Chapter 05 – The Rain

I am in the entranceway of the school building, changing into my indoor shoes when someone calls my name.

“Amemiya-kun, good morning.”

“N-Nijima-san.” I stutter.

The one who is leaning forward with a smile on her face is none other than Nijima Koharu. She looks cute staring at me with upturned eyes, and her perfume smells good. Also, she’s very close!

Not good, my heart is pumping fast again.

Greeting me first thing in the morning… Am I dreaming?

I swallow whatever idea I have running inside my mind. I say, “Thank you for yesterday.”

"It's fine. You shared your umbrella, and I shared mine, so let's call it quits."

“Ah… Right.”

Koharu passes me something that she has been holding all this time: my umbrella. 

“I didn’t forget it today. Here, your umbrella."

“T-thanks.”

She giggles a bit for some reason I don’t know. Did the way I said thank you that funny? Or do I look funny in my outfit or something?

My worries gradually disappear though as I watch her laugh. I guess it doesn't matter so long as she's happy.

“You’re welcome,” she says. “I’ll be going to the classroom first.”

“S-sure.”

I glance at the umbrella in my hand; it's the same one we used together and the one she was holding just a moment before.  I have this thought of indirect handholding, but I quickly brush it aside since it seems silly and well...you know, creepy. After putting my shoes in the locker, I walk to the classroom.

When I arrive, Koharu is there already, talking with her friends. I take my seat by the window, praying that it will rain again today.

The rain pours down again during the afternoon class until all classes are over, much to the track and field clubs’ dismay.

However, Koharu has her umbrella, and after bidding her friends farewell, she walks home alone.

I follow silently from a distance, watching her as I stay under the shade of my red umbrella. Like the previous days, the wind is weak and the rain is steady. She occasionally skips some puddles and moves more carefully to avoid making unneeded splashes.

Catch up to her! Walk to her side!

I think about those things as my heart is racing with anxiety. It won't be difficult for me to catch up to her and say hello. But what if, when I try to talk to her, she thinks I'm weird, or a creep?

That uncertainty, or more like simply low self-confidence is keeping me from moving,

Koharu comes to a stop.

She turns around to peek behind. Even though we are far apart, I can see that she is looking at me through the spaces between her bangs. I stand there and we both remain silent.

“…”

I want to call her name. I want to say that I like her. I open my mouth, but I am not able to say anything in the end.

Koharu opens her mouth, as though she's going to speak too. 

But soon enough, she smiles, nods her head, and then continues to walk away.

Shortly after that, I witness her turning into the final corner.

That was my chance. Koharu waited for me to say something, but I didn't.

My fist clenches with frustration.

The next day, which is Friday, I leave my umbrella on purpose.

I gaze up at the clear clouds and crimson and orange sky. There are no hints of rain this afternoon and Koharu leaves alone as the classes end. Today, we did not even exchange a single word with each other.

I remain in the classroom a bit longer, thinking about the previous three days. I will not see her until next week. But in retrospect, I had more than plenty of chances, all of which I wasted. 

The sports clubs are probably rejoicing right now, able to enjoy their sports on the last day of the weekdays.

Meanwhile, I sigh, disappointed with myself.