the engine, gripping the wheel as she pulled out of the parking lot, her clothes still clinging to her skin from the rain.
Haruki sat beside her, stealing glances when he thought she wasn't looking. The way the damp fabric clung to her curves was distracting. He could see the outline of her waist, how her soaked top stuck to her back and chest. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his gaze forward. The sight was undeniably sensual, but she seemed completely unaware.
"I can't believe the rain just started pouring like that," Kyouko said with a slight pout, her brows furrowed as she focused on the road.
That pout.
Haruki glanced at her again. She really did look cute when she pouted like that—like a teenager sulking over something trivial.
He watched as drops of water trickle down the side of her face, her damp hair clinging to her neck. No makeup. Just her bare, natural skin.
And even like this, she was beautiful.
Her full lips, slightly parted as she drove in silence, caught his attention. Soft. Pink. The kind of lips that could easily drive a man crazy.
Haruki smiled to himself, listening to Kyouko mumble beside him.
"Ugh… I'm so wet now…" she grumbled, tugging at the hem of her soaked shirt with one hand while keeping the other on the steering wheel. "My hair's dripping everywhere…"
Haruki glanced over. The way her damp strands clung to her cheek and neck made her look effortlessly alluring, even though she clearly didn't mean to.
"We better get home fast," Kyouko said with a sigh, her voice casual but a little rushed. "I need to dry my hair before I catch a cold…"
He chuckled softly, watching as she shook her head lightly, flinging a few drops of water onto the car window. She looked frustrated, but still charming in a way that made it hard for him to look away.
"Yeah," he replied, smiling. "Wouldn't want you getting sick, Kyouko-san."
"You too, Haruki!" Kyouko glanced at him briefly. "If you get sick, Satomi will definitely worry."
Haruki smiled. "Yeah… I guess so."
Kyouko focused on the road again, her hands steady on the wheel. Rain continued tapping against the windshield, the wipers swiping rhythmically.
The silence between them wasn't awkward—it felt peaceful.
"Haruki?" Kyouko asked after a moment, noticing how quiet he'd become. "You okay?"
"Hmm?"
"You seem really calm all of a sudden."
Haruki leaned his head slightly against the seat, watching the blurred city lights through the rain-covered window.
"I just love the rain," he said softly.
Kyouko glanced at him again, a little surprised. "Really? Why?"
He smiled faintly. "It makes me feel calm. Like everything slows down. The sound of it quiets the noise in my head."
Kyouko didn't say anything right away, but her lips curved into a small smile as she turned her eyes back to the road.
"…Yeah. I get that."
Once they reached the house, Kyouko quickly parked the car and rushed toward the front door, holding her purse over her head to shield herself from the rain.
Haruki stepped out slowly. Instead of heading straight inside, he lingered in the courtyard, where the open space let the rain fall freely.
He tilted his head up, letting the cool droplets slide down his face.
Then, without much thought, he peeled off his soaked shirt and let it fall to the ground beside him. The rain washed over his bare skin, tracing the lines of his toned chest and stomach. His breath came calm and even, eyes half-closed as he embraced the moment.
"Haruki!" Kyouko called from the front door, already holding it open. "Get inside!"
He turned his head slightly. "Just a bit longer… I like this."
Kyouko frowned, ready to scold him again—but then she stopped.
The rain cascading over his skin. The way his wet hair clung to his forehead. That body. Lean and defined, not overly muscular but perfectly shaped. Like someone from a fitness magazine, except real, standing right in front of her.
She blinked, trying to snap herself out of it.
"...You'll catch a cold," she said, her voice softer this time.
Haruki gave a small smile and ran his fingers through his wet hair. "Just five more minutes."
Kyouko looked away quickly and stepped inside. "Do what you want," she muttered under her breath, her cheeks slightly warm.
But before she closed the door, she glanced back at him standing alone in the rain... and felt her heart beat just a little faster.
Inside, Kyouko's soaked dress clung to her body as she headed upstairs, leaving faint footprints on the floor. She grabbed a fresh towel and quickly dried her dripping hair and arms. Then, still in her wet clothes, she came back down with another towel in hand.
The rain was still pouring when she opened the door again.
"Haruki! Come here!" she called out, her voice rising into a sweet, playful tone without her realizing it—almost like a sister scolding her younger brother for playing in the rain.
Haruki turned around, smiling to himself. "Okay," he replied, walking up to the door.
The moment he stepped inside, soaked from head to toe, Kyouko closed the distance between them. She raised the towel to his head and started drying his wet hair.
"Seriously, you'll catch a cold," she mumbled, rubbing roughly but carefully. "You're not a kid anymore, you know."
Haruki stood still, letting her hands work. The towel was warm against his skin, but what caught him off guard was how close she was—close enough that he could see her full lips just inches from his face, soft and slightly parted as she concentrated.
Her scent wrapped around him: rain, skin, something faintly sweet.
She didn't notice. Her attention stayed fixed on his hair, just wiping it dry. Innocent.
But in Haruki's mind, everything slowed.
Her fingers tangled in his hair.
Her body in that clinging wet dress.
Her lips, right there.
If I just lean forward a little... just a little more... I could kiss her...
But he didn't.
He stayed still.
And smiled quietly to himself, feeling that dangerous thought linger in the back of his mind like the echo of rain outside.
( End of Chapter )