Chapter 437: The Promise

"Amano-san, you shouldn't overthink this too much," Hayasaka said.

"Rinji is helping you out of sincerity. You don't need to feel indebted. Just accepting his help is already enough for him."

"Yeah, I know… Even so, I'm really grateful to him. He reached out to help when I needed it most."

Hina's expression clouded with a hint of helplessness and pain.

"And… I feel like I'm letting him down."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because… the outcome of all this might not be what Rinji expects."

"…"

---

After bathing, Nagi helped Rinji tidy up the guest room. Hina, who had also been caught in the rain, was now showering in the bathroom.

Hayasaka lent her some clothes to change into, so Rinji didn't have to "make" a new set this time.

Rinji looked out the window.

The rain was getting heavier, the wind howling as it slammed raindrops against the glass.

With Nagi already settled in the guest room, only Rinji and Hayasaka remained in the living room. After a moment of silence, Hayasaka asked:

"Rinji, back to what we were talking about earlier—what exactly happened? The way the class secretary looked worried wasn't like her at all."

"Fujiwara didn't tell you everything?"

"No. When I asked, she only said you went out together and that something happened. She didn't say what."

"Pretty tight-lipped. That's one of Fujiwara's rare strong points."

Rinji smiled.

"To put it simply, I was investigating the 'Sunshine Girl' case when she caught me. She wanted to join in, and then we saw something we shouldn't have. That's all there is to it."

[Sunshine Girl is just another team for Weather Maiden]

"'Sunshine Girl' is just an urban legend, isn't it?"

"If it were completely baseless, I wouldn't be digging into it this hard. It's already connected to me," Rinji replied.

Hayasaka didn't respond. Her indifferent gaze drifted toward the bathroom.

"Does this… have something to do with Amano-san?"

"Yeah."

"I see... You seem very concerned about her."

"Yeah. I failed to protect her father four years ago, so I can't make the same mistake again. If I lose her too this time, I might never forgive myself."

"I understand."

Hayasaka stood up and gently hugged Rinji from behind.

"Go do what you need to. Make sure you protect them."

"...Yeah."

A smile appeared on Rinji's face as he placed his hand over hers.

Hayasaka rested her cheek against his back. Recalling Hina's expression earlier, she whispered, "And... don't pressure yourself too much. Just do your best."

Click.

The bathroom door opened. Amano Hina, dressed and wearing slippers, stepped out.

She immediately saw Hayasaka hugging Rinji from behind.

"Ah... S-Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"You're not," Hayasaka said with a soft chuckle, releasing Rinji. "You probably still have something you want to say to him."

"Eh... Yeah."

Surprised by her words, Hina smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, there's something I want to say."

She walked up to Rinji, who was seated at the dining table.

"Rinji, could you come out for a walk with me?"

"Huh?"

Rinji glanced at her, then at the heavy rain outside.

It was clearly not the kind of weather for a walk.

"Just go with her for a bit," Hayasaka said. "You'll just need another shower when you get back."

"...Alright."

Since Hayasaka also encouraged it, and seeing Hina's determined expression, Rinji agreed.

---

The rain outside poured relentlessly. Hina walked ahead, struggling slightly with every step as she held the umbrella.

Rinji followed behind her.

He still couldn't understand why she insisted on coming out in this weather.

"Sorry, Rinji, for dragging you out for a walk in this storm."

"So it really is just a walk... If it's something serious, we could've talked at home. It's pouring out here."

The storm barely affected Rinji, but for a middle school girl like Hina, it was a different story.

Even with an umbrella, she was getting drenched.

She turned back and gave him a bright smile.

It was like sunlight after the rain.

But to Rinji, it felt unsettling.

Because…

Uncle Amano had worn that same smile before jumping off the roof.

"Rinji, I'm really grateful you appeared when I needed you most. If Nagi can stay with you, I can rest easy."

"Hey, don't joke like that," Rinji said with a smile. "I'm taking care of both of you, not just one."

Hina shook her head.

"Just Nagi is enough. As for me… you were right. I shouldn't keep using my power so often."

"...Based on last year's satellite imagery, you've used it over a hundred times, haven't you?" Rinji said. "And even after all that, you were still living in poverty. That proves you never used it for yourself."

"Yeah. But just like you said, there's a price to using power that doesn't belong to me."

As she spoke, she pulled open her collar.

Rinji's grip on the umbrella tightened.

From her collarbone to her chest, her body was partially translucent, as if she could vanish at any moment.

"A year ago, when my mom got seriously ill, I gained this power. In that moment, I felt deeply connected to the sky," Hina said, gazing at the dark, cloudy sky, still smiling. "I guess, in the end, I'll head there too."

"You won't."

"Eh?"

"You won't go there, and I won't let anyone take you," Rinji said with a smile. "I haven't fulfilled my duty to protect you two. There's no way I'll just stand by and let you disappear."

"If I don't go, something terrible will happen."

"I know. Tokyo—and all of Japan—will be drowned in rain. Fields will become barren, ports unusable, and the situation will spiral out of control."

Rinji's gaze sharpened as he looked at her.

"But I don't care. I want to protect you. I have to protect you. No matter how much damage it causes, no matter how many lives are lost, I'll protect you."

"...Haha."

After a moment of silence, Hina suddenly laughed softly, covering her mouth.

She let go of the umbrella. Rain slammed against her, but she didn't flinch. She walked step by step toward Rinji.

Stopping in front of him, she smiled.

"I always thought you were a quiet, dependable guy. I never imagined you could be this arrogant."

"That's who I really am," Rinji replied with a smile.

His eyes held a hint of reminiscence.

"Uncle Amano didn't trust me, and it led to tragedy. That's why I want you to believe in me this time. I don't want the same thing to happen again."

"Okay, I understand."

Hina smiled, tiptoed up, and gently cupped his face in her hands.

"Then let's make a promise—make sure to bring me back."

"I will."

"Bring me back, and bring the sunshine too. No matter how long it takes, I'll believe in you. I'll be waiting."

"Of course."

Rinji placed his hand over hers, locking in the promise.

"I'll make it happen."

"Thank you."

Her smile was radiant.

Wind howled, and rain whipped toward Rinji.

He stood still, holding the umbrella in one hand, his palm brushing the warmth left on his cheek.

Before him, there was only falling rain—and a lone umbrella lying on the ground.