(Kiyomi's POV).
I woke up to the sound of rainwater dripping from the roof.
The sky was pale grey, the kind of soft morning that makes everything feel slower.
I stretched, smiled to myself, and then the memory hit me — I spent the night with Minato.
I turned to the left, eager to get a glimpse of his beautiful morning face.
But he wasn't there.
My smile faded. I sat up, blinking around the room until I heard the faint sound of running water.
The bathroom.
Minato's uniform was folded neatly on the bed beside mine — already dry and pressed.
Wait. Could it be that he was already getting ready for school and didn't even bother waking me?
I felt a flash of irritation.
I walked over and knocked on the door.
Kiyomi: (knocking) Minato? Are you in there?
No response — just the sound of the shower stopping.
Kiyomi: Minato-?
Minato:(From inside) Is that you, Kiyomi?
Kiyomi: Yeah! Why didn't you wake me up?
Minato: I wanted to solve the bathroom problem.
Kiyomi: (Confused) Huh?
Minato: If we both woke up at the same time, one of us would have to wait for the other to finish, and we'd be late. So I decided to wake up early to use it first.
Kiyomi: You could've asked before entering my bathroom!
Minato: I asked your sister. She said it's fine.
Kiyomi:(Groans) Ugh… fine. Just be quick.
Minato: Give me five minutes.
While I waited, I got my towel ready. Five minutes passed.
Kiyomi: Minato! Five minutes over!
Minato: I'm coming out, okay?!
The next few seconds happened too fast.
The door opened — and there he was, soaking wet, towel around his waist, hair dripping, and… abs.
Muscular. Not overly, but enough to make my brain stop working.
Then reality hit me — I was also wrapped in a towel.
I'm sure he saw my thighs. No, no, no! Why does my reputation always find new ways to embarrass me?!
Minato:(Calmly) Aren't you going to bathe?
Kiyomi:(Blushing hard) Y-yeah!
I stuttered, dashed into the bathroom, and slammed the door shut.
My heart was beating way too fast.
Inside the bathroom, I muttered,
Kiyomi: He definitely saw me… I'm never showing my face again.
By the time we reached school, the sky had cleared but the whispers hadn't.
"They spent the night together!"
"They even danced under the rain."
"I knew it — something's going on between them."
Each murmur felt like tiny arrows.
I tried to ignore it, but the glances… the half-smiles… it was impossible.
Minato walked beside me, calm as always. Minato: Ignore them (He said softly).
Kiyomi: I'm trying (I muttered). But they're terrible at whispering.
When I opened my locker, a doodle fell out — a cartoon of a boy and girl under an umbrella, with "Rain Lovers ☔💕" written under it in red marker.
Kiyomi: Unbelievable (I whispered).
Before I could tear it, a familiar voice called me.
Hinata: Kiyomi. Come with me.
Behind the gym, Akio stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed.
The tension in the air was heavier than the morning rain.
Hinata sighed.
Hinata: Look, I know something's going on between you and Minato (She said bluntly). But you two need to drop it. I don't want to lose my only friends because of jealousy.
Silence.
Akio looked away. Minato kept quiet. My chest tightened.
Kiyomi: I didn't mean for things to get weird (I said quietly). I just–
Hinata cut me off gently.
Hinata: I know, Kiyomi. You didn't. But feelings mess things up sometimes.
Akio sighed, finally speaking.
Akio: I'm sorry. I acted like a jerk.
I blinked.
Kiyomi: You're apologising?
He rolled his eyes.
Akio: Don't get used to it.
We all laughed — awkward but real.
Then I turned to him.
Kiyomi: I'm sorry too, Akio.
That was it. The tension started to fade. Slowly, things stitched themselves back together.
After classes, the four of us walked home together again.
Hinata teased Akio, Akio teased her back, and Minato walked quietly beside me.
But every time I glanced at him, I noticed his faint smile… and a little weariness in his eyes.
Even so, when I asked...
Kiyomi: Hey, you coming with us?
He smiled a little wider.
Minato: Sure.
Akio didn't say anything, but I noticed the small flicker in his eyes — something between discomfort and worry.
As we crossed the familiar street under the golden evening light, I realised how peaceful everything felt again.
Not perfect. But peaceful.
And even though the rumours still followed us, I didn't care anymore.
Because, somehow… the world after the rain didn't seem so bad.