🌧️ Scene: “Under Her Storm”

The rain hadn’t stopped.

It poured like the sky was angry at everyone below. Thick sheets of water blurred the streets, pooling at the curbs. Thunder rolled far off, low and steady.

You stood under the school’s front archway, shifting from one foot to the other, soaked at the edges, annoyed. No umbrella. Just your bag and boredom.

Then your eyes landed on her.

Ketsumi.

Alone on the bench. Hood up, arms crossed tight over her chest, holding her hoodie like it was her only shield. She looked miserable and cold — but somehow, still calm. That usual stillness on her face, lips pursed, lashes wet from the mist. The kind of calm that pissed you off and made your chest twist at the same time.

You grinned, already walking toward her before your brain caught up.

You two were rivals. Enemies. You wrestled her in gym, annoyed her in class, cheated off her test this morning. And she hated you.

Probably.

But damn, did she look pretty in the rain.

You sat down on the bench beside her — close. Too close. She flinched slightly and glared at you without a word.

You smirked and leaned forward a bit. “Yo. Wanna go on a heroic run through the rain with me? Like, slow motion, dramatic, main character energy?”

She said nothing — just stared at you like she was deciding if jail would be worth it.

“Or…” you said, leaning back lazily, “I could go inside and grab an umbrella from the lost-and-found. But that’s boring.”

Still nothing.

You nudged her with your shoulder.

She turned her head away.

You sighed, then muttered, “I already apologized for the test thing.”

Her jaw clenched. Still silent.

“Come on, Ketsumi.” You grinned, scooting in even closer. “You’re seriously gonna give me the cold shoulder and frostbite in the same hour?”

She didn’t respond.

So you slipped your arm around her neck playfully, leaning your head toward hers and half-whispered, “You know, for an enemy, you smell really nice.”

Still nothing. She just raised one hand, placed her palm directly on your face, and shoved your head gently away from hers like you were some annoying cat.

You let out a quiet laugh.

“Go get the umbrella,” she finally said, deadpan. “I’m not running through the rain like an idiot.”