Outside the airport, just past two in the afternoon, the soft hum of life moved around her, but she felt utterly alone. A girl with shining dark blue hair that fell just a little beyond her shoulders stretched herself, trying to shake off the exhaustion that clung to her bones. Her fingers curled tightly around the handle of her luggage, her heart pounding with a blend of nerves and excitement.
"Um... Ah... It's such a long journey..." The words escaped her lips softly, almost like a lullaby to calm herself.
Her mind danced with memories and hopes. After five years apart, she was finally here—to surprise her brother. Would he recognize her? Would he smile? Or would the years have built a wall between them? Tears welled up with the thought of seeing him again, flooding her vision with warmth and fear all at once.
"Hehe," she whispered to herself, lips curving into a gentle smile. To others, she looked lost in her own world—dreaming. But in her chest, a whirlwind of emotions swirled fiercely.
"Alright... time to go and execute the plan," she breathed, confidence trembling under the surface as she gripped the suitcase.
The city streets stretched before her, a maze of unknown paths and bustling strangers. Her eyes flicked from the glowing screen of her mobile to the walkways ahead. Each step was a mix of hope and hesitation.
She took a deep breath and whispered, "Maybe if I go straight and then left..." The lightness in her voice betrayed the flutter in her stomach. She wanted this moment to be perfect—a heartfelt reunion after years of silence.
As she wandered, she let herself savor the small beauties around her—the cats basking in the sun, the delicate petals of spring flowers drifting down like a gentle rain. For a fleeting moment, the city felt warm, welcoming.
But then reality slammed into her.
Her eyes lifted anxiously to the path ahead, only to see an unyielding wall blocking her way. Her heart sank with it.
"Ha ha ha... Maybe I took the wrong route..." she forced a laugh, cheeks burning with embarrassment as she fought off the rising panic.
She wandered again, the same strange mixture of frustration and wonder filling her as she passed quaint streets and blooming flowers.
"Maybe if I take a right here..." Her voice cracked slightly, hope flickering but then snuffed out as she confronted the wall once more.
"Hehehe..." she giggled, hiding behind the curtain of her hair. Her voice trembled, almost a whisper. "Maybe... just maybe... I'm lost."
Fear crept in—silent, cold, and unwelcome.
"What should I do? I thought following the map would lead me straight to him..." Her breath caught. "Maybe... maybe I should ask someone for help."
Her lips parted to say more, but her phone screen darkened. The dreaded low battery warning blinked.
"Ah... dead..." she laughed, a little crazed, the sound breaking the quiet like a desperate sigh. The sudden noise startled a group of cats, making them scatter.
She took a hesitant step ahead, but the sky began to rumble, and the rain came crashing down like a sudden storm of cold tears.
She raced toward the nearest shelter—a small rest area in the middle of the park—her clothes clinging to her, her heart hammering a frantic rhythm.
At the red light, she whispered urgently, "Quick, quick..." The green light barely flickered when a speeding car ripped through a puddle, dumping a shower of muddy water over her.
Shock froze her in place. Her head fell low, water dripping from her hair, mixing with dirt and cold onto her skin and clothes. Her cheeks burned with humiliation.
She continued her walk but slowly as it was already late to shelter herself while calming herself.
"Everything is going to be right... Just a little longer. When I reach my brother's apartment I will take a fresh hot bath and... How much worse can it get now?"
As she entered,
She stumbled onto the wet grass, slipping into a puddle and landing hard on her back.
I should say something else, she said to herself.
For a moment, she lay there, soaked and defeated, before an unexpected laugh bubbled out from her chest. It was breathless, raw—a release of everything she'd been holding inside.
The rain didn't matter anymore.
She wiped her face with trembling hands, then slowly rose toward the swings.
Sitting down, she tried to steady her breathing. The cold rain soaked her through, chilling her to the bone, but the warmth of memories kept her heart beating fiercely.
"Maybe... it was a mistake," she whispered, voice breaking. "Maybe he wouldn't be happy to see me like this... all wet and messy... He'd probably just scold me like he used to."
A tear slid from her eye and mingled with the raindrops.
"Maybe today... is just not my day," she said, barely audible as she buried her face in her hands, letting silent tears flow freely.
Not far away, a boy rode past on his bicycle, the bright red of his raincoat a stark contrast to the gray wetness of the day. His light gray hair stuck damp to his forehead as he noticed the lonely figure on the swing.
A tight-lipped smile tugged at his mouth.
Maybe I saw something that happens only in anime.
A girl alone,
sitting in the rain,
looking lost and sad.
Wanted help.
He shook his head, dismissing the urge to help.
Maybe someone would urge to help her as it is a canon event of some romcom anime but for me it only starts the beginning of some romcom cliché. Helping her would only bring trouble to me and I don't really want it.
He pedaled faster, determined to keep his life free of complications.
"Sorry, a lost one, but I hope you soon find someone who will help you in your dire situation. So, goodbye," he said to himself.
At the apartment,
"A day without trouble," he muttered, locking his bike outside his apartment.
But a small part of him lingered on the image of the girl in the rain. Did anyone come to save her? Did someone able to trigger the event... Hmmm. I wonder.
As he climbed his stairs, a sudden chill ran through his body.
K look left and right. It is a wrong sign for me.
His neighbor stood outside, worry painting his face as he searched the street.
The boy considered his options:
1. Being a good neighbour, step in to help like a good neighbour, or
2. Walk away.
"Best to walk away," he decided, pushing open his door.
But then a desperate voice stopped him.
"K... Good timing. Have you seen a girl with dark blue hair?" his neighbor asked. "She's my sister."
"Maybe," the boy said reluctantly.
"Really... Can you help? I'm so worried," the man pleaded.
The boy sighed but nodded.
"Alright, wait here. I know where to find her," I said to him.
At least this was over quickly, he hoped, and if something happens it bugs me too...
K rushed back to the park, rain still falling steadily.
There she was—with another boy, tall and blond, standing beside her.
So, the event actually triggered; maybe I should wait a little, thought K.
The blond boy spoke gently: "Maybe you should come with me and wait inside until the rain stops."
"I'll wait here; the rain will stop soon," she replied softly, hesitating.
Hmm. It looks like she is struggling; maybe he is not the one.
Because soaking in the water, anyone could see through her dress. While talking, I notice the boy time to time checking her.
Maybe I should go, K thought.
The blond smirked, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
"Don't worry. I promised. I'd help you."
As the boy with blond hair noticed K,
K wrapped his red jacket around Aurora's shoulders, to hide her drenched clothes.
"Ah... Geez, I told you don't go outside without an umbrella, you know brother Blake is also looking for you," K said to Aurora.
She shivered but didn't pull away; maybe it seems taking her brother's name was a good idea.
Taking her hand, he began to lead her away.
"Don't ask anything. Just follow," K said to her.
The blond-haired boy watched, a knot tightening in his chest.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Ah, thank you for accompanying her. You stopped her in this place, that helps me," K said and continued,
"Hmm. Maybe my love for her is starting to fade away; maybe I should look for another girl. But sorry, I'm K—her best friend and boyfriend," K said boldly.
And with that, the blond boy thinks, "But let's go."
As they walked, she whispered, "Thank you. You're... my brother's friend, right?"
"Later," K said, urgency flashing in his eyes. "Let's get moving."
After leaving the scene, K dials Blake's number and tosses his mobile to her.
She stumbles but is able to catch it on time.
"K, did you happen to find her?" Blake asked.
Hearing his voice, Aurora said "Brother" as they chatted for a couple of minutes.
"Hm... Right, don't worry. K will help you just don't trouble him too much," he said and hung up.
"So... K, right... Thank .. why are you covering your eyes?" she asked, a little confused.
"Don't worry about it. It is for my own safety."
She is bright, so bright, for me too, I don't want to trigger this event. I must avoid this at any cost
I think he is a weirdo too. Brother, why are you making a weird friend? she thought as she looked toward K.
"Hop on the bicycle and hold tight," K said.
He doesn't want to walk with her as it gives us more time to talk and while riding there is a very low chance that they become close.
She climbed onto K's bike, holding tight as they sped through the fading rain.
The sun broke through, painting a rainbow across the sky—a promise of hope.
At last, they reached her brother's apartment.
Aurora ran into Blake's arms—expecting tears, hugs, and laughter.
Instead, worry poured out in a scolding voice.
Alone, K searched for his dinner, only to find the box soaked and ruined.
He entered his room feeling defeated.
As he entered, he checked his fridge and it was empty.
He lay on the floor, stomach growling harshly.
"I hate trouble; that is why I don't want to get involved in this," he muttered.
Just then—the doorbell rang.
He opened it to find Aurora, holding a steaming pot of food, cheeks flushed.
"Sorry for the trouble... and thank you, because of you this unlucky day changed to a normal day at last," she whispered, avoiding his eyes. "My unluckiest day ever."
For the first time that day, K felt his heart skip—not for the girl, but for the warmth of the dish she brought.
And in that moment, the day's storms began to clear—both outside and within.