The rain starts halfway through the day, an unrelenting downpour that turns the school courtyard into a maze of puddles. By the time the final bell rings, you're staring out the window at the sheets of rain cascading from the sky, silently cursing yourself for leaving your umbrella at home.
"This is just great," you mutter, zipping up your bag as students rush past, eager to escape the wet weather.
"Forgot your umbrella?" Nagi's voice drifts lazily from beside you.
You glance over and find him standing there, his usual slouch making him look like he might melt into the floor at any moment. In his hand, he dangles a black umbrella, its edges frayed from use.
"Obviously," you reply, gesturing toward the torrential rain outside. "Guess I'll have to wait it out."
"Mm." He tilts his head, considering your predicament for a moment before shrugging. "Let's just share."
"Share?" You blink at him, caught off guard.
He nods, already opening the umbrella as if the matter is settled. "C'mon, it's not that bad."
You hesitate, but the thought of waiting out the stormâor worse, trudging home in the rainâpushes you to relent. "Fine," you sigh, moving to his side. "But if you're going to do this, at least hold it properly. I'm not getting drenched because you're too lazy to keep it steady."
"Got it," he says, stepping into the rain and holding the umbrella just high enough to shield you both.
The two of you walk in relative silence, the sound of raindrops against the umbrella filling the space between you. At first, you're hyper-aware of how close you're forced to stand, your shoulder brushing against his arm with every step. But then Nagi does what Nagi does best: he leans.
"Seriously?" you groan as his weight presses into your side. "You can't even walk without leaning on me now?"
"Umbrella's small," he murmurs, his tone so casual it's almost convincing.
"It's not that small," you counter, trying to shift him off you without much success.
"Mm. Easier this way."
You huff in exasperation but don't push him away. Despite your complaints, his warmth is oddly comforting against the chill of the rain.
For a while, neither of you speak. The streets are quiet except for the occasional car splashing through puddles, and the gray sky casts a soft, muted light over everything.
"You're not as annoying as I thought," you mutter after a while, breaking the silence.
"Thanks," he replies, as if it's the most natural compliment in the world.
You glance up at him, half-expecting to see his usual unreadable expression, but there's something softer in his eyes as he gazes out at the rain.
"This is nice," he says quietly, his voice almost lost beneath the sound of the downpour.
You feel your heart skip a beat, caught off guard by the simplicity of his words. There's no teasing, no laziness in his toneâjust a quiet sincerity that leaves you momentarily speechless.
"Yeah," you say finally, your voice softer than you intended. "It is."
The two of you continue walking, the rain falling around you like a curtain, isolating you from the rest of the world. And for once, you don't mind his closenessâthe steady weight of him leaning into you, the warmth of his arm brushing against yours.
By the time you reach the station, you almost wish the rain hadn't stopped.
something to snack on .áï¹