Daruma

i want the rain to keep falling

"Naruse, it's okay. You did your best, i could see it. I am so so proud of you!" Mirai cheered, handing him an ice bar and taking a seat next to him on the bench. He took the ice bar and shrugged his shoulders.

"He was just playing with me, I could feel it. He wasn't even taking it seriously. Damn it!" He angrily snapped a bite off the ice bar.

"Hey, it's alright. It was a really close match, and you're not even an athlete! At least you got yourself a fan base from that game. The crowd definitely enjoyed this match and will remember it. I bet more than half the school became your fan today, and FYI i'm the leader of your Ito fan club, end of story."

He gently turned his head away from her but she swore she saw a slight smile on his lips. Shaking her head, she grinned as she took a bite out of her ice bar.

The event was over an hour ago, but they could only get out of the stadium now due to Naruse. His popularity had shot after the match and people were surrounding him like a celebrity the moment it was over. The crowd kept coming and Naruse couldn't move one step without someone trying to get him to sign on their shirt or get a handshake. Now that most of the crowd had died down, they could finally get out of the school to catch a break.

They had taken their seat at a bench near a small cart selling refreshments and snack. Mirai had offered to buy him an ice bar as a reward for his hard work.

"Thanks for the treat by the way!" He turned back towards her, taking another bite.

"No problem, you deserve it. Next time if you win, i'll treat you to shabu-shabu, how's that sound?" She tilted her head, looking straight into his eyes.

"Woww Mirai, i'll hold you to your word then! I'm definitely gonna win next time. " With a determined look now on his face, she could see that his mood had lifted.

As she made an okay sign with her hands, she was glad he was back to his usual self.

"You know, I'm... really glad i met you, Mirai. Thanks for being such a good friend."

"Huh..? Why the sudden confession haha, Naruse you know you don't have to thank me so much every time i treat you something ya know?" Mirai giggled nervously.

"Yeah... What i want to say is-"

Drip.

"Huh..?" He looked up at the sky.

Drip.

"Wahh it's raining!" Mirai exclaimed, getting to her feet.

The rain fell from the sky within seconds.

Before they could even grab their bags, the rain had already got them, pouring down from the clouds continuously. They scrambled to grab their stuff and used their bags as cover, although it proved to be useless against the torrent of rain that was unleashed their way.

The nearest shelter they could see was quite a long walk away. As the rain got heavier, their hopes of reaching the shelter dimmed quickly as their shoes squelched into the heavy puddles. It was too late for them. The rain was quickly seeping through their clothes and shoes and there was no way they were going to reach shelter soon.

Feeling dejected, Mirai sighed and turned towards Naruse.

"Do you have an umbrella?"

He fumbled in his bag.

"Nope."

"A jacket?"

"No, why would we need one on such a hot day?"

"Yeah.. why would there even be rain on such a hot day!" Mirai suddenly shouted at the sky, annoyed at the rain. "I'm already soaked to the skin from the downpour, my hair is clinging down on my face and my ice pop is currently being drenched in rain. What could be worst?" She shrieked out loud, not caring if anyone could hear her sudden tantrums.