Yoichi's boots pounded through the puddles as the sudden downpour intensified. He'd misjudged the timing of the storm, expecting rain but not this early or this fierce. First, beams of light flickered across the sky with loud rumbles, then came the first few droplets. Now, Tokyo's already dim streets were completely dark, the only light coming from neon signs casting vivid, contrasting colors over the soaked city.
Turning a corner, the wind whipped through, scattering everything in its path. Just then, the clouds unleashed their full fury. The rain was so intense that Yoichi was now using his umbrella more as a shield than cover. Objects flew, and people stumbled blindly through the storm, struggling to find their way.
Soaked to the bone, Yoichi searched for shelter. This wasn't a part of town he knew well; he usually took the bus or subway to school and spent the ride lost in a book or daydreams. Now, though he knew the route, he was unfamiliar with every alley and corner.
Several meters ahead, he spotted a narrow alleyway seemingly sheltered from the wind. He ducked inside, finding some cover under a small overhang near the back door of a fast-food joint. Out of idle curiosity, he peered through the mail slot—just in time to see a chef chop a fish's head clean off, sending a splash of fish juice straight into Yoichi's eyes.
"Ugh!" He staggered back, rubbing his eyes with his arms. The sting was unbearable. Dropping to his knees, he splashed water from a puddle on his face, desperately rinsing his eyes until the irritation finally subsided. Leaning back, he took a deep breath, resting his head against the door. Outside, the storm showed no signs of letting up, and even this alley was being soaked through.
Yoichi glanced at a neon sign, feeling an unexpected pang of loneliness. This alley, with its scattered garbage and eerie quiet, was completely deserted—unsurprisingly, given that it served as a dumping ground for the surrounding buildings.
A sudden, loud rustling from a pile of garbage bags snapped him out of his thoughts. He ignored it at first, assuming it was just the rain, but the sound persisted, growing louder. Heart pounding, he gripped his umbrella tightly. As he lifted it, he accidentally snagged the wires leading to the light bulb above him, and with a sharp *snap*, the alley went pitch dark.
Holding his breath, Yoichi fixed his gaze on the trash bags, tense and waiting for whatever lurked there to reveal itself. Seconds dragged by, each one stretching unbearably. Then, with another rustle, a head poked out from the pile.
Without thinking, Yoichi lunged forward, waving his umbrella in front of him to fend off whatever was hiding in the trash—only to realize that it wasn't moving. Lowering his umbrella, he found himself staring into a pair of mesmerizing blue eyes, wide and staring right back at him. He froze, captivated. The alley, the storm, even time itself seemed to fall away, leaving only those eyes.
After a moment, Yoichi blinked, breaking the spell. Embarrassed, he glanced away, and the girl did the same. He could hear her stifling a wince as the bags shifted around her. She must've been in pain, and even the smallest movement seemed to hurt her. He took a cautious step forward but stopped when she flinched again, afraid of causing her more distress.
Just then, he heard a loud clank above, and suddenly, water gushed down, drenching the garbage bags. The girl curled up, shivering, as the downpour hit her directly. A pang of guilt twisted in Yoichi's chest. He didn't even know her, couldn't see her clearly, but something about her made him feel like he had to help.
Sighing, he shrugged off his jacket. Picking up his umbrella from the ground, he walked slowly toward her, holding both out as he approached.
"I know you're scared, but I promise, I'm not going to hurt you," he said softly. Squatting down in front of her, he laid his jacket over her shoulders, ignoring the chill of the rain now hitting his own back. Her form was slender, her hair long, though he couldn't make out its color. But he was sure she was a girl.
After placing the umbrella in a garbage bag to hold it up as a shield, he stood back up, giving her one last glance. Then, without a word, he sprinted back into the rain, a strange smile on his face as a single hot tear rolled down his cheek. He'd just fallen in love with a girl he couldn't even see and knew he'd probably never meet again.
By the time he arrived at school, the gates were shut tight. He leaned his forehead against the cold metal, cursing under his breath. "Damn it."