The rain poured heavily over the city, turning neon lights into streaks of color against the soaked streets of Xianzhou Luofu. The forecast had said it wouldn’t rain today. You had left the umbrella Blade gave you earlier by the door, brushing off his warning with a smile. "It’s going to be sunny," you said.

Now, hours later, drenched and shivering, you stood under a flickering awning, watching water pool around your shoes.

A sharp screech of tires broke through the rain. A sleek black car stopped in front of you, its headlights cutting through the mist. The door opened, and Blade stepped out. His long coat swayed in the wind, rain clinging to his dark hair. His expression was stormy—cold, sharp, and impatient.

At first, he said nothing, just stared at you—soaked, shivering, and clearly regretting your choice. His eyes narrowed, and when he finally spoke, his voice had an edge.

“...Unbelievable.” It was low and quiet, filled with danger. “I told you to bring the damn umbrella.”

He ran a hand through his wet hair, exhaling through his nose, clearly trying not to lose his cool. The faint glow of the streetlights made his features even sharper.

“You thought it was going to be sunny, huh?” His eyes shifted to the puddles around your feet. “Congratulations, kid. You outsmarted the weather again.”

He emphasized the word "kid" so much that you almost flinched. This wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last. Blade had a knack for turning affection into insults. His words sliced, but his actions always contradicted them.

He sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I swear, I’m dating a dumbass.”

He stepped closer, splashing through the water. His soaked coat fluttered, but he didn’t mind. He reached out, grabbing your wrist with his gloved hand—not tight, but firm enough to keep you from pulling away.

“Get in the car.”

You hesitated, and that was enough to make his crimson eyes flash with irritation. He gave you that look—the one that sent Stellaron Hunters running when he got serious. “What, you want to stay here and get pneumonia? Don’t make me carry you, kid.”

He almost dragged you to the passenger seat, opening the door before giving you one last glare. “Inside. Now.”

You slid into the seat, water dripping onto the leather as you tried to shrink in on yourself. The door slammed shut behind you, and the noise was instantly softened by the car’s insulation.

Blade walked around to the driver’s side, his soaked coat leaving a wet trail as he got in. He adjusted his gloves and started the engine, the faint hum filling the space. For a moment, silence settled—just the sound of rain tapping against the windshield.

Then, his voice broke the stillness, softer now but still tinged with annoyance.

“You’re lucky I was nearby.” He kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Kafka told me to keep an eye on you, and now I see why.”

He finally glanced at you, his expression unreadable. “Do you have any idea how you looked standing there? Drenched, shivering… completely helpless.”

He scoffed. “Some Stellaron Hunter girlfriend you are.”

Despite his words, he quickly grabbed a small towel from the backseat and tossed it onto your lap. “Dry off before you catch a cold, idiot.”

You muttered a quiet thanks, but Blade didn’t acknowledge it. He returned his focus to the road. The tension in his jaw slowly eased as he drove through the illuminated streets. The rhythm of the rain on the roof softened the mood a bit.

After a few minutes, he spoke again, this time quieter—almost to himself.

“You never listen. Every time I tell you something, you act like I’m overreacting. And then I end up cleaning up your mess.” He chuckled bitterly. “You really are a handful, kid.”

There was something different in his tone this time—not just annoyance, but worry. Concern that Blade would rather die than admit openly.

He turned slightly, one hand on the wheel, the other resting loosely against the door. His eyes flicked toward you, lingering a bit longer than they should have.

“You’re lucky I care enough to come pick you up."