Chapter 6

There weren't many conflicts among classmates. After the fourth and fifth classes, Akito reconciled with Ryohei.

The weather outside was gloomy. Ryohei remarked, "They're forecasting rain today."

Akito laughed, "You still check the weather forecast?"

Ryohei replied, "Yeah, every day."

Akito teased, "I knew you didn't bring an umbrella, silly."

Ryohei just smiled without responding. In the afternoon, during the third period, heavy rain began. Most students had umbrellas, and when thunder roared, the classroom buzzed with excitement. Some hoped the school's power would go out tonight.

As expected, before the fourth period, a lightning strike plunged the school into darkness. The campus erupted in cheers. Teachers announced an early dismissal. The dark hallways were crowded with students. It was hard to tell who was pushing whom.

Akito sat at his desk, unmoving. Ryohei asked, "Why aren't you leaving?"

Akito replied, "I'm afraid I'll get trampled if I go out now."

Ryohei sat with him in silence. Only three or four people remained in the classroom. Akito dropped his bag and left.

Ryohei asked, "Where are you going?"

Akito said, "Just to the bathroom."

After a while, a black car came to pick up Nick. He ran into the corridor and shouted, "Akito! Akito!"

Ryohei wanted to say, "He went to the bathroom," but his mouth opened, and no sound came out.

Nick continued shouting in the corridor, and the black car's horn echoed urgently.

Akito returned to the classroom, finding only Ryohei standing by the window, watching the rain. The rain fell heavily, drumming on the glass like excited beats.

Standing beside him, Akito watched the raindrops hurriedly fall, one after another.

Akito asked, "Why haven't you gone home?"

Ryohei replied, "What about you?"

Akito said, "No one from my family will come to pick me up. I'm waiting for the rain to lighten a bit."

Ryohei turned around and said, "Me too."

The room was quiet. Raindrops on the windowpane made a sound that couldn't break the silence.

Akito usually had plenty to say. He was often criticized for talking in class, but now he couldn't find words to break the tension.

Ryohei first looked at the rain, then shifted his gaze a little, and finally almost stared directly at Akito.

Akito smiled and said, "How come you're so good at studying?"

What a pointless thing to say, Akito thought.

Ryohei lowered his head, thought for a moment, and said, "My family... isn't very well-off."

Akito shrugged, "Mine is pretty poor too."

Ryohei continued, "The situation at my home might be something you can't imagine."

Akito asked, "What does that have to do with being good at studying?"

Ryohei replied, "I want to get out of here. The only way is through good grades."

Akito said, "Oh."

Ryohei asked, "What about you? Any plans for the future?"

Akito jokingly said, "It's too early to talk about that now. I plan to go to college— if I can't, I'll find a job. If I can't find a job, I'll have to come to you, the high-achiever, to beg for food."

Ryohei looked at him and smiled, "Sounds good."

Akito was about to turn around and say something else, but a lightning bolt flashed across. The light fell on Ryohei's face, revealing a faint yet serious smile— a fair and earnest face.

Akito was stunned for a moment. When he turned back, he forgot what he wanted to say.

Ryohei, seemingly out of nowhere, added, "After we get out of here, I want to see the sea..."

The rain continued heavily. Raindrops slid down the windowpane slowly.

Ryohei still smiled faintly, and Akito felt that the smile was inexplicable and indescribable.

Ryohei thought, "Rain, please fall harder."