Chapter 12: Caught in the Rain ( 12 )

Chapter 12 - Caught in the Rain ( 12 ) Once they finished eating, they sat in silence for a little while, just letting the food settle. The restaurant's warm air made them feel lazy but peaceful. Outside, the sky had started to dim, and a few low rumbles of thunder echoed in the distance. Kyouko looked toward the window, noticing the clouds swirling darker than before. "I think it's better for us to go home now," she said with a soft smile, turning to Haruki, who was still seated beside her. "Okay," Haruki replied as he stood up and stretched slightly before heading toward the counter to pay. Kyouko followed behind, adjusting the strap of her bag as she walked. After the payment was done, they stepped outside together. The air was thick and humid, the scent of rain hanging heavy. As they walked slowly toward the car, the sky gave way—a sudden, heavy downpour crashed down around them. "Ah!" Kyouko gasped and—without thinking—grabbed Haruki's hand, her fingers warm and small as she pulled him with her. "Quickly!" Haruki blinked, surprised, but he didn't resist. They dashed toward the car, splashes echoing under their feet. By the time they reached it, the rain was pouring even heavier. "Where's the key—ah, where is it!" Kyouko muttered, digging into her purse. Haruki let out a small laugh despite being completely soaked, his hair sticking to his forehead. "Take your time, Kyouko-san. No rush," he said jokingly, water dripping from his chin. Kyouko glanced at him, her bangs wet and clinging to her skin, a small smile forming even as she kept fumbling. "Don't laugh... This is terrible timing," she said, trying not to smile wider herself. Finally, she pulled out the key with a small triumphant sound and unlocked the car with a beep. They both jumped inside quickly, the door shutting out the sound of the rain like a curtain. Kyouko turned on the heater, the soft hum filling the car as warm air began to push out from the vents. She started the engine, her hands gripping the wheel as she calmly pulled out of the parking lot, her clothes still clinging to her skin from the rain. Haruki sat beside her, quietly stealing glances. The way the fabric hugged her curves was... distracting. He could see the outline of her waist, how her soaked top stuck to her back and chest. He swallowed hard, trying not to make it obvious. It was just a little sensual, but she didn't seem to notice anything strange. "I was surprised the rain just started pouring like that," Kyouko said with a slight pout, her brows gently furrowed as she focused on the road. That pout. Haruki glanced at her again. She really looked cute when she did that—like a teenager sulking over something small. It didn't match the image of a mature woman, and yet... that contrast made her even more charming. He watched as drops of water trickled down the side of her face, her hair damp and clinging to her neck. No makeup—just her bare, natural skin. And even like this—she was beautiful. Her full lips, slightly parted as she drove in silence, caught Haruki's attention. Soft. Pink. The kind of lips that could easily drive a man crazy just by existing. Haruki smiled to himself as he listened to Kyouko mumbling beside him. "Ugh... I'm so wet now..." she grumbled, tugging at the hem of her soaked shirt with one hand while the other stayed on the steering wheel. "My hair's dripping too..." Haruki glanced over. The way her damp strands clung to her cheek and neck made her look effortlessly alluring, even though she clearly didn't mean to. "We better get home fast," Kyouko said with a sigh, her voice casual but a little rushed. "I need to dry my hair before I catch a cold..." He chuckled softly, watching as she lightly shook her head, flinging a few drops of water onto the car window. She looked frustrated, but still charming in a way that made it hard for Haruki to take his eyes off her. "Yeah," he replied, smiling. "Wouldn't want you getting sick, Kyouko-san." "You too, Haruki!" Kyouko glanced at him briefly. "If you get sick, Satomi will definitely be worried." Haruki smiled. "Yeah... I guess so." Kyouko focused on the road again, her hands steady on the wheel. The rain continued to tap against the windshield, the wipers swiping rhythmically. The silence between them wasn't awkward; it felt... peaceful. "Haruki?" Kyouko asked after a moment, noticing how quiet he had become. "You okay?" "Hmm?" "You seem... really calm all of a sudden." Haruki leaned his head slightly against the seat, his eyes watching the blurred city lights through the rain-covered window. "I just love the rain," he said, his voice soft. Kyouko glanced at him again, a little surprised by the answer. "Really? Why?" He smiled faintly. "It makes me feel calm. Like everything slows down. The sound of it... it quiets the noise in my head." Kyouko didn't say anything right away, but her lips curved into a small smile as she turned her eyes back to the road. "...Yeah. I get that." Once they reached the house, Kyouko quickly parked the car and rushed toward the front door, holding her purse over her head to block the rain. Haruki, on the other hand, stepped out slowly. Instead of heading straight to the entrance, he lingered in the courtyard, where the open space allowed the rain to fall freely. He tilted his head up, letting the cool droplets slide down his face. Then, without much thought, he slowly took off his soaked shirt, letting it fall to the ground beside him. The rain washed over his bare skin, clinging to the lines of his toned chest and stomach. His breath was calm, and his eyes were half-closed—fully embracing the moment. "Haruki!" Kyouko called out from the front door, already holding it open. "Get inside!" He turned his head slightly. "Just a bit longer... I like this." Kyouko frowned, ready to scold him again—but then her eyes paused. The rain cascading over his skin, the way his wet hair clung to his forehead, and that body—lean and defined, not too muscular but perfectly shaped. Like someone from a fitness magazine, yet real, right in front of her. She blinked, trying to snap herself out of it. "...You'll catch a cold," she said, not as stern this time. Haruki gave a small smile and ran his fingers through his wet hair. "Just five more minutes." Kyouko looked away quickly and stepped inside. "Do what you want," she muttered under her breath, her cheeks slightly warm. But before she closed the door, she took one last glance at him standing alone in the rain... and felt her heart beat just a little faster. Kyouko stepped into the house, her soaked dress clinging to her body, trailing faint footprints behind her as she headed upstairs. She grabbed a fresh towel, quickly dried her dripping hair and arms, then—still wearing wet clothes—came back down with another towel in hand. The rain was still pouring outside when she opened the door. "Haruki! Come here!" she called out, her voice rising slightly into a sweet, playful tone without realizing it—almost like a sister scolding her younger brother for playing in the rain. Haruki turned around, smiling to himself. "Okay," he replied, walking up to the door. Once he stepped inside, soaked from head to toe, Kyouko didn't hesitate. She stepped close and raised the towel to his head, starting to dry his wet hair. "Seriously, you'll catch a cold," she mumbled, rubbing his hair roughly but with care. "You're not a kid anymore, you know." Haruki stood still, letting her hands move. The towel was warm against his skin, but what caught him off guard was how close she was—so close he could see her full lips just inches from his face, soft and slightly parted as she concentrated on drying him off. Her scent was still there—rain, skin, something faintly sweet. She didn't notice anything. Her attention was purely on his hair. Just wiping it dry. Innocent. But in Haruki's mind, everything slowed down. Her fingers tangled in his hair. Her body, still in that clinging wet dress. Her lips, so close. If I just lean forward a little... just a little more... I could kiss her... But he didn't. He stayed still. And smiled quietly to himself, feeling that dangerous thought linger in the back of his mind like the echo of the rain outside. ( End of Chapter )