Chapter 6

The rain started during class.

At first, it was light. Then it became heavy.

Shun looked outside from the window. "Tch," he muttered. He didn't bring an umbrella.

When the bell rang, most students rushed out. Some stayed behind, waiting for the rain to stop.

Shun slowly packed his things. He didn't like crowded exits.

When he finally walked out, he saw her.

Alice.

She was standing under the roof, staring at the rain.

No umbrella. Just holding her bag.

Their eyes met.

"Ah… hi," Alice said, blinking.

"…Yo," Shun replied, looking away quickly.

Silence.

Shun walked past her.

But then… he stopped.

He sighed, turned around, and held out his umbrella.

"…Here," he mumbled, not looking at her face.

Alice looked surprised. "Eh? Really?"

"It's raining," he said, still not facing her. "You'll get sick."

Alice smiled. "Thank you."

They walked side by side under the small umbrella. It was a bit too small, so their shoulders kept touching.

Both of them noticed it… but said nothing.

Awkward.

Very awkward.

Alice looked at him. "Umm… do you always help girls like this?"

Shun glanced at her, confused. "No."

"Just me?"

"…I guess."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

More silence.

The sound of the rain was louder than their voices.

Alice tried again. "You read a lot, right?"

"Yeah."

"Do you like sad stories?"

"…Maybe."

Another silence.

This was harder than she thought.

Suddenly, she said, "You're… kinda weird."

Shun raised an eyebrow. "You're the one talking in German on the first day."

Alice laughed a little. "Touché."

They finally reached their houses.

"Thanks for walking with me," she said.

Shun nodded. "You're welcome."

She opened her gate and walked inside.

But before she closed it, she looked back and said,

"You're… not so bad, Shun."

"…Thanks?"

She giggled and disappeared inside.

Shun stood there for a second.

He whispered to himself,

"That was weird."

Then he walked to his house—quiet, awkward, and a little confused.