Into The Rain With You

Kai's POV

The next day, the air felt heavier, like something was hanging just out of reach. I couldn't shake the feeling that today was going to be one of those days where everything would change, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for it.

There was something about Chino reaching out that had unsettled me, something in the way he tried so hard to fix things between us. I wasn't sure if I wanted that kind of closure—or if I even deserved it.

I spent the morning trying to distract myself with work. I couldn't let myself think too much, not while I was trying to keep everything from unraveling. But even the sound of the rain against the windows couldn't drown out the thoughts in my head.

Haruka had texted me earlier, asking if I wanted to meet up after school. She didn't press me for an answer, just left the message open-ended, as if she knew I needed space. Her quiet understanding was something I appreciated, more than she realized. I found myself wanting to see her, but at the same time, I wasn't sure if I was ready for whatever conversation I'd have with Chino later.

The emotional whiplash between Haruka's gentle presence and the storm of guilt surrounding Chino was starting to get to me.

I was sitting in the back of the classroom, absentmindedly tapping my pencil against the desk, when the bell rang, signaling the end of class. My heart skipped as I grabbed my bag and walked out into the hallway. The school was quieter than usual, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me.

I hadn't been able to avoid Chino for long. He had already texted me earlier that morning, reminding me about our meeting after school.

Chino: "You ready? I'll meet you by the old arcade."

I shoved my phone into my pocket without replying. I wasn't sure what I was ready for, but I knew I couldn't back out now.

—-~

Haruka's POV

I saw Kai walking out of the school building from a distance. He didn't look like himself today—there was a tension in his shoulders, something that was different from the usual cool, collected façade. I'd been hoping he would come to me before everything with Chino hit, but I could see it in his eyes: he wasn't ready yet.

I had given him space, but the moment I'd seen him walking alone, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing. He was pulling away again, and as much as I hated to admit it, I knew I had to let him deal with whatever it was on his own. But at the same time, I couldn't just sit back and wait for him to push me away.

After all, I cared about him. And that feeling was only growing stronger every day.

"Kai!" I called out, walking toward him. He stopped, turning just enough to acknowledge me with a glance. His eyes softened for a moment, but only for a brief second, before the mask was back on.

"Haruka," he greeted, his voice casual, like nothing was wrong, but the tightness in his expression said otherwise. "What's up?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to talk after school. Maybe grab a coffee?" I tried to keep my voice light, but I could tell from the way his posture stiffened that it wasn't the right time.

"I... can't today," he said, avoiding my gaze. "I've got something to take care of."

I wasn't sure what "something" meant, but I wasn't going to push. "Alright," I said softly, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. "Whenever you're ready."

I wasn't sure if it was my words or the fact that I'd given him a way out, but Kai's expression softened for a moment, his eyes meeting mine more fully.

"Thanks, Haruka," he murmured, then turned and walked away without another word. I stood there for a moment, watching him disappear into the crowd, and for the first time in a long while, I felt unsure.

I hated that feeling. But I understood. He was trying to carry his burdens on his own despite the intimate conversation we had a couple of times between us.

——~

Kai's POV

By the time I reached the old arcade, my stomach was in knots. It felt like stepping back into a time I had buried for years. The arcade had been a place where Chino and I spent hours when we were younger—before everything changed. It used to be a place for games and laughter, a place that felt like home. Now, the faded neon signs and the hum of the machines just felt like ghosts of a past I couldn't escape.

I spotted Chino leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, as he waited for me. As soon as he saw me, he pushed off the wall and started toward me. He was dressed the same way he had always been—his usual hoodie and jeans, the casual confidence I'd come to expect from him.

"Kai," he greeted with a small nod. "Thanks for coming."

I didn't say anything at first, just let the silence stretch between us. Part of me wanted to say everything, to let the words pour out, but another part of me was still reeling, still holding onto the anger and confusion that had built up over the years.

"You've got a lot of nerve showing up here," I finally said, my voice rough. "After everything... you think we can just pick up where we left off?"

Chino didn't flinch. "I know it's been a while," he said, his tone steady but soft. "And I get why you're pissed. I do. But you don't have to do this alone, Kai. You never did."

My chest tightened. I had been avoiding this moment for so long—avoiding Chino, avoiding myself, avoiding all the things I didn't want to face. But here we were, standing in the place where it all began.

"Don't you dare act like you're the one who's been through it all," I spat, anger flaring in my chest. "You left. You walked away from everything, from me. So don't talk to me about doing this alone."

The words hit harder than I expected. When I thought about it, I was also a hypocrite as there are others who also been through a lot.

I could see the flicker of hurt in Chino's eyes, but he didn't respond right away. Instead, he looked down at his shoes, then back up at me, his gaze steady.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I never meant to leave you alone. I thought... I thought I was doing the right thing, giving you space. I see now that I was wrong."

I wanted to tell him something regarding this confrontation. But instead, I just stood there, the weight of his words sinking in. I didn't know if I could forgive him, but I knew one thing for sure—I couldn't keep carrying this burden on my own.

"I don't even know what I'm supposed to say to you right now," I muttered, dragging my hand through my hair. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do with all this."

Chino took a step closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "You don't have to know. Not right now. I just want you to know that I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere this time."

I could feel the walls I had built around myself start to crack. Chino was offering me something—something I hadn't let myself believe in for years. But what did that even mean for us now? What could we be, after all this time?

—-~

Haruka's POV

I'd been trying to focus on homework, but my mind kept drifting back to Kai. The way he'd walked away so quickly after our conversation. It was clear he wasn't okay, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I had to do something more. I couldn't let him carry everything by himself.

I checked my phone, tempted to text him. But I paused. No, I knew better than to push him when he wasn't ready. Still, something tugged at me—the same feeling I had yesterday. The feeling that maybe, just maybe, I could be the one who could reach him. That I could be the one who pulled him back from the edge.

I just hoped I wasn't too late.

Kai's POV

The conversation with Chino had done nothing to ease the storm inside me. It hadn't been a revelation or a cure-all, but it was a step—a necessary one. I didn't know if we could ever return to what we were, nonetheless, I took a deep breath, gazing at the droplets of rain.

As I walked home, the weight of the day felt a little less heavy, but there was still so much I didn't understand. Chino's apology had been real, but it didn't erase the years of pain. And Haruka...

She had been patient, understanding, but I couldn't let her in yet. Not fully. Not until I knew how to deal with the mess inside me despite the fact I have opened up to her, quite to an extend.