Although slow, he moves forward unintentionally

　　Miku lowered her head, and remained motionless in the rain.

　　She didn't want to hide from the rain, because wherever on the roof she walked, the water drops that fell would always wet her clothes.

　　She didn't know what her expression was like now or whether she was crying.

　　All she knew was that the floor in front of her was dyed pitch black by water droplets and was slowly becoming blurry.

　　Rain filled her world.

　　△

　　Not long after Shinichi pulled Nino away, he felt a cold chill on his face.

　　He covered his eyes with his hands, and looked up at the sky.

　　"Is raining..."

　　When the weather turned as predicted, Shinichi immediately took out his umbrella with his other hand.

　　Automatic umbrellas don't have much space, after opening the distance between the two people becomes closer.

　　Nino seemed to be in a good mood, she was humming a short song.

　　"This is the second time. I brought an umbrella with you before."

　　"...Well, that time we met at the supermarket. I don't know where you are doing wrong. You asked me if I was your friend and even avoided me in the alley outside. You don't have a graceful temperament at all. "

　　Shinichi looked at the rain curtain, his brows furrowed.

　　He realized that he had made the wrong choice.

　　If he wanted to make everyone happy... He couldn't just run away and just to make Nino happy and fulfill his promise, think about making up with Miku afterward.

　　As for why he said this was wrong, the answer was simple – When he thought of Miku's possible expression right now, his heart felt like it was being stabbed.

　　If he couldn't even make Miku happy, this choice was definitely wrong.

　　The urge to see Miku again became very strong at this time.

　　"You are not a real man at all!"

　　Nino leaned against his shoulder, looking unsure, but a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

　　"The fact that you came back to save me with an umbrella is a plus, but you purposely stood in a place where I would get caught in the rain and waited for me to get run over! I really hated you at that time, the opposite of now..."

　　As Nino spoke, she grabbed Shinichi's arm and walked forward, but her steps stopped in place, unable to pull him up.

　　"Asada?"

　　After a few seconds of silence, Nino lowered her gaze and her expression was dissatisfied.

　　After a while, she looked up at him. Then, Nino snorted softly.

　　Smoothing her hair which had become slightly curly after the rain, she spoke with a reluctant expression.

　　"Ah~ That stupid Miku, I wonder if she brought an umbrella~"

　　Shinichi looked at her in surprise, but Nino didn't respond, she just looked away and spoke.

　　"If she gets caught in the rain and catches a cold, I have to look after her. It's really troublesome~ Should I go back to look for her~"

　　Shinichi's face became a little red, he felt sorry for her, but after hesitating, he made up his mind.

　　"Sorry, I can't leave her alone."

　　Nino frowned, clearly displeased.

　　"Don't apologize. You make me feel sorry. I'm that fool's older sister. You can't leave her alone. Can I do that?"

　　(I'm worried about her too, okay? I'm not the evil second sister, and Miku is not Cinderella...) Nino thought like this.

　　She held Shinichi's hand tightly for who knows how many times. She felt reassured by the warmth in her palm, but also doubted that Shinichi would leave at any time.

　　"Also, right now, just say 'I'll give you the perfect date next time' – that's it! Everything else doesn't make sense, understand?"

　　Her tone was pretending to be vicious.

　　Shinichi said with a smile.

　　"Understood."

　　Instead, Nino bared her teeth angrily and slapped his arm.

　　"Right now, to Miku, you are showing the gentlest smile I have seen today! You actually don't understand at all! Super stupid! Bastard!"

　　Shinichi explained while taking off his coat.

　　"This is just your subjective guess. I don't think the curve of my smile is different from usual..."

　　"You are so gentle that you don't even notice!"

　　"If you really want to say that, Nino is gentler than me. Don't you realize it yourself?"

　　"Urusai Urusai Urusai! It's raining so hard, fast!"

　　"By the way, according to research in the otaku community, the word gentle seems to have become a curse word..."

　　"It's not just because someone like you exists!"

　　△

　　Coincidentally, the rain seemed to have stopped.

　　The sound of rapid footsteps stopped in front of her, mixed with the sound of rain so it was hard to hear.

　　When Miku saw those familiar shoes, she raised her head and looked forward in confusion, then a coat covered her body.

　　Still raining.

　　"Sorry, I am late."

　　Miku looked at him with a complicated gaze, she didn't know whether it contained distress, guilt, or softer feelings.

　　She wiped the rainwater from she face, and pushed her wet hair away from her eyes, revealing her pale face.

　　Then, the world became very clear.

　　"...Um, as long as you come back, it won't be too late."

　　Miku didn't notice Nino who was holding an umbrella behind Shinichi and stomping her feet in annoyance.

　　Despite her wetness and prominent curves, Miku shrank like a kitten, opened her arms, and hugged Shinichi gently.

　　(It's very hot, like the sun is already bright, making people not want to leave)

　　Nino looked increasingly angry.

　　"Shinichi, I like you. I really like you. I want to date you too."

　　Shinichi's body stiffened, then relaxed, with a helpless smile.

　　"…Where is the original agreement?"

　　"Canceled. Sorry, I couldn't take it anymore."

　　"Don't apologize. I should be the one apologizing…" With inaudible emotion, his voice grew quieter, and he changed the topic.

　　"By the way, is there anything you want to tell me?"

　　Smelling the aroma like sunlight on his chest, Miku shook her head.

　　"I've said everything I wanted to say. Come back, Nino is waiting for us."

　　"Why do you feel a little proud…"

　　Miku smiled lightly.

　　"Because now I'm a little more advanced than before."