Me and Fukamizu were walking home together after school when, suddenly, rain began to pour without warning, startling me and her.
"Aw man, I'm soaked... I didn't know it was going to rain" Fukamizu said while brushing water from her hair.
"Yeah... I didn't bring an umbrella either, if I knew today would rain I would bring an umbrella" I replied, hugging my schoolbag tightly.
Fukamizu looked around quickly, then said, "Ahh! my house is just around that corner, let's go there!"
"H-Huh?!"
Without waiting, Fukamizu grabbed my hand, and we dashed through the rain toward her house.
When we finally reached Fukamizu's place, we both were completely drenched.
"You should warm up. It's bad if we catch a cold," she said, kicking off her wet shoes.
"Yeah… you're right,"
"I'll go set up the bath. Wait here, okay?"
"Okay..."
After a few minutes, Fukamizu returned.
"The bath's ready. I'll go first. I'll lend you some of my clothes too."
"Huh? Oh... okay," I replied
After Fukamizu finished her bath, she stepped out, drying her hair with a towel.
"Alright, I'm done. Your turn now," she said, smiling.
"Right..." I nodded, then headed to the bathroom.
Once I finished my bath and stepped out in her oversized shirt, I don't know why but... this kind of shirt remind me on the Internet about boyfriends clothes or something
"Oh, you're done? I made some chocolate milk for you." Fukamizu handed me a cup.
"Oh… thanks," I said, accepting it with a shy smile.
"Does the shirt feel okay? I hope it's not too uncomfortable," Fukamizu asked, with concern.
"No, it's fine.."
Fukamizu smiled in relief. "I'm glad."
Fukamizu glanced out the window. The rain showed no signs of stopping in fact, it seemed to be pouring even harder than before.
"It looks like the rain won't let up anytime soon," she muttered.
I followed her gaze, then looked back at her. "Yeah... "
Fukamizu turned to her "So... um, I think you should stay over for the night. It's dangerous to walk home like this."
"S-Stay over?!"
"I mean only if you're okay with it" Fukamizu said.
"I can set up a futon in the my room or something."
"I… guess it's safer than walking home."
Fukamizu smiled. "Great. I'll get everything ready."
A little while later, they both settled down in the living room. The rain kept tapping softly on the windows, and the warm scent of chocolate drifted in the air.
They continued watching the TV in silence, though the story unfolding on the screen barely registered in Sakura's mind. The sound of rain tapping against the windows filled the quiet spaces between them, soft and steady.
I sat with my hands gently wrapped around the warm cup of chocolate milk. The sweetness lingered faintly on my tongue, but my attention was elsewhere.
I glanced at Fukamizu.
She looked relaxed, her expression calm as she watched the screen. Her hair had dried into soft, messy layers that framed her face in a way she hadn't quite noticed before. There was a quietness to her in this very moment that felt... different.
She seems gentle tonight,
It's not the first time we've spent time together. So why does this feel... new?
I didn't blush or anything. I just simply sat there, letting the thoughts come and go like waves.
She's still the same. And yet, something about her feels...
Fukamizu shifted slightly beside me and looked at me. "Are you okay?"
I nodded "I'm fine. Just tired, maybe."
She gave a small smile. "Yeah… it's been a long day."
I returned the smile faintly, then looked at the window. The rain hadn't let up. It blurred the city lights, making everything outside look distant.
I wasn't sure why my chest felt heavy—warm, but heavy.
We sat like that a little longer.
I looked down at the cup in her hands again.
I don't know what this feeling is yet…
But when I'm with you… it feels warm.
Maybe… that's enough for now.