Chapter Text
The rain came without warning.
One moment, the streets outside the bakery were golden with afternoon light; the next, clouds rolled in like ink spreading through water. The sky cracked open, and heavy raindrops drummed against the glass with relentless rhythm.
Inside, the bakery felt smaller, cozier—like its own little world.
Kohane stood by the window, apron dusted with flour, watching the world blur behind sheets of rain. “Oh no… I was supposed to deliver that order before closing,” she murmured.
An, perched casually on one of the counter stools, looked up from her phone. “Not happening in that weather.”
Kohane frowned, pressing a palm to the glass. “I can’t just leave the customer waiting…”
“You’ll get soaked before you even reach the corner,” An said, tone soft but firm. “They’ll survive waiting an hour.”
Before Kohane could reply, lightning streaked across the sky—bright and sudden. The thunder followed, loud enough to make her flinch.
An smirked slightly but her voice was gentle. “You really don’t like storms, huh?”
Kohane puffed her cheeks in embarrassment. “They’re just… loud.”
“Then stay here. I’ll keep you company.”
Kohane turned toward her. “You don’t have to—”
“I want to.”
The words came out effortlessly, and Kohane’s reply caught in her throat. She blinked, heat creeping into her cheeks. “O-Oh.”
An grinned, pretending not to notice her reaction. “Besides, someone’s gotta make sure you don’t run out there with a tray of cupcakes like it’s some heroic mission.”
Kohane laughed despite herself, the sound small and bright in the quiet shop.
An reached for a towel on the counter and held it up. “You’ve got flour on your face.”
“Where—?”
“Right here.”
An stepped closer and gently brushed her thumb across Kohane’s cheek, using the towel to wipe away a pale streak. Her fingers lingered just a little too long. The world outside was all rain and thunder—but right here, everything slowed down.
Kohane froze, eyes flicking up to meet hers. “thanks,,” she murmured, her voice barely audible.
An smiled softly. “Anytime.”
They ended up sitting by the display window, side by side. The soft hum of the ovens filled the silence, blending with the steady patter of rain. Outside, everything shimmered in gray-blue light, but inside, the bakery was warm and golden, the scent of sugar and bread wrapping around them.
Kohane hugged her knees, resting her chin on them. “You really don’t have anywhere to be?”
An shrugged, leaning back against the counter. “Nowhere better than here.”
Kohane shot her a look that was meant to be teasing, but the words made her heartbeat stutter. She looked away, pretending to watch the rain again. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Hey, I’m being honest for once,” An said lightly, but her gaze softened when she looked at Kohane’s profile—the faint pink on her cheeks, the way her eyes reflected the storm outside.
Thunder rumbled again, low and distant this time. Kohane tensed before she could stop herself, and An moved without thinking—closer, warm, steady. Their shoulders brushed.
“You okay?” An asked quietly.
Kohane nodded, voice small. “Just not a fan of thunder.”
An tilted her head, her expression turning gentle. “Then it’s a good thing I’m here, right?”
Kohane turned to her, caught off guard by the softness in her voice. There was something in An’s eyes—something unguarded and sincere.
“Y-yeah,” Kohane said after a moment. “It really is.”
For a long time, they didn’t speak. The world outside was nothing but rain and dim light, but in the quiet bakery, it felt like they were the only two people left.
Kohane’s heart wouldn’t slow down.
An glanced toward her again, her voice barely above a whisper. “You know… I think I like storms now.”
Kohane blinked. “Huh?”
An smiled faintly. “Because they make you stay.”
Kohane’s breath hitched, but she didn’t reply—just looked away quickly, hoping the warmth on her cheeks wasn’t too obvious.
Outside, the thunder rolled once more, but this time, she didn’t flinch.
Because An was still there.