Chapter 20: Couples (2)
September 11, noon:
—It looks like it's going to pour. Subaru probably won't come. Should I just go back?
Standing under the large tree, Reinhild looked at the sky that had slowly turned dark and thought for a moment, then took out the umbrella from the picnic box just in case, preparing to leave.
—Even a storm can't stop me from keeping my promise with Rein-chan.
After taking a few steps, Reinhild suddenly remembered something Subaru had said here a few days ago. She hesitated again, then sighed as she looked at the sky.
—Oh well, it doesn't seem like it will rain immediately, and I have an umbrella. Waiting a little longer should be fine.
Reinhild returned under the tree and quietly watched the nearby flower field. Time passed, and finally, the first raindrop fell from the sky. Within just a few dozen seconds, a thin curtain of rain appeared outside the tree. After a moment, Reinhild reached out to catch the droplets that passed through the layers of leaves.
—So… what am I really hoping for?
Reinhild shook her head and opened the umbrella. Suddenly, she heard someone calling her name. She looked up sharply, and thanks to her Divine Protection of Fog, she could clearly see Subaru running anxiously toward her, drenched from head to toe, ignoring the rain curtain.
"Are you an idiot? Didn't I say not to come in bad weather?"
Reinhild said as she held the umbrella over Subaru's head.
"But… Rein-chan, weren't you waiting here too?"
Reinhild froze for a moment.
"Rein was worried I would come, so I was worried you'd just be waiting here."
Reinhild opened her mouth but could only sigh helplessly in the end.
"Geez… anyway, let's go back and change clothes first."
Reinhild walked a few steps and stopped to look at Subaru, giving him a full once-over.
"Um… Subaru, where's your umbrella?"
"Ehehe~"
Under Reinhild's stern gaze, Subaru scratched his head embarrassedly.
"Sorry… I didn't expect the rain to start so quickly. But it's fine, I'm already soaked anyway."
—Honestly, who comes to pick someone up without an umbrella?
Reinhild sighed once more, then walked over to Subaru and took him back under the tree.
"All right, let's wait here for the rain to stop."
Reinhild frowned at Subaru's dripping clothes.
"Subaru, take off your wet clothes first. You'll catch a cold if you keep them on."
"No, no, no. I work out regularly. This level of rain is nothing."
"Subaru!"
Subaru noticed the determination in Reinhild's eyes.
"But… I don't have any spare clothes either."
"Subaru, help me with this."
Reinhild released the umbrella with her right hand, then opened the picnic box hanging on her left arm. She took out a stack of tissues and the picnic cloth they usually spread on the ground, placing them into Subaru's right hand, while taking the umbrella from his left hand to continue holding it above them both.
"Dry your body properly, don't worry, I won't peek."
Noticing Subaru's consideration, Reinhild turned her head away. Subaru remained silent for a moment and began taking off his clothes.
Although Reinhild's umbrella was large, it was still meant for one person, so she was almost pressed against Subaru. Even if she tried to focus her attention elsewhere, her acute hearing picked up everything: the sound of Subaru removing clothes, rubbing his body, and wrapping himself in the picnic cloth.
"Reinhild, Reinhild? Reinhild!"
Reinhild shivered all over, her mind almost forming a 3D image.
"What's wrong?"
She restrained her impulse to turn and asked with a hint of confusion.
"I'm done changing."
Reinhild hesitated and turned around. As expected, Subaru had wrapped himself in the picnic cloth, and his wet clothes were hung over a tree branch.
"Reinhild, your shoulder is wet too."
Reinhild froze for a moment, then looked at her shoulder. Sure enough, there were clear marks where the rain had soaked through. She realized she had instinctively moved away from Subaru earlier and left the protection of the umbrella.
"It's fine, I won't get sick."
She said instinctively. Seeing a hint of anger in Subaru's eyes, Reinhild instantly realized she had said the wrong thing. Of course, she didn't mind Subaru treating her like an ordinary girl, but in this situation, it was a bit tricky.
Reinhild silently looked at Subaru and thought back to that night on the mountain, finally giving up on trying to persuade him.
"Got it… come a little closer."
Reinhild moved to the center of the umbrella. The two of them were almost separated by just two layers of cloth. She thought it wouldn't matter—after all, she had leaned on Subaru during meals recently, guided him in training when his clothes got sweaty and slightly transparent, and even at the seaside celebration, he had only worn swim trunks.
The picnic cloth flapped violently in the wind again. Reinhild's keen eyes could clearly see the outline of his muscles in the darkness. The next moment, the cloth moved, and the visible outline changed to his abs. This teasing glimpse made Reinhild constantly steal glances at him.
"Rein?"
[Σ (°A°;) >]
"What is it? Something wrong?"
"Not just that… your face is really red. Are you okay?"
Reinhild noticed the worry in Subaru's fierce gaze, along with a few raindrops and his hair blowing in the wind.
[w(A)w]
"Ah, I'm fine. This rain doesn't look like it's stopping anytime soon, so… shall we eat?"
Reinhild lowered her head and stopped moving.
"I'll hold the umbrella."
Seeing Subaru extend his hand from beneath his robe to grasp the handle, Reinhild released her hold.
"Thanks."
Reinhild said, then began rummaging in the picnic box, finally pulling out a sandwich.
"Here."
Subaru instinctively reached out his other hand. The picnic cloth instantly transformed from a blanket-like drape into more of a cloak.
—Since when did he get eight-pack abs?
—So cold… wait!
The cold wind immediately made Subaru react. He hurriedly withdrew his hand and pulled the picnic cloth back up over himself, then looked at Reinhild, slightly flustered.
"Have you forgotten that I've seen you in just swim trunks before?"
Reinhild said with a smile.
"But if you're worried, I'll feed you. Here."
Reinhild extended her hand toward Subaru.
"Thanks."
After a brief hesitation, Subaru opened his mouth and started eating the sandwich in front of him.
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