Ryota's POV.
Rain..........huh?
It's really downpour, huh?
Miyuki: All right. Ishigami finished dealing with the aftermath of that last mixer........
Miyuki: .....so there isn't really anything for us to do today.
Miyuki: Shall we take a day off?
Chika: Sure! Then you'd better call for an early pick up, Kaguya-san.
Kaguya: Actually.....
She grabs her flip phone from her pocket.
Kaguya: .....the car has a flat tire or something, so I thought I'd walk home.
Then Fujiwara-san started blabbering scary nonsense about kidnappings during the rain or something.
While I just looked at the window, staring at the gray sky as the rain falls down to the earth.
Miyuki: Is there something wrong, Kaedehara?
Ryota: Nothing. I'm just thinking that it's really relaxing to go home for now.
Ryota: I mean, whenever it rains, our café will be filled with a few people, sitting at their tables, drinking hot coffee while looking at the window.
Miyuki: I can totally imagine what you're saying right now.
Ryota: Well, supposedly, the me and the music club will go to Mio-senpai's house but Tohma-senpai decided to cancel it because of the rain.
Miyuki: Really?
Ryota: I got the text just now. More or less, I have nothing to do since.........
Ryota: Well, I only have less than two weeks on my temporary work ban from the café.
Miyuki: Eeeeh?
Ryota: Well, with my work ban and this atmosphere, guess I'll just laze around the house.
Miyuki: Wow, that's unexpected for you.
Ryota: I mean, it's only rare for me to have this much free time.
Miyuki: Well, you could use that to relax y'know.
Ryota: You have a point there.
Then I noticed couples sharing an umbrella as another memory kicked in.
Ryota: *sigh*
Ryota: Sharing an umbrella, huh?
Miyuki: Hm?
Ryota: I remember the time where Yuki and I shared an umbrella because her umbrella is broken.
Ryota: It was raining that time so, we really didn't have that much of a choice.
Miyuki: Ah, I see. The romantic concept of sharing an umbrella, huh?
Then my phone just vibrated as I pulled it out from my pocket.
Ryota: A text message from Dad.
I opened the text message.
Tatsuya: Ryota, I know this is sudden but would you mind to buy some mirin and beef for hot pot. Your mom decided to have hot pot for tonight's dinner.
I texted back.
Ryota: Okay, I'll be going home now. I just went ahead to finish some work in the student council.
After I sent the message. I put my phone back in my pocket.
Ryota: *sigh*
Miyuki: What's the matter?
Ryota: It's been a while since we had hot pot for dinner.
Miyuki: That sounds nice.
Ryota: Well then, I'll be going ahead now. My dad told me to buy some mirin and beef for the hot pot so I need to go now in order for me to get home early.
Miyuki: Okay, then. Be careful on your way.
Ryota: Thanks.
Ryota: Shinomiya-san, Fujiwara-san, I'll be heading off.
Kaguya: Be careful on your way.
Chika: Have a safe trip.
I left the student council room immediately with my bag and head outside. I rummaged my bag to my shock........
Ryota: A..................
Ryota: I forgot my umbrella.
But as far as I remember I put my umbrella inside my bag. Did someone took it or I just simply forgot to bring it...........
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Flashback. Before School, Kaedehara Residence.
Saya: I'm heading out now.
Ryota: Oh, Saya! Don't forget to bring an umbrella.
Ryota: I checked on the weather forecast for today and it says it will be a downpour around afternoon.
Saya: I see.
I handed her a navy blue folding umbrella and went off.
I also decided to go to school now.
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Back to the present.
Ryota: Ah, damn it.
Ryota: I gave my umbrella to my cousin!
Ryota: I totally forgot!
I can try to call mom or dad to pick me up but the thing is............
.......with this rain and on a motorcycle. They wouldn't be able to pick me up like this!
But if we use rain coat.........
Ah, wait...........
They are probably working at the café right now and they'll be busy as heck!
Not to mention, I still need to buy the stuff that dad asked me to buy.
Ryota: *sigh*
Ryota: Guess I'll just wait it out.
???: What are you doing standing there, Kaedehara-kun?
I turned around as I almost jumped from shock.
Ryota: AAAAAH!
Ryota: Oh. Hayasaka-san. What's up?
Hayasaka: What are you doing here?
Ryota: Well, I accidentally gave my umbrella to my cousin and totally forgot to bring an extra.
Ryota: So, I'm just standing here and waiting for the rain to be over.
Hayasaka: I see. Then........
She unfolds her umbrella and grabs my arm.
Hayasaka: I'll bring you home!
Ryota: Eh!? But-
Hayasaka: It's okay!
Ryota: Well, actually, I still need to go somewhere else.
Hayasaka: It's fine. I'll help you.
Ryota: Well, I need to buy some beef and mirin for the hot pot.
Hayasaka: Sounds nice. Especially with this weather.
Hayasaka: Well, then! I know a nearby store that sell those!
Ryota: Really? Then, thanks for the help.
We shared the umbrella and went on to the store that Hayasaka-san recommended me to.
We entered the store and I searched the ingredients that Dad told me to buy.
Hayasaka: So, Kaedehara-kun, you didn't have any work in the student council and the music club?
I answered as I inspect the beef that I'm about to buy for the hot pot.
Ryota: The music club are suppose to hang out at Mio-senpai's house but Tohma-senpai cancelled it because of the rain.
Ryota: Meanwhile, on the student council, since our treasurer finished the work immediately.
Ryota: So Kaichou called for a day off.
Hayasaka: I see. What about in your café?
Ryota: I'm still on ban. It'll be over soon. I only have less than two weeks so, I guess I'll enjoy this time to relax as much as I can.
Ryota: It's rare for me to have time to relax like this, y'know.
Hayasaka: I see.
After choosing the kind of beef that is suitable for hot pot, I proceeded to buy mirin and I also thought that I'll buy some tofu.
After paying for the said items, Hayasaka-san and I went straight to my home.
Until a few minutes later, we arrived at building of our café.
Hayasaka: Well then, this is as far as I'll go.
Ryota: You don't want to say for dinner?
Hayasaka: U-uh, no need! I need to go home now because of my part time job.
Ryota: I see. Thank you for accompanying me here. See you tomorrow, Hayasaka-san.
Hayasaka: Yeah. We'll see each other tomorrow.
Hayasaka: Bye, bye!
Then I noticed that she'll also have to say something but the sound from a passing car made ma unable to hear what she said.
But I just said something not to make the situation awkward.
Ryota: Yeah. Have a safe trip, Hayasaka-san.
Then she went on her way home as I entered the cafe with the groceries in tow.
Ryota: I'm back!
Koharu: Welcome back.
My mom greets me who is sitting on one of the chairs at the counter.
Ryota: Where's dad and Saya?
Koharu: Your dad is on the kitchen and Saya is cleaning up the tables.
I take a look around the café and it seems like there are only a few customers.
Ryota: Seems like our customers wanted to have a drink of coffee in this rain, huh?
Koharu: Seems like it.
Then I went to the third floor and brought the things I brought for the hot pot.
Afterwards, they closed the café and everyone gathered at the living room.
I also prepared the portable stove and the ingredients for the hot pot.
Tatsuya: Seems like you bought them, huh?
Ryota: Yep.
The four of us finished the preparation for the hot pot and then after a few minutes, the hot pot is ready and we all ate our dinner.
Ryota: Rain, huh? It seems like even in an event where it is considered to be the gloomiest, yet you can still have fun and be warm.
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Hayasaka's POV.
Hayasaka: WHAT AM I DOING!? FIRST, I OFFERED TO SHARE MY UMBRELLA WITH KAEDEHARA-KUN! THEN I CALLED HIM IN HIS NICKNAME!
Hayasaka: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Hayasaka: Since when did I become such a coward?