The rain fell in thick curtains now, soaking the concrete and blurring the world into a gray-haze. Sayu blinked up at the man in front of her, who stood like a scene straight out of a drama—arm extended, umbrella tilted, half shielding her and half striking his best angle in the downpour.
His tousled blonde hair was slicked back, darkened and dripping at the ends. A burgundy jacket hugged his frame over a black shirt, water glistening down the edge of his jaw. It was Hayato Arisaka.
"You…" she started, breathless from the sprint.
"What are you doing here?" she added, startled.
Hayato raised an eyebrow. "Me? I was just heading to a shelter when someone decided to crash into me."
He tilted the umbrella slightly. "Shall we get out of this storm, or are you planning to soak for a while? Come on."
Before she could respond, he turned and walked ahead, letting the umbrella tilt just enough to leave her in the rain.
"This guy…!" Sayu muttered, hurrying after him as her wet shoes slapped against the ground.
They ducked under the nearest shelter: a wide canopy extending from one of the campus departments.
The dull roar of rain hitting the tin roof echoed above them as it poured harder now, thunder murmured somewhere in the distance as Sayu's breath hitched from the run.
She exhaled, brushing soaked bangs out of her eyes. "Wow. I'm drenched…"
Hayato folded his umbrella with a casual flick. A few drops from the edge of the fabric spattered near his shoes.
He glanced at the back of his jacket, slightly damp where the umbrella had failed.
'Tch. It nearly got water damage. Do you know how expensive this is?'
He side-eyed Sayu with a mock grimace, then muttered under his breath, 'Look at this. Risking my favorite Jacket just to protect this girl. She should be honored…' He sniffed. "Hmph."
Unaware of his grumbling, Sayu dug into her bag and checked the contents.
Her fingers clutched the soaked strap of her bag as she shook her head, drops of water flinging from her hair.
"Please don't tell me…" she mumbled, quickly unzipping her bag to check if anything important got wet.
Suddenly while checking her bag, she sneezed—small, quick, and unexpectedly cute.
Chu~!
She sniffled and wiped her nose with her index finger, half-distracted as she rummaged inside her bag.
Hayato turned at the sound and froze.
The thin blouse Sayu wore had clung slightly to her skin—partially transparent under the weight of the rain. Not inappropriately so, but enough for Hayato's brain to short-circuit.
He immediately turned away, ears-tinged red.
'What the hell—look away, idiot!' he cursed himself, rubbing the back of his neck.
Another sneeze.
Chu~!
Sayu's voice dropped to a whisper, more to herself than anyone else. "If I get sick today… How am I gonna make it to that interview tomorrow?"
Hayato's head turned slightly.
Without saying a word, he slipped his burgundy jacket off his shoulders. Sayu noticed the motion from the corner of her eye.
"Wait—hey, what are you doing?" she asked, startled.
He didn't answer. Just flung the jacket at her, catching her off guard as it draped over her head and shoulders.
"Wha—?!"
Her hands fumbled with the fabric until she peeked out, eyes wide, blinking up at him.
"Why did you—?"
"Just take it," he muttered, turning his head aside. "…And cover up."
"Cover—?"
She glanced down. Her face flared with sudden realization. She tugged the jacket tighter, her soaked blouse covered. His scent lingered on the collar—clean and oddly comforting.
She looked up at him. "...Thank you."
Hayato didn't meet her eyes, arms crossed and jaw clenched like he was pretending not to hear.
But the tips of his ears were still pink.
They stayed like that for a while, quiet under the fading rain, until Hayato shifted slightly and said in a low voice.
"Hey, by the way…"
"Hmh?" Sayu turned her head to listen.
"I saw you getting out of that car last time."
Sayu blinked. "What car?"
"Park Dae Woo's."
It took a second before it clicked. "Ohh. Yeah. Why?"
"Nothing," he said quickly. "Just thought… your taste's questionable."
"Excuse you?" she raised an eyebrow.
"You said I wasn't your type. So, he must be it."
"He just gave me a ride," she muttered. She didn't know why she felt the need to explain.
Just then the rain softened, thinning to a light drizzle. The world around them glimmered in puddles, and a pale orange glow bled through the clouds.
Buzz.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket, cutting the moment short.
Sayu checked it—Rin had texted.
[We're at the cafe now. Where are you? Did you get soaked?]
"I should go," she said, tucking the phone back.
Hayato tilted his head. "See you."
She nodded, turning to leave, then paused as she glanced down at the hoodie she still wore.
She started to pull it off. "Here, your—"
"Keep it," he interrupted. "Return it tomorrow."
Sayu hesitated for a beat, then looked at him. Her voice was soft. "Thanks."
She bowed slightly and jogged off, her steps light, hoodie sleeves trailing just past her fingers.
Hayato stayed where he was, watching her figure disappear between the puddles and trees.
A smirk tugged at his lips.