The alarm clock, with its blinking lights and shrill repetitive sound, jolted Raichi awake from his comfortable sleep. Groaning, he once again ever so blindly, flailed his arm in the air in an attempt to silence the alarm. He missed the alarm by a long shot, and instead, hit the wooden nightstand.

  The alarm clock wobbled around, but it managed to stand. What did lose its balance was Yaori's book that he left on the nightstand. It fell on its edge, making a rather loud thud. It was a little scratched from the looks of it. He reached down, grabbing it with care.

  ''Oh gosh…'' He muttered groggily.

  Sifting through it, brushing his fingers along the cover, he could confirm that it was slightly worn from that fall.

  Now of course, Raichi highly regarded the book he held neatly in his hands. He was almost caressing it like he was holding a newborn baby.

  He perhaps found it to be more valuable than the signed copy of the same book. After all, he had left the memory of obtaining it through a waiting line behind so he could give it to someone who would take as much care of it as he had, if not more.

  ''I hope you're okay…''

  He blankly looked down at the book, spinning it around in his hands before almost dropping it as his mother called out to him.

  ''Raichi! You're going to be late if you don't eat breakfast at this point!''

  ''L-Late?!''

  Looking around his room, he struggled to find where the clock was for a moment. But when he finally saw what time it was, panic seized him.

  I-I set my alarm wrong! Crap!

  He immediately grabbed his uniform from the wardrobe, tossing it on in a frenzy. It was too late to call Hiroshi and Hara at this point, as they were likely already at school by now. Calling them to walk with him now would be comparable to asking to be escorted like some sort of nobility. Guess he'd have to compromise somehow.

  Donning everything necessary, he walked over to the kitchen.

  His eyes glimmered as he observed the breakfast table.

  ''Good morning.''

  ''Good morning, Mom.''

  He sat down, immediately reaching for the pair of chopsticks in front of him.

  He shoveled down bits of rice bite by bite at a speed that would have anyone else concerned. But Emiko knew Raichi's habit of eating fast and a lot, so her only reaction was a mere exasperated sigh.

  ''Slow down, would you? You could choke…'' She said as she watched him with exasperation and amusement.

  He didn't show any signs of slowing down, finishing the bowl in record time. He perhaps ate a little too fast, as he had to pound his chest, forcing the rice down his throat. Emiko wasn't surprised in the slightest.

  Raichi, standing up briefly, said ''Thanks for the food,'' as he slung his bag over one shoulder, heading for the door.

  He had almost no time to spare. He had to hurry, otherwise he might even miss attendance. Although, curiously excited, something inside him actually couldn't wait to get there.

  ''Wait, Raichi dear…'' Emiko called from behind him, ''You'll need your umbrella. It is quite the downpour right now.''

  ''M-My umbrella? But I gave it to Yamada-san yesterday…''

  ''Then go ahead and take mine. It should be in that corner over there.''

  She said as she turned toward the white umbrella in interest. When Raichi saw its state, he could already see that inspecting it wasn't necessary, but he decided to take a good look at it. He hoped he could still make use of it. Although something his mother would place in front of the genkan usually had a purpose for being there.

  He bent down to grab it. The handle immediately separated from the main body of the umbrella. He held the handle in one hand and its body with everything else in the other. The fabric was loose and torn, and the ribs wobbled haphazardly. One was twisted, and some were unable to stand.

  Raichi watched as the umbrella collapsed in his hands. It was no mistake to say that it was unusable.

  ''Mom… there is no way I can stay dry with this thing.''

  ''Oh– I forgot about that… I had damaged it a few days ago,''

  Emiko frowned, she couldn't think of a solution. Both she and Raichi knew that his father had brought his own umbrella with him when he left for work, which meant that there wasn't any available. The nearest rentable umbrella was way too far away, and it wasn't even worth the trouble. It was totally the opposite way.

  ''I had placed it in the corner because I was going to throw it away, anyway–''

  Raichi interrupted her, letting out a sigh. ''That's fine. I'll just have to… make a run for it!''

  ''R-Run?'' Emiko blinked in surprise. She crossed her arms in protest. ''You're going to get soaked, Raichi!''

  ''I'll be fine!''

  Raichi said as he opened the door wide, stepping out into the rain. He waved behind him, breaking into a jog.

  ''See you later Mom!''

  ''W-What?! Raichi, you can't go in this weather without an umbrella!''

  It was too late. Raichi was already out of sight. Emiko peered her head through the door, seeing the lone street corner. He wasn't kidding about making a run for it, he was already gone as far as the eye could see. He left in the blink of an eye.

  Raichi braced himself, getting himself pumped up and ready to face the heavy drizzle. He swung the bag over to both of his arms, fully putting it on. He broke into a full sprint as he considered what he could expect on this peculiar day.

  His clothing, his shoulders, as well as his bag, dampened pretty quickly, but he had to press on.

  He kept up his pace, occasionally stepping into bigger-than-average water puddles, splashing everywhere. His shoes were already soaked, and his pants were taking the worst of it. Luckily for him, there wasn't any traffic. And in such weather, he wouldn't have to endure anything unpleasant from the people around him.

  He could feel water droplets landing on his head, and the pitter-patter of rain on his clothing was one of the few sounds he could use for ambiance.

  His clothing was now clinging to him as if it were his second skin, thoroughly soaked. The glasses he had just wiped off when he got up from bed were now surrounded by a veil of water, which was blocking his vision greatly.

  Eventually, his pace slowed, slowed down to a weary shuffle. His legs were aching. He wasn't quite athletic, so this short run already wore him down substantially. His sprinting from earlier was now turned into a mere walk. It was the best he could do, so he had to manage.

  And that, was when it really set in. He was all alone. He had always been alone, in fact, he often preferred to. But this time was somewhat an exception.

  The faces he knew and had come to know, their brightness, and what they brought to his world were nowhere to be found. He glanced at his empty hands, expecting an umbrella. To his dismay, that umbrella was of course, with one of his friends whom he seemed to be missing in such a dire moment.

  He knew the rain wouldn't let up regardless of his friends' presence. It would pour steadily, but at the very least, the moment wouldn't feel so… empty.

  The streets were eerily quiet. Hiroshi's jokes that often stepped over his boundaries weren't here to annoy him. He wouldn't be here to see how out of shape he had become.

  Hara's attitude, which would very blatantly point out his mistake and shove it in his face, wasn't here either.

  And Yaori… the comfortable silence she would bring to his lone walk, her resilience, and colorful inner mind… was lacking. For the first time in a long while, he vividly hated, heck, despised, being so aware of how lonely his solitude really was.

  Normally, he'd often find joy in this solitude. He had come to terms with the seclusion the world around him had set up for him. He'd sleep, mess around, listen to music, and, most importantly, read. Whenever he got bored, he would get angry with himself about how many hobbies he had and how much free time he had.

  This time, he wasn't bored. He had no one to turn to. Rather, it wouldn't be wrong to say he didn't have anyone that he expected to turn to him without his will.

  After thoroughly thinking things through, he shook his head. ''I'm fine. I'll be fine.''

  He muttered to himself. But how fine was he, really?

  Today was the polar opposite of what he had the pleasure to go through yesterday. He was in the warmth and clutches of what he could find of the Yamada family.

  The delicious cooking talent of Ayaka that brought warm food to the dinner table, and the affable, profound conversations he had with Yaori daily up until that point made him feel like he truly mattered.

  He felt a pang of guilt at the thought of making his mother worry. Imagining Yaori holding his umbrella as she made her way through the same streets he had run and was now walking through was very off-putting. He didn't regret giving the umbrella to her, not even one bit. And if push came to shove, he'd do it again in a heartbeat.

  ''It's just some water…''

  There were no questions asked; this walk was perhaps the loneliest he had ever been. His assurance was as hollow as the streets he was going through. It was as if every splash rang throughout, the sounds crystal clear.

  When it came down to it, he considered this to be him biting the bullet. He was paying the price for his recklessness. If he had just set the alarm correctly, it wouldn't have turned out this way. And the school was still a few ways away. Perhaps he'd look back on this later, either regret it or simply laugh it off.

  ?? ?? ??

  ''Yo, Suzuki-chan, have you gotten a word from Raichi-kun yet?''

  ''No, I haven't… its really strange. He's gotta have overslept or something, he would never be late like this.''

  ''What? The guy sometimes barely gets any sleep, y'know him. He's had a rough day, so…''

  ''Guess you're right.''

  Meanwhile, back in the classroom, the two friends had been busy anxiously waiting for Raichi's arrival. They were sitting at their desks as they leaned over whenever they talked. The classes hadn't started yet, and the bell's time was looming over the edge of the clock.

  Hara was distraught these past twenty-four hours. Even if Raichi looked okay at the moment, when he left to hang out with Yaori, that was the last time she had talked with him. Hiroshi's words didn't exactly put her at ease, either. She felt that she should have been the one to call him at such a late hour. She didn't show it, but she wanted to know about Raichi's well-being.

  Even so, there was someone who looked seemingly more distressed in the classroom. And she gripped the attention of the entire classroom tightly.

  As she tuned in to the quiet hum of the classroom, it wasn't the same as it always was. The usual color and laughter of the bigmouth class were hazy. While most of its energy still lingered, what demanded their gaze was a rare sight to behold. Something was off-tune. It was a cacophony of distracted minds. Some were going on about their usual laughter, but a portion of the class was looking at one thing.

  The air in the classroom was tight and anxious… because they were bedazzled at the sight of the Acing Bookworm. From the outside, it did look very surreal.

  She'd never present herself as such, with her utter focus, listening to the class and reading on her own. She would always surround herself with ice caps as the ice queen, a seat in the back of the classroom built on spiky ice, with her on her own packed throne.

  She'd never give in if it was unnecessary. And yesterday, the class had 'revolted', her throne's sharp edges were cut and smoothened by heat, losing its resistance. And now in this sight, she was waiting for her blacksmith and sculptor, or rather, that's what the class likely thought. But… they'd assume correct.

  Wait– I get it now! It's because… Raichi-kun isn't here…!

  That was also what Hara had just realized. But sitting right in front of Yaori, it would be rude to stare, but she was likely in a way different state than Hara thought she was. Her cold nature was one thing, but the gossip and talk regarding her and Raichi was frustrating to listen to as it spiraled further into rumors.

  For once, Hara let her instincts take over. With a slow motion, she leaned slightly backward, their gazes meeting as she looked at Yaori.

  The introverted beauty was slumped over her desk, her arms stretched and merged over an open notebook, the books she always reads, closed, standing beside her arms, held back by her golden yellow hairband.

  When their eyes met, seeing her so close-up sent a jolt through Hara's body, her breath caught. She certainly looked magical, the brief moment was very electric. She had never seen her from such a distance.

  Their gazes were fixated for a few seconds, and before Hara could come close to making it out, Yaori broke the connection as her eyes fritted towards the door. It all ended within a moment's notice.

  This was no ordinary glance; perhaps the brief moment withheld some meaning. Was she silently seeking reassurance, or did she mean for Hara to come to an understanding? The look on her face wasn't just palpable concern but possibly something deeper. Either way, it left her completely dazed.

  Hara was grappling with a mix of emotions, whether she was supposed to be worried or curious or anything else along those lines. She didn't even know what was the best for the situation. It would be uncalled for to look at her even more closely at this point.

  This happenstance didn't change anything about Raichi, however. The both of them could only do nothing but wait for either Raichi's absence in attendance or later or sooner arrival.

  Eventually, he will step into the classroom, unscathed or with a uniform full of holes, like a fish out of water. But how else was someone without an umbrella in the rain supposed to arrive? And boy, did he appear unscathed.

  The classroom door slid open, and a rigid gust of wind made its way from the door to the back of the class, where Hara and Hiroshi stood. And came out, Raichi, utterly soaked to the brim.

  His physical appearance was drenched from top to bottom. His shoes had already formed a small puddle on the ground, rendered unusable, his uniform was almost see-through as it clung to him uncomfortably, his bottom turned a different shade, his bangs and hair in its entirety were trailing water down his whole body, and his glasses were fogged-up beyond visibility. Every inch of fabric on his body had its color obscured and darkened by moisture.

  He took another tiny step forward, and his shoes made an audible squelch ring throughout the now-silent classroom, nobody said anything.

  The usual Raichi who hated having eyes on him couldn't even see it, but he had caught everyone's attention now more than ever with his grand entrance. But the inevitable whispers started spreading around the classroom.

  There was no making out or ignoring what all the hushed murmurs were about, but they all had one thing in common. They all were wondering: what in the world happened to him? Questions such as these bounced around the room,

  ''What the hell happened to him?''

  ''Did he actually come to school like this?''

  ''Why not just stay home?''

  But what was the scariest, most bizarre part of this sight was that he didn't even react at all. He didn't budge an inch, nor was he trying to shake off all the water on him. He was just… standing there. What was he even waiting for?

  Without thinking any further, Hara stepped out of her chair and made her way toward the door where Raichi was still standing.

  Hiroshi was still thrown off by Raichi's arrival, so much so that he couldn't even joke about it a second time. But he too soon followed, hesitantly getting up from his seat.

  Even when in front of him, she couldn't contain her absolute shock. She reached her hand out, putting it away halfway through, finding it hard to touch his drenched state.

  ''Raichi-kun… where have you been?''

  Hiroshi put his arms together. ''You look like you've walked through a gray cloud or something, dude…''

  ''It sure as hell felt like I did, phew…'' He let out a deep sigh.

  He attempted to wipe his glasses with his uniform, but to no avail, it just got even more foggy.

  Hara flapped her hands around in protest, getting frustrated. She was getting mad at how nonchalant he was during all of this.

  ''There is no way you're gonna participate in class like this! You'll be bedridden by next period, you idiot!''

  ''...No need to worry about me, Hara-chan. I'll be just fine.''

  ''Stop lying.'' She said, her tone turning serious.

  Little did Raichi know, he had just touched a nerve. Hara was, naturally, worried about her best friend. A second ago, she looked a little exasperated, but with the press of a switch, she was about to snap. Deep down, this frustration was just her way of showing concern. However, she decided to spare him from any shenanigans.

  ''Well, it's decided!'' She brought her hand up, clenching it into a fist. ''I'm not going to let you get sick. I'm going to do Emiko-san a favor and get you back home.''

  ''E-Ehh?! H-Hara-chan, there is no need for—''

  ''No–! I refuse to see you like this, okay? I don't like seeing you like this.'' She held herself back from yelling. Smiling mischievously, ''You need to face the facts straight, you're soaking wet and will get sick if you don't get home immediately!''

  ''H–Hara-chan…''

  ''Hmph!''

  Hara crossed her arms as she scoffed. Despite his arrogance, the look on Raichi's face didn't change at all. He even had the same expression he had back then.

  Perhaps he didn't react one bit to all the gossip taking shape in front of him because he mentally prepared himself before it or something. Knowing Raichi, it was a plausible explanation. How else would he act so haphazardly and careless?

  Hara didn't mind sharing her nurturing side for Raichi's sake. She was sweating bullets, anyway. Maybe the weather had merely ruined her mood, but she had a sixth sense when it came to this kind of stuff.

  Eyes, ears, and mouths all mowed their way through the scene. With no regard for whatever had taken place, questions and even seldom insults jumped from left to right among the desks.

  Poor Raichi-kun… just how much is he hiding nowadays? Oh well…

  ''Now, I'll just have to get my—''

  U—Umbrella…

  Another seat wobbled where it stood, making a screech from the back of the classroom. There was literally nobody left in class who hadn't gotten their attention, as it silenced the entire room within a fraction of a second.

  When Hara turned around to see who it was, her eyes widened. That very same person who Hara had just exchanged a glance with was now making their way over, holding… an umbrella in their hand. It was, of course, The Acing Bookworm.

  Her expression held considerable determination. She looked calm even though the entire classroom was just looking at her and was likely about to listen to the upcoming conversation like it was nobody's business.

  ''Y–Yamada-san—??'' The three friends all said in unison, in different measures of enthusiasm and tone.

  When she halted in front of them, she held the umbrella close to her chest, bowing respectfully. Hara briefly glanced over to Hiroshi, a content smile on his face formed almost simultaneously.

  Seeing Yaori approaching so menacingly, not knowing what to expect, genuinely gave her goosebumps, and she was terrified. Just what was she about to do?

  ''Um– good morning… Suzuki-san, if you really are about to get Sato-kun home, then I think you'll need… this,'' She said as she handed over the umbrella in her hand. It looked familiar somehow. ''T-Think nothing of it.'' She anxiously stammered,

  ''O—Okay… thanks.''

  Hara grabbed the umbrella from her hand, their fingers brushing briefly. She carefully looked through it, taking a few seconds to try and understand. That, was when she almost dropped it from her hands, letting out a squeaky,

  ''Ehhh?!?'' Her voice echoed through the entire classroom.

  She had finally realized that this umbrella… wasn't any old umbrella. It was… Raichi's. She looked back and forth from Yaori to back down on the umbrella, bamboozled out of her mind.

  Y-Yamada-san… had Raichi-kun's umbrella! She had Raichi-kun's umbrella! But– but.. what? - Why? - When? - How? I have so many questions right noww!!

  Hiroshi cheekily chimed in, ''I forgot about this~!''

  You forgot?! Why?? If she did have Raichi's umbrella, is that why Raichi was soaked from head to toe?

  Hara was, inherently, at a loss for words. Raichi charged his way in here, probably having done some sort of rain dance, and now it was very obvious Yaori knew something she didn't.

  Yaori was sitting ducks in her seat just moments before for a good amount of time as if she already provisioned something like this happening.

  When it came down to it, Yaori was the type to not budge on public reputation, so to see her care to this degree was a little perturbing and, not to mention, too perfect. To Hara's knowledge, Raichi and Yaori had recently grown closer at rapid speed these past few days. But even that didn't exactly explain how the umbrella would end up in her possession.

  Her hands tightened as she gazed down at the umbrella. When she raised her head back up, Yaori, facing away from the rest of the class, indiscreetly tilted her head to give Raichi a concerned look.

  Blinking momentarily, he responded with a gentle smile, nodding.

  Hara watched their interaction like it was some sort of film roll, similar to sign talking during a loud concert. It was over in the blink of an eye. They just got a message through to each other solely from gestures right under her nose. She couldn't even wrap her head around what was happening. Her face was one of utter muddle.

  Are these two telepathics or something?! What did you just say?!

  ''Thank you for returning this to me, Yamada-san,'' Raichi said with his usual stoicism.

  ''Don't mention it. I'm glad I could be of help. I hope you can get home safely, Sato-kun.''

  ''You have our gratitude, Yamada-san,'' Hiroshi added, nodding. Though coming off as respectful, the way he said it, it was almost like lighthearted mockery. ''This little idiot keeps getting himself into trouble all the time…''

  ''H-Hey, how dare you?'' He smacked him on the shoulder, the fog on his glasses fading to reveal a slightly irritated Raichi. ''You say that, yet you come to my rescue anyway, big brother~!''

  Yaori lightly chimed in, raising a gesture meant to tell them to quiet down. With her voice lower than a whisper,

  ''Y–You two, I think you should quit it in the classroom. It's for the best.''

  ''I-If you say so, Yamada-san…''

  …

  The rest of their quiet conversation was muffled to a haze. Hara just got herself to zone out.

  I don't think I realize just how much of a burden I just put upon myself…

  Hara was likely correct. She doesn't know what she is signing up for by promising Raichi a safe trip back home. Even if she brought her back safe, would she return to school safe and sound?

  She was well aware that the silly and clumsy introvert she knew wouldn't be able to bring himself to avoid school. As much as he despised it, he always paid attention to his lessons, given their importance. Doing even the bare minimum required some effort, after all.

  There were no take-backs in Hara's book, though. Once a favor and promise were made or requested, Raichi would always pull through when it was dire. It was about time she returned it.

  ''Hara-chan?'' Raichi's voice cut through her thoughts. With a soft tone, he said, ''Soo… are you really going to bring me back home?''

  ''O-Of course I am, how else would you get back home of your own volition?''

  ''...I wouldn't.''

  ''That's right. You're so easy to read.''

  Hara hadn't even been paying attention, but just like that, Yaori was already out of sight. With a quick movement that she narrowly missed, engrossed in her thoughts, Yaori was down in her seat, reading.

  Looking at her from a distance, it was clear that she was deliberately keeping her face down. Hara thought about how unsettling it must be to feel all those watchful eyes on her at once.

  If they were alone, it was highly plausible that Yaori would come with. And if their classmates just wouldn't run their mouths all the time, she could, at the very least, openly approach them.

  Yaori was running her hand aimlessly, flipping through the book pages she had just pulled out. She probably wasn't even reading at all, just stalling for time as she waited for her and Raichi to take their leave. Thus, there was no more time to waste.

  ''!''

  Suddenly, Hara grabbed Raichi by the wrist, making him jump with the sudden contact. Her grip tightened as she pulled him along. First walking, then eventually having to run to keep up with her speed.

  ''See you later, Kimura-kun!''

  She shouted behind her, leaving before having heard Hiroshi's response.

  Running through the empty halls, she dragged Raichi through the entire school and its foregrounds.

  The nearby students were looking at them in confusion as they whizzed past like a breeze. Hara's sense of direction was quite poor compared to your average high school student, so her way of pathfinding and navigation felt more like a sightseeing tour specifically reserved for Raichi, for he got to look even more people directly in the eye on their way over.

  Hara wasn't able to tell just what kind of looks and faces Raichi was giving on his end. However, in terms of what he was receiving, putting it simply, a rough mix of resentment and ordinary wonder was the most common. But right now, the best thing to do is not dwell on it.

  ?? ?? ??

  By the time they were well past the school gates, nobody was left outside in the rain, and no on-looking bystanders. They were the only ones standing under the gentle rainfall as far as the eye could see.

  Much to Hara's… insistence, the duty of holding the umbrella was given to the girl, or rather, taken by the girl.

  Raichi was already wringing wet, and knowing his luck and clumsiness, he'd mess it up anyhow. She sighed, adjusting her grip on the umbrella she received from Yaori moments ago.

  ''This way,'' Hara urged, tediously holding the umbrella. She slightly jumped over a large puddle. ''Please don't—''

  She was about to warn him about the puddle, but Raichi blindly walked through it, to her misfortune, splashing all over his pants. She looked back at him blankly, facepalming.

  ''What? Did I do something wrong?'' Raichi scratched his chin, unaware of what he had just done.

  ''Forget it. '' Hara said, her words being muffled by her palm. ''Let's just go.''

  ''Got it.''

  This idiot! He is so hyper-aware when it is unnecessary and dangerous, yet when it's essential, he messes everything up with an innocent smile on his face like that of a small child!

  Raichi hesitantly followed after her, getting back under the umbrella. Hara was struggling to hold the umbrella against the slight breeze.

  Walking side by side for some time now, the distinct pitter-patter of the rain and the tapping of their shoes on the wet cement kept them grounded. This left a lot of moments for thought because Hara couldn't help but overthink the situation. Not only the issue of drying the drowned rat standing beside her, but also the recent changes in his behavior that were slowly rearing their head, which Hara had just begun to notice.

  Raichi's gaze wandered around as if he had something to say. He broke the quiet as he murmured,

  ''You really didn't have to do all this for me, Hara-chan…''

  ''Ah—''

  Hara stopped abruptly in response, lowering her head. She made a face bitter than coffee, turning toward him as if she was about to throw a massive tantrum. Perhaps he had prodded a sore point.

  ''Idiot. Shut up. Please don't say anything like that ever again.'' She snapped, her voice laced with slight concern.

  Their gazes never met as she kept her head down, but hidden under that sheet of ice, there was true worry and care, and she always wanted to show it.

  When she finally found enough courage to look back at him, she clenched her fist holding the umbrella.

  ''Did you think I was going to ignore you? You are so… fragile, Raichi-kun. I would not let you burden yourself like this in my right mind. When you need help— all you need to do is ask for it, dangit–!''

  Her voice shook, unable to conceal her overflowing exasperation. She gasped for air immediately after. This habit of his annoyed her the most. When someone is just too kind like Raichi, they can't find it in themselves to ask for that same kindness right back. He'd always hide his request for assistance with the fake smile he'd constantly put on. Hara was sick of it, to put it lightly.

  Raichi's eyes darted around, ashamed, unable to look at her in the eye. He drooped his head momentarily,

  ''B–But the two of you were already in class! I was not going to request you to come after me like—''

  Hara waved her hand dismissively. Putting a finger on his chest, she cut him off. ''D-Don't make up excuses, you dimwit! Admit it, you were about to fall apart out here!''

  After gasping for even more air, she cleared her throat, softening her voice as she spoke more earnestly. Her expression turned slightly bitter.

  ''Ever since we were kids… you'd always look out for me— Raichi. I have so many memories that it's hard to count. But you were also very stubborn— you just never knew how to lay your shoulder on the people who trust you. Not only that—''

  Suddenly, Hara felt a sharp lump rising in her throat, her breath catching with her. Her words faltered, and her eyes blinked rapidly before drops of tears rolled down her cheeks, tracing a silent path. She sobbed, trying to stop her nose from running. Breaking all of this down was just too much for her.

  Before she knew it, Raichi instantly saw what was happening, his eyes widening as he started to wave his hands in panic.

  ''W-W-Wait, why– why are you crying?! D–Did I do something wrong without realizing it again?''

  Hara rapidly wiped her cheek in between sobs, her voice trembling with ire and pity. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink as she stumbled upon her words.

  ''O–Of course not! I–I wouldn't cry because of you,'' She muttered, trying to not let her tears get to her. ''It is just— just that… it frustrates me so much to see you act like you don't need help, Raichi-kun!''

  Unaware of her volume, Hara realized that she might have just unknowingly shouted. In what felt like eternity despite being only a few seconds long, their gazes were unwavering. Hara, however, was proud of finally speaking her mind. Raichi's agape expression was now etched in her mind. She pressed on further.

  ''You've always– always treated me as your… little sister. I'd– I'd act like a crybaby, and you'd come to my rescue. B–But I just can't stand watching you struggle alone like this anymore! So please— Let go!''

  Raichi raised his finger in an attempt to respond, but before he could say anything further, Hara stepped forward. Maintaining their intense gaze, she leaned toward him, firmly grasping his shoulder.

  ''I—I will not let you go like this, not again, not ever.'' She made clear, her voice still scratchy from her sobbing.

  Despite her cry, Hara's voice rang resolutely. It did exactly as intended, and Raichi was too in awe to reply.

  With her other arm, she continued to wipe away at her stray tears using the back of her hand.

  She didn't know how Raichi would react. But talking with people wasn't a strong suit for the Raichi she had known all these years. Well, at least in public anyway.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Perhaps it was out of instinct. She had no clue why she jumped the gun either. The only thing on her mind was that Raichi needed tending to, since he wouldn't take it upon himself to ask for it.

  For a long moment, silence stretched between the two. Until suddenly, Raichi's snortling broke the ice.

  Hara sobbed one last time as her gaze wandered off into the distance in wonder, her eyes promptly following Raichi. Using his free hand, he was seemingly suppressing a bigger laugh.

  ''W–What's so funny, you idiot!?''

  She looked up at him, visibly disgusted. She likely knew the answer, yet still asked him anyway.

  Raichi attempted to hide his laughter even more, but it slipped again, escaping through giggling this time.

  ''No reason! No reason, really!'' He murmured, smiling gently, their gazes meeting. ''It just… brings back memories, doesn't it?''

  ''...Th-This is you calling me a crybaby one way or another, isn't it?''

  ''Hehehe, guess so, Hara-chan…''

  Hara would reminisce about these days all the time. Her childhood was full of joy, and it was all thanks to Raichi. They had an unbreakable bond that had remained strong since they were seven years old. Only magic could make people click in an instant like this, and yet fate brought them together. Their family meeting was a twist of fate.

  ?? ?? ??

  It was a beautiful day outside. Kids were running around, and metal bars were burning in the sun's heat. And on such a simmering hot day, Mother Suzuki and Sato were sitting under some shade. With their supervision, the two kids were allowed to play in the park for a while, in which they sat down.

  Little Raichi and Hara loved the monkey bars and the swing. It was their favorite. He loved feeling the breeze and speed as he swung side to side, or panicked whenever someone would get too near or in front of it. It depended on how careful he was. And a certain someone loved to mess with him.

  ''H–Hara-chann! Stay away from my swing, would you?'' He cried out from the children's swing, his legs interlocked. ''Whenever you do that, it really scares me!''

  ''I get away at the last second, silly!'' She teased as she jumped away, giggling.

  ''And? I wanna swing at maximum speed, and I can't do that when you get in the way!''

  Raichi crossed his arms and turned his back to her, throwing a fit. He let the swing creak to a stop, acting cold in an attempt to make her regret it. Planting his feet in the sand, he scoffed.

  ''R-Raichi-kun..? Aren't you gonna swing more? I like watching you swing!''

  ''Hmph!'' He scoffed once more.

  Raichi's eyes narrowed, and a little pout formed on his face. It was the biggest fight he could put up during this situation. Because no matter how much he complained, Hara's teasing wouldn't ever stop, so much so that he had just gotten used to it.

  Hara's playful smile faltered seconds ago as she stepped back, the brightness in her eyes fading away momentarily. With her tone uncertain, she asked,

  ''A-A–Are you… mad at me?''

  She watched his face for any sign of danger, probing around the edges of his attitude. To her dismay, however, Raichi lifted his feet off the ground and simply swayed back and forth again. His gaze was fixated on the ground, and his mouth was sealed.

  ''R–Raichi—kun?''

  She muttered quietly again, almost to herself. And yet, there was no answer. The swing flit again and again, causing a breeze that waved Hara's hair side to side.

  Tears almost rolled down her eyes, but before Raichi could see them, she turned away.

  Now hurt and confused, without saying another word, she made her way to the opposite corner of the small park where the monkey bars were. The sand dust flew up into the air behind her, leaving a gentle trail.

  She put her arms out to-and-fro, going across from bar to bar. It was a motion she had pretty much mastered playing all the time. But then—

  Lost in her thoughts, in a sudden moment, her hold slipped.

  She tumbled onto the ground with a sharp cry. Tears promptly swelled up in her face, and the pain was overwhelming. She had landed directly on her shoulder.

  Raichi immediately turned his head at the sound of Hara's cry. He tried to free his legs from the swing, and once he managed to,

  ''Hara-chan!''

  He shouted, his senses kicking in. Lying down on the ground completely worn out, Hara watched him run toward her without a moment's hesitation. Reaching her side, Raichi knelt carefully beside her.

  With his voice filled with immense worry, he gently asked,'' A–Are you okay? D-Does it hurt?''

  Despite being a child, Raichi always exhibited maturity. His instinct for handling things was impressive. When the moment required it, he'd find and do the right thing.

  Between her watery eyes and sniffles, Hara managed to mutter, ''I–It hurts! I-It hurts so much, R–Raichi-kunn!''

  Raichi's hands hovered awkwardly over her, unsure whether contact would help relieve the pain or not. Anxiously scanning around for their parents, he finally managed to find them out of the corner of his eye.

  On the other side of the park, the pair of mothers were still sitting under the shade of the bench. They were too far to notice what had just occurred.

  ''I'm— I am going to get Mother real quickly! Just– wait right where you are, okay?'' He put on a worried smile, trying his best to comfort Hara. ''I'll be super quick!''

  He almost fell as he started sprinting, and he felt someone grabbing his sleeve. When he looked back down, he could see Hara's tearjerking with her hand out. She grabbed his sleeve tightly. Teardrops made their way down her face onto the sand like a waterfall, and as she attempted to mumble words, her small squeaks accompanied them. Every few seconds, she'd sob, squeaking.

  ''Don't… Don't– Don't go! P-Please!'' She said, her voice brittle in the midst of her bawl. ''Stay here…''

  ''A-Ah,''

  Raichi froze for a few seconds, his eyes widening. He was now caught between her plea and the urgency of tending to her bleeding. But he took his time to be considerate. He crouched back down beside her and smiled tenderly. It was an unusual smile, one that was awkward coming from Raichi.

  ''It's going to be okay. I'll be right back. Once I bring Mother and Mama Suzuki here, I'll stay by your side.'' He promised.

  Eventually, Hara's grip softened before letting him go, her hand falling back down onto the sand. Just as he got right back up to get their mothers here, he heard Hara calling behind him.

  ''Are– are you still… mad at me, Raichi-kun..?''

  Blinking rapidly, his expression slowly softened. His gaze met hers, and that was when he shook his head, giggling quietly.

  ''As if… I could never be mad at you, Hara-chan…''

  With that, he ultimately ran off. He bolted across the playground, the tapping of his sandals steadily fading away into the distance. As Hara waited for the eventual arrival of their parents, she couldn't help but smile even after all the tears she just shed.

  That day was supposed to be ordinary, one they would always have fun. But it ended up being so… memorable, such that they would never be able to forget it.

  ?? ?? ??

  The cement underneath squelched with the movement of their shoes as they continued walking through the rain, which was now nothing more than a tranquil, soft drizzle. The puddles Raichi stepped on with little care reflected a gray sky. Hara glared intensely at him every time he recklessly waltzed through one.

  Speaking of Hara, her grip on Raichi's shoulder had loosened and she had let go a few minutes ago. She held on for a tad bit longer than necessary, weirdly enough. After all, she did need her hand to hold the umbrella. Despite all of that, the absence of his sleeve felt strangely empty. Fabric is all that she was supposed to let go.

  Their walk felt distinctly different today. As always, they were side by side, but they were closer than they needed to.

  Their shoulders brushed briefly with every step. The touch was milliseconds long at best, fleeting. At least for Raichi, it was probably nothing. That's what Hara could tell from reading his face anyway. But even holding her gaze made her more nervous than she had asked for.

  This time, every sense of touch sent a faint ripple through her. One she couldn't quite explain, or find the reason for no matter how deep she dug and searched. For starters, she couldn't name it. It was irritating. It seemed like Raichi would be breaking the silence first.

  With his voice soft and hesitating, he said, ''Y'know… was it… okay, for us to just dip from the school grounds like that?''

  Hara looked back at him, blinking. ''Huh? What are you talking about?''

  His gaze drifted downward, watching the damp clothing of his get even more soaked as he stepped into puddles one after another. ''It's just… that we didn't get any permission or anything like that. We just left.''

  ''...Hmm…''

  Raichi's tone wasn't necessarily accusing, more or less unsure, as if the thought only occurred to him just now.

  Even if Raichi's question was rather serious, Hara exaggeratedly puffed up her cheeks in response, barely enough to mask her own trace of doubt, too, ''Who gives a crap? I wasn't going to leave you sitting like that, you idiot. I also don't think the teacher would want you melting all over your desk like cotton candy.''

  Raichi didn't argue further, but he did slow down slightly. ''But what about you…?''

  ''You always worry too much, geez.'' She playfully nudged him with her elbow, making him stumble a bit. ''When all is said and done, I'll just have to tell them I found an exotic aquatic rat drowning on air.''

  After sighing deeply, Raichi seemingly calmed down a little. The faintest smile formed on his cheeks. And once again, this all too familiar smile managed to make her heart tug for reasons she couldn't quite find the answer to.

  Now in the last stretch of their frigid journey back home, the street visibly narrowed as the new Sato household completely alien to her came into view. The only thing left of the rain was mist and nothing else. It had slowed down enough for Hara to close the umbrella.

  As they approached, the windows that were fogged from the warmth inside made it hard to see.

  Raichi's pace slowed again just before they reached the gate. With his voice uncertain, ''By the way… would you get into trouble if you were late because of me?''

  Hara halted right where she stood after hearing Raichi out. She stared through him.

  ''Find something else to be worried about, dummy. The person at the end of the scolding will be you at this rate,'' Hara grinned impishly. She struck a dramatic pose with one hand on her hip and another covering her mouth, about to put on a fantastic impression. ''Oh gosh, Raichi dear! I told you running wasn't a good idea!''

  ''Ehhh!?'' Raichi's expression shifted, his eyebrows twitching in embarrassment and vexation. ''First of all, how'd you know I ran on purpose?! Secondly, that's not what she—''

  Before he could finish his complaint, the front door slid open softly. As always, Emiko was there to welcome him back home. However, the instant she saw him and Hara, her hands flew up to her mouth, stupefied out of her mind. Her eyes widened. With her other hand on her hip, she said,

  ''Oh gosh, Raichi dear! I told you running wasn't a good idea!''

  ''...''

  ''...''

  After a momentary silence, Hara tried to contain her laughter with her best efforts, but in the end, she couldn't silence her giggles. Raichi's face flushed as he buried his head deep in his sleeve, much to his chagrin.

  Seeing Raichi shriveled up in his soaked clothing, Hara's attempt at hiding her amusement stopped entirely. She patted him on the back, grunt, grunt, as she laughed out loud.

  ''I– I know you too well, Raichi-kun! Hahaha!''

  ''...God dangit.''

  ?? ?? ??

  Hara released a deep sigh as she soaked in the warmth of the Sato household she wasn't accustomed to. They momentarily sat down in the kitchen as the smell of Emiko's brewed tea lingered in the air. Hara was familiar with how well-heated Emiko liked to keep the house. The difference in temperature from their house to Raichi's would always be jarring, and it wasn't any different now. It sent a shudder down her spine. Emiko had left a minute ago to fetch something real quick, she said. Eventually, she showed up with two towels in her hand. Before Raichi could turn toward her, he could feel something soft land on his head.

  ''Here. Dry yourselves off with these.'' She said, taking on a teasing tone as she added, ''Especially you, Raichi dear!''

  Instead of shoving it in their face as she did with Raichi, Emiko softly tossed Hara's towel on her hands with a pointed look on her face.

  ''You too, Hara-chan! I won't have either of you dripping all over my floors now.''

  ''Uh-huh.'' Hara gently nodded. With a mischievous grin, she continued, ''Thanks, Emiko-san! But the one who really needs to get an earful is Raichi-kun.''

  ''Oh really?''

  Emiko shot her dear son a disapproving glance, fed up with his little antics. ''Honestly dear, what were you even thinking running out like that?''

  As Raichi shuffled his towel around, he barely managed to lift it, gazing off into the distance with the towel over his head. ''I–I just had no other choice…''

  Emiko broke her son's daze with a deep sigh, putting her hand on her hips. ''You always have a choice. And– it seems the two of you left without permission, too. You're already late for attendance, by the way.''

  ''W-We are? How'd you know?''

  Looking through her phone, Emiko pulled up her recent calls, the most recent one, showing, 'Hiroshi-kun'. She shook her head in exasperation.

  ''H–Hiroshi-kun?! D-Damn it…''

  Hara reacted with a light snicker, expecting something like this from him, ''Pfft. If it wasn't him then who else would it be?''

  It was hard to tell what Emiko would have to say about the situation. Judging from her reaction, she seemed a little exasperated if anything. But she wasn't the type to get mad so easily. She eventually chimed in after letting out a small sigh.

  ''Well, it's all behind us now. If it does become an issue, I'll talk with the school.''

  ''...Okay…''

  ''But now—''

  Emiko suddenly turned toward Raichi, raising a finger. ''Now, young man… get in the shower before you catch a cold! I'll have warm and dry clothing ready for you by the time you get out.''

  Raichi blinked, getting a slight scare from his mother's sudden attitude. ''I–I, yeah, I think that's for the best.'' He wiped his dripping hair one last time before getting up from the chair. ''I'll have to tell Hiroshi about this later…''

  Hara watched him as he made his exit from the kitchen, trudging toward the bathroom. Once he fully left, Hara continued to pat herself dry. She couldn't help but smell the wonderful tea and have an urge for some. She looked back at Emiko who was standing by the stove, pouring some tea into a cup just as she thought of it. Seconds later, she walked over to her and handed her the cup of tea.

  "Y-You didn't have to, Emiko-san!"

  ''It'll help you warm up, Hara-chan, no need to worry about it! Also…'' Emiko paused, tilting her head friendly. ''Your uniform needs taking care of, so, I'll give you a change of clothes from Raichi's wardrobe for the time being.''

  ''H-His— his clothes!?''

  ''Well, of course… unless you'd rather wear a blanket or something…?''

  Wearing… Raichi-kun's clothes… it's– it's been such a long time since I've had to do that…

  Hara used to wear Raichi's clothes pretty often when they were kids. Wearing his clothing was something she had gotten used to. There had been plenty of times when she recklessly got herself dirty in their house and had to grit her teeth and wear Raichi's. The thought rolled around in her head. She had borrowed countless things from him and that included clothing. The boy and girl distinction was never really there for her, since Raichi was always slightly bigger and his pieces either fit perfectly or were slightly oversized. But strangely, she couldn't help but think about it.

  ''Uh, yeah– sure… that's fine by me.''

  ''Then, follow me, hehe.''

  Though her voice came out steady, following Emiko through the halls about to enter Raichi's new room for the first time, she couldn't shake off the slight sense of unease.

  When Hara entered Raichi's room, the distant hum of the running bathroom water echoed throughout the silent household. She had only been to the new Sato household once, but she didn't stay long enough to see the rest of the house. The one room she was somewhat familiar with was Raichi's room. She entered with tears running down her face and a foreboding sense of loneliness, having needed comfort from her best friend in her best friend's room.

  Although the image of this room merely flashed through her mind, Raichi's previous room was deeply embedded in her consciousness. Now that she could see it, many of the decorations were still present, but in a completely different order. Despite it all, it still felt like his room. As her eyes drifted across the nostalgic place, everything came rushing back.

  His library was packed full of books as expected, some with spines that were unrecognizable or kept as shiny as diamonds. Some were creased and some were worn, while the ones kept in a special corner were probably years old yet were fresh as new. Raichi's habit of not using a folder was still around, where instead of keeping them together, he'd throw all his past useless assignments stacked into a pile.

  When her gaze landed on the corner shelf, she could see the wooden decoration that he still kept around. He was stubborn when it came to throwing stuff away, and he often found use in all sorts of things. He hadn't changed one bit.

  ''I found some that would fit you…'' Emiko happily handed Hara the change of clothing, putting her hand on Hara's shoulder. ''Don't worry about them being a little too big, okay? I won't take too much time drying.''

  After taking the uniform from Emiko, Hara could feel the weight of the fabric on her hands. It wasn't anything new necessarily; in fact, she recognized this specific piece of clothing. She was accustomed to swapping supplies with Raichi when necessary, whether it was borrowing a jacket in the winter or a spare gym shirt when she had forgotten hers. As Hara processed the moment, she stared down at them. Her mouth gaping slightly, a meaningful gaze formed on her face.

  ''H–Hara-chan?''

  ''—Oh! Um– yeah!'' She yelped. ''They'll work just fine. Thanks, Emiko-san.''

  Emiko tilted her head in confusion, but she eventually smiled. ''Well, that's good to hear. Just change in here, okay?''

  'G–Got it.''

  Emiko, ever the glowing ball of sunshine, slid the door closed, leaving Hara by herself. She looked around the room before letting out a small sigh.

  She slid onto Raichi's bed as she put the set of clothes down beside her. Casting another glance around the entire room, she steadily peeled off her damp blazer. Silence accompanied the muffled crumpling of the fabric she swayed around and folded.

  This brings me back…

  She shivered slightly as she took a moment to slip into Raichi's shirt. As both she and Emiko had expected, it was a little too big on her. The collar slightly slipped off her shoulder, and the shirt barely grazed past her hip. The shorts fit her as is, but they were clearly intended for summer wear. She looked back at the mirror, making various poses and examining her figure and posture. But after setting herself back together, she froze, catching her reflection.

  She tugged at the hem of the shirt, pulling back her shoulders. With one finger, she brushed over the oversized collar. Of course, it didn't look bad to her, but it was… out of the ordinary.

  This really is Raichi's… even after all these years, I'm still smaller than him.

  Despite not being that big of a deal, standing here in Raichi's room, in Raichi's clothes, and in Raichi's presence made her feel oddly out of place. Before she had time to think things through, a knock on the door pulled her away from her thoughts.

  ''Hara-chann? Are you all set?''

  As soon as she heard Emiko's voice coming through from behind the door, she shook her head rapidly.

  ''Uh-huh! I'm good!''

  With that, she slid the door back open, looking back one last time into Raichi's room. So much had changed and not changed at the same time, and it was mindblowing to think about. She could hear Raichi's muffled sounds through the walls, and that restless feeling never quite left her chest, still lingering.

  Stepping back into the living space of the living room, she decided to wait for Raichi to come back there. Perhaps this was a good opportunity to get a well-earned rest. Emiko was sitting right across from her on the other couch, with a cup of tea sitting idly on the table. It seemed like she too, was waiting for Raichi.

  Hara leaned back against the couch, relaxing her arms as they folded. With a straight ninety percent angle, she stared blankly at the ceiling. The house was extraordinarily warm as always the Sato household was. She didn't bother to bring out her phone or do anything else to spend time. The news on the TV would occasionally catch her glance, but other than that, there wasn't much presence of vacant sound. Emiko didn't seem like she cared too much about what was going on with the TV either.

  Raichi had been in the shower for quite a while now, but that was only expected considering how long it could take to dry that hair. It was drenched to the brim after all.

  While acting a little inattentive, Hara fiddled with the hem of Raichi's oversized shirt that she was wearing. The collar she had adjusted multiple times still didn't fit right, no matter how many times she adjusted it. Not to mention, it would almost slip whenever she moved. Despite that, the shirt wasn't actually uncomfortable, it felt strange more than anything.

  As Emiko sipped her tea across Hara, she looked completely at ease. She had her usual bright smile on her face. On her hands were a dozen neatly folded towels she was organizing. Eventually, she glanced at Hara with a soft chuckle.

  ''You look like you could fall asleep any minute now, Hara-chan,'' She mused.

  Hara blinked, scoffing with elation. ''Well, that's because your new house is so cozy, Emiko-san…'' She scratched her back bashfully. ''By the way, I couldn't say it the last time I came here… but congratulations on moving in here!''

  ''Why, thank you!'' She nodded, putting her hand out in exclamation. ''It was all thanks to Hiroshi-kun. He knew Raichi needed his and your company again after all this time…''

  Hara promptly adjusted her position on the couch in surprise, putting her arms on her knees and leaning over, ''H–Hiroshi-kun? What do you mean?''

  Emiko chuckled lightheartedly as she folded another towel and put it on top of the stack. ''Oh, he put in a lot of work for us, really. Not just in muscle power, but with the house itself, too. He was the one who found it for us. He must've heard from Raichi that we were planning to move back into our old town.''

  Hara cocked her eyebrows, smiling in quiet pride. ''He did, huh?''

  With a grin on her face, Emiko continued, "It was quite the shocker. One evening, he called us out of the blue, saying that the house was for sale. By that point, we had been looking for some time, but we just couldn't find anything. When he finally mentioned it to us, we were surprised to see just how well-situated this house was.'' With a wistful smile on her face, she took another sip of her tea, adding, ''It couldn't be any better. Not just for us, but for Raichi, too.''

  As Hara absorbed all the information one by one, she kept playing with the hem of Raichi's oversized shirt, rolling it up into a small quesadilla before unwrapping it again. It was hard to believe just how dependable Hiroshi was, despite not showing it. He always showed his care on a surface level, but Hara never knew just how deep it was. Behind the scenes, Hiroshi had the best intentions and looked out for Raichi whenever necessary, and it only just hit her.

  ''I-I honestly had no idea…'' She murmured, quite thoughtful.

  ''Well, that's because Hiroshi-kun always knew Raichi inside out. He must've been aware of just how much Raichi longed for his home, even if he never really admitted to it.'' She put her cup back down with a soft clink, ''Most importantly… I think he knew how much Raichi needed you and his company after being half a year away from you two.''

  Hara's eyes widened, and she fell quiet after that. She hadn't realized just how Raichi this entire house really was. When they had to part ways all that time ago, Hara wasn't aware of what kind of things Raichi would long for. His face never showed how he really felt, but once they had finally returned back home, he had shown change but also hadn't shown any at all. His maturity was a stand-out quality of his, and perhaps he had matured way too rapidly. He had gotten this good at hiding his true feelings. It was as if the void she had seen within the recent Raichi was now becoming more clear to her as it held more weight. What kind of school life did he lead when he was by himself in his first term?

  But just then, the distant sound of dripping water came to a halt. Hara's grip instinctively tightened around the hem of the hefty shirt. Even if the reason was unapparent to her, she could feel her stomach knot for what Raichi might have to say after seeing her in his clothes.

  A few silent moments passed, and then the ice was broken with the bathroom door being slid right open. Turning her head, she glanced at Raichi who had a smile on his face as he ran a towel through his damp hair. He slowly approached as he stepped inside the living room.

  ''Man, now that was a good—''

  But then, a beat of silence arose as Raichi stood idle. After his voice trailed off mid-sentence, Hara could feel his pause.

  In the most casual tone he could possibly have, he chimed in, ''You're wearing my stuff again, I see.''

  Hara blinked several times in confusion, immediately raising a slight eyebrow, ''A—Again?''

  ''Well, yeah…'' Raichi prattled, his expression relaxing, ''It has been a while since you borrowed anything from me, hasn't it?''

  ''Th–Thats true… but,''

  In an instant, Hara's discreet frustration showed itself through her pursing lips and glance that turned in the opposite direction. Raichi wasn't wrong, per se, but she expected at least something resembling a reaction from him. Here he was, completely unfazed.

  ''I was just… expecting you to make a bigger deal out of it.'' She admitted, crossing her arms. ''I remember how distrusting you used to be about lending me clothing, afraid that I would rip it or something.''

  ''Totally. But besides,'' Raichi shrugged, tilting his head lightheartedly, ''I trust that you don't stretch anything out…''

  ''E—Excuse me?!'' Hara scowled in anger, ''What do you mean by that?!''

  Emiko who was watching all this go down, burst out in laughter. ''My my, Raichi dear… watch where you tread with your teasing, would you? Don't push Hara-chan's buttons…''

  But for Emiko's warning, Hara suddenly lashed out, grabbing a cushion from beside her and tossing it straight at Raichi, aiming for his upper chest. With one hand, he caught it pretty easily. He laughed reassuringly under his breath, turning his head left and right in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

  ''Hey, hey, there is no need for violence now, is there? You look fine, alright?''

  Scoffing, Hara turned away again. ''...Whatever, dummy.''

  Suddenly, Emiko, who was still amused, grabbed the two's attention as she put her hands together, seeing as the small catfight met its finale.

  ''Well, that's enough of that. It seems like you've both warmed up. Now that you've found a chance to take the day off, why not go play whatever it is you play in Raichi's room? I'll bring over a pair of blankets, snacks, and tea for you two.''

  S-Snacks?!

  Hara's head twisted like an owl's, her eyes able to light up an entire room. ''Did you just say snacks!? Gladly!''

  Raichi nodded calmly, tossing the cushion back onto the couch. '' It's fine by me, as well.''

  With that, the conversation moved on. But despite her bright mood, she couldn't help but wonder, He doesn't see me that way at all, not even a little bit, huh?

  At the very least, she had an entire afternoon to spend with Raichi, like the good old days. As anticipation welled up in her chest, she put the thought away on some other part of her brain for now.

  ?? ?? ??

  Hours had passed, and the soft glow of Raichi's bedside lamp lit up the snug room with warmth. It flickered occasionally, lighting up the two cups of tea sitting on the nightstand. The room smelled like the brew of Emiko's signature tea, as well as Raichi's absurd shampoo. And the way they were sitting would leave most rather surprised.

  Raichi lay on Hara's lap, his head resting comfortably on Hara's bare thighs. They each had a small blanket to cover themselves up with. Raichi's covered him up to his chest with his arms free as he held his book in front of him, reading it with relative quietude. Hara's on the other hand was acting more like a cape or shawl, draped over her back and shoulders. Their condition was warmth on overdrive, with blankets for cover, tea plus snacks, and a cozy atmosphere. To be perfectly honest, neither felt like breaking whatever they had going on.

  By now, the two were bonded like puzzle pieces, in unspoken harmony. Quietly, Raichi was reading his book with precision, his fingers pretty much automated. Meanwhile, Hara was scrolling through her phone as she held it up above Raichi's head. She would occasionally tap the screen to scroll down further. On top of all that, the only thing that broke their silence was the occasional sounds of pages and silent taps.

  This was how they usually were back then. If they weren't doing something more productive, they would use each other as pillows, switching whenever they felt like it. Laziness would settle in immediately when they sat down like this, and Hara couldn't even bother doing anything else. So much so that neither Hara nor Raichi cared about the fact that Raichi was lying his head down on Hara's bare thighs. Everything was as it usually was. But… Hara finally noticed that something was odd.

  Even if it had been months if not a year since they had sat in this position, Raichi wasn't as relaxed as he usually was. His fingers would typically be rather light with his grip on the book, but even Hara could tell they had a little unusual toughness to them. And the biggest flag was that his breathing wasn't as steady as it should be. Then suddenly— she could feel the slightest bit of tremor coming from his body. His hand twitched, and his shoulders moved an inch or two. In contrast to his shaking, the room was as hot as it could be.

  Am I seeing things right? I wouldn't want to presume things, but…

  She didn't know whether Raichi was aware of this, so she decided to test the waters slowly, poking for a reaction out of him.

  She put her phone down beside her, with one hand on his head, ''Hey, Raichi-kun…''

  ''Hm? What's wrong?'' He didn't move one bit.

  ''Are you… cold?''

  Raichi slightly turned his head back, ''Not really…''

  Frowning, Hara leaned a little closer, adjusting her position. ''You sure though? You're kinda shiverin'...''

  ''I'd say it's nothing…'' Raichi turned another page, ''You must be seeing things…''

  Hara hesitated for a moment, debating what to do further. He was clearly brushing her off. This only meant that she'd have to do things the hard way. In one swift motion, Hara snatched the book away from his hands, putting it aside.

  ''O-Oi…''

  Before Raichi could protest further, she reached out with the back of her hand and put it on Raichi's forehead, pressing it. She could feel his body tense.

  ''Wh–What are you doing??''

  ''...You tell me, you dumbass.'' She shot back at him, furrowing her brows. ''You're literally burning up…''

  Raichi blinked, and as he laid down on Hara's lap, their eyes met. Oddly enough, Raichi moved his hand to his chin, making a face of confusion. It was as if his brain only just registered just how hot he was.

  Hara pulled back slightly, instead, putting her hand on his back. His usual complexion was slightly flushed, and with her hand on his back, she could feel his underlying heavy breathing.

  ''That face of yours is telling me that you didn't even notice.'' She facepalmed, letting out a frustrated sigh. ''How come you failed to notice?''

  Raichi averted his gaze bashfully. ''I–I dunno…'' He was looking at anywhere but at Hara. ''I thought I'd be fine…''

  ''Yeah sure,'' She scoffed, ''I was joking when I said you'll be bedridden by next recess back at school, but next thing I know you'll faint in my lap.''

  Hara shifted beneath him, trying to relax him slightly. She could already feel his body heat against her skin, and couldn't help but wonder just how long he had been like this.

  Her gaze flickered toward the nightstand where the teas lay, ''Have you even taken a single sip of your tea?''

  ''...Nope.''

  ''No wonder, geez…'' She rolled her eyes, ''You're sick, Raichi-kun. Face it.''

  His lips parted in an attempt to retort, his finger raised. But of course, he had nothing to say. He knew Hara was right.

  What to do… Maybe Emiko-san will know what to do.

  She exhaled through her nose in frustration, realizing that Raichi would likely be against outright calling Emiko over, waving her off. But she wasn't about to leave him like this either, so it was time to take action.

  ''...I'll be right back, I'm gonna go use the restroom.'' She said casually, grabbing her phone. ''Don't get too sick while I'm gone.''

  Raichi was out of it, so he barely reacted. ''Sure, go ahead…''

  She gently slipped out from under him, laying him back down on the cushion, grabbing her blanket, and putting it down.

  Pretending like she was going to the bathroom, Hara made her way towards the door, and ran straight for the kitchen, where Emiko was.

  On her mind was Raichi's well-being. Being one who would constantly hide his troubles, he was bound to lie about his situation. But his acting so deliberately oblivious to the point that he really wasn't unaware spooked her out. Of course, Emiko didn't need all the details, but Hara just had to tell her that Raichi was about to fall sick sooner or later.

  With her arm stretched towards the door frame, she found Emiko by the counter. She seemed busy looking through the family recipe book. But as soon as she saw the concerned look on Hara's face, her expression changed.

  ''Emiko-san.''

  ''Hara-chan? Is something wrong? You seem troubled…''

  Hara glanced toward the hallway, making sure that there wasn't anyone watching, and that her voice didn't reach where it shouldn't.

  She stepped forward, ''Its Raichi-kun… he is terribly burning up…''

  Instantly, Emiko's posture changed. She sighed softly, her gaze lowering as if she knew this was going to happen sooner or later.

  ''I figured as much… my little boy just doesn't take enough care of himself.''

  With a half-hearted scoff, Hara added, ''I know, right?'' Her arms tightened around herself, ''I couldn't even tell whether he couldn't admit it or he hadn't even realized it. We both know how warm it was in there.''

  ''Well…'' Emiko shook her head, her hand on her forehead. ''Did he say anything about how he was feeling?''

  ''Agh– you know the whole deal. He kept insisting he was fine as he always does.'' She rolled her eyes, frustrated with his habit. ''I had to take away his book just to put my foot in the door and take a good look at him.''

  ''That does sound like him, yes…'' Emiko nodded her head, letting out a tired exhale. ''Guess I'll just have to take care of him. I can handle the rest from here on out.''

  Hara looked around in a confused daze, not knowing what to do. ''Um… how can I help, then?''

  ''I'd… say you've already helped out more than enough, Hara-chan.''

  I've… done more than enough? What does that mean?

  Hara's head tilted to the side, her hand instinctively reaching out for her face. Emiko's remark was supposed to put her at ease, a pat on her back for doing what's best for Raichi. But instead, she felt that she wasn't content just yet.

  What had she even done? Anyone could've given Raichi their umbrella, saving him from getting soaked. She simply did the right thing. All they had done was hang out as they always do, blabber on for hours, play games for days, and lie down for minutes. Wasn't this the moment when Raichi needed her the most, when he was at his absolute lowest?

  ''H–Have I…?''

  ''Of course, you have! It is getting mighty late, you've been at his side for hours now…'' She reassured her gently, her expression full of warmth. ''You should head home while the streets are still quiet.''

  Hara took a moment to think about it, and it still didn't sit right with her. Was it okay to straight-up dip after everything Raichi had done for her? But if that's how Emiko truly felt, she wasn't going to force her hand, after all, it was their house.

  ''...Yeah—'' Hara paused, ''I guess you're right…''

  ''By the way!~'' Emiko motioned toward the corner, where a set of neatly folded familiar clothes lay. ''Your clothes are dry now… so you should be able to change to them before you go.''

  Hara blinked in realization, completely oblivious to the fact that she had been in Raichi's borrowed clothing the entire time. She had gotten so used to them in a matter of hours that the school outfit she came here in felt foreign to look at. But she didn't dwell any further on it, nodding back at Emiko.

  ''Can I… change right now?''

  ''Go ahead, go ahead…''

  With Emiko's permission, Hara proceeded to change back into her normal attire. For some strange reason, she was feeling warmer when she had Raichi's clothes on, so her uniform and blazer felt a little breezy to her. She tried to keep it short and quick, yet it still left her contemplative. But there was no going back now.

  She bent Raichi's shorts and shirt nicely, back to how Emiko had given them to her hours prior, setting them aside where Raichi could find them later.

  With a rather formal bow, Hara said, ''Thanks for having me over, Emiko-san…''

  ''You're welcome anytime, Hara-chan— Thanks for looking after my little Raichi for me.''

  ''Don't mention it,''

  As Hara turned away from the kitchen, she froze at the entrance. Standing there, that uncertainty from before still hadn't settled yet, lingering in her chest. She didn't want to mull over it more than necessary, but how much was enough anyway?

  Not wanting to worry Emiko further, she faced her again, waving with a warm smile. She slung her school bag over one shoulder. As Emiko returned her gesture, Hara made her way back toward the door, without saying goodbye… to Raichi.

  She hadn't exactly taken care of him, for lack of a better word. At least, not in the way she intended or was thinking of. She never really nursed him back to health or made sure he rested thoroughly. Up until she paid attention to his fever, everything was their typical routine alone together. Perhaps since his hobbies were the thing that brought him the most comfort, Raichi would be fine. But what difference did it make assuming that? In those very moments, he wasn't someone who needed to be looked after— he was her dear, best friend, Raichi.

  Now that she was leaving, she could only feel the weight of her actions or non-existent actions. Would being there for a minute longer make a difference when what needed the most was some medicine? Was some company considered overboard when medicine would do just fine? Either way, she wasn't confident in her choices. Emiko's assurance was the only thing that could put her precariousness at bay.

  ?? ?? ??

  The stark cold air outside was immensely frigid compared to the homey warmth of the Sato household right behind her after she clicked the door shut. She popped open her umbrella, weirdly missing the feeling of holding Raichi's umbrella. Her slow breath curled into the air as she traced her steps back toward her home.

  Despite Emiko's warning to ''return before the streets turn quiet'', the streets were, in fact, as silent as they could be this hour. It was the kind of stillness that only came after a thorough, steady rain. The rain was a light drizzle rather than the downpour from before. Her umbrella was almost unnecessary, but since Emiko had just dried her clothing, she wouldn't want her efforts to go to waste. The damp pavement was getting soaked again like little paint drops on a mosaic. And that good ol' smell of moist dirt was rampant. Street lamps, with long spaces between them were scattered around the street, dimming, lit up the entire street in small patches.

  At this time of day, there really was no one around. One thing to expect with rain is the instant urge to return home.

  With a steady pace and umbrella over her shoulder, Hara kept walking through the streets. She couldn't bear thinking about Raichi being completely unaware of her absence under his blanket.

  Momentarily, her fingers absentmindedly brushed over her sleeve, thinking that she was still wearing Raichi's. Once she realized this, she clicked her tongue in exasperation,

  Seriously?

  The streets were lonely in one way or another. The scattered street lights, the scarce light sources, and the presence of absolutely no soul. There was a distant flickering light of a nearby convenience store, but that was it. But then— a figure was approaching from the distance, appearing from under one of the street lamps. In an eerie way, they froze right where they stood under the light.

  At first, Hara didn't think much about it, maybe it was a pedestrian passerby or something. But as she approached further, something about their posture stood out to her. Hara's steps slowed as she took her time examining them.

  They looked a little tense, perhaps under the weather. She could also make out that it was a girl, which slightly eased her worries. The figure was dressed neatly, in an elegant long skirt, as well as a uniform, still fine and dandy under the light drizzle. She had a bag on her shoulder and another plastic shopping bag in her hand, it's rustling audible on the silent street.

  It was a convenience store bag. That– was when the figure came more into view, now that Hara was standing way closer.

  And as the slender figure took a step forward, Hara's breath hitched, and her eyes widened. Her silhouette was now gone, with a full street light shining down on her, there was no more room for doubt as to who she was. Her chestnut-colored hair swayed in the wind, her golden eyes locked on to Hara's with a surprised look on her face. Her golden hairband that held her bangs together, all of it was very recognizable to her. It was…

  Y—Yamada-san!?