Chapter 7 – “Rain and Umbrella”

The rain came without warning — sheets of silver pouring down the school courtyard like a sudden waterfall.

Riko stood under the gym roof, glaring at the sky. “Seriously? Now you decide to rain!?”

She rummaged through her sports bag and groaned. “No umbrella… Great. Just great.”

Everyone else had already left — the soccer team had finished practice early, leaving her behind to lock up.

She was about to make a run for it when a familiar voice called out, “Oi, Riko!”

She turned. Daichi was jogging toward her, umbrella in hand, still in his sports jacket.

“Forgot yours again?” he asked, smirking.

“Shut up,” she muttered. “I was busy.”

He tilted his umbrella slightly, letting the rain splash closer to his shoulder. “C’mon. I’ll walk you.”

Riko hesitated. “We’ll both get soaked if we share.”

He shrugged. “Then stand closer.”

Her face went red instantly. “S-Stupid! Don’t say it like that!”

“What? I’m just saying there’s room.”

She grumbled under her breath but stepped under anyway. Their shoulders brushed — barely — but it was enough to make her heartbeat skyrocket.

Oh no. He smells nice. Why does he smell nice!?

---

The rain drummed softly against the umbrella, the sound oddly peaceful.

Daichi hummed lightly as they walked, completely at ease. “You know, the new soccer game drops next week. Think I’ll finally beat my old record.”

Riko blinked. Seriously? He was talking about video games while their arms were touching?

She forced a laugh. “Yeah, yeah. You and your stupid soccer games.”

“They’re not stupid!” he protested. “You can even customize your team now! I made one with our school’s name!”

She giggled. “Let me guess — you named your player after yourself.”

“Obviously. Captain Daichi, the legend.”

“Wow. So humble.”

He grinned proudly, raindrops sliding down his cheek as they passed a flickering streetlight.

For a moment, Riko just stared — the glow of the light, the faint steam from his breath, the way he smiled without a care in the world.

Her chest tightened.

Why does he have to look so good doing absolutely nothing?

---

A passing car hit a puddle, splashing a wave of muddy water nearby.

Riko flinched, instinctively clutching his arm to dodge the splash.

He froze. She froze.

Their faces were inches apart.

For a second, neither moved.

Then Daichi laughed awkwardly. “Good reflexes, Tachibana.”

Riko’s face burned. “Y-Yeah, well, you’re the one who walks next to puddles!”

“Didn’t realize you were so delicate,” he teased.

She huffed. “I’m not delicate! I just didn’t want my shoes dirty!”

“Sure, sure,” he said, grinning, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction.

“Wipe that smirk off your face!”

“I’m not smirking!”

“You totally are!”

He chuckled, and she puffed her cheeks like a pouting hamster — which only made him laugh harder.

---

As they neared her house, the rain softened to a drizzle.

Riko glanced at the umbrella, still resting between them. “...You’re kinda bad at sharing, you know. Half your shoulder’s wet.”

He shrugged. “Worth it.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “W-What?”

He smiled, completely clueless. “If I gave you the umbrella and walked in the rain, you’d yell at me for being dumb. So this is easier.”

Riko blinked — then smiled faintly, her heart doing that weird flutter again.

“Idiot,” she whispered.

“What was that?”

“Nothing!” she said quickly, pulling away as they reached her gate. “Thanks for the umbrella. Try not to drown on the way home.”

He grinned. “No promises. Later, Riko-bro!”

She froze, then groaned. “Ugh! You just had to ruin the mood!”

“Mood?” he asked, tilting his head.

“N-Never mind! Go home already!”

He laughed and jogged off into the drizzle, waving.

Riko watched him go, clutching the hem of her skirt, cheeks pink.

The rain had stopped, but her heart hadn’t.