A/N: This is a series of one-shots featuring Mikoshiba x Sakura. I am a diehard Nozaki x Sakura shipper, but the anime also got me thinking about Mikorin and Sakura's chemistry, and the 'shiptease' every now and then is entertaining. (Come to think of it, Mikorin has no partner yet except his 2D models so this could stand a chance as a LOVE TRIANGLE!). Please enjoy!

I've always hated carrying an umbrella along with me. It made me look uncool, and it feels awkward when my hands aren't free while walking around.

But it wouldn't compare to how much I'd hate the rain for ruining my hair, which I styled for more than an hour before going to school. It also destroys my earphones, and I couldn't hear my catchy songs in the midst of such gloomy weather.

Despite this hatred, I should have known not to be stubborn. Ignoring the sound of thunder as I was rushing earlier has mistake written all over it. Trapped in the school foyer, I kicked a can lying on the floor in annoyance. My eyes followed a trail of clumped umbrellas; it must be the fangirls eager to cover Kashima. It made me smirk a little, but I couldn't help feeling sorry for myself. "I've talked to many women in games, but I couldn't even properly say hi to one in real life!" My knuckles turned white in my frustration.

That was when I heard her sweet voice. "Mikorin, aren't you going home yet?"

The twin ribbons resting on her head bounced a little as she walked towards me. Chiyo Sakura, Nozaki's new assistant. She was very comfortable to be with, and she provided eye-candy when I'm bored from staring at the paper for too long while in Nozaki's turf. Perhaps I've grown more relaxed around her over the months that we've worked together. I know that every word I'd say won't bear a consequence as bad as losing points in dating sim. I didn't have to pretend to be a playboy or a smart senpai. I'd just be Mikoshiba with all sorts of dorkness stuffed in.

I turned my eyes away from her and looked at the wet ground. "Nope, not yet. I'm planning to go to Nozaki's, but, heck, I forgot my umbrella." I bit my tongue for my own stupidity. Sakura just blinked at me but smiled a little. "That's alright," she reassured me as she grabbed a red umbrella from her bag, decorated with white polka dots same as the ribbons she has. "Why don't you come with me, eh? I haven't finished some tasks as well so I'm planning to drop by."

"What a silly excuse to see Nozaki, haha." The uptward turn of her lips only confirmed my guess.

"I-it's not like that, I really have to do something before the deadline!" Sakura protested.

As I joined her under the umbrella, I realized the height difference would cause a problem. Sakura's arms held her arms a bit higher. "Hey, let me carry this for us." I took the handle from her grip. Her eyes turned to mine as she smiled. "Sorry, I'm really short compared to other women my age."

We started walking in silence. We weren't really turning our attention to what we saw; we were occupied by our own thoughts to the point that we didn't notice for the first few minutes that the umbrella was too small for the both of us.

I shrieked from the cold water. "Keee… baka! You are getting me wet in this useless umbrella!"

"WAAAH! MIKORIN! I DIDN'T KNOW AS WELL!" Sakura was startled.

"You...You're freaking wet," I told her.

Sakura chuckled, beady-eyed. "This should be fine, Mikorin! A little rain can't hurt me. And oy, you're the one taking advantage of my own umbrella!"

I inadvertently raised my voice as I replied: "It's not like I asked to walk with you anyway!"

"Eh!? Well, if that's how you accept kindness, damn fine!" Sakura puffed both of her cheeks and left me with her umbrella.

"WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!"

"TO NOZAKI'S, ON MY OWN!" She continued walking through the rain until she was out of sight.

"What the hell, I could have gone home and played games instead. But where am I now? I just made a real woman feel bad!" I freaked out a little, but it sank down on me how I made her upset with my response. Sometimes I can really be reckless.

I stood there for a few minutes, hesitant to chase after her. What's the use anyway? Should I apologize? Maybe she's too mad to listen to me. DAMMIT! WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN!?

In the middle of it all, I started questioning myself: Why am I too affected?

Everything around me looked gigantic as I became more and more little. My brows crossed together in frustration, and every breath I took felt heavy in my heart.

Nothing will happen if I just stand here, right?

I blindly followed the path Sakura took, but the rain got wilder and stronger. I began looking at every shop I pass by, thinking she would just stall time to avoid this heavy downpour. Time dashed like raindrops falling on the ground, but Sakura was nowhere to be found. "Tch, where did that chibi onna go?"

That was when my eyes caught a certain orangehead in a small alley with her vibrant colors standing in contrast with the dull sky. "Sakura," I began running towards her.

"Sakura!" I began running towards her.

Sakura turned her head towards me. Her expression displayed how flummoxed she was upon seeing me there.

"MIKORIN!?" She yelled.

"You think I'm that much of a jerk, eh?" I grumbled.

She was about to speak when I placed a finger on her lip. "Shh, I'm sorry. Look at you, wet chick. You're so vulnerable~"

Sakura's face was suffused with a shade of rose upon hearing this. This is the first time I seem to have caught her off guard, but I was beginning to feel warm on my cheeks as well, so my superficial confidence didn't win through. I rested a hand against the wall and lamented at my communication skills.

I felt her tiny, wet hand patting my back. "Silly Mikorin, let's go!" Her washed away all the repellent feelings as if she freed me from cuffs of guilt that held me down.

I began feeling lighter, and by a sudden sweep of a feeling I carried Sakura with my arms. I smirked at her and said, "This handsome messenger will carry you to the prince."

Sakura's eyes widened and in turn blushed harder than ever. It was a funny sight until she began poking me with the umbrella. "HURRY!" She closed her eyes, unable to look towards mine.

She was shaking as she held the umbrella, and I carried her through the rain. She soaked too much, and that made me regret much of my actions earlier. "If you get sick, let me take care of you, okay!?"

She had this puzzled look on her face. "Eh?"

"JUST NOD!" I retorted back to her, and she beamed at me. "Sure!"

Then she couldn't stop laughing as we walked to the rain, and everything around began to lose sense. I can only remember in that moment, the two of us, patched things up together and just enjoying each other's teases. I didn't have to worry about anyone else; I only had time to focus on Sakura's pretty face and sweet voice.

And losing an internal battle, I couldn't stop falling for her.

Too bad this moment has to end as every euphoria has to meet its fall. Sakura got back on her feet again as we both faced Nozaki's door, still chuckling from how silly we looked like according to her. She didn't really have to point it out, but—

"I think everyone seeing us would think that we were taken straight from a shoujo manga scene."

I'm not sure if laughed more because of the absurdity of that notion than the idea that I'm beginning to have feelings for Sakura.

"Hmm, you could say that again, except one of us is the protagonist and the other one is the side character." I flipped my now damp hair, which signaled another failed execution of my so-called coolness.

"What did you actually mean by that?" Sakura raised a brow, but before I can answer the prince finally opened the door.

"Sakura, Mikoshiba. " Nozaki showed up, wearing an apron an holding a spatula on his right hand. "Whoa! You guys are wet. Come in and make yourselves comfortable."

I trailed after Sakura, closing the door behind us.

Man, wouldn't I be able to get out of this role of being a messenger?

-END-