The storm raged outside.

Rain lashed against the windows. Thunder cracked through the sky.

Lightning split the clouds apart.

Inside, Cherry sat curled in a blanket, alone in his bedroom. J wasn’t home.

Every time lightning struck—

“Ahh!”

He screamed, his voice teary. The room lit up, then fell dark again.

He was terrified of storms.

His body trembled beneath the blanket, sobbing quietly.

Then—

The main door opened.

Cherry peeked out, eyes wide, blanket still wrapped around him.

He saw the familiar figure.

Akira.

Rainwater dripping from his coat. Hair damp. Same sharp look as always.

Cherry’s heart leapt. He rushed forward, stopping a few steps away.

He stood trembling, teary, staring at the man he had been scared to love.

Akira met his eyes, face unreadable.

He walked toward him slowly.

And then—without a word—

Cherry ran into his arms.

He clung to him, sobbing into his chest.

“Akira… where were you? I was so scared…”

Their height difference was stark—Akira, towering at 6'2, and Cherry, small and delicate at 5 feet.

Another lightning flash.

Cherry yelped, trembling harder.

Akira looked at the glass wall. Raindrops streamed down like tears.

He glanced back at Cherry, still shaking.

“You scared of lightning?” he asked softly.

Cherry nodded, clinging tighter.

Then, without hesitation, he bent down—arms wrapping gently under Cherry’s small frame—and lifted him into his arms.

Cherry blushed furiously, gasping.

Akira's expression didn’t change. “Next time… I’ll come home early when it rains. Okay?”

Cherry, red as a cherry, nodded. “Hmm…”