Natsukawa Kanade had to admit it: there was something magical about Kato Megumi.
It wasn't her surface-level beauty that made her so dangerous, but her effortless ability to control the rhythm of a conversation without making anyone uncomfortable.
Before Kanade realized it, they were already sharing an umbrella.
And truthfully, he didn't like the rainy season. Especially days like this, when every drop seemed to fall straight onto his heart, reminding him that another relationship had ended.
Fortunately, he was walking beside a beautiful girl in the rain. And that made his usually quiet heart feel a little warmer.
"How's Kato been lately?"
Like old acquaintances reunited by chance, Kanade searched for a topic to break the silence.
"Eh… should I say good? Or bad…?" Kato Megumi tilted her head. Her eyes, calm and indifferent, settled on him.
"It's more like I don't know what to say."
"Hmm… like studying, socializing, or something?"
Kanade felt confused for a moment, but figured it was a common concern among students.
"I feel like Natsukawa-kun is like a mom…"
"Huh…? Does your aunt ask questions like this?"
"Yes. And sometimes she asks about love," Kato replied softly, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers, waiting silently for his reaction.
"Love?!" Kanade was stunned, then chuckled. "So Kato worries about that too?"
That connected him to her.
He'd always seen Kato Megumi as someone serene, without major emotional fluctuations. Maybe her emotional intelligence wasn't enough to notice if she'd fallen for Aki Tomoya.
"I'm not the one who's worried…" Kato said, looking at him again.
"So your aunt is that concerned about your love life… isn't that a bit premature?" Kanade pretended not to understand, turned his face forward, and avoided her gaze.
Had they noticed? Was it that obvious? Did his daily life give him away?
He'd never publicly announced his feelings, but each relationship was unique. He gave everything, and never thought to hide it.
Special treatment, visible affection… Kanade did everything he could to make his heroine feel his love.
Then he'd choose the perfect moment to confess.
But… wasn't that enough? Why did some see him as a womanizer, unfaithful, obsessed with switching girlfriends?
He was the one always rejected. The one who got hurt.
Was it wrong to change targets after rejection? Did he have to cling to someone until all his affection was drained to be considered sincere?
His self-respect wouldn't allow that. Not even with the girls he'd loved deeply.
If they missed him, they missed him. He wouldn't bother them again. He wouldn't use love as a burden to restrict their lives.
Why was Kato looking at him like that? Had he said something wrong?
Kanade felt increasingly uneasy. He feared others would see through his act, that his shield of self-esteem was just a bubble.
Please, Kato, don't keep going…
"That's right."
"What…?"
"That's right."
"…"
Kanade couldn't believe what he was hearing, but he didn't want to let go of the last ray of light.
"Yes…? What do you mean?"
"Natsukawa-kun didn't do anything wrong."
At some point, Kato Megumi's hand was already on his forehead.
She gently stroked his short hair, as if comforting a child.
"Natsukawa-kun, you can be more willful. Don't worry so much about other people's feelings. Do what you really want."
"Is it okay even if people misunderstand me?"
"If they misunderstand, clarify it with your actions."
"And if it's not a misunderstanding?"
"Isn't that what Natsukawa-kun wants? You should be happy about it."
"…"
"Puha…" Kanade let out a laugh. "I feel like you, Kato… aren't fit to teach children."
"And I didn't remember that side of you. How to put it… like a loving mother."
"Hey, but I'm just a high school girl…" the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
But it didn't seem very real. Maybe it was just an illusion.
"That's not the point," Kanade complained. "Forget it this time, but Kato can't treat me like a kid anymore."
Even though the breeze was cold, it couldn't dispel the warmth that had settled on his forehead. That warmth spread to his heart.
"…"
Faced with his flirtatious words, Kato Megumi didn't respond. But her eyes and movements said: Isn't Natsukawa just a kid right now?
Normal kids don't worry about romantic adventures, Kanade thought.
The hand holding the umbrella no longer trembled, but the rain had soaked his body. So he handed the umbrella to Kato Megumi and stepped forward, into the wind and rain.
"You'll catch a cold if you get wet like that," Kato frowned at him.
"Didn't you say I could be willful and selfish?" Kanade replied.
He opened his arms as if embracing the world, letting the rain soak him.
His body grew heavy and sticky, but his heart felt comfortable.
Could it be so wonderful to be trapped in the rain? He'd never experienced it.
But he wasn't foolish. He just expressed his frustration, then stopped.
If food dropped on the floor can be picked up in three seconds (don't try it, just joking), then getting wet for three seconds doesn't count as soaked, right?
With a quick step, Kanade returned to Kato Megumi's umbrella and smiled mischievously:
"Kato, want to try the feeling of being trapped in the rain?"
He reached for the umbrella handle.
"Mmm…"
Kato closed her eyes, expecting cold drops… but they never came.
When she opened them, she saw Kanade looking at her with an embarrassed smile.
Her cheeks puffed visibly. Then she walked away without a word, holding the umbrella.
Kanade was stunned. He thought he'd upset her, so he followed. But as he stepped under the umbrella, he noticed her ears were red.
She seemed annoyed, but walked slowly. The umbrella shifted toward the center, bringing them closer.
I'm not mad…
Kanade felt he'd unlocked a new way to "use Kato Megumi." He moved closer silently and shook his body, letting the rain from his side splash onto Kato's clothes.
He imagined her reaction.
"Natsukawa-kun."
"Yes, I'm here!" he replied instantly, feeling guilty.
"I'm home. See you tomorrow."
"Huh? Okay! See you tomorrow!"
Kanade was stunned, but quickly reacted and ran off as if escaping.
Kato Megumi, standing at the door, watched him silently. And felt the warmth he'd left in her hand…