"Hmm......"
We'd been studying diligently for several hours, with Akise-san occasionally asking questions.
She stretched lightly and glanced out the window, letting out a troubled groan.
I looked that way too, and sure enough, a vast overcast sky loomed, threatening to unleash rain at any moment.
"Looks like it's really gonna pour. Oh, right—Akise-san, you didn't bring an umbrella, did you?"
"Yeah...... Ugh, I even checked the chance of rain this morning, so why'd I forget...... Was I just too excited?"
I soothed the dejected Akise-san while mulling over our options.
It was just past five p.m. The study space stayed open until six, and we'd planned to keep at it until closing, but this sky suggested wrapping up early.
"Better head out before it starts. Let's call it here for today."
"Good idea. Can't risk soaking the textbooks."
We swiftly packed away the books spread across the desk, tossed the eraser crumbs in the trash, and finished tidying up.
The lobby staff waved us off with a smile as we hurried out of the Civic Center.
We headed for the nearest bus stop when—rumble rumble rumble. An ominous growl rolled from the cloudy sky. Akise-san and I exchanged glances.
"......That was thunder, right?"
"Yeah...... This could get bad, a"
Plip. A drop hit my cheek mid-sentence.
The rain started tentative at first—scattered drops—then exploded into a torrent, pounding mercilessly within seconds.
I fumbled the umbrella open, but not before the downpour drenched us, water seeping into our clothes.
"No way!? Already......!?"
"Akise-san, this way!"
No room for second thoughts.
I grabbed her hand and pulled her under the umbrella. It was a classic shared-umbrella setup, but luxuries like propriety would have to wait.
"Bus stop's got a roof—let's go!"
"R-Right!"
I clutched my bag to my chest for what little protection it offered and jogged ahead.
Our height and stride differences meant my pace left her exposed. Noticing my awkward adjustments, she gripped my arm and pressed close. Much better for running.
......The soft pressure against my umbrella arm? Best ignored.
We finally ducked under the bus stop roof.
"Haa, haa...... Thanks, Yanagida-kun—you really saved me. Sorry I'm so short...... You hardly fit at all, did you?"
"We were soaked before the umbrella even opened...... My backpack's water-resistant anyway, so no big deal. Yours tho—co—...!?"
I shook out the umbrella and turned to her—then whipped my gaze aside.
Her white blouse had absorbed so much rain it turned sheer, revealing the tone of her skin beneath.
Self-congratulating my quick avert before disaster, I shrugged off my jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
It was damp itself, but it would hide her upper body.
"Yanagida-kun?"
"Uh...... It's see-through, I think. Cover up with this?"
"See-through......!?"
She'd tilted her head at the sudden cover, but caught on fast.
Her cheeks blazed red as she glared daggers. I shook my head frantically.
"I swear, I saw nothing! Just your arm! Promise!"
"......Okay, Yanagida-kun—I trust you. Thanks, borrowing it."
"Y-Yeah......"
She wrapped herself in my jacket, cheeks still pink, and flashed a gentle smile. Wet hair plastered to her face, droplets trailing down—for some reason, she looked more alluring than usual.
......Way too potent. Couldn't stare, for entirely new reasons.
"......Next bus?"
My drifting eyes snagged the timetable. Perfect distraction.
Ten minutes until the station route, probably more with the rain delays.
Time to check our bags...... and plan ahead.
"Your textbooks okay, Akise-san?"
"Hmm, edges are damp. Bag can't take much more."
"Tuck it under the jacket—it'll help. ......So, station next—what then?"
She shook her head, troubled.
"Home means a walk from the station, then another bus transfer......"
Her address hit hard. Way too far without cover.
"Parents pick you up?"
"Papa drove to work today...... I'll ask, but it'll take time. My fault for forgetting the umbrella—I'll wait at the station till he comes."
She smiled pluckily, then—achoo—a tiny sneeze escaped.
Her shoulders shivered faintly. Body heat dropping fast.
Hours outside like this? Cold guaranteed.
Ditch shivering, soaked Akise-san at the station and bail? Impossible.
......No choice.
"Akise-san, say no if you hate it, but...... if it's okay, come to my place?"
"......Eh?"
§
"......Come in."
"Ex-Excuse me for intruding."
I unlocked the door, and she stepped inside the entryway, movements stiff.
......Never imagined inviting a girl I'd met days ago to my place. Life's full of surprises.
Three-minute walk from the station. Student apartment, sixty-grand rent. 1LDK, bath-toilet separate, auto-lock, Wi-Fi standard.
My solo digs—overkill for a high schooler, but Dad and stepmom insisted, covering rent and expenses.
"Drop your stuff inside for now. Towels coming right up—hang tight."
"Okay. Ah, socks are soaked too......"
"Wipe 'em later, no rush."
I led her to the Living Room, snagged bath towels from the Washroom, and handed them over.
Trembling eased indoors, but her skin stayed pallid.
Drying alone wouldn't cut it. Needed dry clothes, body heat.
"Hey...... Shower, maybe?"
"A sh-shower!?"
"Not like that! Wet clothes mean cold risk! Dryer's here—clothes'll be fine quick."
Her face went crimson. I backpedaled: What do you mean 'like that'?
Our mutual fluster seemed to steady her; still flushed, she nodded.
"Yeah, thanks. ......Can I?"
"Sure. Towels in the Washroom. Change of clothes...... sorry, T-shirt and jersey do?"
"No apologies needed—grateful for anything."
Grabbed short-sleeved tee and larger jersey from the bedroom. Should fit.
"Laundry after you're done."
Parallel might be efficient, but hers meant undressing help. Awkward.
She nodded, no argument, and headed to the changing area.
"Shower time."
"Take it easy."
Door shut. I changed too.
Draped my clothes on a chair—laundry post-guest. No mixing loads.
Peeled off the clinging shirt and undershirt, grabbed my fresh tee—then the changing room door cracked.
"Sorry, Yanagida-kun. Bath towels top shelf—......"
She peeked. Froze on my bare torso.
Her blank stare flushed deeper...... Answered anyway.
"......Anything in there, help yourself."
"~~~~~~~~!? S-Sor-ry!! Th-thanks!!"
Apple-red face vanished; door slammed.
"......Usually it's reversed, right?"
No skin off my nose, but prime stimulus for her age.
She toyed with me constantly, yet fidgety here, that blush—innocent at heart, maybe.
Her history explained it. Tread light.
Changed with fresh resolve, checked bag textbooks.
Club bag from middle school: bone-dry. Good.
Window: rain raging harder.
Six p.m.—news time. TV on, channel surfed to weather.
"Heavy rain all day. Great......"
No sending her out.
Wait for car-commuting Dad, then—
Pirorirorin♪ Pirorirorin♪ Cheerful chime.
Phone? Not mine's tone.
Table: her smartphone, screen "Papa."
Hesitated, then checked with owner.
Near Washroom: "Akise-san! Dad calling!"
"Whoa, startled me...... Papa? LINE reply? ......Hmm."
Pensive pause, then bombshell.
"Yanagida-kun, pretty please—answer and explain to Papa?"
"Huh?"
Huh?
"......For real!?"
"Pleeease!"
Mischief back in her voice. Glad, but insane leap.
Yet, Dad fretting daughter umbrella-less in storm...... Safety update owed?
......Agony won; snatched her phone, answered.
"Hello, Haruka?"
"......Hello."
Gruff male voice. Hesitant reply.
Silence...... Name, explain quick.
"......Pardon. Yanagida-kun?"
"Uh, y-yes! Tatsumi Yanagida—your daughter's been kind......!"
Name-drop blindsided me; overly polite.
He, serene:
"No need for formality. Haruka mentioned you. Actually, we owe you thanks—she's leaned on you plenty."
"No, really...... She bounced back herself. I just spoke up."
"Ah...... Love chatting more, but Haruka now? With you?"
Truth time.
"Yes. Rain shelter...... at my place."
"Hou, your place. ......What's she up to?"
"......Soaked through, chilled—showering now."
"Hou hou, showering."
Bachelor pad, daughter showering. Wild.
Expected wrath; he sounded... entertained?
"Ah, trouble from her. Tell her post-shower: work ending soon, pickup in one-two hours. Address later?"
"O-Okay. Really alright?"
"Hm? Ah......"
Relieved chuckle:
"Surprised, yes. But she's trusting enough for a boy's home and shower."
"Trusting...... me?"
"Yep. You know: relies on no one. Worse post-incident."
Bitter edge.
Then bright:
"Emergency or not, refuge here, shower borrowed. Fatherly worries, sure—but relief trumps."
"......"
"Thanks, Yanagida-kun. For being her rock."
Raw thanks warmed my chest.
"Later. Hi to Haruka."
"Yes...... Drive safe."
Post-call, rooted.
Shaky hands set phone down; staggered to sofa, collapsed.
"......That was tense."
Voice rasped weak—shocking even to me.
Lifetime peak tension? Entrance interview calmer.
Yet exhaustion birthed odd joy, peace.
Reason fuzzy, but nice.
"Anyway, never again."
Muttered, face-planted sofa.