Midst of Summer: Comfort

"..."

Sharing an umbrella.

Doesn't that, make us look like a couple?

Sato-san!

"..."

"If you don't mind then that would be very kind of you Sato-sama."

"Hehe, there is no not need to be so formal Kobayashi-kun."

"So, are you heading towards the station?"

"Uh yes, I am, what about you Sato-san?"

"Likewise, heading the same way."

"Shall we start walking then?"

"Yes, please lead the way Sato-sama!"

"Mou, stop referring to me like that." 

"What am I going do with you Kobayashi-kun? Heh."

"..."

We left the building sharing an umbrella. 

Who would have thought a girl, and a guy who rejected her, would be sharing the same umbrella?

It was an awkward situation. 

But.

I felt a sense of comfort deep within my heart.

Is this how it feels to have a lover?

I pondered the question. 

"..."

I maintained a steady distance, away from Sato-san, almost fringing towards the end of the umbrella. 

A single umbrella, yet nothing more than just colleagues at work.

"..."

DRIP.

DRIP.

DRIP.

The water droplets trickled over my sleeves. 

I swiftly moved away from the edge of the umbrella towards the centre. 

PLUP. 

Soft.

My arms had collided with Sato-san's arm.

"!"

Wait a minute?

Sato-san's arm!

"I-I-I'm sorry Sato-san!"

"Na-na-na-no, that's fine!"

We stared at each other for a brief moment. 

"..."

"Look Mom, look at that couple. They look funny. Hehehe."

A random kid pointed his finger towards us.

"Waaah. Ca-ca-ca-couple?"

Sato-san dropped her bag, covering her reddened face with her right hand.

I turned my head away flushed by the situation. 

"Kenta!" 

"You shouldn't be saying that. Apologise now!"

"Sorry Mister and sorry to your girlfriend too."

"Heh."

The kid grinned.

Cheeky boy.

"I'm so sorry about my child."

"It's fine don't worry ma'am ahaha..."

"Alright Kenta, let's get home, we having stew tonight."

"Stew, stew, I love stew!"

The mother of the kid apologised with an extended bow and headed home.

Right then.

Shall we check on Sato-san?

"!"

Sato-san was still flustered, completely unaware of her bag on the floor. 

"Sato-san you dropped your bag, here let me hold the umbrella for you."

"Ohhh right! Yes. Thank you Kobayashi-kun."

I grabbed hold of the umbrella as Sato-san crouched down to retrieve her bag.

"..."

Beautiful. 

Child-bearing hips.

"..."

No! 

What am I thinking?

Snap out of it Kobayashi!

You are not a pervert!

Must... 

Not... 

Fall for the temptations... 

ARGHHH.

I shook my head left and right, to clear the crude thoughts.

Oh Supreme Lord, I ask for your forgiveness, your son has sinned again.

"..."

"Is your bag okay, Sato-san?"

"Oh, yes, let me have a quick look." 

"Uhm, all..."

"Fine..."

"Yes, all fine."

"Right then, shall we continue our journey, Sato-san?"

"Yes, Kobayashi-kun."

We continued our walk through the pouring rain. 

Both, in silence, unable to say a word.

I glanced at Sato-san.

She was still flustered, with her head facing down, hiding her rosy cheeks while grasping the bag with both of her hands.

I never could have imagined Sato-san would be capable of displaying such cute expressions. From silent rage to cuteness overload, I wonder what other expressions she is capable of expressing. Maybe I could have explored them, back in middle school, but here I am, sharing an umbrella.

The train station was still far away but the atmosphere continued to grow rigid. We hadn't exchanged a single word since then.

Should I strike up a conversation?

What should I say?

"..."

"It's quite rainy isn't it?"

You fool!

Obviously, it's raining.

"Yes."

Sato-san gave a short reply faintly. 

"Still a while till we reach the station ahaha..."

"Yes."

Sato-san gave the same reply.

Did I mess up?

"So, how did you find your first day Sato-san?"

Perfect Question.

Way to go Kobayashi!

Sato-san upon hearing the question, tilted her head towards my voice.

"Oh, it was not bad ehehe. It just took me a while to understand a few things but you helped cleared it up so thank you, Kobayashi-kun." 

"Yeah, don't worry about it. After a few weeks, you will get used to it."

"Yes, I hope so."

"Don't worry, you can bother me as long as you need to."

"Fufufu, what's with that?"

Sato-san giggled in amusement. 

"What...? Did I say something wrong?"

"You just phrase things weirdly, Kobayashi-kun."

"Do I?"

"Um-hum."

We continued our conversation about work, laughing and crying. The rigid atmosphere eventually dissipated, we felt the comfort of each other as we exchanged words. Completely omitting the distance between us.

"..."

We finally arrived at Shibuya Station. It was still fairly busy with people returning and heading home from work. 

I guess it wasn't just us who stayed behind for overtime. 

"So, which station are you getting off, Sato-san?"

"I am getting off at Shinagawa Station."

"Oh, that's not too far." 

"Yeah." 

"What about you, Kobayashi-kun?"

"I am getting off at Nishi-Nipori Station."

"So, I guess I will be taking the Yamanote Line clockwise, while you will be taking it counter-clockwise."

"Yeah, looks like hehe."

"Well, looks like we will see each other tomorrow then."

"Yes. See you tomorrow then, Kobayashi-kun."

"Yes, see you tomorrow Sato-san." 

"Let me know when you get home."

"..."

"Ah."

I messed up. 

I usually say that to my younger sister to ensure she got home safely.

And now I have said it to Sato-san.

Hope she isn't creeped out.

"Eh."

"I don't me-..."

"If you don't mind then..."

"Would you like to exchange contacts in SLIME?"

Sato-san twirled her hair.

I did not expect that reaction, but I guess it's positive news.

"If you don't mind, yes please!"

"Here is the QR code, Kobayashi-kun? Hehe."

I got my phone and scanned Sato-san's SLIME QR code. 

"Added."

"Great, I'll speak to you soon Kobayashi-kun."

"Sure, take care."

I watched Sato-san as she headed towards her platform. 

Right then. 

It was time for me to do the same.

I headed towards my platform and got onboard the train. I walked towards an empty carriage and sat down on a seat with a clear view of the window. Rather than being fixated on the phone, I prefer sitting down and enjoying the peaceful scenery. 

This replenishes me after an exhausting day. 

We already spent too much time on our mobile and computer devices, so why not give our eyes a break? 

There are negative consequences of staring at our devices too much, it tunnels our field of vision. We are unable to see our surrounding fully, and that of course can be dangerous in an ever-evolving world. 

Anything could happen.

There is no guarantee you will be living the same life forever. 

And just for how long, will we be able to see such peaceful scenery?

"..."

I got off my station and started walking home. The rain had fortunately stopped else I would have been drenched in the rain for the remainder of my journey. It had also become dark, as the streetlights illumined the dark streets. Houses, fully lit up with indoor lights. But all of this was just a regular happening for me.

"..."

I reached my house and entered the door.

"Ah Hayate, you finally home. I left you your dinner on the dining table. Quick hurry up and get changed while it's still warm."

Mother greeted my arrival.

"Will do, thanks."

I climbed up the stairs towards my room. I quickly got dressed and washed myself.

Finally home. 

I sighed heavily in relief.

CREAK.

The door next to my room slowly opened.

"Ah, loser you're finally back."

"I thought you got hit by a truck or something."

"Not that I care or anything."

My sister rudely greeted me. 

She wasn't always like this. 

When she was younger, she would always follow me around and call me 'Onii-chan', which used to melt my heart. But ever since she entered high school, she completely changed. Sometimes she expresses her kindness and sometimes she acts ill-mannered, almost like Tsundere. 

I guess this is how girls are going through puberty. 

"I'm back Satoko-chan, did you miss me?"

"Who-who-who you calling Satoko-chan? Why would I miss you? Baka!"

Satoko screamed in denial while blushing.

"Yeah, yeah, if you say so."

"Baka!"

Satoko headed to her room and slammed the door. 

"Hayate, don't tease her."

Father's voice came from the living downstairs.

"Alright."

I headed downstairs and entered the dining room. 

And for dinner it was...

Potato Croquettes!

Am I missing something today?

Is today, Potato Croquette Day or something? 

Well I am not complaining, I love potato croquettes.

PING.

My phone vibrated with a notification. 

'Red Archive - Daily Cafe resources full.'

Oh, it's only a notification from the game Red Archive.

I put my phone down on the table.

PING.

Another notification.

'ViewTube - How the Act of Giving is the Best Welfare for You?'

That sounds interesting, maybe I'll watch it later.

My ViewTube feed nowadays mostly consists of videos and channels about self-improvement with also some anime and gaming content here and there. These self-improvement videos are a great way to get a different outlook on your current life and what you are missing. 

If you are not improving and doing the same thing over and over again. 

You are wasting your life.

Well back to lunch for now.

PING.

Alright, what is it this time?

"!"

A SLIME notification.

It was a message from Sato-san.

iD - SATO23:

---

'Kobayashi-kun, this is Sato.' 

'I have made it home.'

'Eating dinner.'

'Thumbs up sticker.'

---

It seems Sato-san had made it home and eating dinner as well.

iD - KOBA01: 

---

'That's good.'

'I am having dinner too.'

---

iD - SATO23:

---

'What really?'

'Shocked sticker.'

'What are you having for dinner, Kobayashi-kun?'

---

iD - KOBA01: 

---

'You won't believe it.'

'Potato Croquettes!'

---

iD - SATO23:

---

'Wow sticker'.

'No way, you really love potato croquettes don't you.'

---

iD - KOBA01: 

---

'It's not my fault xd.'

---

iD - SATO23:

---

'Sato-san sent an image. 

---

COUGH COUGH.

It was a woman wearing a potato croquette costume. 

I choked in laughter. 

'Sato-san you nearly killed me. I was choking.'

I replied.

'Ah so sorry Kobayashi-kun, you okay? I didn't mean to.'

'Sorry sticker'.

Sato-san replied.

'It's alright, it was funny xd.'

I replied.

'Right?'

'I'll let you eat your dinner.'

'Talk to you again tomorrow.'

'Bye sticker.'

Sato-san replied.

'Salute sticker.'

I replied.

"..."

Wow.

So this is how it feels to message a girl privately. 

I gotta say.

It was fun.

"Ho. Who was that you were messaging Hayate?"

"!"

"No one Mom, just a work colleague."

"Right..."

"Don't lie to me Hayate, you can't deceive your mother's eyes."

"You were smiling with a large grin."

"Darling, Our son has finally found love. Hayate has a girlfriend. "

"It's not like that Mom!"

Mother ran towards the living room to inform Father.

Was I really grinning that much?

I continued to eat my dinner.

"..."

Ah.

Finally. 

I missed you my dear bed. 

I leapt to my bed.

But. 

It wasn't bedtime just yet.

I needed to do my dailies first.

"..."

Time to sleep.