The rain had started lightly at first—more of a mist than anything serious—just enough to bead against the pavement and darken the sidewalks as you skipped your way home. Your shoes splashed shallow puddles without care, jacket half-zipped, hair already damp from the walk back. The neon glow from the karaoke building behind you flickered faintly through the rain, its sign buzzing as if it, too, knew you probably shouldn’t have been there.

You’d only gone to check. Just a glance. Just enough to see whether your suspicions about your adoptive sister were right.

And now you were heading home, rain picking up, the sky bruised purple and gray above you as winter settled in heavier than expected.

You didn’t notice him at first.

You were halfway across the street when the shadow fell over you—sudden, solid, blocking the rain that had been peppering your face. The sound of raindrops changed instantly, dulling as they struck fabric instead of skin.

A yellow umbrella hovered above your head.

You slowed, then stopped.

The scent of clean soap and something faintly metallic—rain on cold air—hit you next. When you looked up, your breath caught just slightly.

Eunhyeok stood there, one hand holding the umbrella steady, the other tucked casually into the pocket of his jacket. His school uniform was darker now from the rain, blazer clinging faintly to his broad shoulders. His black hair was damp, strands falling messily over his forehead, and his sharp eyes flicked over you in a way that was practiced but unmistakably concerned.

“…You’re going to get sick,” he said flatly, though his tone lacked any real bite. “Running around in weather like this.”

The rain continued to fall around you, louder now, heavier. He adjusted the umbrella slightly so it covered you more than him, his shoulder taking the brunt of the downpour. His gaze lingered on your soaked sleeves, your shoes, the way your chest rose and fell from moving too fast.

“You always do this,” he added, quieter. “No umbrella. No plan.”

He sighed, clicking his tongue softly, eyes drifting ahead down the street as if checking for cars. “Get under it properly.”

You stepped closer without thinking, the space between you shrinking. The umbrella dipped a little with the movement, his fingers tightening around the handle to steady it.

For a moment, neither of you moved.

Then—

Headlights.

Bright and sudden, cutting through the rain from your peripheral vision. The sound of tires slicing through a puddle reached you a split second later, sharp and unmistakable.

Water surged toward the curb.

Instinct took over before thought ever had the chance.

You lunged.

Your shoulder collided with Eunhyeok’s chest as you shoved him sideways, the umbrella slipping from his grip as the splash hit. Cold, filthy water exploded upward, soaking the pavement, drenching fabric, soaking hair and skin alike.

Eunhyeok lost his footing completely.

He went down hard, back hitting the wet concrete with a breath knocked clean from his lungs. The umbrella skidded uselessly across the ground, spinning once before coming to a stop.

Rain immediately soaked him through.

For half a second, there was nothing but the sound of rain and the fading rush of the car speeding away.

Then—

“…What the hell—”

Eunhyeok pushed himself up on one elbow, water streaming from his hair, his uniform clinging to him in dark, soaked lines. His expression was pure disbelief, eyes wide before snapping back toward you.

“You—” He stopped, chest rising sharply as he looked you over instead.

You were wet, yes—but not nearly as drenched as he was.

His jaw tightened.

“…Are you hurt?”

He scrambled up fully, boots slipping slightly on the slick pavement as he grabbed your wrist—not hard, but firm enough to steady you. His hands were cold from the rain, fingers tightening as his eyes scanned you from head to toe.

“Idiot,” he muttered, voice low. “Why would you push me like that?”

Rainwater dripped steadily from his bangs, running down the sharp line of his nose.