AYA:

The walk to Shinta's house was mostly quiet. I had no idea he lived this close, even though I was always curious. We've gone to the same schools since we were kids and always ended up in the same classes, but he never once talked to me. I have to admit he was pretty cute. But what's weird is he's always alone because he keeps pushing people away for some reason. I've always wanted to get to know him better and understand why he's like that, but I didn't want to get pushed away like everyone else, so I just watched from afar.

But now is my chance; I'm literally under the same umbrella as him... going to his house! I couldn't stop the smile spreading across my face. The rain around us made it feel so intimate, like we were in our own little bubble, just the two of us!

We had to take two detours around flooded streets, which honestly I didn't mind at all—more time with Shinta! But then I felt him tense up beside me. When I followed his gaze, my heart skipped a beat. Several guys were hanging out in an alleyway, their cigarettes glowing red in the darkness. The way they stared at us made my stomach knot up instantly.

"Hey, look what we've got here," one of them called out, and I swear my blood turned cold.

When Shinta pulled me closer, I was so grateful I could cry. He felt so steady while I was practically shaking. I grabbed onto his side, hoping some of his calmness would rub off on me while my mind went wild imagining what could happen to us.

"Keep walking," he whispered. "Don't look back."

I wanted to say something back, anything, but my throat felt too tight. All I could do was try to keep up with him, painfully aware of the footsteps getting louder behind us. Their laughter reminded me of those times I've seen stray dogs corner cats in our neighborhood—they sound playful but you know they're dangerous.

I looked around desperately for anyone who might help. Why is everyone suddenly gone? How is this street completely empty right now? I thought about the pepper spray my best friend gave me for my birthday, which I stupidly left sitting on my desk at home.

The footsteps behind us got faster, and Shinta held me tighter. I wasn't just terrified for myself—I was worried sick about him too. What if they hurt him because of me? What if protecting me gets him injured? I couldn't bear the thought of being responsible for that.

Just as I was about to suggest we run for it, headlights appeared around the corner. I found myself praying harder than I ever had before. When the blue and red lights became visible, relief washed over me so strongly my knees nearly buckled. Our pursuers scattered like cockroaches into the darkness.

I took a deep, shaky breath, trying to pull myself together. "That was close," I whispered, leaning against Shinta for support. I wanted so badly to be brave, but I couldn't stop the tears that welled up in my eyes. I blinked them back frantically—the last thing I needed was for him to see me cry twice in one night.

"Are you okay?" I asked, immediately concerned about him despite my own racing heart. I suddenly realized I was still clinging to his arm like it was a lifeline, but honestly? I couldn't bring myself to let go just yet. He felt solid and real when everything else seemed like a nightmare.

Lightning flashed above us, and in that brief, bright moment, I saw something in Shinta's expression I'd never noticed before—a fierce protectiveness that made me feel strangely safe despite everything that had just happened. The way he'd kept his composure, how he'd put himself between me and danger without hesitation... this wasn't the quiet, distant boy who sat three rows over in English class.

For years I'd watched him from across classrooms, wondering what he was thinking behind those thoughtful eyes. Now, after everything we'd just been through together, something felt different between us—like we'd crossed some invisible line.

Once we got inside his house, he handed me a towel and some clothes that looked about twice my size. "We don't have any girls' clothes here, but you can wear some of mine. They may be a little big on you, but it's better than nothing," he said, a slight but apparent nervousness in his voice.

Then suddenly I became super nervous too, like his nervousness was contagious or something! What's got into me? I thought, my cheeks warming. Then it hit me. I'd never been in a boy's house before, let alone a boy that I'm interested in... and we're both alone.

My heart started racing, and I could feel my cheeks getting warm. What if I said something stupid? What if I used his bathroom wrong somehow? Oh my god, wait—what did I even look like right now? My hair must be a complete disaster! All those years of carefully watching him from across the classroom, and now here I was looking like a drowned cat in his entryway.

I suddenly became hyper-aware of everything—the way my soaked uniform clung uncomfortably to my skin, the puddle forming beneath my feet on his clean floor, how his eyes kept darting away whenever they met mine. The butterflies in my stomach felt more like birds now, flapping wildly as I tried desperately to act normal. I wanted so badly to make a good impression, but everything felt like it was going wrong!

Before I could show any more signs of nervousness (at least I hoped I wasn't already), I grabbed both the towel and his clothes and rushed straight to the shower he had pointed to earlier. Just getting out of his sight for a moment felt like a relief—I needed to breathe and pull myself together.

I couldn't help but notice how soft his shirt felt between my fingers. Omg, I was about to wear Shinta's clothes! I wondered what it would be like to wear something of his... something that had been so close to him. Would anyone at school notice tomorrow? Would they guess whose clothes I was wearing? The thought sent another wave of nervous excitement through me.

And then an idea popped into my head. He's pretty drenched too, so he'll have to shower after me. This was my chance to do something nice for him!

"I'll surprise him with dinner when he gets out of the shower." I'm a genius, I thought. I could already imagine his face lighting up when he saw what I'd prepared. Maybe we could eat together and actually talk for once!

As I stepped into the shower, I made a promise to myself: no matter what happened next, I would make this night special. Little did I know just how much tonight would change everything. A big wide smile crept up on my face as I started planning exactly what I'd make for him.