The sky unexpectedly turned grey, following up with a sudden shower. The road looked blurry with the mist, and Ryuusei was chilled to the core of his bone. He planned to stay in the school until the sky calmed down but he had promised his mother to come home early today. Now, he had no choice but to find any place for shelter before he catch a cold or even worse, struck by a lightning.
With both hands occupied in covering his own bag, Ryuusei ran and eyed for any 24 hours shop nearby. Fortunately, he saw a convenient store and quickly sheltered himself inside. Warm air flowing inside made him let out a sigh of relief. Although maybe it would be more comfier if he had any spare clothes.
"Oh, welcome! " a soft voice welcomed Ryuusei from the counter. A tall young man greeted him with a smile before noticing Ryuusei's drenched clothes.
" My goodness! Your clothes is all wet! Please wait I'll bring a towel for you, " the cashier then soon vanished into the staff room before Ryuusei could speak a word.
Ryuusei glanced at the shop's clock and took a look at his own watch. Almost 7 pm.
" At least its safer to stay here until things got calmer..." Ryuusei sighed and pulled out his phone from his bag only to find out his phone is drained of power.
Meanwhile, the cashier walked out from the staff room holding a towel and handed it over to Ryuusei.
" Thank you for the towel, "
" Oh! don't sweat it, " the cashier smiled and took a cup from the hot beverage vending machine. He continued to fill up the cup with hot chocolate before suddenly stopped and looked at Ryuusei.
" Do you like hot chocolate? "
" Yes, but you really don't have to..."
" Have a seat first, " the cashier gestured to the small table beside the window.
The sound of water poured down filled the silence before the surrounding went silence again. Only faint sounds like the rain outside and the air conditioner can be heard.
Ryuusei stared at the cashier's back, and thought to himself while covering the towel over his body. Does people here is usually this friendly?
" He's extremely nice to strangers its kinda scary but its warming too..."
" Hahahaha, I get that quite a lot! But I don't really mind it, " the cashier turned and took a sip at one of the cup before continued, " Hm! It tastes nice this time, "
He held out the other cup at Ryuusei who gaped in awe and red as a tomato. The highschool boy felt his face hotter despite the coldness and took the cup.
Ryuusei muttered to himself,
" Did he just read my mind or am I just an idiot who thinks loudly..? "
A muffled laugh startled Ryuusei, and he quickly look at the cashier who turned his face away, a hand covering his mouth. Swiftly, the young man turned and took a seat near Ryuusei's.
" Ah, by any chance are you from Matsubara Highschool ? "
" Yeah, though I just moved here few days ago. How do you know it? "
" Oh! So you're new here? Welcome to this town! " the cashier could barely hold his excitement. "I graduated there actually! " he added.
" Graduated...?" Something clicked inside his head, "Wait.." Ryuusei examined the cashier's face carefully.
" Ahahaha, don't stare at me like that! I'd be embarassed! "
Ryuusei ignored the cashier bashful comment and continued, trying to remember something. Then, he saw a small beauty mark under the cashier's left eyebrows and exclaimed.
"Ah! You're Naruse from the track club! " Ryuusei eyes sparkled but he quickly realized the fact he just rudely called older people's by their names. " I'm sorry! I was too excited just now.."
" Its okay! Just call me Naruse! " laughing slowly,
"Yeah! How do you know me ? Did the teachers said something about me ?"
"Ah, no but I'm in that club too and the 3rd years really missed you they always said about how you always come and help them in club practices and even show us juniors your group photo,"
" EH? The third years did?! " Naruse's voice boomed through the shop. Realizing his actions, Naruse cowered back and let out a small laugh.
" They're totally exaggerating! " He chuckled before he rest his chin on his hand and sighed.
" I missed them too though! " Even though he was smiling, he had a melancholic expression on his face.
Ryuusei thought it might be the best to let his senior reminisced about his school years and kept silence too. He sipped the cocoa that had gradually getting cooler and looked at the rain that seemed to stop. Ryuusei felt somehow calm and everything seems so serene to him. The feeling was different when he hang out with his friends and its something he couldn't find back in the city.
Even so, there's a thing that made Ryuusei felt melancholic despite the soothing atmosphere. Not wanting to think too much, he shrugged it off and later walked back to his home after the rain had stopped.
" Be careful on your way home! " Naruse popped his head a little outside the entrance door and waved Ryuusei a goodbye.
" Thanks! Its nice meeting you! " Ryuusei replied while half running. The sky had already turned dark, he needs to get home any way soon.
"...maybe I'll stop by tomorrow too..." Ryuusei muttered. Their little meeting magically lifted his spirit up regardless being stranded due to heavy rain.
Naruse stared at the outside until the other boy was lost from his eyesight. The emotion from his face gradually fades away, leaving only a lifeless look on Naruse. He rest his head on the shop's window and let out a deep sigh.
" Having someone completely unfamiliar, to recognized me... Is this possibly a dream..?"
His eyebrows furrowed, somehow feeling conflicted with his own feelings. Naruse buried his face on his arms and let out a hollow laugh.
" I wonder if he'll come tomorrow..? "