By the time Min's shift ended, the drizzle outside had turned into steady rain. He stood at the doorway, staring out at the gray street.
"Ah…" he muttered, digging through his bag. "No way…"
Of course. He'd forgotten his umbrella.
Kei appeared beside him, flipping the shop's sign to *Closed*. He glanced briefly at Min's hopeless expression before opening his own umbrella.
"You'll catch a cold."
Min laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "Haha… I'll just run for it. I don't live too far—"
The umbrella shifted, tilting over him. Kei was already holding it between them, his pale violet eyes calm as ever.
"Running in the rain is foolish. Come on."
Min froze. The umbrella wasn't very big, and standing under it meant standing *very* close. He could see the faint raindrops caught in Kei's silver hair, the steady line of his jaw, the way his hand gripped the umbrella handle.
His heart thumped loudly in his chest.
"Uh—are you sure?" Min stammered. "I-I don't want to trouble you—"
Kei's gaze flicked toward him, cool but steady.
"You're already troubling me by hesitating."
Min nearly tripped over his own feet as he hurried to fall into step beside him. The umbrella forced them close, their shoulders brushing lightly as they walked down the quiet street.
The rain pattered gently around them, the world narrowed to the space beneath the umbrella.
Min bit his lip, sneaking a glance at Kei's profile. He looked so composed, so unbothered by the closeness, while Min's face burned hot.
"Th-thank you," Min finally whispered.
Kei didn't look at him, but the corner of his mouth curved slightly, almost like the hint of a smile.
"Just don't forget your umbrella next time."
Min nodded quickly, but his thoughts were far from umbrellas.
To be continued....