The sky had turned a dull gray by mid-afternoon, and soon heavy raindrops began tapping on the school windows. Aiko groaned, glancing at her umbrella that had mysteriously disappeared from her locker.
"Just my luck…" she muttered.
As she dashed toward the school gate, she spotted a familiar figure already waiting under a large, sturdy umbrella. Ren.
"You forgot yours again?" he asked with a small smile, tilting the umbrella slightly so she could share it.
Aiko's cheeks flushed. "I… I didn't think it would rain!" She hurried to squeeze under the umbrella with him, the two of them pressed a little closer than necessary.
"It's… crowded," Aiko said nervously, trying to avoid his eyes.
Ren's gaze softened. "I like this. Being… close."
Aiko's heart skipped a beat. Close? With him? Her stomach fluttered like a dozen tiny butterflies. "M-Me too…" she whispered, barely audible over the rain.
They walked together in near silence, the sound of rain their only companion. Every so often, their shoulders brushed, and each accidental touch sent a warm shock through Aiko. She could feel Ren's presence beside her—steady, calm, and somehow comforting.
At a quiet intersection, they stopped as the rain intensified. Aiko peeked up at him, cheeks pink. "Thanks… for letting me share your umbrella."
Ren looked down at her, his expression unreadable for a moment, then a gentle smile appeared. "Anytime. I… like helping you."
Her heart almost skipped a beat. That simple statement—no grand gestures, no dramatic confession—made her feel like the world had narrowed down to just the two of them, sharing this small, perfect moment.
As the rain finally began to let up, Aiko and Ren parted at the school gate, both a little hesitant to let go.
Aiko turned back once, catching him watching her with a soft smile, and she couldn't help but grin back, cheeks still warm.
Today wasn't about confessions, or words that might ruin the moment. It was about… the quiet magic of being close. And for Aiko, that was enough to make her heart feel lighter than it ever had.