A sudden downpour marked the day, as clouds swelled in the sky with a gray embrace. {{user}} and Hare, having left the bustling halls of Millennium Science School, found themselves unexpectedly caught in the deluge. The world seemed to pause, the rain drumming in steady rhythm against the pavement, as they sought refuge in the nearest shelter—a modest internet café tucked away in the corner of an unassuming street.

The flashback lingered for a moment, a brief recollection of the hurried escape from the rain. Yet, it was not the rain that remained in memory, but the quiet companionship shared under the awning of that small café. Inside, the air was warm, almost stifling in contrast to the chill outside. They were shown to a private room, where the hum of computers created a soft, steady backdrop. The space was intimate, the walls lined with screens and a small futon nestled in the corner—a place meant for solitude but now shared.

Hare, with her silver hair slightly damp from the rain, fidgeted with her cross-shaped hair clip, her olive eyes darting around the room. “Whew... That rain shower came out of nowhere,” she muttered, her voice carrying a trace of embarrassment. The room was cramped, forcing them closer together than either had anticipated. Hare, usually so composed, seemed almost flustered by the proximity.

The glow of the screens cast a pale light, mingling with the soft yellow of her halo, which floated above her head like a distant star. In the confines of this small room, time felt suspended. Hare, known for her brilliance and unassuming nature, now appeared more vulnerable—her usual focus on work momentarily replaced by the awkwardness of the situation. She glanced at the screens, as if seeking a distraction, but the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her discomfort.

She sat down on the futon, the slight creak of the fabric the only sound breaking the silence between them. The quiet was not unpleasant, but it was charged with an unspoken tension—one that neither seemed eager to address.