224 || Kurokawa Izana

- 1 -

"Shit, shit, shit!" You cursed under your breath, using your bag to cover your head as you ran through the rain.

It was already dark out and you were rushing to get home, too busy minding your own business to pay attention to your surroundings, at least until you managed to reach a bus stop, taking a breather under the shelter.

Somehow, your eyes were drawn to a figure slumped on the sidewalk getting drenched by the rain. You wanted to ignore it, you really did, but for some reason you were compelled to step back out into the rain, approaching the huddled figure.

"Excuse me," you called loudly in an attempt to grab his attention, hoping your volume is enough that it wouldn't be drowned out by the rain. "Excuse me!"

The boy finally looked up at you, white hair sticking to his face and flat on his head, beautiful violet eyes looking up at you with so much vulnerability you had to hold back a gasp.

"Are you okay, sir?" You asked.

The look in his eyes told you otherwise, and while you weren't the most skeptical person, you were still wary of the boy, but you couldn't help but want to help him. It was something about his presence that was rather alluring to you.

He offered no verbal response, but the pleading look in his eyes was enough of an answer for you.

So you did what any smart person would do and helped him up, wrapping his arm over your shoulders and allowing yourself to get drenched by the pouring rain together with the boy.

When you reached the small shelter provided by the bus stop you sat him down on the bench, taking the seat next to him after.

"Wooo, some fine weather we've got this evening huh?" You let out a breathy laugh, doing your best to lighten the mood.

He remained quiet, avoiding your gaze as he looked away from you.

You shifted awkwardly in your seat before a lightbulb hit you as you opened your bag, grabbing a handkerchief you carried with you. Luckily it was still dry.

"Here," you began wiping his face with the handkerchief as he stared at you, bewildered that a stranger is so comfortably wiping his face with a handkerchief.

It took a while before you noticed his expression, halting your movements as you froze. "I'm so sorry, I've been told I have a habit of obliviousness towards personal space."

"...I see," he looked away from you and you swore if it weren't for the bad lighting it looked like the boy was blushing.

"So," you began, shifting a little further from him. "Do you usually sit in the rain like a hobo?"

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Do you usually pick up hobos drenched in the rain?"

You kept quiet for a minute, glancing at him briefly. "Fair enough, I'm just glad you're sane enough to have a sense of humor."

"Is it a sense of humor?" He stared at you, tilting his head slightly.

"Okay if you're gonna say it like that it'll definitely freak me out, jeez." You shuddered, rubbing your arms with your hands in an attempt to warm yourself up.

"Are you cold?" He asked.

You gave him a look as you shivered. "No shit, we're both drenched. Are you not cold?!"

"No," was his simple reply.

You gawked at him. "You're strange."

"I'd like to think the same thing about you," he retorted.

You couldn't help but smile, giddy from his seemingly playful nature. "Aren't you going home?"

His expression dropped suddenly as he looked away from you. "I don't have anywhere to go."

Silence.

A momentary one, at least.

You stood up, walking in front of him and kneeling to level yourself with him. "If you want, you can spend the night at my place. I've been meaning to look for a roommate anyway."

He stared at you, quiet for a moment before ultimately nodding his head, giving in. "Please."

"No need to sound so desperate," you joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

It seems your efforts weren't for naught when the boy cracked an adorable smile.

"You're weird," he snorted.

You smiled. "Likewise."

When the rain finally stopped you offered him your hand and after a moment he accepted it, gently placing his hand in yours.

Your fingers curled around his hand, gently pulling him along with you as you led him to your apartment. It was a short walk, only a couple of blocks away from the bus stop.

When you arrived, you helped the boy take off his shoes before leading him to sit in the dining room while you got him a change of clothes.

"Where did you get these?" He asked as you handed them to him.

You looked away from him before awkwardly responding. "My ex."

"Oh." He muttered, looking away from you.

"The bathroom is to the left, first door," you said, clearing your throat in an attempt to dissipate the awkward atmosphere.

"Thank you," he replied, slowly standing up and walking toward the bathroom.

When he disappeared into the hall, the subtle click of the door signaled he had entered the bathroom. You on the other hand decided to make some food to keep yourself busy while he freshened up.

You could hear the shower running as you cooked instant noodles. What? Cooking was hard, you'd been living off of instant noodles and takeout your whole life. You weren't living a lifestyle luxurious enough to have the time to learn how to cook.

You worked three jobs all year round just to pay for your rent and have a couple of dimes to spare for yourself. Now you were going to be working a lot harder to feed both you and the boy you took in.

Just as you finished cooking, you heard the shower stop.

"You done?" You called as you set the table.

The door opened and the sound of footsteps approaching reached your ears. You turned to him and nearly dropped the spoon you were holding.

He was gorgeous, vibrant violet eyes seemed to carry less weight after freshening up. His figure was of average height, and he had a slim yet somewhat muscular build.

"Holy Jesus did you send me an angel—!?" You slapped your hand over your mouth as soon as you realized what you said.

The boy simply stared at you strangely before taking a seat across from you on the table as you followed suit, clearing your throat awkwardly.

"I never caught your name." The boy muttered awkwardly, he seemed to lack social skills.

"L/N Y/N, but you can call me Y/N," you smiled. "What's yours?"

"Izana," he replied. "Kurokawa Izana."

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