Rain.
I liked it back when I was younger, when I could use it as an excuse to not go out. Not that I ever needed one.
Now? I found it a nuisance that got in the way of my responsibilities as an adult.
Even now, the heavy downpour made it dangerous to drive on the road, but I kept on anyway.
…Not because of some mature responsibility as I had mentioned, but because of a mistake I made in college, one that only continued to make more problems for me.
A Rainy Night...
Checking my phone's GPS at a red light, I sigh as I realize just how close I am to my destination.
Once the light turns green, I cross the street and finally arrive at the shopping center, parking right by the street.
Not in any particular rush to confront the problem that would be arriving sometime in the near future, I turned to my phone and put on my playlist.
The sound of american jazz reaches my ears, and quickly relaxes my stiffness. "Hah, What am I thinking? Coming here-"
Knock, Knock.
Looking over at the passenger window, I notice the heated glare directed at me. Unlocking the doors, she enters quickly, lest she get even more soaked than she already was.
"What took you? I've been here for an hour!" She complains, but I don't see how the fault lies on me.
"I could have easily ignored you. I went out of my way for you, so quit complaining, woman."
"As if! You're too big of a softie to ignore me, Hikio." She calls me by the name she always has, even after everything that happened. "Anyway, what's this?' She reaches for my phone, but I quickly pull it out of her reach.
"What did you want, Miura? I'm not exactly happy with you calling my sister just to get to me." I say, turning my music down.
"Hah? Haven't you outgrown being a sis-con?" She looks at me with disgust, not that I cared. "Especially after she got married?"
"...And if I haven't?"
"Ugh, fine…" She lightly punches my arm, but I don't flinch at her touch. "I just needed a ride home."
"...You…You went through my sister, who never really liked you to begin with, just to get me to give you a ride home?" I raise an eyebrow at that, not believing it for a second.
"Ugh, you don't need to phrase it like that." She punches my arm again, this time with more force. "It's just…You're the only guy I know that has a car. …Wait! Komachi-chan doesn't like me? Why?"
"You know why, and I'm the only guy you know who has a car?"
"...Yeah? …Wait, are you jealous? We stopped dating three years ago, did you seriously think I'd still be hung up on you?"
Not giving her an answer, I get to driving. "Where?" I have work tomorrow, and I'd like to spend the remainder of my night without a headache.
"My parent's place." She responds, pulling out her phone nonchalantly.
"That's in Chiba."
"Obviously…" She just laughs, more focused on her phone.
Gripping my steering wheel tighter, I don't make any more comments.
We-We're over!
Parking next to a convenience store, I leave my car. "Hik-"
Slam.
Walking inside, I quickly head on over to the refrigerated drinks, more specifically, the coffee. Grabbing a can of MAX for myself, I stop as I spot a bottled mocha frappe. A basic coffee, but one of her favorites.
Arriving at the cashier, I presented my items. "Will that be all, sir?" They ask, to which I nod in response. "That'll be 370 yen."
Grabbing the necessary coins, I dump them in the tray.
"Would you like a bag?"
"No." Taking my things, I leave.
Getting back into my car, I hand her the drink I got her before she says anything.
"...Oh, Thanks?" Ignoring her, I take my drink and take a drink. Stopping, I'm left with only half.
Putting my half drunk coffee into the cup holder, I put my foot to the brake and switch to reverse. Now out of the parking, I brake again, and drive off.
"Koff, Koff! Hik-koff! You dick!" Miura insults me between coughs.
Glancing at her, I notice the coffee running down her chin and staining her shirt. Biting my tongue, I stop myself from instinctively apologizing.
Looking back at the road, I continue to my destination.
Waiting at an intersection, I can practically feel the hole being burned into the side of my head. "What." I finally breathe out.
My tone, or the fact that I spoke to begin with, surprises her as she takes a moment to respond. "...Your…Your hair. You cut it?"
"Yeah?" I wouldn't have my job if I didn't, no one wants to hire someone who looks homeless. Glancing back over at her, I notice her wearing a sweater a size too big for her. "And, you're the same as ever."
"I don't see why I would need to…" Her voice trails off, but I don't bother paying it any mind.
After a few minutes of silence, I came to a stop. "Here you are." I tell Miura, who is obviously confused. Reaching into my pocket, I open my wallet and grab a few bills. "For both the train and cab."
We were at the station, a conclusion she seemed to reach as she took in our surroundings, and ignored my outstretched hand. "Hikio this isn't-"
"It's for the best that we don't meet again, Miura."
"But, this isn't what we agreed on!"
"...Ignoring the fact I never agreed to anything. Do you think we're still teenagers? I have responsibilities, real ones, I don't have time to-"
"Then, at least hear me out!" Staring at her blankly, the sound of the downpour accompanies the silence between us.
Hear her out? Why should I? She's the same as always, even now, she wants so much but doesn't bother with what I want or think.
"Hik-"
"No." I deny immediately.
"Bu-" Yet, she persists.
"No."
"Hachiman! Please…"
Clenching my jaw, I stop myself from outright shouting at her to get out. "Yumiko. Leave."
"I told daddy that we were still together!" She reveals, her dainty hands holding onto my shirt sleeve. "I know I shouldn't have, but he wanted to see you again, and I-"
"You're right." I pull my hand out of her grip. "You shouldn't have, and now you're going to have to explain to him how you lied. By yourself." Unlocking the doors, I wait for her to leave.
And leave, she does not. Instead, I begin to hear sniffles and sobs from her side of the car.
Gripping the steering wheel tightly, I don't allow myself to waver, even in front of-
"Please, Hikio…for…"
I was really beginning to hate the rain.
More than that, I hated myself for falling into her clutches again. I knew meeting with her again would only result in suffering, and yet, I still did so anyway.
How would …Fuck. How am I going to explain this t-
"Hikio…Do you miss it? Us?"
"Why would I miss your constant nagging? Not even my own mother would bother me about the things you brought up." The response is automatic, and I can only curse myself for that.
"Your relationship with your parents can hardly be considered healthy." She scoffs.
"And, ours was?" Again, I hate myself for responding, but if this really was the last time… "You took advantage of me while I was drunk, then, when we had to commit to us, you faltered." Then, I should at least win. Even if only once.
"I…I'm sorry, Hikio. I…I really am."
…But, is it worth it? If victory means I can't recognize who I am by the end? "Don't. It's all in the past, and…sometimes…" I trail off, getting my full attention back on the road. 'Sometimes that's for the better.'
Ring-Ring!
'Fuuuuu-'
"Hikio, your phone's ringing." Yeah. I noticed.
Letting it ring, I sigh in relief as it finally stops.
"Why didn't you-"
Ring-Ring!
'-uuuck.' Grabbing my phone, I look over at Miura. "Don't talk." Answering the call, I start talking before my passenger can. "Hey."
"Hey, yourself. Where are you? I've been waiting for a while now."
"Busy."
"Don't tell me you're stuck doing his work again."
"...Y-Yeah." I reply weakly.
"Tsk. Next time I see that fatass, I'm skinning him alive. I mean, what is this? The fourth time?"
"Please don't, despite his failures, he's still my editor and friend."
"Honestly, Hachiman…Why can't you treat him a little more like you did in highschool?"
"Because we're adults now, and…he's a father now. So, I understand why he has to leave early sometimes, even if it is inconvenient." I feel a smile tug at my lips as I remember meeting the bundle of joy currently in possession of my best friend and his wife's heart.
"...When can I expect you?"
"Late, I'm afraid." I sigh.
"It can't be helped, I guess. But, don't think you're going to sleep today."
"...Oi, what the hell are you saying, woman? Do you want me to have a heart attack?"
"Not until we're married, only then can I take your money."
I smirk at her joke. "Good luck with that, once I die, everything goes to Komachi."
"I'm sure Komachi and Taishi will share their newfound wealth with their big sis."
"As if, Komachi will probably suspect you as the culprit."
"Sure, sure. See you tonight, Haa-chan."
"See you, Saa-chan." Hanging up, my smile falls as I notice the look I'm getting. "What?"
"Pet names, huh? Who was she?"
Taking a moment, I contemplate my response. As nice as it'd be to throw her earlier words at her, I'm just not that petty.
"What? Jealous? We stopped dating three years ago." I am just that petty.
"Dick."
To Be Continued…
This will be a three part series.