The moment Rima turned the knob and pushed the door open, she was greeted with the resonant pitter-patter of plummeting rain. She immediately looked ahead, a slight smirk tugging her lips as the murky skies grumbled restlessly and streaks of lightning emerged. Although this sort of climate was her favorite, she decided to stand under the entrance where the downpour could not reach. No doubt the stylists would scold both Shiki and herself if they stepped into the rain and soaked their clothes. "Maybe we shouldn't g—"
Without a word, Shiki moved from the shelter and wandered into the drenching showers, taking her by the hand and pulling her along. "Wait, wait," she exclaimed in annoyance. It was to no avail, however. The moment she stepped foot over the doorframe, the pouring rain pelted her incessantly. The fabric of her black-satin dress immediately clung to her petite frame, and strands of her flame-colored locks stuck on either side of her face.
"Shiki! You! You… idi…ot…" What had begun as a loud shout eventually simmered to a dull voice until it turned into an inaudible whisper as she gazed at Shiki. For a fleeting moment, Rima had forgotten how to breathe. The ethereal smile tugged on his lips was a sight Rima rarely witnessed. And whenever she did come across his purest smile, it would leave her breathless. Such incandescence…
Without hesitation, she reached a hand to cup his face, her thumb gently caressing his face amidst the rain. A rosy shade colored her pale cheeks as she gingerly set aside the damp hairs that concealed his empyreal blue eyes. "It really is nice," she whispered quietly, a small simper tracing her mouth. She hadn't noticed, but the drops of rain no longer bothered her.
She was glad to see that he no longer carried a heavy air. What caused his worry back in the study, she wondered. Could it have been hunger…? A sudden recollection snapped her out of her trance. Of course, she thought bitterly. As if pocky would do the trick. "Shiki," she abruptly spoke his name, her tone serious. "Are you hungry?"
It might have been the same question as before, but it wasn't pocky she was proposing this time. With her free hand, she pulled down the collar of her dress by a bit, turning her head sideways to fully expose her slender neck. She averted her gaze all the while, feeling the warm flush on her cheeks once more. "W-well, go on," she demanded. "I know you're hungry. I felt it back in the studio…"