(Has rain ever felt warm? To me, it always gives a sense of calmness and comfort, but most importantly, the coldness somehow takes all the worries and pain in my life...)
The rain seemed heavier today for some reason. It looked like there would be a storm tonight.
As I gazed toward the sky, I saw more black clouds gathering.
"Well, today's forecast didn't show any signs of a storm. Well, they're never right anyway, so who's to blame? Looks like I have to get wet nonetheless. Welp, at least I have a reason to skip classes."
"And where are you going?"
"Huh, Nahile? What are you doing here? I thought you were going to take your new girlfriend on a date. What happened? Don't tell me she dumped you right after she accepted your confession?"
"Hey, hey, hey! It looks to me like you're wishing for my breakup! Don't pass your shitty luck onto me!"
"How could I ever do that to my only dear friend? So, tell me, how does it feel to hit it off with the prettiest girl in the whole school?"
"Wellā¦ we didn't talk much after my confession. She did say she'd like to go on a date with me, and besides that, we didn't talk much."
"I thought you guys did some stuff, if you know what I mean, heh heh."
"Enough about me. What were you doing back there?"
"Back there? I was just going home. Is there something wrong?"
"I didn't mean that. Are you seriously going to walk to your house without an umbrella in this pouring rain?! You always catch a cold easily, man. Come on, take the umbrella. I have an extra, so you don't need to worry about me."
"Oh, how caring. Your girlfriend might get jealous."
"Don't joke around, dude. I know your family, and there's no one to take care of you if you get sick. One day, you'll be lying dead in your own house, I swear!"
"Nothing we can do about that. My sister is basically a celebrity, and my mom and dad are her managers, so my house is always empty. They come by whenever they want."
"And that's why you need to take extra care of yourself!"
"Yeah, yeah, you act like the mother of a four-year-old."
"That's because you act like one. You're 16 but have the brain of a four-year-old!"
"Ooo, I remembered you were awakened recently, right? Which union scouted you? I bet it was the Outlanders! I mean, you're an S-rank, right?"
"Are you trying to change the subject here?"
"Yeah. I was awakened recently, but to be honest, it has been really annoying. All the smaller and less known unions are trying to hire me, emailing me non-stop."
"You gotta deal with it if you're an awakened one, especially an S-rank. But I remember you were an A-rank before, and even before that you were a B-rank, right? How did you awaken so quickly from B to S? It's like you leveled up in a game."
"Oh, look at the time. It looks like I have to go to the auditorium for my S-rank interview! See ya later, heh heh."
(I could sense that he was hiding something, but I remained silent because I knew he wouldn't tell me anything even if I forced him to. Maybe in his eyes, I am not yet trustworthy.)
As he waved his hand, he soon disappeared into the midst of the rain, and I could no longer see himā¦
(Seems like I have to go home too. The rain doesn't show any signs of stopping. Looks like there will be a real storm coming tonight! Still, I can't shake the feeling that the rain somehow feels warm.)
Step, step, stepā¦ Krek!!
"I am homeā¦."
Silence.
"Ahhh, I am so tired! But I suppose I don't need to worry about school anymore. Tomorrow is the start of my summer vacation!"
The joy could be seen in my eyes, but as I gazed at the family portrait, the joy instantly vanished.
It was a family portrait: a little girl, a boy, a young man, and a young woman. It seemed the photo was taken a really long time ago.
"How many years has it been again? Five, no, six years, I think. I wonder how Mom, Dad, and Sis are doing. I'm sure they are living a life of luxury, but I just hope they visit me once. I thought Nahile might get a chance to see them. Looks like I have to ask another favor from him because he is an awakened one and an S-rank at that."
Awakened ones are people who have supernatural powers. Though everyone in this world has some superpower, those who don't are exiled and given a codename in society.
Awakening can be achieved through different means, and even if someone has no powers at all, one can be awakened!
The real problem is that powers below B-rank are considered worthless, nothing special. Even if one wants to be in the courts or any other bigshot union, at best they might become a soldier. So many people give up on their dreams before they even start.
But the people who are truly concerned powerhouses are the S-ranks, X-ranks, and $^%-rank awakeners.
As for me, I was born with my powers! That is quite rare for an awakener. The thing that isn't rare is my power: [Being weightless].
Basically, I have no weight at all but gravity still applies to me for some reason. That's my power. As you can guess, this power doesn't have any real uses. It cannot be used in combat, stealth, or any other useful way. Thus, my powers are considered useless.
"Weightless Rank-C, huh. Well, it could have been worse. Who's to blame for being born with such aā"
A sudden quake shook the lands!
"Whoa, what happened?!"
"Oh, kindred souls, don't be afraid, for one has come for thy salvation!"
A young woman was floating in the sky, spouting weird nonsense.
"What theāwho is that lady?!"