Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Sharing an Umbrella

“Sigh…”

I let out a sigh as I took shelter from the rain in a gazebo in the park.

Chance of rain 50 percent? No problem, no problem!

I left home without an umbrella, which turned out to be a mistake. I never thought it would pour like this… It often happens that when I bring an umbrella, it ends up being sunny, so I got a little cocky.

My house is still quite a distance away, and I’ve bought books that I absolutely don’t want to get wet. Now, what should I do…?

“Asano-kun.”

Should I lose myself in reading here and wait for the rain to stop? No way. I don’t have the courage to read a moe light novel in a place where I don’t know who might come by. If I run into a classmate, it will definitely be awkward. I don’t think being open about everything is always the right answer…

“Asano-kun.”

“Ah, yes… Whoa!”

Someone was next to me before I knew it, and I was so surprised that I almost fell off the bench.

“…Are you alright?”

“Y-yes, I’m fine… Sensei.”

The person sitting next to me was none other than Morihara Yui-sensei, the object of admiration for both boys and girls at my high school. Instead of her usual suit, she was dressed casually in a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen sensei in casual clothes. It’s quite refreshing.

As I was basking in the joy of seeing something so precious, I felt something warm touch my shoulder.

When I looked, sensei had moved closer, her shoulder touching mine, and was staring intently at the bookstore bag in my hand.

Even when I tried to put some distance between us, I was so nervous about her face being so close that I couldn’t move my body properly.

“Asano-kun, you were at the bookstore too?”

“Uh, y-yes, well… W-were you too, sensei?”

“Yes. I couldn’t find what I was looking for… What kind of book did you buy, Asano-kun?”

“Eh? Ah, no… that…”

This is bad. For some reason, she seems very interested.

Even though her face was expressionless, I could somehow tell.

And really, why does she keep getting so close?!

My thought process was being disrupted by the sensei’s soft touch and sweet scent, but I managed to give a vague answer.

“…A manga.”

“…I see.”

I was a little concerned about the pause she just took.

While I was internally panicking even though I had nothing to feel guilty about, sensei stood up and placed her hand on my shoulder.

“It’s time to go.”

“Eh? Go where…?”

“You were troubled because you didn’t have an umbrella, weren’t you? Knowing you, Asano-kun, I thought you probably went out thinking, ‘Chance of rain 50 percent? No problem, no problem!’”

“Eek!?”

“What’s wrong?”

Can she read my mind?!

“Come on, let’s go.”

“Ah, y-yes…”

***

“Um, sensei…?”

“What is it?”

“I can run home from around here…”

“No way. What if you get wet and catch a cold? Besides, come closer.”

“Eh? But…”

“Hurry up.”

“Y-yes…!”

I obediently walked, huddled under the umbrella.

…Sensei’s umbrella is small!!!

It was so small that our shoulders were pressed together, just like before.

With every step, I could hear the sensei’s breathing piercing through the sound of the rain.

Also, the thought of someone seeing us like this… This kind of tightrope-walking tension is terrible!

“Asano-kun.”

“Y-yes…”

“Is this the right way?”

“Ah, yes! It’s fine! Or rather, I’m sorry. Sensei, won’t this be a detour…?”

“It’s alright. It probably won’t make much difference.”

“Eh?”

“Come on, let’s hurry. You don’t want to get that book wet, do you?”

“Yes…”

Does sensei know where I live? No, that can’t be…

I walked a little faster with the sensei, still pressed close together, through the pouring rain.

***

“Ah, sensei. This is it!”

When I stopped in front of my house, sensei nodded without expression, not looking at me. It must have been a pleasant time for her, but with the nervousness and everything, I couldn’t really appreciate it…

I stepped back a little and bowed my head to sensei.

“Thank you very much! But really, wasn’t that a detour?”

“It’s fine. Because…”

Sensei said casually, pointing to the house directly across from mine.

“I live here.”

“……………Eh?”

Leaving only those words, sensei walked into her house with light steps.

The umbrella… I have to return it.

***

“Ah, we shared an umbrella♪ Fufu, I’m in luck today… Ah, the umbrella…”

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