A/N: As I return from my absence to this fandom, I have to address what these series of drabbles will be focused on. I adore Yumemi and Munto. I do, they're my OTP for this series, and always will be. But something in my heart will have a soft spot for Ichiko and Yumemi. The couple that almost was. If Munto had never come into Yumemi's life, I have no doubt that these two could have ended up together. So, whilst I will include the occassional tribute to my OTP, these sets of drabbles will prominently focus on Yumemi and Ichiko. Because, hey, why not?


At first, you only feel friendly affection to the girl with the pink umbrella.

Of course, it's always drawn your attention that she carries it even on sunny days, that her eyes are drawn to the ground as if weighted there by gravity itself. But you later notice the way her eyes brighten when the sun is covered by rainclouds; you notice the smile she bears when she is shielded from the skies.

You hear the strange taunts she and your smaller friend gets called from time-to-time. "Space cadet", "childish". Names that are trivial to an adult, but engrave hidden scars that even the closest to those people can miss by a second's glance. But unlike many people who carry on with their lives, studying and hanging out in their own social circles and not caring for the odd girl with the umbrella, you defend and bear pride that they chose to be your friend.

It's only after the events of when the "childish" girl swam across that river with the delinquent, do you begin to notice her odd behaviours more and more. Many of those moments are held in a flicker of a second, but even then, do they make your heart race with the effort to catch up to her.

The rain pours loudly outside the classroom, with the teacher droning on about equations that you know you're going to need in later life. After all, you plan to become a carpenter in your father's steed, so obviously you'll need to know every in-depth mathematical equation.

The only thing that breaks the silence is the slight sneezes from her behind you. She came in, late and her straw-coloured hair soaking wet, spluttering out apologies and retreating to her seat quickly.

It is later, when the bell rings, do you take notice of her once again. Her figure is more prominent in your consciousness than the other people in your life, but friendly affection is what you feel for her. That has become more of a frequent reminder, as of late.

Yet, you cannot help but stop and stare. Behind that school building, in the middle of the dirty sports field, she is the very essence of free. With each drop of rain that lands on her lips, she is kissing the tears of that man in other world that she so often speaks of. Most of the time she doesn't say a word, yet you know exactly what she means. The two worlds share the same sky, and under that blanket of stormclouds, she knows that two will become one.

Each drop of rain is so small, so insignificant; together, they make up a mighty force that wets her dried lips.

In her mind, she must imagine the rain being a binding force to that world. And the eyes that once were weighed down to the ground, you are now afraid she will float up higher to where you can no longer reach her.

And unlike her spirits that soar, your heart sinks lower than the depths of the sea.