Kazuki checked the sky as he left the school building—it was unusually dark for this time of day, heavy clouds blanketing the horizon. As he walked, the first drops of rain began to fall, quickly picking up into a downpour. Students scattered, pulling out umbrellas or running for cover.
Just as Kazuki was debating making a run for it, he saw a familiar figure standing under the school's awning, holding a single bright red umbrella: Shizuka.
"Kazuki!" she called, grinning as she waved him over.
He jogged toward her, and she held the umbrella over them both as they started walking together. "Guess you're my hero today," Kazuki joked, glancing at her as they walked in sync.
Shizuka smiled, holding the umbrella a little closer so it shielded them both from the rain. "I couldn't just let you get soaked, could I?" she said, giving him a playful nudge. "Besides, I get to spend a little extra time with you, so it's a win for me, too."
They walked down the path together, a comfortable silence settling between them, interrupted only by the steady patter of raindrops on the umbrella. The streets were nearly empty, and the rain created a misty haze, making the whole scene feel cozy and intimate.
As they walked, Shizuka noticed Kazuki staring out at the rain, a thoughtful look on his face. "Something on your mind?" she asked, her voice soft.
Kazuki glanced at her, a bit caught off guard by the question. "Ah, not really," he replied, smiling. "Just... thinking about how lucky I am, I guess."
Shizuka looked at him, surprised, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. "Since when did you get so smooth?" she teased, although her voice held a warmth that showed she appreciated his words.
Kazuki smirked. "Just comes naturally, I guess."
They continued walking, but as they passed a small park, Shizuka pulled Kazuki toward a tree that provided a bit of extra shelter from the rain. They stopped there, facing each other in the quiet of the park, the only sound the rain around them.
Shizuka tilted her head up to look at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You know, I think we deserve a little reward for braving the rain together, don't you?"
Kazuki raised an eyebrow, catching on to her playful tone. "Oh? And what kind of reward did you have in mind?"
Without another word, Shizuka leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips, her free hand resting lightly on his shoulder. The umbrella wobbled slightly in her grip, but neither of them cared. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them standing together under the tree, sharing a quiet, precious moment.
As they pulled away, Shizuka laughed softly, giving him a shy smile. "I think that counts as a reward, right?"
Kazuki chuckled, feeling warmth spread through him despite the rain. "Definitely," he replied, squeezing her hand.
They stayed there for a little while longer, just talking and laughing under the cover of the tree as the rain poured down around them. It was simple moments like this, Kazuki thought, that made everything else worth it.