【Warmth】

Rain gurgled down the pipes, clashing against the metal. The silent patter of rain striking the ground echoed in the hallways where Akira followed behind Jitsuko. They climbed a staircase to the second floor in complete silence.

 The building was old but carefully maintained with scrubbed-clean floors.

He glanced at her as she walked. Her hair swayed slightly with each step.

 I shouldn't have come... 

They stopped in front of an apartment door; she reached for the lock, but her fingers twitched. She looked up at him, her eyes wide open and her lips pale. 

She was clearly reluctant to take him into her house.

A sense of relief swept across Akira. She is as nervous as me...

"Jitsuko." He took a step back. "I can stay out here until the rain stops. You don't have to let me in."

Her eyes fixed on him, the same studying look. Her shoulders loosened as she sighed. "N-no, I was the one who suggested going to my place. I can't be backing off now."

Akira stared back at her before looking away. "You can call Mitsuru and tell her I am at your place. There will be one more person aware I am here."

Jitsuko laughed softly. "Funny, but you are as nervous as me."

His ears burned red as Jitsuko unlocked the door, and the two entered. They were welcomed by warmth and a sweet floral fragrance. Akira stayed at the entrance while Jitsuko rushed in. 

He took off his soaked shoes and placed them aside, water smearing across the floorboards. A sneeze escaped his mouth, followed by a few more.

Jitsuko walked back to him. "I have warm water; you can take a bath."

Akira didn't deny, didn't resist, and didn't even hesitate. He shamelessly craved a warm bath after being completely cold and drenched.

She escorted him to the bathroom. It had light blue tiles and shelves crowded with many bottles of shampoos and lotions. 

He stared at them and back at her.

"Most of them are gifts from my parents; they love buying these...you are free to use any." She handed him a towel. "Right, um, so you can't wear your clothes back on... If you don't mind, I have some oversized clothes; they might fit."

"It's fine...as long as it's not a skirt, I am okay..." Akira chuckled and smirked. "I don't think skirts would suit me."

She giggled and walked out.

After she left, a shiver crept down his body; suddenly, it felt cold. His mind drifted back to their earlier encounter.

I shouldn't have lied about being lost... 

After undressing, he tossed his clothes in the basket next to the shower. He turned the knob, and warm water splattered on him. He sighed. The water drop ran down his body, each drop putting him at ease. 

Hah, maybe she sensed there was something wrong... No wonder she decided to bring me here...

I guess I will go with the lie of being lost.

After he finished, he wrapped the towel around his waist. The clothes...

He slowly opened the door and took a step out, his hand still on the door.

A low divider separated the space outside the bathroom and the living area. He could see Jitsuko there, cutting vegetables.

"J-jitsuko...Um..."

She turned to him, pointing at the folded clothes on the sofa. "You can take these..."

Akira nodded. "And can I use the hairdryer?"

 "Yeah, it's in the bathroom."

After dressing, he quickly walked into the living room. The smell of butter filled the entire place; she was frying something.

"Dinner will be ready in no time." Jitsuko glanced at him. Her gaze lingered on the sleeves. "The hood is kind of short on you."

"Yeah, but anything is better than wet clothes," he said, running his hand across his hair. 

He sat down waiting for dinner at a small table with four chairs. A portrait of her and her parents was placed in the centre.  His eyes fell onto the portrait. Unintentionally, he continued staring at them while his mind went numb. 

Suddenly, she walked back carrying rice and chicken karaage and settled down opposite him.

They ate quietly. He noticed the chicken edges were darkened due to being slightly overcooked. Picking it up, he hesitated but took a bite.

He wasn't sure if he liked the taste or not. Pressing his lips, he took another bite. 

"Not to your liking?"

The words struck him, and he looked at her. "N-no, it's great... your cooking is as lovely as you are."

"I am really not that good... so the flattery is baseless." She laughed and took a bite. "But it's fun to try new things... and with some effort, I will be great at it. Then I will make you a great meal."

He blinked, leaning forward on the table, he added. "I will eat anything you make~."

"Haha, go on, eat today's food."

Afterwards, she cut an apple, placing two slices on each plate. She slid a plate towards him. He took a piece and began eating.

Jitsuko tapped her finger on the table. "Akira... do you often get lost?"

He almost choked on his bite. "N-no, the rain... I didn't realise where I was..."

Silence lingered for a while.

I am officially a dud now.

"It's common to be lost... or misunderstand your location." She smiled and picked up a slice. "You want this one?"

"Y-yes..."

After dinner, he should have gone back, but calling his aunt felt like giving in to her once more. It was late, and cab service was conveniently unavailable. Convenient – because the idea of leaving the warmth of this place didn't feel right to him.

And as if Jitsuko had read his mind, she didn't say a word about going back. After calling Mitsuru, she laid a futon for him in her room. 

He stared at it. How will I sleep on the floor?

"I'll sleep here." She noticed his intense stares. "You can take the bed."

His eyes gleamed as he looked at her, overjoyed. Finally, he was struck with an ounce of shame. "No, I love futons more..."

"I will be taking a bath now, and if you actually don't like the futon, you can take the bed."

She walked out of the door; Akira sighed, closed the lights, and slid into the futon.

The room was dark. 

Akira shifted, feeling a sense of discomfort.

I have been such a trash guest. I took the bath before her, took her clothes, used her dryer, and didn't help a bit with dinner; nonetheless, I insulted the cooking. took her apple. To top it all off...I was about to take her bed... I am glad I was kind and that I didn't.

He buried his face in the pillow.

Some time later, the door opened again; a sweet, soapy fragrance filled the room. He heard her footsteps in his direction.

The quilt lifted.

"I didn't take the bed." Akira shot up.

His head bumped against hers. She lost her balance and fell forward. Falling on top of him hard enough to knock him out of his life.