The Rain

Chapter 05 – The Rain

I am in the entranceway of the school building, changing to my indoor shoes when someone calls my name.

“Amemiya-kun, good morning.”

“N-Nijima-san.” I stutter.

The one who is leaning forward with a smile on her face is none other than Nijima Koharu. She looks cute staring at me with upturned eyes, and her perfume smells good. Also, she’s very close!

Not good, my heart is pumping fast again.

Greeting me first thing in the morning… Am I dreaming?

I swallow whatever idea I have running inside my mind. I say, “Thank you for yesterday.”

"It's fine. You shared your umbrella, and I shared mine, so let's just call it quits."

“Ah… Right.”

Koharu hands me an umbrella that she has been holding all this time: my umbrella.

“I didn’t forget it today. Here, your umbrella.”

“T-thanks.”

She giggles a bit for some reason I don’t know. Is the way I said thank you that funny? Or do I look funny in my outfit or something?

My worries gradually disappear though as I watch her laugh. I guess it doesn't matter so long as she's happy.

“You’re welcome,” she says. “I’ll be going to the classroom first.”

“S-sure.”

I look at the umbrella in my hand, the same umbrella that we have shared, and it is also the one she has been holding a moment ago. An idea of indirect handholding comes into my mind, but I dismiss it immediately as childish and well...you know, creepy. I arrange my shoes inside and I also head to the classroom.

Koharu is already there, talking to her friends when I arrive. I take my seat near the window, praying that it will rain again today.

The rain pours down again during the afternoon class until all period is over, much to the track and field clubs’ dismay.

However, Koharu has her umbrella, and she heads home by herself after saying goodbye to her friends.

I stay silent as I follow her from a distance behind under the shade of my red umbrella. The rain is consistent, and the wind is not strong like the previous days. She leaps over some puddles sometimes and walks slowly to lessen unnecessary splashes.

Catch up to her! Walk to her side!

I think about those things as my heart is racing with anxiety. I can easily catch up to her and say hi or something. But what if she finds me weird or a creep when I try to talk to her?

That uncertainty, or more like simply low self-confidence is keeping me from moving,

Koharu stops.

She turns around to peek behind. I am far away from her, but I can tell that her eyes between the gaps of her bangs are meeting my eyes. I stand there, both of us not saying a word.

“…”

I want to call her name. I want to say that I like her. I open my mouth, but I am not able to say anything in the end.

Koharu moves her lips as if she is also about to say something.

But soon enough, she smiles, nods her head, and then continues to walk away.

It is not long after that I see her turn to the last corner.

That was my chance. Nijima waited for me to say something, but I didn't.

I clench my fist in frustration.

The next day is Friday, and I leave my umbrella home on purpose.

I look up at the sky, red and orange with clear clouds. There is no hint of rain this afternoon and Koharu heads home by herself as soon as the classes end. Today, we did not even exchange a single word with each other.

I remain in the classroom a bit longer, thinking about the past three days. I will not see her until next week. But in retrospect, I had more than plenty of chances. All which I have wasted.

The sports clubs are probably rejoicing right now, able to enjoy their sports on the last day of the weekdays.

Meanwhile, I sigh, disappointed with myself.