Just as the weather forecast predicted, it was drizzling rain.
Since Kotono was going in a different direction, we parted in front of the house and I walked the school route alone.
Thanks to Kotono, my mood had improved quite a bit.
I couldn't say I was in high spirits, but the gloom had been blown away nonetheless.
Still, the sensation of my shirt sticking to my skin due to the humidity was unpleasant.
I wish the season for changing clothes would come sooner.
I hoisted my umbrella over my shoulder and glared at the cloudy sky. Stupid rain.
Leaving the residential area, I came out to the riverbed and crossed the long bridge.
...Walking like this, I thought that once in a while, this isn't so bad.
The temperature was neither too hot nor too cold.
The sound of rain tapping on the umbrella.
People running quickly. People walking slowly.
The flow of time felt more relaxed than usual.
But the rain was still annoying.
For one day... no, if it's just the morning commute, I can forgive it.
But for it to continue for a week or two is unforgivable.
Sigh... I wonder when the Rainy Season will end.
"Hey. What's with that gloomy face?"
"Huh? ...Wait, Kuonji?"
Right around the middle of the bridge, Kuonji was standing there holding a pink umbrella.
...Why are you here? Is your physical condition okay? You'll catch another cold if you stay in a place like this. Besides, isn't your house in the opposite direction?
A lot of things I wanted to say flashed through my mind, but...
"...Yo," was all that came out.
"Mm. Good morning."
Kuonji gave a blunt reply as well.
Somehow, we naturally ended up walking toward the school side-by-side.
A moment of silence followed.
...It might be awkward to stay silent like this.
"...Is your cold okay?"
"Yes. I'm completely fine now. ...That message from Kotono-chan this morning, forget about it, okay?"
"Yeah. I'm not a kid who'd tease you over something like that."
To be honest, I really wanted to tease her.
But if I overdo it, she'll probably sulk, so I'll let it slide here.
"Anyway, why are you here? Wouldn't it have been faster to just go to school?"
"...You don't get it?"
Wait, what's with those eyes that seem to say, 'If you don't realize it, I'm going to snap'? Scary.
In reality, I don't know what I don't know. I should be honest here.
"Sorry, I don't get it."
"...Hehe. It's a joke, a joke. You don't have to look so scared, I'm not angry."
No, those eyes were for real.
Look in a mirror once. It's quite off-putting.
Kuonji looked up at me with a face that was either pouting or embarrassed—I couldn't tell which—then hid her face with her umbrella.
"...Isn't it fine? Going to school together like this once in a while. You're always on your bike, after all."
"Ah, I see..."
True, walking together like this doesn't happen often.
...This kind of thing feels fresh and nice.
"...What? You look like you want to say something."
"No... I just thought you've been quite honest lately."
"Whose fault do you think that is, you idiot?"
Slap slap. Hey, don't hit me with your bag.
In the first place, whose fault... whose fault is it?
Me? ...There's no way. Because I haven't done a single thing that would make her have to be honest.
A girl's heart is complicated.
Looking at her, her complexion was good and her steps were light. It seems her cold really is completely cured.
And she looks happy for some reason.
When she makes a face like that, it's a bit embarrassing.
Kuonji, who was walking a little ahead of me, suddenly turned around.
"It's kind of strange, isn't it? Us going to school together like this."
"...Well, considering our relationship since middle school."
Even though we've both mellowed out now, possibly because of the Red Thread of Fate...
Back when we first met, we were really at each other's throats.
Mainly because she kept snapping at me.
If someone who knew us back in middle school saw this, they wouldn't believe their eyes.
"...I'll ask now, but why did you snap at me so much back then?"
"I won't tell."
"...Eh?"
"I'm not telling. Blehh."
What's that about?
"If I feel like it, I might tell you."
"Doesn't that mean I'll never hear it?"
"I said if I feel like it, right? That might be tomorrow, it might be in a year. Or maybe even ten years from now."
"That's a long wait."
"So, wait patiently."
Kuonji smiled softly.
In that moment, her scent tickled my nose, mingling with the smell of the rain.
I hate the rain.
It's humid, you get wet, and you have to walk.
............
But well. Just a little... truly just a little bit.
A rainy day like this isn't so bad.
That's what I thought.