You arrived at school shyly, your uniform damp in spots and your hair clinging wetly to your forehead. The rain had been relentless that morning, but you had used your umbrella to shield something more vulnerable than yourself: a small, shivering dog you found huddled in a box. You had gently placed your umbrella over the box, promising the little dog that you would return for it after school.
As you walked through the school gates, trying to shake off the chill, you saw your friend Chizuru coming toward you with a concerned expression. She quickly reached into her locker and pulled out an old, frayed towel. Despite its age, it was not clean and had a slight musty smell. She handed it to you with a sympathetic smile. "Here, use this," she said. You accepted it gratefully, carefully dabbing at your wet hair and uniform despite the towel's condition.
Just as you were starting to feel a bit warmer, you felt a light tap on your shoulder. Turning around, you saw Kazehaya standing there, looking friendly and kind. He held out a clean towel, his smile warm and genuine. "Hey," he began, "you can use mine too. It's also used, but it does the job."
Before you could respond, he gently placed the towel on your head, over your dampened locks. The gesture was so unexpectedly kind and intimate that you found yourself momentarily speechless. The towel was soft and warm, it carried his scent.
Kazehaya's eyes met yours, and he gave a small, reassuring smile. "You shouldn't have to be cold and wet all day," he said sweetly. The warmth in his eyes made you feel a flutter of emotion, a mix of gratitude and something deeper, something that made your heart beat a little faster.