Black Umbrella

SUZUKI KAZUYA’S POV

It was a day before the New Year's Eve, and I went out and asked to meet with my girlfriend to fix our sinking relationship.

I am wearing my thick winter jacket as the weather forecast stated that the temperature will continue to drop down until tomorrow.

I waited for two hours inside our favorite restaurant and she didn't even answer my text messages and calls until my 30th attempt.

"Naomi where are you right now? You didn't forget that you agreed to meet me tonight right?"

"I'm sorry but I can't go out tonight." she answered with a very low voice.

"Why? Are you alright? Are you sick? Are you- "

Despite of my endless worried questions, she never let out a single word until I felt that something was off and my instinct told me to look outside the glass window and to my surprise, I came face to face with her with only a glass window separating us with a man she is clinging her arms, and finally she speak out an answer to all my questions.

"Yes, I am sick. I'm sick of you and our boring relationship."

Without thinking, I burst out of the restaurant and land a punch to her new guy and it ended up being a fist fight in the broad daylight in middle of a busy street. The fight only stops when Naomi shouted and placed herself in between us.

"Stop! Please Kazuya just leave me alone. I don't love you anymore! I'm done playing with you "

That was the last strike to break the limit of my temperament and I ended up slapping her and officially ending our meaningless relationship.

As I walk away, I can clearly taste the blood in my mouth and the pain of my swollen face. With my bleeding hands that are still trembling, I wiped my tears that finally managed to flow down after I tried to act brave.

Drop by drop, the ground covered with snow turned wet not only because of my tears but because of an impossible rainfall in the middle of winter. The bright afternoon just a few minutes ago turned dark like how my day turned out to be. My thick winter jacket feel heavier as I continue to walk ignoring the crowd running around to find shelter from the rain.

With this rainfall, I can finally cry my heart out without anyone noticing that I am crying as I walk. At least I can consider this miserable rain as a little compensation with my year end heartache.

"Hey! Are you crazy drenching yourself while walking in a cold road? Do you want to die so badly?!" someone is shouting from behind me trying to fight the noise of the sound of the rainfall.

I turned around and saw someone holding a black umbrella behind me. He pulled me in under the umbrella he is holding and managed to drag me until we reached a convenience store and then left me with strange words and a white handkerchief.

"Use that to wipe your tears... Lucky for you that I saw you on time."

I didn't understand last thing he said, and I don't even have the chance to see his face clearly or even thank him for the handkerchief. The only thing I know about him is his black umbrella and the fact that he is the only one prepared for that rainfall. A strange man you can't easily encounter anywhere.

After I bought an umbrella from the store, I immediately walk straight home and take a warm shower. I am just about to wash my wet clothes when I remember the handkerchief inside the pocket of my pants and when I unfold it; I noticed a name embroidered at the corner.

S. Nao

My heartache came back after seeing the initials that is the same with what my ex-girlfriend has, Sakami Naomi.

My thoughts get dark just thinking if that guy is related to her or is he one of the boys she use to fool around. I wanted to throw the handkerchief away immediately, but I hesitated for a second and decided to keep it until I find that guy again. Maybe it is better to ask him directly before I start assuming strange things about him.

When the New Year finally came, I decided to come out to at least distract myself and I ended up coming to the cafe in front of the convenience store where that guy brought me on that rainy day.

I just stared at the store front wishing for a guy holding a black umbrella to magically appear out of the store even though it will be silly for someone to bring a huge umbrella in this fine weather with a forecast of no possibility rainfall and snowfall.

I am almost finish drinking my coffee with just one sip but I accidentally spilled it out of my mouth when he actually came, a guy carrying a closed black umbrella came in the store and after a few minutes, he went out and as he make his first step he opened his umbrella and I can't believe what happened next.

The clear blue sky turned dark and thunder started rumbling before another out of the blue rainfall occurred as he started walking.

Is he a wizard? A harbinger of rain? Or maybe a reaper? My curiosity pushed me to run out and ask him every question I have in my mind.

"Hey! Mr. Black Umbrella!" I called him out without thinking and I am drenched with the rain again.

"It is your hobby to run wet in the middle of the winter?" he blurted out as soon as he sees me.

"Can I know your name?" I asked without holding back, fearing that he will suddenly disappear again.

He smiled a little and paused for a while before telling me.

"Shinobu Naoyuki, an ordinary human, not a grim reaper carrying a black umbrella." Did he read my mind? I suddenly feel hot despite of being wet out of the cold. So the initial in the handkerchief is really from his name and just a coincidence with my ex.

"I'm Suzuki Kazuya a normal one and absolutely not a weirdo. Please be friends with me." my mind was messed up and I can't follow through my own actions, but I still feel a little happy when he agreed to me.

"Okay, let's be friends."

I was too overwhelmed by the moment when I slowly feel dizzy and I didn't expect that I will end up collapsing right in front of my first friend.

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