His hair is just soaking, why is he so put on not using an umbrella is beyond me. No one is that serious about their beliefs, are they? He is, I guess. He's going to ruin his health and clothes. Not to mention the books in his schoolbag. At least he won't get any rain here, under the bus stop. He's humming to himself. Eyes closed, enjoying an imaginary tune he's hearing in the sound of rain. I can hear thunder a little ways ahead, but nothing else. I find myself looking at him again and quickly turn away. But what if I didn't? I couldn't. Just thinking about it makes my glasses foggy. I would just brush against him, I think to myself when I readjust them. This clenching feeling... I don't think I could stop just there. Just as I reach my arm he decides to turn to me. "What's the time, Shin-chan?" I don't mind it anymore. I suppose. "16:37," I swiftly answer as I look at my wristwatch, which luckily just happened to be on the same hand.
I cock an eyebrow at him; his eyes still lingered on my face. And suddenly he's much more closer, reaching upwards. And before I can stop myself, I'm leaning forward...
It lasted for only a mere second, but it felt as if a lifetime. He let go of my shirt immediately when we heard the bus come, but I can still feel his fingers. His bony hip under my hand. And his lips. It wasn't even a kiss, we just brushed together. He enters the bus quietly, unusually. As I follow him, I can't help but to feel a sense of hollowness inside me. It doesn't make any sense.
We ride the bus in silence. Since it's half-empty anyway, the silence presses even more. I occasionally glance at Takao, but he just keeps staring out of the window, his head rested against the glass. I don't feel good. Usually he'd chatter loud to keep me awake after a tiresome day. He knows I haven't slept well lately. I yawn as I get more tired. Drifting, the only things I can feel are my own heartbeat, the vibration of the bus and his thigh against mine. I'm sleepy.
I suddenly awaken when I feel him nudging me. "Hey, Midorima, it's our stop." Midorima? I stand up from the seat and make my way towards the door. For a moment I thought he won't come, but he's already next to me. But not talking.
He walks so close to me along the street that he doesn't even get wet anymore from the rain. I don't know why, but I suddenly have the need to thank my umbrella. The sound of our steps is only accompanied by the lashing of rain against surfaces and dogs barking somewhere. His hand brushes against mine occasionally. The next time he does, I'll... As he touches me again, I loosely catch his ring and little finger between mine. He doesn't pull away. But he's still quiet.
Having reached my house, he lets go and waves at me. His lips say "bye", but I don't hear it because of a car driving past. As I watch him walk up the hill-like street, I wonder - will he call me tonight? He probably will. He's not that good in Physics and we have a test tomorrow.
He didn't call.
As I exit my front door in the morning, I can hear his upbeat voice some length away. "Hey, Shin-chan!" he cheers as I go down the small set of stairs and greet him good morning. I feel uneasy. "Man, today's test is gonna be a cakewalk!" Takao brags as he folds his arms behind his head. His laid-back attitude... He's not that good in Physics. He laughs. "I had the weirdest dream yesterday! About you, Shin-chan, and the bus." "Is that so?" I feel empty inside.