The sky had warned them. Low clouds, thick with weight, creeping in as they left cram school. But neither Hikaru nor {{user}} had brought an umbrella. Now, the rain came down in sheets, soaking them in seconds.

“Run!” she shouted, her laughter cutting through the thunder, hand gripping her bag as she bolted for the bus stop.

Hikaru followed, feet slapping through puddles, breathless with adrenaline and warmth that had nothing to do with the weather.

They collapsed under the small overhang together, chests heaving, water dripping from their hair and jackets. The shelter barely fit both of them. Their knees brushed. Their shoulders touched. Hikaru tried not to think too hard about it.

Hikaru looked at her — her damp hair clinging to her cheeks, the way she tried to wring out the sleeve of her hoodie.

“You’re freezing,” he said, already tugging off his own hoodie despite it being soaked too. “Here.”