Rainy Sleep

Naomi-sensei. Do you think the sun will shine tomorrow?

No way in hell it will.

Is that so? Please be more polite to our junior, sensei.

Hehe. I’ll keep that in mind, Miyazaki-kun.

“Again.”

Hah…I can’t sleep. How many times has it been now?

The throbbing in my head hasn’t gone away, and I think I’m starting to hear voices from the far end of the window.

“Honestly… As if the thunder wasn’t nerve-wracking enough.”

It’s still pitch-black outside, and water droplets continue to tap against the leaves. It brings me back to July of last year when Yuna held my hand as we crossed the street. As cold as it was, we forgot our umbrella, so we ended up in bed the next day.

The warmth still lingers under the blanket, and the gentle sound leaves behind an afterimage of students on a rainy train station every time I blink. It goes on and on, encircling my head the more I stare at the uniform.

How long has it been now? What am I doing? I don’t know.

It didn’t occur to me to turn on any lights despite the existence of a lamp beside my bed. It could’ve been a minute or an hour, yet all I could do was sit alongside the rain behind me.

I really hope there is nothing back there... My body is already glued to the blanket. Not that it’s hot, just itches my lower half under all the fur, and the pair of long socks added on.

My eyes are also getting heavier by the second, but I’d be repeating the cycle if I go to bed now. It’s too late to admit that sleeping early is a mistake, though can you blame me? I was just…happy.

“Ah… The stickers are peeling off..” I whispered.

With a little light sneaking in from outside, I’m able to see bits of the ceiling and the calendar with its current month of June; meetings and getups appeared along the squares with the tracing of light.

Since the water is still drizzling, now is a perfect time to let my heart out.

Now it’s cold? I can’t believe this… It hasn’t been a minute since I got up.

“Ahh.. too bright.” I cried.

1:30 am…It’s this late? Is it safe to go out now? Hold on, am I old enough to go? What if the police catch me? I’ve snuck out to go there before, but never this late...

Wait, I am old enough...

“It’s near, and I’m an adult now. Yes. Yes, I am.” I proclaimed.

Ayane, Yuna. I hope you’re watching! Your girl’s walking alone on the street now, how’s that? “At night too… at nigh—”

“Left, no one. Right, no one.” Haah….. “Ahahahaha! Oh my god… what was that?” I swear, what’s going on with me tonight?

As I approach the familiar park, the lights illuminating the lines of trees start to blur.

“No… No,no,no! Please not now! This umbrella wouldn’t hold!” I yelled.

I swiftly sprint across the rows of trees, trying to avoid being soaked as much as I could. Finally making it to the resting area, I gasp for air as my heart tries to escape from my chest.

“Haahh, I’m beat.”

I did not expect this at all. Yuna, you were right. Everyone should have at least a pair of shirts on them at all times.

My vision is already wavering, and my body wobbles against the table. I came here to journal my thoughts, but it seems my mind is already one with the illusive sky.

“Right. Messages from the group.”

4:29 pm - Ayane:

Congratulations everyone! What do you say we go out later this week before I go?

4:30 pm - Yuna:

Finally! We no longer have to sit through Naomi-sensei’s math class...

4:30 pm - Ayane:

Now that you say it, I’m starting to miss him already!

4:30 pm - Yuna:

I’m unfriending you, Ayane. But yeah, sounds like a plan.

4:31 pm – Ayana:

Glad we’re still friends, Yuna. I love you. How does Saturday sound to you guys?

4:31 pm – Ayane:

And where’s that girl? Sigh. Probably helping out again.

4:31 pm – Yuna:

Likely. Saturday is great for me!

“Haha. They’re having fun. Let me-”

No… A sharp needle spikes my brain as my head wobbles. “Haa.” I laid my head on the table and tries to continue but the chill underneath takes away my control over my thoughts.

“I can’t, my hair’s still wet…”

But ah… It’s so peaceful. As I close my eyes, the sound of raindrops ceases to be and all that’s left are them, who sit across from me.

1:52 am – Selene:

Goodnight, Yuna, Ayana.