Day 3: Rainy Day
Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.
Chapter 3.
A loud and heavy downpour shrouds Luna Nova in a wet, hissing storm today.
Naturally, all outdoor gym and flying classes have been canceled, and the overall mood around the school is dampened in every sense of the word. Even the ever-energetic Akko is pouting as she glares out the window once classes have ended.
"Geeeez…" she sighs. "Why did it have to raaain? Now we'll be stuck inside all evening…"
"Not like that's a bad thing," Sucy shrugs. "Besides, rain is crucial for the life cycle of fungi. There's bound to be a ton of good stuff popping up tomorrow morning."
"Not only that," Lotte says. "But it's a good excuse to spend some time in the library. Wanna come, Akko?"
Akko shakes her head.
"Nah. I'll figure out something else to do."
"All right." With this, Lotte and Sucy head off together.
Akko remains at her hallway window, glaring at the rain as if that will make it stop sooner. She's so focused on her pouting she doesn't hear footsteps approaching.
"Akko?" Diana tilts her head curiously as she reaches her. Akko brightens at the sight of her.
"Diana~!" She throws both arms around her girlfriend, picking her up and twirling her once.
"A-Akko!" Diana yelps, flustered, but it's over in seconds and Akko is putting her back down. Diana tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear and tries to recompose herself, straightening her back. "Please refrain from doing such things in public spaces."
"Right, sorry! I just couldn't help myself!"
Diana sighs, but she isn't upset at all. Rather, she'd enjoyed the display of affection just now.
"Now then, what's got you staring off like that? Did you have plans canceled by the rain today?"
"Not really," Akko sighs. "I mean, I would've liked to practice flying a little or something…"
"I see. But with these weather conditions, flying would be highly improbable."
"Yeah, I know…" Akko slumps her shoulders.
Diana doesn't like seeing her so dejected, even for something so small. So she makes a proposal.
"Perhaps flying is improbable," she says. "However, with the right spell, a simple walk through the gardens wouldn't be."
"Huh…?" Akko blinks at her, puzzled.
Diana draws her wand and waves it above their heads, casting a spell that forms a green barrier of light over them. Akko stares in amazement.
"Whoa! So is this, like, a magical umbrella?!"
"I suppose you can think of it as such," Diana chuckles. "But it's much more efficient. It will not only protect us from the rain, but wind as well. Yet it won't prevent us from enjoying the sounds or smells of nature."
"Whoa! That's so cool, Diana!"
"However," she continues. "There is one condition if you don't want to get drenched."
Akko tilts her head. "Like what?"
Now, Diana looks away briefly, blushing pink.
"You've got to stay very close to me."
Akko bursts into a grin so big it's as if the sun has broken through the clouds all at once.
"Stay close? To you, Diana? Not a problem!" Akko scurries in and wraps an arm around Diana's waist, pressing close to her side and sticking like glue. Diana's blush deepens, but if it's for the sake of seeing Akko smile like this, she'd gladly do this all evening long with her.
"So?" Akko prompts her. "How's this? Is this close enough~?"
Diana still doesn't look at her directly.
"Y-Yes. That would be sufficient…"
"Heehee, great! I'll make sure to stay suuuuper close to you, Diana!"
"Very good… we wouldn't want you catching another cold…"
With her wand still raised with the spell over them, Diana leads them to the doors.
They're probably the only students to step foot outside today with how heavy the downpour has become. But with Diana's spell, the rain never touches them, and instead just rushes down all around them like a giant waterfall. Even their shoes remain dry as they walk across the waterlogged grass.
"Whoa!" Akko gasps. "Diana, this is soooo cool! I can walk in the rain without being soaked! I never knew a spell like this existed!"
"I can teach it to you later if you'd like."
"Yeah!"
They walk slowly side-by-side through the rainstorm. Had there been thunder or lightning too, Diana never would've proposed coming outside, but since it's only rain she's glad to be spending some time alone with Akko like this.
Akko stays close to her as they head for the gardens, hugging Diana a little tighter every now and then.
As they enter the campus garden, they behold a sight they could never see on a regular sunny afternoon.
All of the plants are covered in a wet, glistening sheen, and though some are drooping from the rain, many of them are standing taller than usual. The greens of their leaves seem so much more vibrant, and in some cases the petals that typically remained closed are now blossoming, opening wider and fuller than they ever would when dry.
Akko marvels at everything, and Diana has to keep a good hold on her so she doesn't go rushing off to look at something and end up getting drenched anyway.
They make their way through the gardens slowly, admiring the rain-soaked world they so often miss out on by staying indoors.
By the time they've seen every plant available, Akko is clinging to Diana with a giddy sort of glee. Diana's heart swells with affection as she slowly brings Akko back toward the school.
"Well?" she asks. "What did you think, Akko?"
Akko straightens up instantly.
"It was amazing, Diana! It was soooo beautiful! I loved it!"
In her excitement she throws her arms around Diana's shoulders and just kisses her.
Flustered by the unexpected kiss, Diana's focus on her spell lapses for a second, and a torrent of rain comes rushing down on them.
Both girls shriek as their kiss turns from warm and sweet to cold and rain-tasting.
Diana quickly recasts her spell, but the damage has been done. They're both soaked and sopping, clothes and hair dark. But when Akko bursts into a fit of joyous laughter, Diana can't help but chuckle as well.
"Come, then," she says. "Let us go change clothes and have some supper."
"'Kay!"
They saunter side-by-side back into the building, wetter than they'd left it, but glad for it.
A/N: Just wanted my girls to share a magical lovers' umbrella~
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