Ch -29 When Rain Fell and Secrets Rose ☆

A City Drenched in Silence

The rainy season had hit Aozora City hard, but the drizzle outside couldn't match the storm that had been brewing in Junxi's chest for days.

Zhou Rui hadn't been responding like she used to. Classes kept her busy in her own college, and he… he was stuck checking his phone for messages that never came.

That evening, Zhou Rui walked alone from her college music room, carrying her guitar. She looked tired but peaceful — until she spotted Junxi waiting at the corner gate.

"Did you wait for me again?" she asked, surprised.

Junxi didn't answer at first. Just held out an umbrella.

"You're gonna catch a cold," he mumbled.

Zhou Rui took it slowly. "Thanks."

They walked quietly under the shared umbrella, rain tapping gently on fabric. There was a strange stillness between them — the kind that carried unsaid words.

---

They reached a quiet alley lined with flowering trees.

Junxi finally spoke.

"Do you… still think about high school?"

Zhou Rui looked at him sideways. "Every day. Why?"

He turned toward her, expression unreadable.

"Because I never stopped thinking about you."

She paused.

"Zhou Rui… I think I've loved you since that day in class nine. When you sat beside me and told me Luffy could beat any villain — even if they were sad inside."

She blinked. Her heart stopped for a second.

The umbrella slipped slightly as the rain brushed against their hair.

"Why now?" she whispered.

"Because I kept waiting for the right moment," he said, eyes glistening. "But there never is one. So I'm choosing the rain."

Zhou Rui's lips parted in shock.

Junxi leaned in — slowly, gently — and pressed his lips to hers.

The kiss was soft, soaked in unspoken feelings. Her hand gripped his hoodie tightly. He pulled back slightly, touching her face.

"I'm sorry I made you wait."

Zhou Rui looked up, teary-eyed but smiling.

"Idiot," she whispered. "I've loved you too."

They both laughed, water dripping from their faces, but nothing could wash away the warmth that finally bloomed between them.

Clash of Chaos

Meanwhile, in another street near Meihua Dormitory,Tianxin shoved open the café door and stepped right into the rain, her anger louder than the storm. Jiasheng ran after her, umbrella in hand.

"Why do you always have to be like this?!" she shouted.

"You started it! I just said the dumplings were better last time!"

"You said I was annoying!"

"I said you talk too much—okay, maybe I did say annoying but—Tianxin!"

She turned and glared at him. Her hair was drenched, her cheeks red with frustration.

"I try to make things nice, and you always ruin them!"

"You always make a drama out of everything!"

Suddenly, her foot slipped on the wet pavement. Jiasheng dropped the umbrella and caught her just in time. They crashed into a streetlight, water splashing around them.

Tianxin clutched his jacket, wide-eyed. His hand was at her waist. Their faces — far too close.

She swallowed.

"You could've let me fall."

"Nah. Too expensive to replace you."

Silence.

Rain.

Heartbeats.

Their breaths mingled in the mist as the world paused. Something invisible shifted. His eyes didn't move from hers.

She pushed him lightly and turned away.

"Ugh. Next time I will fall."

"Sure. I'll film it."

But neither of them mentioned how loud their hearts were — or how soft that moment had been.

---

That night, four hearts found new rhythms — two with clarity, and two with confusion wrapped in warmth.

The rain fell, but something had bloomed in it.