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The rain beat down against the metal roof of the school causing a distinct sound to echo throughout the gymnasium. Causing a ripple of groans to pass through the last period gym class.
It was a private school in Britain so this situation certainly was not a rare one especially during the later months of summer and on throughout the remainder of the year. Yet still the force of rain, despite its commonality, was bothersome to the students no one wanted to get wet after gym class showers, and having last period gym for the seniors of Luna Nova academy was a fate oft lamented for a variety of other reasons but most of all this.
Not showering would seem like a rather obvious solution to this particular conundrum but Ursula rarely went soft enough on her students to allow anyone to tolerate walking home without a shower and today certainly wasn’t one of those days.
“Okay Okay!” Ursula, while generally more of a meek personality, truly showed off her commanding voice during gym class and was something newer students always had to grow accustomed to. “We’ve still got time on the clock girls and a little rain certainly won’t hurt us in here so keep on moving!” Diana Cavendish simply rolled her eyes and pressed forwards, though the scrimmage basketball games were never her favorite activity in gym class, already not her favorite class, she always pushed herself to excel in everything.
Driving the ball down the court for the opponents team, after leading the chorus of groans, was one of Luna Nova’s many foreign students, Atsuko Kagari, or Akko as she preferred to be called. Calling the Japanese brunette a jock always seemed some sort of rude disservice to the cheerful and radiant personality that was generally on full display behind the tight and rippling muscles of her lithe frame.
The sound of squeaking sneakers and the thud of the ball hitting the gym floor pulled Diana out of her mild trance as she moved up to her position, a rather unenviable one, guarding Akko. Diana’s face was one of pure concentration on the ball and her opponents hips so as not to be juked out by the red eyed girls quick movements and rather considerable skill. Glancing up briefly she was met by a trademark grin. Cocky almost to the point of arrogance backed up by an intense and almost calculating glare that betrayed the point guards considerable skill on the court. Akko faked left and broke right Diana’s brief distraction utterly taken advantage of, causing the lesser athlete to lose her footing, hand thrust out in a desperate attempt to save face by knocking the ball out of Akko’s hands. A futile effort she knew but an effort she had to make all the same as she could only watch the back of a white gym shirt making its way for an easy layup.
Cheering erupted as the ball effortlessly passed through the netting with an all too satisfying swish and the ding of two points being added to the red teams score. There were but seconds left on the clock and Akko had just scored the go ahead goal. It wasn’t entirely over, but a hail mary goal from half court was really the only possibility for the blue teams comeback. Akko ran over and offered her hand to Diana after the cheering had calmed down. The blonde took it letting Akko pull her up to her feet so that Diana could dust herself off.
“Eyes on the ball Cavendish,” she teased with a wink before running down to the otherside of the court allowing a flustered Diana no response time. She simply grunted and grabbed the ball from the floor. Passing it immediately to Hannah, the only girl on her team with a ghost of a chance at making the shot, and sprinting down court to at least allow her friend a chance.
As the seconds ticked down Hannah waited until the exact last millisecond before launching the ball from half court towards the goal. A perfect backspin, good power and a straight on angle. However while normally the goal would have sunk from the three point line, a half court shot rarely had all the elements perfect. Falling just short of the rim not even brushing the net the ball bounced harmlessly on the ground and into the wall as the buzzer rang, causing the red team to erupt in cheers. Hoisting a, rather embarrassed Akko, up in the air chanting her name. After several loud attempts from their coach the team put Akko down to meet for the end of game handshakes.
After the pleasantries and celebrations had died down the students were reminded of their predicament. Pouring down rain on their way home. Another more reserved sigh found its way through as the girls headed to the locker room to clean up and prepare for the rather annoying trek home.
After cleaning up the girls generally lingered around the locker room for a brief moment. Diana generally spending that time engaging in idle chit chat with Hannah and Barbara, her two best friends. Diana while respected for her grace and decorum as well as her intelligence, was not a particularly social human being and so the ease of conversing with her two friends was always a welcome refuge after a long day. She rarely interacted at all with anyone else in her class. Of course, except for one girl in particular.
While Hannah and Barbara were discussing upcoming tests, and study tines, Akko made her way over to the trio. A toothy grin already plastered over her face. Diana’s two compatriots smiled and giggled when they saw her coming, more than anyone else they understood how this particular person caused an entirely different form of social awkwardness in Diana.
“Hey Cavendish,” the burnette began taking her seat next to the blonde, “Hannah Barbara,” she acknowledged bothe greeting her in return before winking knowingly at Diana and moving their conversation elsewhere.
“Akko,” Diana responded smiling a blush already beginning to form at the close proximity of the two girls her eyes trying desperately not to be caught staring at Akko’s ripped jeans, “that was one hell of a game you played today,” already cringing at herself Diana was resigned to this conversation being its usual amount of difficult to process.
“Yeah it was you really had me going there in the first half,” Akko responded, not noticing the stutters and general shiftiness coming from Diana as anything odd, afterall Diana always acted this way when they talked so there wasn’t anything odd about the behavior, at least not to Akko. “I can’t believe that three pointer you pulled for the go ahead,” Akko laughed smacking Diana on the back, the physical contact causing Diana’s face to flush a shade of red remarkably similar to Akko’s eyes.
“Yes well, you weren’t exactly blocking me too well at that point were you?” Diana teased back snarkily, another awkward stutter slipped in once again going unnoticed by the Japanese girl. Akko clutched her shirt in her hand in mock insult,
“Wow just call me out why don’t you, but I picked up when it counted huh,” she retorted wiggling her eyebrows coaxing a giggle out of the blonde,
“Yes well I must remember that you are not one to relax my guard around on the court,” Diana elbowed Akko, who grunted lightly, and both dissolved into fits of laughter.
“Yeah well don’t forget to keep your eye on the ball y’know?” Akko replied elbowing the girl back, “I’d hate to keep having to pay the medical bill on those ankles!” Miming a mic drop Akko reclined backwards resting her head against her hands basking in her genius response. The movement causing her shirt to ride up ever so lightly giving Diana a rather mouthwatering glance at her stomach, the faintest of glances at what were definitely becoming abs. Diana coughed to cover her face. Lord was she a gay disaster.
While Akko didn’t see the way Diana acted around her as any different from how Diana normally was, anyone else who had ever met the girl could tell after just a minute that she had it bad for Akko.
“Well anyways I oughta head home before it gets too bad out there,” Akko said, popping up her hood.
“Forget your umbrella again?” Diana chided. Akko simply shrugged
“It wasn’t supposed to rain today,” which to her was a perfect excuse despite the fact it had rained every day that week. Diana rolled her eyes before grabbing her own umbrella, the two talked idly as they headed towards the front of the school, Hannah and Barbara waiting for Diana there, before Akko and Diana smiled softly, waved goodbye, and the two split their separate ways.
“Wow Diana I thought you were about to fall apart back there,” Barbara smirked.
“Oh yeah that was some of the worst you’ve been yet,” Hannah remarked mimicking her friend “oh yes Akko i’m sorry I threw the game but I was just so lost in your eyes to focus on anything else,”
“And too busy thinking about your abs,” Barbara continued. Diana was blushing furiously, the worst part about having best friends since childhood, at this point they knew everything about her.
“Will you two be quiet about it already?” Diana huffed.
“Yes of course we will,” the two replied in unison, “when you finally decide to ask her out,”
Great Diana thought to herself, huddling under her umbrella, so never!
The sound of the bell rang throughout the classroom, causing several students to all of a sudden snap to attention. Perhaps math class immediately preceding lunch was not the best idea the school had ever dreamt up for its senior class; or perhaps it was more of an intentional decision. Either way, having not slept through the class, Diana packed up her notes and pulled on her bag as she met up with Hannah and Barbara to head to the lunchroom. It was a dreary day, like most, but once again it appeared the girls would spend the walk home under an umbrella. Diana walked silently occasionally nodding as Hannah and Barbara gossiped about the goings on at the school again. Every day a myriad of conversations of who’s dating who, who was best in class other than Diana, (Diana was always best in class), and on occasion jabs at Diana about her own social/romantic life. The blonde nodded when she should and scowled often. Not that she really minded after all these were her most common social interactions with her best friends.
Arriving at the lunchroom always created a brief headache for Diana, the sudden influx of noise, while she knew to expect it at this point, was still jarring from the quiet more tame conversations she spent her time in. Taking her usual moment to adjust, Hannah and Barbara halted their conversation until Diana, very quickly, straightened herself back up and moved forward. Both sparing Diana a brief glance to make sure she was okay before the trio continued forwards.
Diana’s eyes roamed the lunchroom, as they tended to do lately, scanning for a brunette ponytail. Akko considered them friends most of the time, and rivals where appropriate, while initially the Cavendish heiress hadn’t given the scrappy dork as much as a second glance, Diana had come to seriously respect the girl. Respect was one word though generally Hannah and Barbara preferred to refer to it as her being a “gay disaster,” accurate as it might have been Diana preferred respect. However Diana preferred to label their relationship; she had an undeniable affection for the girl that everyone but Akko herself seemed to have picked up on, Akko had recently been eating very little at lunch. While she insisted on excuses ranging from a diet to not being hungry, Diana had noticed her picking Lotte and Sucy for their leftovers. So she had done what any reasonable friend/rival would do and began to buy her lunch when she noticed Akko was going without.
It had taken some experimentation to discern the exact method to give Akko food without encroaching on her pride, direct offers to buy lunch were turned down, so she had decided on a fabrication of her family cooking extra food on accident. It was a tad cliche and she was sure Akko knew it was a lie, however it allowed for Diana to create social interactions with someone other than Hannah and Barbara as well as dote on the object of her affection in her own way.
Locking on to the stand out ponytail accompanied by the exuberant voice Diana smiled softly today seemed to have at least one perk to it. Despite having to walk home in the rain she would be able to spend some time with Akko at lunch.
“Oh looks like Akko doesn’t have any lunch today,” Hannah prodded with a smug grin,
“Well Hannah I guess you’re right if only she had a knight in shining,” Barbara glanced over Diana, “converse?” seemed to be all she could come up with at the moment. “To help her in her desperate time of need!” swooning slightly Hannah caught their falling friend, a routine too well practiced in Diana’s personal opinion.
“You two are the worst,” Diana called out striding ahead of them clutching her weighty lunchbox in her hands.
“See you in English!” the duo called out waving her off before giggling and returning to their conversation. Diana couldn’t help smiling goofy as they were; they always had her back.
“And then boom pshaaaah kapow!” Akko’s limbs flailed independently in more directions than should be possible as she regaled some story, likely from the most recent episode of Shiny Chariot , some magical girl type show she was obsessed with. Though she would never admit it Diana was quite the fan of the show herself, and even knew exactly which events Akko was referring to, the small smile on her face widening slightly as she approached the table.
Sucy, ever disinterested, was the first to notice her approaching, she nudged Lotte lightly who, glancing up, giggled and nodded. Sucy tapped Akko on the shoulder to break her out of her trance and rattled off some excuse that the two needed to head out for whatever reason. Akko pouted but waved the two off as they made a quick exit, Sucy giving Diana a thumbs up before taking Lotte’s hand and then walking away probably to the library so the two could discuss the interests of whoevers turn it was today.
Diana had grown somewhat fond of the odd couple in her disastrously ineffective courtship of Akko and appreciated their discretion and small assistance in keeping the blonde sane despite Akko’s general cluelessness about most things not sport related.
“Akko!” Diana called a little louder than intended and perhaps more excitedly than she had spoken in quite some time. But seeing the beaming smile that greeted her as the brunette whipped around caused a heart flutter that promptly erased any embarrassment from her brain.
“Diana!” she exclaimed, jumping up and wrapping the blonde in a tight hug. It was a sort of ritual of theirs, this interaction. Akko was always an extremely affectionate person and Diana not very much used to the level of affection Akko exuded without apology. Her face as red as Akko’s hoodie as she awkwardly patted Akko on the back until eventually the hug broke the Japanese girls face still showing her bright smile.
“Come on sit down,” she offered “Lotte and Sucy had some dumb test to study for again , so i’m all out of people to annoy,” Akko beamed “kidding! But seriously sit down,” Diana took her usual seat next to Akko placing her lunchbox on the table in front of her.
“Not eating lunch today Akko?” Diana asked inquisitively. Another part of their routine, Diana would ask as if she didn’t know what the answer was and Akko would reply,
“Nah just not suuuper hungry today yknow,” she would shrug or giggle, sometimes both. She wondered at this point if Akko also was aware of their little script or if she just always had similar responses to everything. Either way according to her imaginary script it was Diana’s turn to say,
“Well I was hoping you might be a little hungry, seems that my lunch was slightly over prepared again today, and I definitely can’t eat it all on my own,” Akko’s face lit up,
“Well I suppose I might could knock back a little grub, you always have some of the best food,” Diana felt that familiar small smile return to her face. The one ever present when she was around Akko. She popped open her lunchbox and removed its contents, as always when she had food brought for Akko, the box was comprised of a box of sushi for both of them; California rolls for Diana and a plate of tekka-maki rolls for Akko. She’d mentioned they were her favorites early on and Diana had made sure to catalogue that information away for later purpose.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh tekka-maki Diana!” she exclaimed giddily, “you are a true conniseur of sushi that I like,” she joked. The two fell into a comfortable silence as they began to eat. Despite her usual exuberance when eating Akko had all the manners and self control in the world a fact Diana had found quite surprising but found oddly adorable.
They always ate in silence, it was something Diana appreciated about their time together Akko had clearly figured Diana out at least a little bit knowing she preferred silence or at least very light conversation in the lunchroom. Overstimulation was something Akko herself was apparently familiar with in her own way, she had confessed to Diana one day, so she was sympathetic to her general preference in their shared time.
Akko always politely waited for Diana to initiate any conversation. Sometimes she didn’t at all and lunch passed quietly, others they conversed lightly about school or gym class and traded some trash talk about who would win that days competition. While Diana rarely got the better of Akko in those back and forths she did occasionally leave the girl in a stunned and impressed state from her verbal brilliance. Today though was one of the quiet days. Diana couldn’t explain why exactly these particular moments were so important to her but something about the quiet understanding did mean the world to her.
The bell rang after awhile signaling the end of lunch and time to move on to the next class. Akko smiled offering Diana her hand to help her up.
“Thanks, lunch with you is always fun,” that damn smile again. Diana’s heart couldn’t take it,
“Yeah it’s always a nice time thank you Akko,” picking up her bag Diana began to walk out “see you in gym Akko,”
“You’ll see the back of me and not much else,” Akko stuck her tongue out teasingly, “it’s indoor track today afterall,” waving Akko sprinted off to her class.
Diana nodded to herself allowing a smug smirk, “oh no what a terrible view that will be.” Glancing around to make sure no one had heard that embarrassing comment Diana moved off to her next class, now really looking forward to gym.
The gymnasium echoed once more with the sound of rain beating against a metal roof. Diana was sweating again, her eyes trained on Akko and this time not wavering. Though checking her out while they were running laps was much easier than keeping up with her on the basketball court. Diana wasn’t slow by any definition and she was very fit, but Akko’s athleticism was an entirely separate thing to be admired. Her feet beating against the pavement, powerful legs propelling her forward, and Diana was trying really hard not to stare too obviously though from hearing Hannah and Barabara giggling behind her she figured she might not be doing a very good job at hiding it.
Thankfully Coach Ursula blew her whistle before Diana managed to find a way to trip over herself and the girls all finished the laps they were on before heading into the locker room.
After a brief shower and getting dressed to go home, Diana rummaged through her locked looking for her umbrella. She always brought it to school just in case since it rained more often than not. But for some reason she couldn’t find it in her locker today. The rain was getting pretty intense outside. Grinding her teeth Diana began tearing apart her locker getting somewhat desperate to find her umbrella.
“Hannah? Barbara? You haven’t seen my umbrella today have you?” The girls shook their heads,
“No I don’t remember you bringing it today,” Hannah mused “yeah I definitely didn’t see it this morning because I remember you throwing your hands up when Barb was complaining about Amanda stealing her homework to copy it again,” Diana groaned chewing her lip
“I don’t guess either of you would be willing to walk with me today?” she hoped beyond hope but knew very well the answer she would get,
“Sorry Di,” Barbara started. “Hannah forgot her umbrella today too so i’m walking her to the bus station already.”
“It’s okay,” Diana nodded, smiling “guess i'm just getting an extra shower today,” Hannahd and Barbara apologized and hugged her sympathetically. “You two stay safe out there okay!” Diana called out.
“You too try not to catch a cold,” they yelled back before heading off. Diana sighed standing under the arch front of the school enjoying her last bit of shelter before heading home. She began to take a step out when she heard a familiar voice through the rain.
“Walking between the raindrops riding the aftershock besiiiiiiide youuuu,” Akko’s powerful voice cut through the white noise “off into the sunset living like there’s nothing left! To! Looooooooose!” Diana giggled, catching Akko off guard as she appeared to not have noticed her yet.
“Oh jeez,” Akko stuttered shyly blushing, “Sorry didn’t see you there Diana, you okay?”
Diana shrugged and motioned to the rain, “I forgot my umbrella today,” she gestured to her clear lack of an umbrella. “Of course today, of all days, right?”
Akko grinned “Oh the perfect princess has made a mistake!?” Diana lightly shoved Akko the two laughing together,
“Oh shut up you, you know i’m not perfect at all,” Akko shrugged,
“Eh maybe you’re not,” she grinned wider “But hey guess what?”
“What?” Diana entertained the bait. Akko reached into her bag and pulled out a bright pink umbrella that was so utterly befitting of the girl Diana would’ve sworn she’d designed it herself.
“I actually remembered mine today,”
“Ah so you find yet another way to best and mock me,” Diana placed a hand onher chest in mock indignation “there’s no need to rub your brilliance in on me Miss Kagari i’m already bereft an umbrella,” Akko rolled her eyes and popped her umbrella open before gesturing,
“I’m just gonna assume that word means without but come on,” Diana blinked in confusion.
“Uhm Akko isn’t your apartment in the exact opposite direction of my house?” The umbrella master nodded,
“Yeah it is but there’s a bus and I can’t exactly let you catch a cold especially after that delicious lunch today!” Diana smiled warmly, the kindness held in that single body was more than Diana had previously thought possible.
“My my walking together in the rain under one umbrella to my house Akko what will the people say?” Akko flushed red at the comment causing Diana to also blush furiously. Despite the general awkwardness both felt Akko just held out her hand. Blinking and slightly stunned Diana took it, interlacing their fingers Akko pulled Diana under the umbrella humming the song she had just been singing.
Diana’s brain was short circuiting in all sorts of ways that made it impressive she even remembered how to walk at all. She was...holding Akko’s hand...and walking home with her. It was not how she expected today to go but she was suddenly very interested in leaving her umbrella at home more often.
“So uh,” Diana began her voice wavering “Does this mean that…” she trailed off
“Yup,” Akko responded immediately an understand formed between them about exactly what was happening,
“Like…” Diana once again starter
“Officially for sure,” Akko finished as an answer to the question, “I’m dense but im not totally dull you know,” Diana nodded,
“V-very smart,” was all she managed to say.
“Plus Lotte and Sucy kinda spelled it out for me,” she chuckled, rubbing the back of her hand while trying to keep the umbrella over both of them. “Do you mind if I uh stay over for a bit today?” Akko asked shyly.
“Y-yeah, of course,” Diana responded two to three words all she was able to muster at once.
“We could talk about y’know...weekend plans too maybe?” Akko’s voice sounded hopeful but somehow unsure of Diana’s response despite the previous discussion. Diana blinked her brain seeming to finally pull itself together. She squeezed Akko’s hand and turned to face her,
“Absolutely,” Diana smiled softly, “a date sounds wonderful.” Akko’s grin rivaled the sun to the point Diana was expecting the clouds to break at the mere sight of it.
“Can’t wait for the date Miss Cavendish,” Akko said dramatically bowing,
“Nor can I Miss Kagari,” Diana bowed as well, her head bumping against Akko’s causing the both of them to devolve into a fit of laughter. Akko dropped the umbrella snapping the two out of their trance and causing a brief scramble to get back under the protection from the rain. Their hands intertwined again and their bodies huddled close together, smiles still plastered across their faces. And as the rain beat down around them Diana couldn’t seem to find a care in the world.
What a wonderful day to forget an umbrella.