In which Tomoki goes home with company.
"We don't have practice today, it's really pouring!"
Someone shouted from across the hallway. It was an upperclassman from the soccer club. Kuroki Tomoki was prepared to run drenched and cold in a field of puddles but this was okay too, he thought. It was a good thing he had an umbrella.
He went to the locker area and changed his shoes. The rain was getting stronger. He rummaged inside his bag and took out a yellow umbrella. Just as he was about to step out, someone called from behind.
"Kuroki-kun!"
It was one of his classmates. He doesn't really know her name. He must have forgotten it since he doesn't really talk much to his female classmates. He finds them a nuisance because they keep bothering him, especially at practice.
"Can I share with you? Umm.. The umbrella.. I mean."
"Uh yeah sure."
He doesn't like the idea of going home with anybody. He would always look forward to his solitary walks to and from school. But today would be an exception. Although half-heartedly, he let the girl in his umbrella.
"Thanks, Kuroki-kun."
He didn't say anything.
The girl seemed nervous and excited at the same time. Because she forgot her umbrella, she can spend time with the soccer superstar Kuroki-kun.
She started talking about her cat that was pure white except for a small black spot under its belly. And how she's actually allergic to cats.
Tomoki wasn't really listening. But he knew when to nod and say yes or act surprised. He learned how to do it because his sister would always barge in his room with her pointless ramblings.
They passed by a small playground with a waiting shed. Someone was there, wearing the same yellow uniform as the girl next to Tomoki although hers was wet from the rain.
A few blocks ahead was a convenience store. The girl was telling Tomoki something about a cat game.
"I forgot I had to buy some things for dinner. You can have this."
Tomoki handed his umbrella to the girl.
"What will you use then? How about I go shopping with you?"
Without answering her or pretending not to hear, Tomoki ran to the convenience store. Nonetheless the girl was happy she got a memento from Kuroki-kun. She wondered if it was okay not too return the umbrella.
Tomoki grabbed two umbrellas from the display rack. It was the cheapest they have, the transparent kind where you could see the drops of rain as they fall to the surface.
Tomoki handed an umbrella to the girl in the waiting shed. Her hands were shaking when she took it.
"What happened to the girl you were with? Why'd you come back?"
"I forgot something."
"I'm home."
Tomoki's mother was staring at them in awe.
"It's so rare to see you two come home together."