005. It’s Okay to Be a Little Selfish

Natsukawa Kanade had to admit—Megumi Katou had a certain kind of magic about her.

It wasn't just her faint presence, the kind that might let her pass unnoticed even in a crowd. No, it was her uncanny ability to guide conversations naturally, effortlessly seizing control of the rhythm without making you feel intruded upon.

By the time Kanade realized this, they were already sharing an umbrella—walking together beneath the gentle patter of rain.

Truth be told, Kanade didn't particularly enjoy rainy days. Especially these soft, atmospheric ones, where every drop seemed to echo in his heart, reminding him of his latest failed romance.

Yet, with a charming girl like Megumi strolling beside him, the dull ache in his chest felt just a little warmer.

"Have you been doing well, Katou?" Kanade asked, as if they were old friends meeting by chance after a long time apart.

"Well... I wonder if 'well' is the right word..." Megumi tilted her head slightly, her gaze calm and steady as it met his. "I don't even know what I'd say."

"Maybe something about school? Or friendships?" Kanade ventured, trying to guess what a normal high school girl might think about.

"You sound like my mom," she said with a soft smile.

"Uh... does your mom ask you these kinds of questions often?" Kanade replied, scratching the back of his head.

"She does. Sometimes she even asks me about romance." Megumi's voice was light, and as she spoke, she twirled a strand of her hair around her finger, waiting to see how Kanade would respond.

"Romance?" Kanade blinked in surprise, but quickly laughed. "I didn't expect you'd have those kinds of worries, Katou."

He felt a faint sense of camaraderie. After all, love troubles were something he was all too familiar with.

Megumi always seemed so composed, like nothing could ruffle her calm demeanor. Kanade had never seen her flustered or upset—nor had he ever picked up on any hints that she might harbor feelings for someone like Aki Tomoya.

"It's not my worries," Megumi clarified, turning her gaze toward Kanade.

Kanade froze for a moment, then quickly shifted his eyes forward, pretending not to understand. "Wow, your mom sure is invested in your love life. Isn't she being a little too hasty?"

Had she figured him out? Did his feelings for the girls he pursued show more than he realized? Kanade couldn't help but wonder.

While he had never made a grand declaration of love in public, each romance he pursued was heartfelt and entirely unique. He hadn't thought to hide his intentions—if anything, he wanted his feelings to be clear.

He went out of his way to treat each girl with special attention, showering them with affection in a way that left no doubt about his sincerity. Then, he would wait for the perfect moment to confess.

And yet...

Was it something about his approach? Why did some people label him as a fickle, womanizing flirt, constantly changing his target?

He wasn't the one playing with feelings—he was the one being rejected, being hurt.

Was it so wrong to move on to another love after being turned down? Did he have to cling desperately to one girl, wearing her down until there was no trace of affection left, just to prove his devotion?

Kanade's pride wouldn't allow him to do such a thing, not even for the girls he had loved so deeply.

Missed opportunities were just that—missed. He would never burden them with the weight of a love that had no place in their lives.

"Why are you staring at me like that, Katou? Did I say something wrong?" Kanade asked nervously, feeling increasingly uneasy under her unwavering gaze.

"Not at all," Megumi replied softly.

"What...?"

"You haven't done anything wrong."

"What do you mean by that?" Kanade asked cautiously, not daring to believe he'd heard her correctly.

"You haven't done anything wrong, Natsukawa-kun," Megumi repeated.

At some point, her delicate hand had reached up to his forehead. She gently brushed through his hair, her touch tender and calming, like a mother comforting her child.

"It's okay to be a little selfish," she said. "You don't need to constantly worry about others' feelings. If you want to do something, just do it."

"Even if people misunderstand me?"

"If they misunderstand, then clear it up with your actions."

"And what if it's not a misunderstanding?"

"Then wouldn't that mean things went your way? That's even better—you should feel happy about it."

"..."

"Pfft..." Kanade finally laughed, the tension melting away. "Katou, you'd make a terrible parent."

"Oh? But I'm just a high school girl," Megumi said, her lips curving slightly upward.

Kanade wasn't entirely sure if he'd imagined that fleeting smile, but it didn't matter.

"That's not the point!" he retorted, shaking his head. "I'll let it slide this time, but don't treat me like a kid again, okay?"

The rain had grown cooler, and a faint breeze cut through the damp air. Yet, the warmth on Kanade's forehead lingered, spreading into his chest, where it settled deep in his heart.

"..."

Megumi said nothing in response to Kanade's playful grumbling. But her expression and demeanor spoke volumes—it was as if she was thinking, Aren't you acting just like a child right now?

Normal kids don't get so worked up about love! Kanade thought, rolling his eyes at himself.

He realized his hand holding the umbrella had stopped trembling. But rainwater had already soaked his exposed side, so he decided to pass the umbrella to Megumi entirely. Stepping out into the rain, he let the droplets fall freely onto him.

"You'll catch a cold if you keep that up," Megumi said as she took the umbrella, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Didn't you just say I could be selfish?" Kanade shot back.

He spread his arms wide, as if to embrace the rain-soaked world, letting the water cascade over him.

Though his drenched clothes clung to him uncomfortably, Kanade felt an unfamiliar lightness in his heart. Was this what it felt like to enjoy the rain?

He wasn't foolish enough to overdo it, though. After indulging in the moment, he quickly stepped back under the umbrella.

"Katou, you should try it," he teased with a mischievous grin. "Rain's pretty refreshing."

Before Megumi could react, Kanade reached for the umbrella handle.

"Wha—"

Megumi instinctively shut her eyes, bracing for the inevitable cold droplets. But nothing happened.

When she opened her eyes, she found Kanade watching her, his playful smirk betraying his amusement at her reaction.

Her cheeks puffed up in an exaggerated pout, and without a word, she began walking off, umbrella in hand.

Kanade panicked, thinking he had upset her, and hurried after her. But as he caught up, he noticed something.

Her ears were bright red.

Her steps, though brisk, weren't hurried, and the umbrella subtly adjusted to ensure he remained sheltered.

So, she's not really mad...

Kanade felt like he'd stumbled upon a secret "Katou Megumi guide." Feeling bold, he leaned slightly closer to her, letting the rainwater from his soaked sleeve drip onto her uniform.

He wondered how she'd react once she noticed.

"Natsukawa-kun."

"Yes?" Kanade straightened immediately, thinking he'd been caught, his guilty conscience written all over his face.

"I'm home. See you tomorrow."

"Huh? Oh! See you tomorrow!" Kanade stammered, quickly retreating down the street.

Left standing at her doorstep, Megumi silently watched his flustered figure disappear into the rain.

She reached out and touched the lingering warmth on her sleeve.

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