During the last period of the day, Sato peered outside his classroom window, watching the heavy rain lash against the glass. "Sora wasn't kidding," he muttered to himself. "The rain isn't joking."
The ending bell shrieked, and students immediately rushed out, a collective sigh of relief as classes officially ended. Kaito stood up, stretching luxuriously. "Damn, this rain is massive. Can't believe I have to ride my bike in all this. Well, at least I brought my raincoat. How about you, Sato?"
Sato shrugged, pulling his bag higher on his shoulder. "I always have an umbrella in my bag, so I should be good." He glanced at the empty chair beside him. "Hikari and Sakura left minutes ago when the rain started. Hikari really hates the rain, doesn't she?"
Kaito nodded. "Yeah, she was freaking out like crazy. I wonder what that was all about. Maybe she's afraid of lightning or the sound of thunder?" Sato pondered aloud, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
"Well, gotta go. See you tomorrow, I guess," Kaito said, already heading for the door.
Sato began to pack his remaining belongings. As he did, his gaze fell upon Hikari's lunchbox, abandoned on her desk. She must have forgotten this. I can't just leave it here. I'll just take it home and return it tomorrow, he thought, tucking it into his bag. Not like I want to, just... I'm a nice guy. Yes, that's why. I'm a nice guy.
His phone buzzed, displaying his mother's contact. He answered immediately. "Hey, sweetie, it's raining hard over here. You should forget about the stuff at the market. I'll come get you when I'm done with things at the restaurant," his mom's voice came through, laced with concern.
Sato, already exiting the classroom, frowned. "Don't worry about that, Mom. You just focus on the restaurant. I already have my umbrella."
"Just let me help! I can come through our neighbor's car," she insisted.
"No, Mom, I said I'm fine. I'll be home soon," Sato cut her off, hanging up the phone abruptly. He broke into a run, heading for the school's main exit. Reaching the sheltered area just outside the doors, he plunged his hand into his bag, pulling out his small, foldable umbrella. He snapped it open, only to realize, with a jolt, that it had a large, gaping cut.
"What the fuck? When did that get there?" His mind raced back to that morning. He'd pulled the umbrella from its corner, not noticing the fabric had snagged on a stray pin, tearing it slightly as he dragged it out. He hadn't seen it then, but he saw it now, a large, useless rip.
Oh, shit. Should I call Mom? No, she's already ten times more busy feeding everyone at the restaurant all by herself. I should stop acting like a bitch and just go home. It's just dropping water. I can do this, Sato told himself, sliding his phone into his pocket. He then placed his bag over his head for minimal protection and began to run, splashing through the puddles under the relentless downpour.
So cold, he thought, shivering, but he pressed on, determined.
Suddenly, a sleek black limousine pulled up alongside him, its tinted window sliding down. Hikari's face peered out, her expression a mix of concern and alarm. "Sato, is that you?! What are you doing running in the rain like that? Hurry, get in!"
"Hikari? I thought you went home!" Sato exclaimed, surprised.
"I forgot my lunchbox. Just come in first!" she urged.
Sato immediately scrambled into the car, dripping wet, water pooling on the luxurious carpet. Sora, who was driving, calmly handed him a plush towel from the passenger seat. "Here, dry yourself."
"Thank you," Sato mumbled, taking the towel and beginning to vigorously rub himself dry. "I'm really sorry if my body soaks your car's seats. I know this kind of stuff is expen—" He stopped mid-sentence, looking at Hikari with a shocked expression. She was staring at him with a deep pout. "What's that expression for?" he asked.
"If you didn't have an umbrella, why didn't you say so?!" Hikari burst out, her voice tinged with exasperation and worry. "What if you get a cold?"
Sato tried to explain. "I did—"
But Hikari immediately cut him off. "I don't wanna hear it! You're not right for what you did!"
The car fell silent, only the rhythmic swish of the wipers audible. Sora glanced in the rearview mirror, checking on the scene behind him. Sato, feeling chastised, mumbled, "You're right. I'm sorry."
Sora offered a small smile in the mirror, then continued driving.
Sato, feeling a bit better, opened his bag and handed Hikari her lunchbox. "Oh, thank you! You kept it for me!" Hikari exclaimed, collecting it with a grateful smile.
"Yeah," Sato said, "it didn't look like a regular lunchbox you could just replace, so I thought it was important."
Hikari's smile widened. "Yeah, it was a gift from my mom, but it was too big, so we waited until I came of age to use it. You can turn around now, Sora".
Sato, feeling a blush creep onto his cheeks, looked out the car window to distract himself as Sora smoothly turned the limousine around.
Minutes later, Sato tapped on the dividing glass. "You can stop here, Sora," he said. He opened the door and stepped out, back into the persistent rain.
"Why can't we just drop you off at your house?" Hikari called out, looking worried.
"You know why. I can't let my mom see you; it's too risky. But don't worry, my house is close here. Gotta go!" Sato said, then bolted off, once again running through the downpour.
Hikari watched him go, her expression still etched with concern. Sora, seeing her worry, gently reminded her, "We should be going, princess. If that's what he wants, then let's leave it be." He drove off, leaving Sato to his rainy dash home.
Meanwhile, Sato finally arrived back at his house, dripping wet. He hurried inside, shivering as he dried himself off and shed his soaked clothes, tossing them into a pile. He collapsed onto his bed with a sigh of relief.
"Oh, glad that's over. Mom must be at the restaurant. I guess I should go join her," Sato mumbled, attempting to get dressed again.
He then let out a sudden, loud sneeze. His eyes widened in fear. He tried to calm himself. "It's just one sneeze. Everything would be okay."
Then he sneezed again, and again, repeatedly. He sank back down onto his bed, feeling an overwhelming wave of weakness wash over him.
"Oh no," he whispered, shivering despite being under his covers. "I think I caught a cold."