Under The Rain

One mistake will cost us almost everything if we're not careful. Now I'm thinking of what could happen if my mistakes will cost me the one person that completes me now... -- Florence Joyce

xxxxxx

[Rinako]

2:46 PM...

Even if I burst out there and continuously groan in frustration so that the skies would hear me, I had a feeling that nothing would happen. How was it that I've had my streak of bad luck today? I was all decided, and yet the weather wasn't being cooperative at this point.

But then again, what should I do? It was already here. No choice.

Was it confusing? The reason why I was acting like this. It was because of the rain suddenly pouring down when I was about to leave the campus to head to the place where I was supposed to meet Setsuji Jerk. I even growled at the sky when it started pouring in torrents as if it only wanted to annoy me. And I've been unlucky because I didn't even think it would rain, and so I didn't bring any umbrella.

My last class was supposed to be just until 2:30 PM. But as I stepped out of the CEA building, that was when the weather started mocking people by pouring down rain. And so, for more than 15 minutes, I had been waiting for the rain to stop.

But the case was the uncooperative weather. I wasn't that excited or anything because I'd only met up with Setsuji after how many days of not seeing him. It wasn't the excitement that fueled the irritation and frustration that I was feeling.

Worry.

And yes, I would admit that it was meant for that guy. I knew he was decided when he mentioned in the recorded message that he would wait for me by the Promise Tree. I was so sure that he won't consider the weather as a factor in his decision.

My conscience won't stop bothering me if I found out that he was at the Promise Tree and he didn't bring any umbrella.

I looked at my wristwatch.

2:51 PM. Nine minutes before 3. Would I still be able to get there in time?

I sighed exasperatingly as I looked at the sky that still poured more rain on the ground.

Ah, whatever! I couldn't stay there any longer. I hurriedly left the place even though it was raining and I had no umbrella. I wasn't worried about my things since I entrusted them to Mayu. So at the moment, I was only carrying and worrying about myself.

Seven minutes later, I finally reached the cove. And from where I was standing as I squinted, I saw Setsuji beneath the Promise Tree. I cursed silently upon seeing him standing there with no umbrella. Only the lush leaves of the Promise Tree were shielding him from the rain. But I could tell that it wasn't enough.

"Now I won't be confused if I truly end up dying early because of too much worry for this Setsuji Jerk, to be honest." But then, as if he would hear me ranting here.

I shook my head. I'd rant more later. And I wanted him to hear it. I immediately traversed the path from the cove that Setsuji mentioned in the recorded message. At the hidden right side of the cove, several stone steps greeted me. About 20 steps. I wouldn't wonder why no one saw this. It was a rocky and slippery path. If Setsuji's direction hadn't stayed in my mind and guided me, I didn't know where would I end up at the moment.

I didn't waste any more seconds. With determined and fast steps, it didn't take me long to reach the last step. I dashed towards the Promise Tree despite the muddy pathway due to the rain. I saw Setsuji leaning against the strong and enormous trunk of the tree with his head raised and eyes closed upon reaching it.

He was patiently waiting despite the falling rain that would surely cause him to be sick once again. To be honest, I'd scream at this guy for doing this.

I exhaled in frustration. Then with determination, I shortened the distance between the two of us.

"Are you seriously trying to kill yourself, huh?" I started as soon as I stopped in front of him.

There were about two feet of a distance between us when I asked that question. But he wasn't even surprised or startled. I saw him casually open his eyes and finally lowered his head to face me.

"Riko-chan... You came..." He only said those words. But the melancholic expression on his face only brought me indescribable worry for this guy. "I thought... you're not coming..."