Chapter 6: 1st Place

You know, back then—I had a girlfriend.

Actually, she used to work at that ghost café—and she still remembered me.

But I didn’t remember her at all.
She’d often say things like, “What? After all that talking, you don’t remember me? That’s so mean.”

…Well, that was part of what made her cute, though.

Anyway, she hadn’t been doing so well, and I kept thinking she might disappear if I ever took my eyes off her.
So when she said she wanted to see a waterfall, I went with her right away.

When we got there, she looked so happy watching the falls—it made me happy just watching her.

But then, all of a sudden, it started to rain.

We didn’t have an umbrella, but there was a small cave behind the waterfall, so the two of us took shelter there.

The view from behind the falls was pretty nice, too.
I still remember how happy she was, saying it was her first time seeing one.

After a while, the rain stopped, and when we stepped outside, a rainbow had formed over the waterfall.
It was such an unexpected surprise.

She just stood there in silence for a while—and then, she finally moved on.

Even in her final moment, she was smiling.
I still can’t forget that smile, even now.

…And so, taking the proud first place is “The Cave Behind the Waterfall I Saw with Her.”

I’ve searched for all kinds of rain shelters, but I still haven’t found anything that surpasses that memory.

Maybe I’m still taking shelter from the rain just to prove that nothing can ever surpass that memory.

…Guess I got a little off track there.

Thanks for sticking with me till the end.

If you ever get the chance, try taking shelter from the rain yourself.
The world you always see might look just a little different then.

…Heh, yeah, you’re right.
Make sure you find a rain shelter that’s yours alone.

Well then, I should get going.

Would you mind opening the door for me?
I don’t really know how to open it myself.

…Thanks. I appreciate it.