Chapter 02 – Under the Umbrella’s Shade

I match her pace and gait as we move on but that alone will not be able to keep her dry

Focus on the path. Focus on her pace. Focus on your hands.

I must keep my grip on the umbrella tight so that it will not budge in the space between us.

If I loosen my strength, I may accidentally touch her shoulder.

I'm practically stiff like a rock all this time and the silence and awkwardness are unbearable. Unlike me, Nijima Koharu never seems to mind us sharing an umbrella. There is no hint of bashfulness in her expression. Our eyes meet again.

“…”

I am not able to say anything and avert my gaze slowly.

Walking beside her, I can’t help but get embarrassed. At the same time, I understand that I am not cut out for this at all.

Fortunately, the standard umbrella is big enough for two people. The extra space between us causes my left shoulder to get wet but that’s fine. I cannot talk to Koharu but I will not cause her inconvenience with this…

If this umbrella had been smaller, maybe our shoulders would have been touching now.

I also want to touch her, even…just for a little bit.

I have watched her walk countless times from behind, far away enough so that people would not suspect anything. The small figure of her walking in this neighborhood was something that I never thought I would get near.

We continue walking without speaking to each other until we eventually arrive at the block where our path diverges. We come to a halt. My house is just around the corner while hers is still quite far. What I must do is obvious.

Koharu seems about to say something, but I inadvertently speak first and move the umbrella’s handle closer to her.

“You can return the umbrella tomorrow.” I surprise myself as well with how I can speak clearly.

She looks at me a bit confused.

“Are you sure?” she asks, gingerly taking the umbrella.

“Yeah.” I nod.

We share eye contact for the last time. I cannot possibly know what she is thinking right now but I am content today, happy even.

“Then I’ll be going now.” I try to smile at her.

“Thank you.” She smiles back.

I step out of the umbrella's shade, and I know I’m just trying to look cool. Still, I run towards my house at full speed without looking back even once.