楽園のワンピース | A Piece Of Paradise | Rakuen No Wanpīsu |✔

7: Passion Under The Rainy Skies

"Hm, Sota you look different," Yudai observed. "Could it be, you found your soulmate?"

"Eh, no, I don't like her that way!!" Sota immediately denied, turning red.

Yudai chuckled. "Too obvious," he said, patting Sota's hair. "Now who is she?"

"Saki Hanamoto.." Sota mumbled, as in a dream. "The girl from the new bakery here."

"Ohh her," Yudai nodded. "I did think you guys would make a cute couple."

"Eh!" Sota covered his face while blushing. "Really?"

Yudai nodded. "I'm pretty sure she'll like you too~"

"Yeah," Sota said, in a determined tone. "I need to man up and make her fall for me."

Yudai laughed. "Good luck."

***

Do I really like her? Sota mused as he was walking home. It was a clear night, and there was a soft breeze in the air. It has only been perhaps, a few minutes that I talked to her. He shook his head. You're too quick at everything, Sota. Make sure you really like her before confessing or doing something stupid.

It had rained earlier that day, and there were small puddles shining in the moonlight. Sota touched one of them, just to see the beautiful ripples forming.

He suddenly spotted a small figure walking a little ahead of him. Saki-chan?

Sota walked towards her, and was sure now. It was Saki. He walked towards her.

"Hi!!" He said, startling the girl. She gave a small shriek and jumped.

"You startled me!" She laughed.

"Gomen neee~" Sota giggled. "What're you doing here alone? Its dangerous, ya know."

"Going home," Saki replied. "I can look after myself."

"Sure you can," the redhead smirked. "You were scared when I came along already."

"That's because it was unexpected!"

"Pfff, you think a murderer or thief will announce their arrival?" Sota said and said in a mocking deep voice: "Saki-chaaann, I've come to take your money and murder you!!"

"Yamete!!" Saki said, pushing Sota playfully. They laughed.

They were still in midst of laughing when Sota heard a faroff rumble.

"Ssh.." He held his hand up in suspense. A drop of water landed on his shoulder. "Uh-oh."

The rain came down really suddenly that if Sota didn't open his umbrella immediately, they would have been drenched. Even so, Saki's hair was dripping wet already.

"Ahaha~ seriously," Sota giggled. "Gomen ne, Sa-chan, I need to do this." He added as he wrapped his arm around her. "We won't fit under the umbrella otherwise."

"It's okay-" Saki said, her cheeks turning pink. "Are you okay?"

"Yup, you're the one who's wet," Sota said. He took off his jacket and pulled it around her shoulders.

"What's this, an Asian drama?" Saki laughed, blushing more.

Sota didn't say anything. He was too busy in thoughts. Was Saki okay with this? He was just being caring~

"Uh where's your home - or apartment?" He asked.

"Ah, just a lane away," Saki said, pointing. "You dont actually have to do this, Sota-kun. I can go home by myself."

"No, I'll drop you home," Sota insisted, as they neared Saki's house. He gently pushed Saki inside.

"Thank you so much," Saki said, sincerely. Sota just smiled and messed up her hair.

"Go ahead," he said, and turned around. "Good night."

"Good night," Saki said as she watched Sota's figure depart slowly. She then wrapped his jacket around her face, that had the fragrance of his cologne, and smiled.