In their college days, it was a rainy afternoon when Lawei forgot her umbrella. Meanwhile, Kawaki had just finished his class when he noticed Lawei, his long-time crush whom he had admired from afar. He approached her, trying to keep his nervousness in check.

“Lawei, you're not off yet?” Kawaki asked, his voice soft but steady.

“No,” Lawei replied, glancing at the pouring rain. “I forgot my umbrella today.”

Without hesitation, Kawaki offered his. “Here, take mine instead,” he said, holding it out to her.

Lawei hesitated for a moment, then took the umbrella with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Kawaki,” she said softly, but her eyes were filled with concern. She realized he would be left without one.

“What about you?” she asked, her brows furrowed.

“I’ll be fine,” Kawaki replied, trying to act casual, though he was already getting wet.

Lawei stood there for a moment, watching him. Her heart felt a strange warmth as she saw how thoughtful he was.

“I can’t let you walk home in the rain,” she said after a pause.

“It’s okay, really,” Kawaki insisted, but Lawei shook her head.

“Come on,” she said, holding the umbrella above both of them. “We can walk together.”

Kawaki’s heart raced as he stepped closer, feeling the closeness between them. They walked side by side, the sound of raindrops filling the silence.

“So… do you always help girls who forget their umbrellas?” Lawei teased gently, trying to lighten the mood.

Kawaki chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Only when it’s you,” he said without thinking.

Lawei glanced at him, surprised by his honesty. She felt a blush creep up her cheeks but said nothing.

“Do you… always wait for someone in the rain?” Kawaki asked, trying to turn the conversation.

“Only when it’s you,” Lawei echoed with a shy smile.

Kawaki’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at her, his face slightly flushed, but he couldn’t hide the happiness in his eyes.

They continued walking, their steps slow as if neither of them wanted the moment to end. The street was quieter than usual, and the gentle rain created a cozy atmosphere.

“Where do you live?” Kawaki asked after a while.

“Just a few blocks ahead,” Lawei replied softly. “What about you?”

“Not too far. I can walk from here after I drop you off.”

Lawei frowned. “No, you should come in for a while. You’re already soaked.”

Kawaki hesitated. “I don’t want to trouble you.”

“It’s not trouble,” she said, her voice sincere. “Besides, I’d feel bad if you caught a cold because of me.”

Kawaki finally gave in, and they headed toward Lawei’s apartment. As they reached her door, she unlocked it and invited him inside.

“Make yourself comfortable,” she said, disappearing into her room for a moment. She returned with a towel. “Here, dry off.”

“Thanks,” Kawaki said, accepting it with a smile.

As he wiped his hair, Lawei stood nearby, watching him. Her mind was racing with thoughts. She had always liked Kawaki but never had the courage to say anything. But today felt different.

“Do you want some tea?” she asked, hoping to calm her nerves.

“Sure, that would be great,” Kawaki replied, his voice warm.

As she prepared the tea, Kawaki’s eyes wandered around her cozy living space. It felt warm and inviting, just like her.

When she returned with two cups of tea, they sat down at the small table near the window. The rain continued to fall outside, but inside, there was a growing warmth between them.

“Thank you again for the umbrella,” Lawei said softly, breaking the silence.

Kawaki smiled. “Anytime.”

A comfortable silence settled between them as they sipped their tea. The air was thick with unspoken words.

“Can I ask you something?” Lawei finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Of course,” Kawaki replied, his eyes meeting hers.

“Why… did you give me your umbrella?” she asked, her cheeks turning pink.

Kawaki looked down at his cup, his fingers tracing the rim. “Because…” He took a deep breath. “Because I’ve liked you for a long time, Lawei.”

Lawei’s heart skipped a beat. She felt warmth spread through her chest.

“I… I’ve liked you too,” she admitted, her voice barely audible.

Kawaki’s eyes widened in surprise, but his lips curled into a soft smile. “Really?”

Lawei nodded, her gaze lowering. “I was just… too scared to say anything.”

“Me too,” Kawaki murmured, his voice filled with relief.

They sat in silence for a moment, but this time, it was a comfortable one.

“I guess… it took a rainy day to bring us together,” Lawei said, her lips curving into a smile.

“Yeah,” Kawaki whispered, his eyes locked on hers. “Maybe the rain isn’t so bad after all.”

As the rain continued to fall outside, they both realized that sometimes, the best moments happen when you least expect them. And in that quiet moment, they both knew — this was only the beginning.

Days passed after that rainy afternoon, and Kawaki and Lawei grew closer. They spent more time together, walking to class, sharing laughs, and exchanging shy glances that spoke louder than words. But amidst their growing connection, a storm was quietly brewing. Enter Jatt. Jatt had been Kawaki’s closest friend since their first year of college. They had been inseparable — through thick and thin. But what Kawaki didn’t know was that Jatt had been in love with Lawei long before Kawaki even dared to speak to her. Jatt was the quiet, charming type who expressed his feelings through actions rather than words. He had been leaving flowers in Lawei’s locker anonymously and exchanging casual texts with her for months. Though he never confessed, his gestures spoke volumes. Lawei appreciated his kindness, but she had never thought of Jatt in that way. Her heart had unknowingly leaned toward Kawaki.

The Unraveling Begins One evening, as Kawaki was walking Lawei home after another long day of classes, Jatt happened to see them laughing together, their hands brushing accidentally, but neither pulling away. His heart clenched, and for the first time, he felt something he had never felt before — betrayal and Jatt couldn’t shake the feeling, but he kept it bottled inside, trying to convince himself that maybe it was just his imagination. Yet, the following week, he noticed how Kawaki’s face lit up whenever Lawei was around, and it confirmed his worst fear.

A Confrontation Waiting to Happen One afternoon, Kawaki invited Jatt to hang out like old times. But Jatt was distant, his usual lively energy replaced with a heavy silence. “Jatt, is something wrong?” Kawaki finally asked, his brows furrowed. Jatt looked away, his jaw clenched. “Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of emotion and “Tell you what?” Kawaki asked, confusion in his eyes, “Lawei,” Jatt said quietly, his gaze finally meeting Kawaki’s. “You… and her.” and Kawaki froze. His mind raced as he realized what Jatt meant. “I didn’t… I didn’t mean for it to happen this way,” he murmured , Jatt’s eyes darkened. “I’ve liked her for a long time, Kawaki.” His voice cracked, the hurt evident. “I thought… you knew.” Kawaki’s heart sank. “I didn’t,” he whispered. “I never knew, Jatt." And the Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating, “I’ve been talking to her for months,” Jatt finally admitted, his voice laced with sadness. “Leaving flowers… texting her. I thought maybe… I had a chance.” Kawaki’s throat went dry. “I never… I didn’t know.” His mind was swirling, torn between his feelings for Lawei and the friendship he had cherished for years.

Lawei Caught in the Middle Meanwhile, Lawei sensed the tension between the two. She wasn’t blind to the sudden distance between them, and it tore her apart. She had no idea about Jatt’s feelings. To her, Jatt had always been a kind friend who made her smile with his thoughtful gestures and One evening, Lawei found herself standing between the two of them after class. The air was thick with unspoken emotions and “Is… something wrong?” she asked, her gaze shifting between the two, Neither of them spoke for a moment. Jatt finally broke the silence. “Lawei,” he said softly, his eyes filled with vulnerability. “Did you ever… did you ever wonder who was leaving those flowers?” and Lawei’s eyes widened slightly. “It was you?” Her voice was barely above a whisper, Jatt gave a small, sad smile. “Yeah… it was me.” and Kawaki looked away, his heart pounding in his chest and Lawei’s heart ached. “Jatt… I never knew,” she murmured, her voice laced with regret,“But you love him,” Jatt said quietly, his eyes briefly glancing at Kawaki. Lawei’s silence spoke louder than words.

Friendship or Love? Jatt turned to Kawaki, his expression unreadable. “So, what now?” he asked, his voice filled with a mix of pain and resignation and Kawaki’s heart felt heavy. “Jatt… I don’t want to lose you as a friend,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, Jatt’s jaw clenched, but he forced a small smile. “Sometimes, Kawaki… love doesn’t give us a choice.”

The air between them was suffocating. “I just… I need some time,” Jatt said, his voice filled with quiet heartbreak. And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Kawaki and Lawei standing there, feeling the weight of the storm they never saw coming