The Rain Was Tolerable, Thanks To You

When the obscure sun slowly rose, gleaming brightly over the horizon, a sharp breeze covered the streets. Traveling by foot to visit the bookstore, Kimura hurries once she stares worriedly at the stuffy gray sky, hoping for it to brighten soon. Her pipe dream ends just as quickly, rain just starting to pour fiercely, as to annoy her.

“Did it really have to start raining right now?” she whines. Dashing from the sidewalk to wait for the rain under a sturdy roof, she digs through the paltry damp tote bag on her shoulder to look for an umbrella. As her hands swerve around the notebooks and textbooks inside, nothing comes close to the shape of it.

“No, no, no. Shit! I must’ve left it at the counter next to the door.” she blurts. She runs with her head down towards the nearest building she discovered while covering her head with an arm. After crossing the street, she jumps onto a gradually flooding sidewalk, almost immediately stumbling upon someone holding an umbrella. The impact was a tough one, making them fall to the ground.

“Ow, fuck…” the stranger says, groaning from the crash. “Watch where you’re—” their complaint is interrupted when they realize who the other person is.

“I’m so sorry!” I wasn’t—” Kimura raises her gaze towards the stranger, noticing they’re someone familiar. There lies the cashier, stunned, water drops falling from her cheeks while she stares at the regular, desperately trying to figure out if she’s hurt. The rain keeps pouring and more water piles up on the sidewalk.

“My bad! Are you hurt?” she frets, raising herself quickly from the ground. Even though her clothes were stained by the sludgy puddle, she solely cared to make sure the regular was okay.

“Just a bit…” she replies. “If anything, a scratch at most?” she says uncertainty.

“Can you walk over there?” the cashier points at a bench under a building lobby next to the sidewalk with some vending machines close to it. “We should check, just in case.” she suggests.

Kimura nods. The cashier briskly stands up, brushes her hand, and extends it for Kimura, still lying down on the sidewalk. She grabs the cashier’s composed hand, holding on even after she’s been helped up to make sure she doesn’t trip again. Thankfully, she stands without any complications for the moment being. Before letting go of Kimura’s hand, the cashier feels them trembling. Perhaps the cold water from the puddle made her shivery, she thinks.

“Let’s wait out the rain under that shade.” the cashier says, soothing the regular’s agitation. The cashier looked around to locate her umbrella, which was a couple of steps back from where they tumbled. After walking there and picking it up, she unfortunately stares at it and mutters. She gives it a few shakes, and raises her head to say something.

“It’s useless to use this now.” she says miserably.

“Not really.” Kimura argues. “We can use it to walk to the bench over there.” she points. “At least we won’t be more soaked than what we already are.” she chuckles.

“I guess that makes sense…” she says perplexed, opening the soaked umbrella.

The taller cashier holds it high enough for her height, but some rain catches up to Kimura. When she catches a glance, she notices and brings down the umbrella. Their arrival to the bench was a silent one until the cashier shakes the parasol and closes it once Kimura sits down on the bench to check for any scrapes or cuts.

“I do have some scratches. Look.” Aya shows the cashier after she sits. She leans in and examines her arm.

“I’m sure there’s some bandages in the bookstore. Can you wait a bit more?” she asks the regular.

“Yeah, of course.” Kimura smiles. “I’m relieved.” she sighs.

“I’m glad.” the cashier grins.

The rain slowly comes to its resolution, showing a new, bright outlook in the sky.

“The rain stopped…” Kimura says awed. She smiles at the cashier. “I’m Aya Kimura.” she says. The cashier stares at her vividness, before replying.

“I’m Sugimoto.” the cashier says. “If you want some recommendations” the cashier pauses. “Come find me at the bookstore again.” she grins nonchalantly.

“Sure!” Aya replies. “Ah, I’m gonna be late for my class!”

“Oh, okay.” she falters. “I should head to mine too…” she yawns. “Will you be okay heading there on your own?”

“Yeah,” she stands up from the bench, looking back at Sugimoto. “The rain was tolerable, thanks to you. I'll visit again soon, Sugimoto-kun.” she smiles and waves goodbye before happily walking away.

"Wait, did she just say Sugimoto-kun?"

Neither appeared in the bookstore later on that rainy, hazy morning, but amidst the cold rain, warm, amiable inclination was found within their humanity.