Ch. 1: Him in the Rain
The sound of the rain hitting the ground echoed in my ears.
This country was wrapped in an endless rain and thus a slightly dark atmosphere.
The Kingdom of Mei in the Land of Darkness…-.
Shigure had invited me back to Mei, and I headed towards the castle.
The rain seems like it's quickly getting stronger.
Several rivulets trickled down the umbrella and dropped off the edge, gradually increasing in number.
It made me feel a little uneasy, and I reflexively started walking faster.
I should hurry.
I approached a road near the castle when…-.
Is that…Shigure?
Standing in the darkness, I saw Shigure, wrapped in a gentle aura.
Shigure's soaked through.
He was crouched on the roadside without an umbrella.
I approached him and slowly held my umbrella out.
OO: "Shigure, what's wrong? You don't even have an umbrella."
Shigure: "Ah…OO…"
I called out to him, and Shigure turned to smile in embarrassment.
In his arms, he held a puppy with an injured leg.
OO: "…a puppy?"
Shigure: "Yeah, it looks like it stepped in the drain and hurt its leg."
Shigure smiled shyly.
Shigure: "Thanks, for the umbrella. But you'll get wet."
He smiled awkwardly, and it seemed to shine beneath the dark sky.
The puppy in his arms started licking the water running down his cheek.
Shigure: "Haha…that tickles."
He has such a kind smile.
His clothes were wet, and they were dyed a deep, jet black. But to me, Shigure's smile shone with the light and warmth of the sun.