Chapter 6 – Sudden Storm, Sudden Feelings

It started with thunder.

A low, rumbling growl over the hills as Kaito and Lyria walked back from the apothecary’s shed beyond the meadow. He was holding a bundle of dried herbs, and she carried a jar of powdered root in a cloth bag.

Clouds had rolled in fast—too fast.

“Kaito,” Lyria said, stopping mid-step. “We need to move. Now.”

He looked up. “That bad?”

Lightning cracked in the distance.

They broke into a run.

The sky opened a heartbeat later.

Rain poured down like buckets dumped from the heavens. Cold and sudden and merciless.

They dashed through the field, breathless and laughing despite themselves. Kaito’s hair clung to his forehead, his clothes plastered to his skin. Lyria’s white dress turned near-transparent in the downpour, sticking to her like silk. She didn’t notice—not until they reached the front door and he stopped dead behind her.

She turned back. “What’s wrong—?”

Kaito’s eyes widened, then snapped to the floor. “S-sorry! Uh—I didn’t— I wasn’t—!”

Realizing, she gasped and pulled the wet fabric around herself, cheeks burning.

“I-I’m going to change!” she blurted and rushed past him into the cottage.

The fire crackled low in the hearth.

Lyria stood behind the small changing curtain, clutching a towel to her chest, heart thudding in her ears.

He saw…
He didn’t mean to. He looked away.
But still…

She closed her eyes, took a breath, and told herself to calm down. It wasn’t the first time she’d been caught in the rain. It wasn’t like she’d—

Her hand slipped.

The towel fell.

“EEP!”

At that exact moment—

“Lyria, do you need me to—?”

Kaito turned around.

Their eyes met for a half-second of pure, devastating silence.

Then came the screaming.

“TURN AROUND!”

“AHH—I’M SORRY—SORRY—!!”

He spun like he was under attack, nearly tripping over the corner of the rug in his panic. She scrambled to yank the towel back up, face fully flushed and steaming.

“I—I didn’t see anything—I mean—not on purpose—!”

“Just—don’t say anything!!”

“R-right!!”

The cottage was filled with an electric tension more powerful than the storm outside.

Later that evening, the rain had mellowed to a soft drizzle, pattering against the roof like a lullaby.

Kaito sat at the hearth, wrapped in a dry blanket, staring very hard at the fire. His face still glowed faintly red.

Across the room, Lyria stood at the kitchen counter, pouring tea with practiced motions, though her hands were slightly shaky.

What just happened?

She knew it was an accident. She knew. He’d looked away. He was respectful. Embarrassed, even more than she was. And yet…

Her heart wouldn’t slow down.

She passed him his cup without a word, their fingers brushing briefly. They both flinched.

Why is this so difficult now?

Lyria sat across from him, cradling her own mug. Steam curled up in front of her face.

She glanced at him, quietly, over the rim of her cup.

Kaito… he’s different.
He doesn’t treat me like someone to be admired from afar.
He talks to me like I’m human. Like I matter beyond what I can do.
And when I smiled… he noticed. He saw me.

Her fingers curled slightly around the mug.

He makes me feel seen. And warm. And…

Her cheeks heated all over again.

This isn’t just friendship anymore, is it?

She set her tea down gently, watching him pretend to be way too focused on the fire.

The tension from earlier hadn’t left the room.

It had simply… changed.

Like something unspoken was now waiting quietly between them, watching. Wondering what would happen next.