(Kiyomi's POV).
Things were weird between Akio, Hinata and I, so I didn't bother trying to talk to them. The air just… felt heavy. Every word felt like walking through water — slow, awkward, unnecessary. So instead, I sat alone at my desk during recess, poking at my lunch with chopsticks and pretending not to notice the whispers floating across the room.
That's when Minato appeared.
He walked up quietly, his tray in hand, that usual calm-but-tired expression on his face.
Minato: Hey (He said, sliding into the seat opposite me). What are you doing here alone? I thought Hinata and Akio were your friends.
I looked up, trying not to sound bitter.
Kiyomi: They were. Don't know if they still are… but things are not really good between us right now.
He smiled softly, setting his tray down. Minato: Since you're not hanging out with anyone, let's hang out then.
I gave him a look.
Kiyomi: Says the guy who stepped back when I tried to get close.
Minato: Well my mom said that I should spend more time with the people I love and make me feel happy. So… here I am.
The word 'love' made my heart skip a beat.
Kiyomi:(Blushing) Do I make you happy or feel… loved? (I said, looking at my food. Avoiding eye contact).
Minato: Yes, but don't overthink it, though.
I raised up my head, and my gaze met his.
Kiyomi:(Confused) Huh?
Minato: Don't think about it in a bad way.
Kiyomi: Okay. Why'd your mom say that?
Minato: Because love heals people.
Kiyomi:(Confused) Heals people? Are you sick?
Minato: The cough, remember.
That made me pause. He wasn't coughing today. That was unusual — but a good unusual.
Before I knew it, we were talking again. Laughing even. Somehow, all the heaviness from before began to fade. After class, we played around the school courtyard, running, teasing, joking. It was just like before everything got complicated.
But then, without warning, the clouds began to gather.
And the air thickened with the scent of rain.
Kiyomi: Minato (I said, looking up). I think we should–
Too late.
Thunder roared.
Rain poured down like the sky had been waiting for this exact moment.
Minato blinked.
Minato: I should be going home now.
Kiyomi: What? This isn't good.
Minato: Come on, let's go.
He grabbed my wrist as we ran down the stairs toward the school's main entrance, where a small crowd of students had already gathered, whining about getting wet.
And there they were — Akio and Hinata.
Minato: Did you bring an umbrella?
Kiyomi: No. Did you?
He shook his head.
Minato:(Concerned) How do we do this then?
I smiled.
Kiyomi: Let's go under the rain.
Minato:(Surprised) What?
His eyes widened, like I had suggested committing a crime.
Kiyomi: Let's go.
Minato: What about the rumours? (He whispered softly).
Minato was right, but for once…
I DIDN'T care.
Kiyomi: I don't care. Let's go.
Before I could think twice, I grabbed his hand and pulled him out from under the shade.
The rain hit us hard — cold and wild — but in that moment, it didn't matter. We danced, splashed, and laughed like idiots while everyone stood staring in disbelief.
"So it was true."
"I knew they had something."
"Can you believe they still have the guts to do this after being punished?"
"I should've seen this coming."
Phones came out. Cameras flashed. Whispers turned into storms.
Akio couldn't take it anymore. He stormed off, his jaw tight, anger radiating off him. Hinata called after him and ran to catch up.
Hinata: Akio! Where are you going?!
But I barely heard them.
Because right then — between laughter and thunder — Minato started coughing. Hard.
Kiyomi: Minato! (I shouted, panic flooding me).
His coughs were rough and painful. The joy drained from my face.
Kiyomi:(Concerned) Let's go to my house, now. It's close. You'll be dry in no time.
He didn't argue.
We ran all the way through the rain, soaked to the bone.
When we reached my house, I gave him a towel and some dry clothes that my dad never wore anymore. My sister, Ayumi, peeked into the living room and raised a brow.
Ayumi: Who's this? (She asked).
Kiyomi: A very close friend (I said, avoiding her teasing grin).
After what happened in the rain, my heart was confused — loud, fast, unfamiliar.
I went to the fire place—where Minato was— he had already changed into the clothes I gave him.
I saw him coughing badly while drying his hair with a towel.
I walked over to him.
Kiyomi: Hey, let me help you with that.
I took the towel from him before he could respond, and began drying his hair.
Immediately I touched his hair, he stopped coughing.
Kiyomi: I guess your mom was right.
Then a thunder roared and the storm got heavier.
Minato sighed.
Minato: Looks like I can't go home now.
I nodded.
Kiyomi: You'll have to spend the night here.
He rubbed his neck.
Minato: Just what I was about to say. My parents told me to stay at a friend's place until the weather clears. And, uh… I don't have any other friend except you, so…
I swallowed hard.
Kiyomi: Yeah. Sure.
After dinner, Ayumi disappeared into her room with Aoki — probably on purpose — leaving me and Minato alone with one bed and zero ideas.
Kiyomi: Look, we're sharing the same bed, but there'll be boundaries. You take the left, I take the right (I said, crossing my arms).
He blinked.
Minato: What?
I set a pillow wall between us like a mini fortress.
Kiyomi: Boundaries.
But his shoulder kept bumping into it.
Kiyomi: Stop breaking the barrier. This is the sixth time (I complained).
Minato: Then take it off.
Kiyomi: No.
He grinned. Then — whack! — he hit me with a pillow.
That started an all-out pillow war.
Laughs, yells, feathers — chaos.
Eventually, we collapsed, out of breath, side by side under the blanket.
As I started to drift off, Minato's hand brushed mine — then gently held it.
Kiyomi: Hey. What are you doing? (I mumbled).
Minato: It helps fight against nightmares (He said softly).
He wasn't lying. But deep down… I knew that wasn't the main reason.