RanMasa One-Shots

Thunderstruck

A/N This has also been posted on my AO3 account so if you've seen it before that's why.
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Kariya had been leaning against the wall at his school's entrance for a while now, his gaze fixed on the unrelenting downpour outside. Completely alone in the deserted hallway, he couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. All the teachers and faculty were no doubt either busy or already back at their homes, leaving him stranded in the school building.

He wasn't a fool, he could see that the rain wasn't going to let up any time soon. The storm outside showed no signs of stopping, and the thought of venturing out into the storm without an umbrella was less than appealing.

Just as he was about to resign himself to stepping out into the pouring rain, a loud, ground-shaking boom reverberated through the air, causing him to flinch back with a scowl.

He starts thinking about ways to get home faster when his train of thought is abruptly interrupted by a voice to his left.

"Kariya?" The voice inquires. "What are you still doing here?

As he turns, his brownish eyes meet the vibrant blue ones of the other. "That's none of your business, Kirino-senpai." he retorts sharply.

Kirino's brows knit together in a brief frown, but it quickly dissipates, replaced by a more composed expression. He exhales softly and then comments. "Looks like it's coming down hard outside, doesn't it? Did you forget your umbrella?"

Kariya rolls his eyes. "Does it look like I have an umbrella with me, right now?"  

Kirino hums, a thoughtful look crossing his face, before he offers. "I don't mind sharing mine, if you need it."

Kariya shifts his gaze from his upperclassman, peering back out at the relentless downpour. "I don't need you to walk me home. Who said I'm not staying here by choice?" He mutters defiantly.

Truth be told, he'd much rather be on his way home this very moment, but the thought of sharing an umbrella with the one person he's always messing around with doesn't sit well with him.

Kirino, on the other hand, lets out a soft, amused snort. "And why would you choose to stay here?"

Kariya's shoulders stiffen at the question, caught between the stubborn desire to stay put and the rational urge to escape the downpour. "Maybe I just like watching the rain." he retorts weakly, aware of how unconvincing he sounds even to his own ears.

Kirino doesn't push further, simply offering a small, knowing smile. "If you say so. But I don't think you'd want to stay here at school the entire night. My offer still stands if you change your mind."

The silence that falls between them is filled with the sound of rain beating against the roof, a natural symphony that seems to emphasize Kariya's growing discomfort. He glances outside once more, watching the rain pour down in the growing puddles. The idea of walking home alone through that without an umbrella seems less and less appealing by the second.

Finally, Kariya sighs, the fight draining out of him as he turns back to Kirino, a reluctant admission in his eyes. "Fine, but just because I don't want to catch a cold and not because I enjoy your company." he grumbles, trying to salvage some of his pride.

Kirino's smile widens, amusement clear in his ocean blue eyes. "Of course." he agrees easily.

A few minutes into their walk, the school gates disappear behind them, and Kariya finds himself questioning every single choice that has led him to this moment. They haven't been walking for that long, yet he's already fed up. Primarily, his irritation stems from Kirino continually bumping into his shoulder with every few steps they take.