And then, you escorted me, who didn't have an umbrella, all the way to the station.

Strangely enough, it was like a fox and a polar bear sharing the same umbrella. Just like now.

“Senpai, if you keep spacing out, it's dangerous.

Watch your step."

Noticing I was lost in thought, you spoke with a tone that seemed slightly annoyed. Apologizing, I avoided the puddles as I said sorry.

“It was raining the day we met too, and walking back like this reminded me of it."

At my words, you made a nostalgic expression. Back then, you and I were walking this same path.

“I'm a guy who brings the rain."

Walking beside me, you talked sporadically. On days you hung out with friends or went out with family—on days you wished it would be sunny—it always rained. That's why, even when you made friends, you rarely got to meet them outside of school.

I thought it might be overthinking, but since today was cloudy and unlikely to rain, part of me started to believe it might actually be true.

“So, I decided to always carry an umbrella. It's something I like, after all."

Pointing at the umbrella I was holding, you said this.

A vivid orange umbrella, as brilliant as a wheat field in the sunset, like you. A color too bold for a guy, but it suited you perfectly. When I said that, you smiled happily.

Since it's your favorite umbrella, I wondered if it was okay for me to be the one holding it. Feeling uneasy, I glanced at my own hands. The tips of my fingers were stained dark from paint, even after multiple washes with soap. Though the stains wouldn't transfer, it still didn't feel quite right.

As I was thinking this, I realized you were lowering your head. When I asked what was wrong, you hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“No, it's just... I was wondering if it's my fault that it's raining even now."

“...I... like the rain."

Without thinking, those words left my mouth. Rain is water that evaporates from a faraway sea, becomes clouds, rides the wind, cools, and falls to the ground. Listening to the sound of rain makes me feel like I can hear the voices of raindrops returning from a long journey. Each one seems identical, but no two are the same, and they'll never meet again. That randomness feels so precious to me. That's why I like the rain.

Looking back, I probably said it too quickly. It must have sounded strange. But you gazed at me with those green eyes of yours, not annoyed or puzzled, just curiously watching.

Water that falls as rain travels through mountains, becomes tap water, or takes countless paths, yet it always returns to the sea. “I think people are probably the same," I might've said to you.

We all start in a vast ocean-like place, change form like clouds and rain as we live, and eventually return to the sea we came from. We're all the same, yet no two are alike. Meeting you was a coincidence, but perhaps it wasn't entirely random.

I rarely talk to others, but I enjoyed talking to you, so I shared all kinds of thoughts. I easily dream and fall into daydreams—one of my bad habits. That's why people around me think I'm a chatterbox.

Thinking about it now makes me blush with embarrassment, but you listened intently, and I was overjoyed. Not because we were senpai and junior, but because you seemed genuinely interested in my stories. That made me the happiest.

We exited the residential area and reached a main road. The sidewalk was wide and pleasant to walk on. Convenience stores and family restaurants lined both sides of the road, and the closer we got to the station, the livelier it became. I could faintly hear the sound of crossing signals.

Your steps felt oddly slower. Was it just my wishful thinking making it seem that way?

There were so many things I wanted to ask you, so many things I wanted to say. But I was too timid to speak up.

I wondered what you thought of me, someone like this.

Thanks to your efforts, the art club avoided being disbanded. All the people you brought in were girls.

And though we'd been tricked into thinking you'd join the art club, you stayed anyway, even after we found out the truth.

Perhaps it was because of the girls, but even the advisor, who usually stayed holed up in the art room, seemed unusually motivated, earnestly teaching sketching techniques. Having something to look at is a good thing, I suppose, though I couldn't help but think,

'What a pervy teacher.'

As you'd said, you joined the soccer club but still occasionally dropped by the art club. Maybe out of loyalty to the girls, or maybe because you couldn't participate in matches anyway.

“Whenever I have a game, it always rains. So I can't play, and I can't even go cheer."

You told me that, maybe during that summer vacation.

Sitting on the edge of a desk, you watched as I painted and shared your story. The soccer club, even with the new first-years this spring, had enough players for practice games. But you'd been ordered to stay behind, so I was painting as usual in the art room.

“Even so, you joined the soccer club? Don't you find it boring?"

I asked without realizing it. There was no ill intent—just pure curiosity.

“There are other activities like badminton or table tennis, where it doesn't matter if it rains."

“Still, I like soccer."

You gave a sad smile.

Liking something and being suited for it are different. No matter how hard you try, talent and aptitude don't change. That's true for anything. But to not be able to do what you love because of some supernatural-like reason—that's just cruel.

When I said that, you thanked me with a careful bow. You'd probably had this conversation countless times before. Yet there was a resigned, weary look in your eyes.

“Anyway, don't you have any plans, Senpai?"

“Why?"

“It's summer vacation. Your first and last summer at seventeen, and you're not doing anything? Don't tell me you're just going to stay at school painting?"

“Hmm... I don't really have anywhere to go."

“What about the beach, the mountains, or the pool?"

“I'm not into physical activities."

“Then how about a museum or an art gallery?"

“I don't like crowded places."

“Karaoke?"

“Never been. Plus, it's not really a solo thing, is it?"

“...Senpai, do you... not have any friends?"

“Ugh..."

All I could do was let out a groan.

You didn't have to point it out—I had no friends. I was bad at talking to people and never knew what to say. Whether it was anime, games, or TV, I had no interest in the things everyone else was passionate about, and no one found the things I liked interesting. During breaks, I'd just lay my head down and nap. That's the kind of person I am.

You rested your chin in your hand, deep in thought. Curious, I watched you.

After a while, you looked up and chuckled softly.

"Okay, than. Let's go."

"Go where?"

"The karaoke box, of course."

"Huh? But, I don't really like singing..."

"You don't listen to music at all?"

"Well, not really, but..."

"That's fine. You should try new things. Just having the experience of going will boost your confidence! Or..."

"Or?"

"...do you not want to go with me?"

Your face suddenly fell, and my heart sank. It was an expression so sad that I couldn't imagine it on your always gentle face. My chest tightened.

"N-no, that's not it! Yes! Let's go! Let's go to the karaoke box!"

When I said that hastily, you smiled in relief, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Good things should be done quickly, I thought as I washed my hands and began to clean up my paints.

"But, why are we going to the karaoke box?"

"So we can enjoy the rain?"

"Rain? But it's not..."

Just then, we heard a faint sound from the window. A moment ago, the sky was clear and the cicadas were chirping, but now thick clouds covered the sky, and rain began to fall.

"See?" you said with a wry smile.

I stared blankly at the sky. You and the rain seemed inseparable.

For the first time, I felt sorry for you. To be bound by a strange superstition and robbed of even the smallest pleasures.

If being with me could even slightly comfort you, it would be a great joy.

As soon as I thought that, a warm feeling spread through me. At that moment, I didn't know what it was.

"Oh, right."

As I was changing my shoes in the entrance hall, I realized something important.

"What's wrong? If it's about money, I can..."

"No, it's not that."

I folded my hands together and bowed to you.

"Can we share an umbrella?"

"You're visibly nervous. It's not your first time here, but staying over at my place is probably awkward. I realized I hadn't explained my intentions. Panicking, I added words to reassure you.

"Oh, it's just, Ukyou, I think you've been worrying about something. If you're okay with it, I'd be happy to listen."

"T-thank you for that... but, wouldn't it be a bother if I stayed at your place?"

Your voice trembled more than usual. Maybe it was too sudden. After all, we've been hanging out all the time, but staying over at my place is a big deal. But I couldn't leave you hanging, so I kept talking.

"No, it's not. Because I consider you a..."

I suddenly felt embarrassed and stopped talking. Should I say this? Do I have the right to say this? But it was the truth, and I wanted to tell you.

I looked straight at you. You swallowed hard.

"You consider me a......?"

"...I consider you a precious friend."

Suddenly, it felt like a bucket of water had been dumped on the window. The rain pounded against the glass. Without realizing it, I looked outside. Beyond the window, the world was blurred by thick raindrops, almost as if a typhoon was coming. The glass seemed like it might shatter under the force. People around us were also worried about the sudden downpour, and some were running into shops to avoid the rain.

As I watched the bustling shop, I noticed you were about to get up. Your head was bowed, and your hands were clenched tightly. Worried, I was about to speak when you looked up, startled.

You were smiling. Tears were streaming down your face. Even with your usual smile, tears were flowing endlessly. I didn't know why you were crying, and I didn't know what to say.

"Senpai, I, I have cram school, so... I'll be going home. Thanks for the meal."

"Wait, just a moment. It's raining so hard right now, why don't you..."

Without listening to my pleas, you ran out into the pouring rain. You didn't even take an umbrella. It was as if you didn't even have the time to think about it, something you always carried so carefully.

I was left alone, dumbly watching your back. I had a feeling I had said something wrong. But I couldn't figure out what I had done wrong. I just wanted to help my first real friend. But I ended up hurting them.

I'm such an idiot. I couldn't be someone you could rely on. Feeling pathetic, I sobbed even though there were people around me. The forgotten umbrella looked so lonely.