81 - Ayaka Tōjō's Love (8)

RAW

After finishing the call with Haruto, I sat on my bed, hugging my knees.

"Why… why does it have to be like this…"

A frustrated mutter escaped my lips. The only response was the relentless sound of the pouring rain hammering against the window.

Fireworks lighting up the summer night sky.

Watching them side by side with someone you love.

It was something I’d always dreamed of—something I longed for.

I thought my dreams would come true when I fell in love for the first time, when my feelings were reciprocated, and when we became a couple. But just like water slipping through my fingers, that dream vanished before my eyes.

"I really wanted to see the fireworks…"

I rested my forehead against my knees and sighed deeply.

Changing into my yukata earlier, I had felt so excited.

I wondered how Haruto would react. Would he tell me I looked cute?

Just imagining his reaction had my heart racing as I tied the sash of my yukata. All I needed to do was fix my hair.

But outside, the rain kept pouring.

That cold, unrelenting rain seemed to seep into my heart, making it feel heavier and heavier.

"Haah…"

I let out yet another sigh—who knows how many by now—and then forced myself to lift my head, trying to put on a smile.

"But it’s just postponed! Next week, Haruto and I will definitely get to see the fireworks together!"

My overly cheerful voice sounded hollow as it mingled with the rain in the empty house.

Everyone else was out—Dad was away on a business trip, Ryota was at an overnight camp, and Mom had gone along as a chaperone.

The absence of my family made the loneliness in my heart feel even heavier.

"Maybe I should call Haruto," I murmured.

Now that we were a couple, it wouldn’t be weird to call him without a reason, right? It wouldn’t bother him… right?

Thinking about it, I opened the chat screen with Haruto.

Just the thought of hearing his voice made my heart flutter and lightened my mood a little.

I eagerly tapped the call button.

"...Huh? He’s not answering…"

The ringing tone continued, but there was no sign of him picking up. My lips, which had unconsciously lifted into a smile, slowly turned down.

"Maybe he’s studying…"

In the end, Haruto didn’t answer.

He was the top student in our grade, but it wasn’t just talent—he worked hard to maintain those grades.

Maybe he was so focused on studying that he didn’t notice my call.

I hovered my finger over the call button again but then hesitated and pulled back.

"I shouldn’t disturb him."

If he was concentrating, the last thing I wanted to do was interrupt him with repeated calls.

"I should study too," I said to myself.

I had promised Haruto I’d score over 80 in every subject on the test after summer break. He even said he’d give me a reward if I succeeded. I needed to study properly for that.

Trying to think of something fun to shift my mood, I stood up.

"Oh, but I should change out of my yukata first…"

As I stepped off the bed, I remembered I was still wearing it.

I couldn’t risk wrinkling or staining it, so I needed to take it off carefully.

Reaching for the sash, my movements stilled.

By now, I was supposed to be holding Haruto’s hand, strolling through the festival booths together…

"I wanted to share some cotton candy with Haruto…"

No matter how much I tried to cheer myself up, I couldn’t help but feel down again. Still, I knew I couldn’t stay like this. Determined, I decided to turn on the lights in my room.

Just as I moved to do so, the doorbell rang.

"Huh? Who could that be?"

There were no deliveries scheduled, and the storm outside made it unlikely anyone would venture out in this weather.

Curious, I left my room and checked the intercom monitor in the living room.

What I saw made my eyes widen in shock.

My heart raced so fast it felt like it would leap out of my chest.

"Haruto!?"

Seeing his image on the screen, I bolted to the front door and flung it open.

There he was, soaked to the bone from the pounding rain, holding an umbrella that did little to keep him dry.

Haruto, dripping wet, smiled at me.

"Sorry for dropping by like this."

At those words, I finally snapped out of my daze.

"Y-you need to come in right away! You’ll catch a cold!"

I grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. Standing in the entryway, he folded his useless umbrella with a sheepish grin.

"Why…"

This wasn’t a dream, was it? It wasn’t some illusion my longing had conjured up… was it?

Tentatively, I reached out and touched his arm.

Solid and warm—it wasn’t an illusion.

"Huh? What’s wrong?"

"N-nothing… but you need to change! You’re soaked!"

His wet clothes felt cold against my hand.

"You can borrow some of my dad’s clothes for now!"

"It’s okay. I expected to get drenched, so I brought a change of clothes," he said, lifting a large backpack from his shoulder.

"Do you mind if I use the bathroom to change?"

"Of course not! You can even take a warm shower if you want!"

"Really? Then I’ll take you up on that offer."

"Yes, please do! You’ll get sick otherwise!"

Relieved, Haruto smiled, and I couldn’t help but feel my heart skip a beat.

While he headed to the bathroom, I noticed he was also carrying a packed tote bag.

"What’s in here?" I asked.

"That’s a surprise for later," he said with a playful grin before disappearing into the bathroom.

Watching him leave, my heart felt lighter than ever. Despite the rain, I felt like my world was shining brightly again.

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Ayaka's impression of Haruto: Haruto's wet hair is devastating...