A/N:

I'm glad Suzume is trying her best to put in effort with her relationship with Daiki. I mean I like Mamura, he's shy, but he has the best intentions for Suzume, too.

Oh, but then if Satsuki is still determined to pursue her, I guess in the end I won't be able to choose which of the guys I want our heroine to end up with. Thank God for fanfiction! If I'm not happy with the ending of the manga, I can always write an alternative to satisfy my cravings.

Do check out this manga if you happen to just stumble upon my work. I may be putting some spoilers here, so be warned!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my ramblings here.

Rainy Days and Mondays

"Damn!" I muttered to myself, starring at the pile of papers I still need to grade. Running a hand through my tousled hair, I stifled a sigh. And here I was looking forward to going home early when I remembered I still have one class to go.

Tapping my red pen a little impatiently, I pushed my chair back out and headed to the teacher's lounge room. I need a cigarette to release the stress I've been feeling. That, plus lack of sleep. Get a grip old man!

Pulling a pack of unopened cigarettes, I removed the cellophane and tapped the box to breathe some air into the box before pulling out a stick.

Outside, the clouds continued to rumble, and the sky had turned into a dark overcast being split in several places by thunder and lightning.

I opened the sliding windows a little so I can blow my cigarette smoke out. The lounge area is empty. Half of the teachers have gone home or possibly wanted to avoid the heavy rains by leaving early. The remaining half are either busy with supervising the student clubs they are handling or doing left over paper works they weren't able to finish last week. Like me.

I can see some of the students who are practicing in their respective sports clubs push in some last minute training before calling it a day. And even as the clouds swell with rainwater threatening to spill their contents any time, it's a a somewhat calming sight for me to see students putting all their best efforts in school. I just hope that they retain the same enthusiasm when they become adults. Because sometimes, even putting on the same efforts, things just don't work out the way we wanted it to.

I continued to let the minty taste of the stick run its course throughout my lungs. For a moment, I felt a little hypnotize by this arresting feeling. I really should control the number of cigarettes I inhale everyday. But ever since that disastrous break-up more than four months ago, my number of lighted sticks went from four to ten a day.

Just as I was about to flick away the half-finished stick, the clouds opened up and began to pour buckets of water down in thick sheets. All the activities on the school playing field ceased, as students happily scrambled about to run for shelter.

And as my eyes followed the students, counting each of them absentmindedly and checking that they are safe, along the covered walkway, a familiar figure walked unperturbed.

Like a surreal fairy princess that continues to haunt me in my dreams, Suzume Yosano made her way down her own path with self-assured confidence and quiet dignity.

I could see she is about to go home, holding her book bag over her shoulders. But at the end of the walkway, nearest to the gate, she stopped and began to rummage through her bag.

I could fairly guess with a certain amount of amusement what she is looking for: an umbrella.

And knowing Yosano, she probably forgot hers-again.

Suppressing the urge to smile, I shook my head instead. Well she did change, for the better at least. But some things about her still remain the same. I wonder if I should be happy about some of those. I felt like I'm the only one who still remembers how she is before I hurt her.

Finding she had no umbrella, she continued to stand there, watching the rain. Probably waiting for it to relent a little, just enough for her to walk back home or even take a bus at this atrocious weather.

I briefly considered ditching my work and wind up my trusty old car around the corner to catch her and bring her home. She would have no choice but to accept. With this kind of rain, it will not let up immediately. At least not for a while.

I turned, ready to get my keys when at the corner of my eye, I saw a bright spot of red among the sea of grey colors and water.

Daiki Mamura held out a large big umbrella, indicating for Yosano to get under it so he can take her home.

I stood against the window, feeling the droplets of water cold against my face. The cigarette I was puffing has died, and I eventually took it out of my mouth with my shaky fingers.

That familiar ache again on my chest.

Yosano took Mamura's invitation without hesitation and stood close to him so as not to get wet. And they went out of the school gate slowly, appearing like a young couple in love. I watch until I could not see the red umbrella standing out against the drab, cold atmosphere of a rainy Monday afternoon.

I threw the wet cigarette stick out and shut the window closed. The pain in my chest hurt so much that I wasn't able to breathe for a moment. When it subsided, I went back to the faculty office and sat down on my chair, took the topmost paper and began to scribble some notes and correction for my student's test results. How long will the pain stay with me tonight?

A/N: Let me know what you think.