𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐚 |𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭|

★ 9

𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍.

A pleasant afternoon drizzle had become an afterschool pour, and many students rushed home with either an umbrella in hand or a school bag over their heads.

Scaramouche—or Kunikuzushi—was not one of the fortunate souls with a proper umbrella over his head.

He stood idly below the school roof in front of the exit, watching in annoyance as others swiftly made their way back home.

Of all days he just had to be forgetful.

With another huff, he made the final decision to inevitably suffer from the harsh rain, taking a brave step forward. However, his second step was hindered by the call of his name, causing him to turn around and step back inside.

"'Zushi?"

"I told you not to call me that." 'Zushi mumbled, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his uniform.

"Ah, right." [name] rolled her eyes. "Scaramouche. Happy now?"

A huff, but he was clearly satisfied. "It's raining a whole lot, huh?"

"Mmhm." [name] agreed, taking out her umbrella. "You goin' home?"

"Yeah." Scaramouche answered, staring into the abyssal rain.

Opening the umbrella, [name] began walking towards the exit into the rain, looking behind to see the male unmoving in his spot.

"You coming?"

Scaramouche blinked, staring down at his empty hand with a grimace. Taking the clue, she let out a sound of amusement at his misfortune, walking back under the roof.

"Here." She stretched out the umbrella in hand, forcing his hand to close around the handle. "Take it."

"But what about you?" He mumbled, hesitantly taking the item in hand.

"Change of plans." [name] reassured with a small smile, patting his head. He half-heartedly swatted it away but made no real attempt to stop her. "I'm gonna stay for a bit. You can give it back tomorrow."

"Are you sure?" Scaramouche asked once more, looking from and to the pouring rain and the female before him.

"Yup. Now shoo." [name] gave the male a friendly push, waving him goodbye as he left through the exit.

With a small sigh, she looked up from the roof to the skies, humming to herself as she contemplated her new dilemma.

She couldn't afford to be late, not with her mother waiting at home—but she didn't want to run in the rain and ruin her clothes either.

But alas, being late had far more unfavorable consequences than tattered clothes. In the end, the latter was the best option of two poisons.

She situated her school bag over her head, walking into the harsh downpour. Letting out a huff of determination, she took her final step into the rain—

—only to be oddly dry.

Looking up, [name] spotted a red and white umbrella above her, protecting her figure from the weather's relentless attacks.

"Walking home?"

She turned to see her one and only friend beside her, flashing his iconic smile—akin to a little, gentle cloud—and eyes filled with delight.

"Ah, yeah." She answered, somewhat startled by his presence. "I thought you would've left by now."

The male simply smiled. "I had to finish up some papers for Mr. Hanako." He tilted his head towards the school gates. "Walk together?"

[name] gave him a nod, matching his stride as they walked out of the building and into the streets. She pressed her lips at the sudden silence, unsure of how to make conversation with the platinum blond.

"Is everything...okay?"

[name] prayed in gratitude at Kazuha's initiation of conversation, giving him a nod. "Yeah. Y'know, same old, same old."

"That's...good to hear."

She could feel it—he hadn't been satisfied with her answer. She nervously played with the strands of her bag, looking at the dry cobblestone color change with each drop of rain.

"My...mom's been sick lately."

Kazuha almost stopped in his tracks at her sudden vulnerability but managed to continue to walk and keep themselves under the umbrella.

"It's, it's a little hard to leave her in the morning." [name] continued, recalling back to the past week. "That's why I've been late to school these days."

"It must've been hard for you." Kazuha comforted, looking towards her. "Is there anything I could do to help?"

"It's alright." [name] reassured, touched by his kindness. "She's been getting better, so I think we'll be okay."

We'll...be okay.

It was the first time in weeks she had finally had the peace of mind to reflect—on all the mornings she suffered because of something that wasn't her fault.

It's not my fault.

It wasn't her fault.

"It's not your fault."

Her breath hitched at his words, stopping in her tracks as she looked up to meet his eyes. They held so much kindness—sympathy that she didn't deserve—for her and only her.

Her heart fluttered; she swallowed thickly.

"You can't control whether or not your mom gets sick, and that's okay." Kazuha smiled, "What matters is that you're helping her. You're doing great, [name]."

Kazuha thought she was doing great—

—and maybe that was all that mattered.