The rain today was making me feel gloomy.
I was prone to chronic headaches, and while it didn't happen every time it rained, the chances of my head throbbing spiked whenever the weather turned poor. Sometimes over-the-counter medicine was enough to dull the pain, but on the bad days, it would linger well into the next morning.
I really hoped today wouldn't be one of those days.
"Good morning, Takanashi-san."
"Good morning, Sara-senpai."
It had been a little while since we started commuting to school together, but this was the first time we’d been caught in a morning downpour. Incidentally, it was just the two of us today; Natsumi-senpai was likely already at school for a club meeting.
"We have PE today, but it looks like it will be moved indoors."
"My class has it today, too. We’ll probably be in the gymnasium."
I chatted with Senpai as we made our way toward the school gates.
Wait.
A large truck was barreling toward us with a lot of momentum. I had a bad feeling about this. I tried to think of how to move—if I didn't do something, Senpai would get—
"Sara-senpai, excuse me!"
"Eh!?"
There was no time to think. I instinctively tilted the umbrella she was holding toward the road to block the spray and shielded her with my own umbrella and body. Just as I expected, the truck roared through a massive puddle, sending a wave of water toward us. It really gave it to us good.
"……Sara-senpai, are you okay?"
"Eh? Yes, I... I'm fine, but..."
Senpai stood there, dazed for a moment, before suddenly snapping out of it.
"That's not the point! Takanashi-san, look at you!"
She hurriedly pulled a towel out of her bag. It was likely the one she intended to use for PE later today.
"Sara-senpai, if you use that now, you won't have a dry one for after class—"
"That doesn't matter at all!"
She began to wipe my head with great care, but it was a losing battle while we were still standing out in the rain.
"Sara-senpai, it’s not doing much good out here. I'm going to run the rest of the way to school. I can probably find more towels if I head to the infirmary."
"…You're right. We can dry you off properly once we're inside. I’ll run with you, so let’s hurry."
"No, Senpai, you should take your time—"
"Do you really think I could just leave you like this, Takanashi-san?"
Senpai’s expression turned slightly stern.
"…I'm sorry. Let's hurry, then."
"Yes."
We rushed straight to the infirmary, where we ran into the School Nurse just as she was headed out.
"Oh my. What happened to you? You're soaking wet."
"A truck splashed me on the way to school..."
"Ah... I'm sorry to hear that. I'd like to help, but I have to head out for a moment..."
"I will look after him, so it's quite alright," Sara-senpai interjected.
"Oh, Satsukawa-san? Wait, you're going to take care of him?"
"Yes. I will look after Takanashi-san."
"Heh... I see. You will, will you?"
The nurse was wearing an expression that suggested she was incredibly intrigued by the situation.
"Oops, sorry. Well, you can use any of the towels in the locker. Make sure you dry off thoroughly so you don't catch a cold. Do you have a change of clothes?"
"I have my gym clothes since I have PE today."
"Then change into those. I have to go, but I’m sorry I couldn't help more. Satsukawa-san, I'm leaving him in your hands."
"Yes. Please leave everything to me."
With that, the nurse hurried away.
I needed to move fast. I was starting to feel the chill. Once we were inside the infirmary, I went to get the towels ready, but Sara-senpai was already standing there, waiting for me with one in her hand.
Um... what am I supposed to do?
"Now, Takanashi-san, your body is going to get cold. First, please take off your shirt. I will dry your head, so please wrap your upper body in a towel while I do."
"Eh!? No, I can do the rest myself."
"No. In the first place, this happened because you protected me, so it is only right that I do this. Though, truthfully, I would be doing it regardless."
She was being so assertive that she clearly wouldn't take no for an answer.
Maybe I should just sit still and let her? But is this really okay? Taking my shirt off right in front of her...
"…Or is it that you dislike me doing this for you, Takanashi-san?"
Argh, she's playing dirty with that look!
I wasn't going to win this anyway, so I might as well just commit.
"I'm sorry for the trouble. I'll leave it to you."
"Good! Now, please sit on the bed and take your shirt off quickly."
Doing as I was told, I sat down and pulled off my shirt. I realized then that my body was colder than I had thought, so I made sure to drape a towel over my shoulders immediately.
Sara-senpai began drying my hair. She was incredibly gentle and thorough.
Honestly... I was embarrassed, but... no, more than that, I was happy. It was hard to put into words, but I felt a sense of peace. Maybe it was inappropriate to feel that way given the situation, but I couldn't help it.
"Now, I'll dry your back. Takanashi-san, please keep drying your head with that towel."
I took the towel from my head, and Senpai began using the one wrapped around my torso to dry my back.
I was currently shirtless, but Senpai seemed completely unfazed. She was such a serious, diligent person; I realized I was probably the only one overthinking this.
"That should do it... Now you just need to change."
"I'll change into my jersey. I happened to bring it today."
"Then I will go and try to dry this wet shirt of yours as much as I can."
She headed toward the lockers with my shirt in hand, so I quickly changed into my PE jersey.
What a morning... although I was just glad Senpai hadn't been the one to get soaked.
I glanced at the clock on the wall and realized we were cutting it close.
"Sara-senpai! We're going to be late! I'm fine now, so please head to your class. I'm going to head to the classroom, too. I'll take the shirt—"
"You're right, we don't have much time... Very well. I will hold onto this shirt for now and bring it to you during lunch break. I'll give you my proper thanks then, as well. Excuse me, I'll see you later."
"Yes, see you then!"
I hurried to my classroom.
Aside from my homeroom teacher giving me a look, no one really questioned why I was already in my gym clothes.