The rain started in the afternoon.
By evening, it hadn't stopped.
She stood under the small shelter outside the café, holding her bag close as she watched the water hit the pavement.
Most people had already left.
The streets were nearly empty.
"You're still here?" her coworker asked, stepping out beside her.
"I forgot my umbrella."
"You want to wait it out?"
She shook her head. "It might take all night."
A brief pause.
"…Be careful," her coworker said before leaving.
She stepped into the rain.
The cold soaked through her clothes almost instantly.
But she kept walking.
Steady. Quiet.
Like always.
Halfway home, her phone rang.
She stopped.
Looked at the screen.
His name.
For a moment, she just stared.
Then she answered.
"…Hello?"
"Where are you?"
His voice was sharp. Irritated.
"…On my way home."
"Why does it sound like that?"
She glanced up at the rain.
"…It's raining."
A pause.
Then—
"I told you to stay home when it rains."
Her grip tightened slightly on the phone.
"You didn't say anything this morning."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
"…Just come back," he said.
Then the call ended.
She lowered the phone slowly.
The rain didn't feel as cold anymore.
When she reached the apartment, the lights were on.
She opened the door.
He was there.
Sitting on the couch.
For a moment, something in her chest eased.
Just a little.
"You're soaked," he said, glancing at her briefly.
She nodded. "I forgot my umbrella."
"You should pay more attention."
The small warmth disappeared just as quickly as it came.
"…I'll change first," she said.
He didn't respond.
By the time she came back out, her hair was still damp.
She walked into the kitchen and started preparing dinner.
The sound of chopping filled the silence.
"Did you eat?" she asked.
"No."
A simple answer.
But this time… he stayed.
She placed the food on the table.
Carefully.
They sat across from each other.
It had been a while since that happened.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
"…Work was busy today," she tried.
"Mm."
She forced a small smile.
"…There was a customer who stayed all day."
No response.
"…He came again today."
"Why are you telling me this?"
Her words stopped.
"…I just thought—"
"I'm not interested."
Silence.
She lowered her gaze.
"…Sorry."
The rest of the meal passed quietly.
Only the sound of utensils.
Nothing else.
Halfway through, his phone lit up.
He picked it up immediately.
This time—
He didn't hide it.
A message.
Another name.
Another heart.
He stood up.
"I have to take this."
She didn't stop him.
Didn't ask.
The balcony door closed behind him.
Through the glass, she could see his silhouette.
Relaxed.
Different.
Not the same person sitting across from her moments ago.
Her hands rested on the table.
Still.
The food in front of her had lost its taste.
After a while, he came back in.
Grabbed his jacket.
"I'm heading out."
She looked up.
"…Now?"
"Something came up."
Of course it did.
"…Will you be back?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"Don't wait."
The door closed.
She sat there for a long time.
Then slowly…
She reached for the plate.
And continued eating.
Even though she couldn't taste anything.
Outside—
Across the street—
A car was parked under the dim glow of a streetlight.
Inside, a figure watched the apartment window.
The lights were still on.
Her shadow moved faintly behind the curtains.
He didn't look away.
"…Still trying," he murmured.
There was no pity in his voice.
Only quiet understanding.
And something deeper.
Something patient.
As if he was waiting for the moment—
When she would finally stop.