While I was busy reading, several visitors began to leave the library. From the corner of my eye, however, I noticed that Alicia had already arrived and was sitting in her seat, absorbed in a book. She had changed into red-and-white sportswear—simple, yet striking among the dark wooden shelves.
From a distance, I could make out the title of her book—it was about ice. Maybe she was reading it because it related to her abilities. I returned my focus to my own book, until the clock hand slowly pointed to nine in the evening. Without delay, I closed the book and left the library.
The moment I stepped outside, cold air slammed into my body. The sound of heavy rain mixed with thunder filled the air. It seemed the library was protected by soundproof magic to maintain comfort inside—and I thought that made sense.
In front of me, Alicia was standing while leaning against a pillar, hugging herself as if trying to fend off the cold.
"What are you doing out here?" I asked as I approached, greeting her from behind.
"I-it's just… I wanted to go home, but I didn't expect the rain to fall again," she replied nervously.
"Then why didn't you wait inside the library? It's cold out here."
"I-it's just… I wanted to know when the rain would stop so I could go home right away."
I stood right in front of her. Without thinking, I pressed my forehead against hers. Alicia flinched, reflexively pushing me back a few steps.
"W-what are you doing?!" she shouted in panic, her eyes wide with fear.
Just as I thought—she was still afraid of me. All this time, she had only been trying to act normal.
"What am I doing?" I replied casually. "I was just worried and wanted to check your body temperature."
I looked straight at her.
"I'm afraid you might get sick."
Alicia fell silent, then lowered her head.
"I'm sorry… I misunderstood you," she said softly, clearly feeling guilty for doubting my intentions.
Even though I had done it on purpose to get closer to her, I knew this much—when a girl draws a clear line and shuts down every opening, sometimes what's needed isn't excessive patience, but the courage to step closer. As long as it doesn't cross the line, leaving an impression is enough.
I let out a soft sigh, as if disappointed.
"If you stay here, you'll really get sick. Let me walk you back to the dorm."
"No need… I can wait in the library," she said hesitantly.
"What if the rain doesn't stop all night?" I asked. "Are you going to sleep there?"
Alicia nodded faintly, almost unnoticeable.
"Do you really distrust me that much?"
She stayed silent, her head lowering even further.
I took out my umbrella and handed it to her.
"Here, take it."
She looked at the umbrella, then at me with confused eyes.
"Didn't you say you didn't want me near you?" I continued calmly. "If that's the case, then at least take this."
Several seconds passed in silence, filled only by the sound of rain. Finally, she took a deep breath.
"Actually… I don't live in the dorm anymore," she said softly, nearly drowned out by the rain. "I rent a place in the city—"
"Does that really make a difference?" I cut in gently, extending the umbrella toward her. "Take it. Get some rest as soon as you can. Otherwise, I'm really worried you'll get sick."
"No… I can wait in the library," she replied quickly, as if that sentence were her last line of defense.
A small smile formed at the corner of my lips.
"You're stubborn," I said lightly. "And this rain doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon."
Alicia bit her lip, her gaze shifting between the umbrella in her hand and the dark sky above us. Her shoulders trembled—whether from the cold or from hesitation, I couldn't tell. A few seconds passed in awkward silence.
"In that case…" I took a slow breath and looked at her. "How about we go together? Besides, I also rent a place in the city."
Alicia was startled. Her eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting me to suggest it. She lowered her head, her fingers clutching the hem of her clothes.
"I-I…" her voice caught. "I'm not sure…"
"I don't mind walking you home," I said calmly. "We'll just walk. Nothing more."
The rain poured down even harder. Alicia let out a small sigh, then nodded almost imperceptibly.
"…Alright."
We began walking along the wet road. Streetlights reflected a yellowish glow on the puddles. At first, the distance between us was clear—close enough to share the umbrella, far enough to keep boundaries.
A cold wind blew, and without thinking, I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, closing the distance between us. Alicia's body stiffened instantly. She tried to pull away, her steps faltering.
I stopped immediately.
"Sorry," I said quickly. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
I withdrew my arm, then deliberately shifted the umbrella I was holding in my right hand more toward the left. I also kept a bit of distance. As a result, the rain began soaking my right shoulder. The cold seeped in, but I didn't complain.
Alicia noticed. Her gaze lingered on my soaked shoulder, then lifted to my face. She hesitated for a moment before finally moving closer. Our bodies were now pressed together beneath the umbrella. Her steps became stiff, like someone about to lose balance.
"Are you feeling dizzy?" I asked softly.
She nodded faintly.
I linked my left hand with her right.
"Hold on to me," I said gently. "That way you won't fall."
Alicia stayed silent for a few seconds, then slowly wrapped her arm around mine. Her grip was still hesitant, but she no longer pulled away.
We walked together under the rain—her steps slow, mine adjusting to match hers. There were no words, only the sound of rain and the rhythm of footsteps finally falling into sync.
"By the way," I said, looking ahead as if asking casually, "why are you renting a place? Wouldn't it be cheaper to stay in the dorm?"
Alicia flinched slightly. Her steps slowed almost imperceptibly.
Something had felt off from the start. The average monthly income in this world was only around four to five thousand. Alicia was just a commoner, not from a wealthy family. Yet she worked part-time and rented a place in the city—when even the cheapest lodging I could find cost ten thousand per month.
I wasn't convinced her parents could send her that much money.
Or… was Alfred the one giving it to her?
The thought made my chest tighten.
If that were true, hadn't that bastard taken advantage of this innocent girl? Locking her in, or doing something even worse?
Alicia fell silent. Her face lowered, her eyes avoiding mine. Her fingers gripped my arm a little tighter, yet her body seemed to shrink, as if trying to disappear behind the rain.
"I…" her lips moved, but no words came out.
I let out a soft sigh.
"I don't know what kind of problems you're dealing with," I said more gently. "But I hope you take better care of yourself."
She stiffened.
"Renting a place in the city is expensive," I continued carefully. "I just hope you're not selling your body… or doing things that hurt you."
Alicia shook her head rapidly.
"No! I-it's not like that," she said hastily, her voice trembling. Her eyes widened, as if both offended and afraid of being misunderstood.
"Then… is there another reason?" I asked softly.
She fell silent again. The rain kept falling, our footsteps echoing on the wet road. Alicia lowered her head even further, her shoulders trembling faintly.
"You know," I said after a while, "it's not good to carry everything on your own. Keeping it all inside only makes the burden heavier."
She bit her lip, her eyes glistening.
"Maybe you still don't want to tell me," I continued. "And that's fine."
I glanced slightly toward her.
"But if one day it feels too heavy… if you feel like you can't carry it alone anymore…"
I slowed my pace, matching her increasingly hesitant steps.
"You can talk to me," I said quietly. "I'll listen."
Alicia stopped for a moment. She lifted her face slightly—not fully looking at me, but enough to reveal the fragile expression she had been hiding all this time.
Without saying anything, her grip on my arm tightened just a little. She started walking again, still stiff—but this time, no longer pulling away.
And for me, that was already more than enough… for now.