The rain fell without mercy.
Akira sat alone on the cold metal bench, elbows resting on her knees, hands loosely clasped. Water soaked through her dark hoodie, dripping from the edge of her short hair.
The park was nearly empty.
She didn't mind.
She tilted her head back, letting the rain hit her face.
"Why was I born?" she asked quietly.
Her voice was low. Steady. Almost swallowed by the storm.
"Do I even have a purpose… or am I just filling space?"
Thunder rolled in the distance.
For a brief second, her fingers tightened.
Darkness.
A locked door.
Silence that felt too heavy.
Her jaw stiffened.
Then her phone vibrated.
She opened her eyes slowly and pulled it from her pocket.
Unknown number.
She answered.
"Yes?"
"Akira Hayashi?" a strict voice said. "This is the school office. You're late again."
Her gaze shifted toward the gray skyline beyond the trees.
"I'm on my way."
"You have ten minutes before the gates close."
The call ended.
Akira stared at the blank screen for a moment.
Then she stood.
She grabbed the bag she had left on the bench and slung it over her shoulder. The rain grew heavier, almost challenging her.
A small breath escaped her lips.
"Ten minutes…"
And then she ran.
Not clumsy. Not rushed.
Precise.
Her shoes splashed against the wet pavement as she moved forward, fast and controlled. She leapt over a shallow puddle without slowing down. Vaulted lightly over a low railing instead of going around it.
A narrow alley blocked by stacked crates.
She didn't stop.
One step on the wall. One push upward.
She cleared it smoothly.
The rain struck harder, soaking her completely.
But she didn't feel slow.
She felt alive.
For once, something was chasing her that she could outrun.
Akira ran as if she were racing the storm itself.
And for a brief moment—
She was smiling.
Scene — The School Gate
The school gate was already halfway closed when Akira turned the corner.
Students inside were hurrying to their classes. The security guard stood near the entrance, checking his watch.
She didn't slow down.
Three seconds before the gate shut completely, she slipped through the narrow gap without touching it.
The guard blinked. "You're cutting it close, Akira."
"I know."
No apology. No excuse.
She walked past him, water dripping from her clothes onto the pavement.
Whispers followed almost immediately.
"She's drenched…"
"Did she run here?"
"She's weird."
Akira ignored them.
Her steps were steady as she moved toward the building.
Halfway up the stairs, a loud voice echoed from behind.
"Hey! Watch it!"
A boy had dropped his books after colliding with someone in the crowd. Papers scattered across the wet ground.
No one stopped.
Akira did.
She crouched, picking up the papers quickly before the rain could ruin them.
The boy looked surprised. "Uh… thanks."
She handed them back without looking at him.
"You should hold them tighter," she said calmly.
It wasn't mocking.
It was practical.
She stood and continued walking before he could respond.
Behind her, whispers changed tone.
"She actually helped him?"
"She's not as cold as she looks…"
Akira didn't hear them.
Or maybe she did.
Her face didn't show it.