11

Captivated in the rain

The sky was a gray abyss casting a lack of shine, giving a lack of shadows, a lack of contrast. The bustling city was drowned out by the rain that was starting to pelt down like smooth pebbles. The weather itself was completely different from the gentle drizzle it was before they got on the train, it was now a growing storm.

Izuku and Momo had stepped out of the train. The shelter from the train stop blocked the rain for them but not the wind. The weather had picked up, they glanced at each other, realizing they wouldn't be able to talk properly unless they got out of the rain. They began to walk away from the train stop as Izuku lifted the umbrella over them, but the sporadic droplets were falling in all directions, dampening their clothes as they tried going at a more brisk pace. They reached the bottom of the stairs, leading into the sidewalk, walking along the flooding streets. Izuku was standing on the side closer to the passing by cars, taking most of the splash.

"I would invite you back to my home but the maid will be there today and I would prefer if we were able to talk alone." Momo spoke in a voice that had to be louder than the wind.

"Oh, y-yeah, I understand," Izuku nodded with a smile, having to speak just as loudly as her. Izuku was hoping to talk to Momo at her place, but he now had to look for a new option.

They had reached an intersection and were waiting for the light to change. Izuku was glancing around for any place that could give them some privacy. He didn't know it but Momo was doing the same thing. They had made eye contact both pausing in their search. Her lips parted in a gasp, letting out a condensed breath, having not realized how close they were from sharing the umbrella, until now. He didn't know if he wanted to take a step back because they were too close or a step forward to dare and get closer, unable to do either.

They were lost in each other's eyes. The scattering rain that was able to flutter in between their gaze, to them, looked like droplets of water floating timelessly around them. It was as if his enamored emerald eyes and her infatuated innocent orbs were intertwined, sharing an internal dance, where everything around them was a blur, only able to focus on each other like at the formal ball where it all started.

The light changed and the pedestrians around them began to walk. Their illusion dissolved and reality set back in as the rain started to pelt down on them again.

They both flinched from the sudden shift, both just realizing that people were around them. He scratched his cheek, and she fixed her hair because they wanted to act as normal as possible as they crossed the street, but neither could glance at the other, trying to hide their individual blush.

They started to walk down a more quiet street, as their analyzing thoughts went into overload.

'H-How am I supposed to be alone with her? Just looking at her makes it hard to breathe!' Izuku thought he got over his problem of talking to girls but Momo was making him feel like a nervous first-year all over again. He readjusted his grip on the umbrella, trying to make sure it was shielding her properly. 'We still haven't figured out where to be alone anyways...' Despite his anxiety, Izuku knew he had to talk to Momo about their relationship, and was still searching.

'The spark in his eye...' Momo was glad he was the one holding the umbrella, all she was able to do was keep her hands clenched around her schoolbag. Although Momo did have her insecurities about being a hero she never has seen herself as one in need of a hero, but now, 'E-Everytime I'm with him, he makes me feel like I'm the only one that matters. Is this what it's like for the people he saves? My hero...' It was a small effort but she nudged her head slightly in his direction, her lips lifted, noticing that even though he was bashful, he was adjusting the umbrella for her. In her own bashful way, she scooted a bit closer to him, letting out the shyest giggle as he stiffened from her action. 'That's why we have to have our talk... Our talk!' Momo just remembered that they didn't have any location established to actually have the talk about their relationship.

The lonely street they were walking down had led to some back alleys, eventually arriving in front of a narrow path that was lined up with a particular set of hourly hotels.

They both froze seeing the inviting neon lights. It was their solution to privacy. They turned their faces to each other, asking the other with their eyes. They both erupted in blushing embarrassment, quickly walking away from the idea of sharing a hotel.

The rain didn't let up.

The more they walked the closer they were getting to Momo's residence. Izuku mentally sighed, 'It's hopeless at this rate.' He was already seeing the small forest of trees that circled her home. He ruffled the back of his hair with his free hand as he spoke dejectedly, "Uh, listen Momo, maybe we can talk another da-,"

"This way." Momo abruptly changed direction, walking away from the street towards the trees. "If I recall, it's near."

"Huh? M-Momo?" Izuku attempted to keep the umbrella over her but he was caught off guard by her sudden shift in attitude, his grip was loose and the wind caught it, sweeping the umbrella out of his hand, "Agh, s-sorry!" It was already flying high into the sky, he was about to retrieve it with his quirk but Momo stopped him.

"Don't worry."

It was the serenity in her voice that lured him in but the sight of her in front of him was what captivated him.

She had turned to him, standing in front of the forest, the raindrops were falling around her like fluttering petals. Her cheeks were pale and the tip of her nose was pink from the cold and her breath came out as condensed warmth. She tilted her head as she raised her shoulders. Her lips lifted into that everlasting smile as she held out her hand, speaking with a beloved sigh,

"This way."