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Takemichi usually has a good sense of intuition, usually , when luck kindly bestows him with some pity. More often than not, he got everything wrong and well, some of it ended up in a mess. He kind of doubts his gut feeling when given any option, so he just chooses what best blindly according to his heart and doesn’t consider the pros and cons. Especially right now, before reaching for the door handle, he glanced at the folded umbrella near the shelf. It’s been raining lately, but looking outside the windows there’s no single gray cloud can be seen. So Takemichi doesn’t bother to pick it up. He opened the door and once again checked the sky. It’s not exactly a clear sky, the sun slightly hidden by the clouds, but it still counts as sunny, right?
No, he was so wrong. He should have believed his gut feeling. Shit.
Right after lunch break finished, it suddenly poured really hard. The wind’s pretty strong added with the occasion thunder. Takemichi was so screwed. Is it gonna be a storm? How can he go home now? What if he stuck until very late? He groans, unable to tear his eyes from the widow that displays his source of concern.
“Hanagaki!” A shout directed at him nearly made Takemichi jump. When he turned his head, he found himself surrounded by pairs of eyes and a frown from his teacher.
“Y-yes?” Takemichi quickly answered and straightened his back.
“I would be glad if you paid more attention to the class.”
“I’m sorry, Ma’am.”
His teacher continues to explain whatever numbers are written on the board, and Takemichi shoulders shag in relief. That was unexpected.
“Pst! Michi!”
Takemichi can see from the corner of his eyes Chifuyu who sits right across him whisper-shouting to get his attention. One hand covering his lips so he thinks the teacher will not catch it. Takemichi doesn’t want to get yelled at for the second time, so he only mouths a silent question. What?
Ignoring the sign, Chifuyu didn't bother lowering his voice and asked, “You good?”
Takemichi nods, feeling grateful that Chifuyu doesn’t ask any more questions. One bad luck was enough for one day, he definitely doesn’t need a second. Perhaps Chifuyu has an answer for his problem.
~0~
Takemichi walks toward the entrance with Chifuyu looping his arm on Takemichi’s shoulders. The rain is still pouring, but not nearly as hard but still no one would dare walking or running through it without protection from an umbrella. Chifuyu humming a song like the bad weather doesn’t have any effect on his mood or whatever. Takemichi wishes he can be more carefree like his partner. After changing his shoes, he reluctantly stepped to the door. There’s a lot of other students simultaneously opening their umbrellas and stepping outside the building.
Takemichi slowly glanced at Chifuyu, waiting for the boy to reach an umbrella inside his own bag. The minutes stretch and none of them do anything except staring blankly into each other's eyes.
“What?” Chifuyu raised an eyebrow to Takemichi.
“Umbrella,” Takemichi said, extending his left hand with palm up. “Where’s your umbrella?”
“What umbrella?”
“Yours.”
“I didn’t bring any.” There’s a slight confusion forming on Chifuyu’s face. “Aren’t you the one–”
Takemichi sighs heavily. He should’ve known better to place his hope, now they really stuck. The only option left was to wait until the rain subsideed or maybe they could ask their friends to share. Takemichi lifts his head and looks around to find anyone who possibly can help them, but it seems the crowds filled with faces both Takemichi and Chifuyu don’t even know and a bunch of upperclassmen. Oh, the curse of being the new student.
“I think I know what we can do!” Chifuyu exclaimed, eyes gleaming like he solved a hard question.
“No, you always have the worst solution.” Takemichi holds back a groan. He’s not gonna do whatever his partner is up to, which is always up to no good.
“Oh come on, listen, we used my jacket to cover our head and we spr–”
“No!”
“What? You want to wait? What if the rain holds until midnight?”
“That’s ridiculous.” Takemichi pouts.
“You never know!”
Takemichi hasn’t even said yes to the suggestion, but Chifuyu recklessly threw his bag at Takemichi and a second later he already took off his jacket. Then aimlessly put it on his head and leave a little space for Takemichi to join.
“Come here.”
“But…” Takemichi's face twists in a frown.
“We will run as fast as we can, the station is not that far anyway.”
“Are you serious? It’s pretty heavy, you know. We're definitely gonna be soaked to death.”
“Trust me, partner.”
When being called like that, Takemichi can do nothing but follow. Oh, cursed his soft heart to even fall for that cliché. But looking at Chifuyu with both eyes full of confidence and smiling with such assurance, Takemichi finally gave in. He steps closer to the boy and makes himself fit to the little space. One hand hugging both of their bags and the other clutch at the hem of Chifuyu’s jacket. Grip it tightly and pray they can survive the rain.
“Ready?” Chifuyu glanced at Takemichi who answered with a light nod. “At the count of three. One… two… now!”
Takemichi stumbled a little and tried his best to match his partner's movement. The first thing he felt was the cold gust of wind hitting his face, then the loud hard droplets of rain hitting the jacket. Chifuyu put his free hand on Takemichi's hips and pulled him closer. Keeping them balanced and easy to maneuver their direction together. If the red blushed formed on Takemichi cheeks was the result of such an act, then the cold weather did his job successfully hiding it. It’s not the time to be shy, idiot . Takemichi thought to himself.
The plan is not half bad actually, but Takemichi would not admit it. It’s because he can feel his toes wet after jumping from avoiding any puddle, and don’t ask about his pants that are already soaked until above the ankle. His face is slightly wet from running against the rain.
“Look, the station is near, we made it.”
One second after Chifuyu said it, the worst of the worst thing actually happens. It’s not fully Takemichi's fault that his legs trip on each other because they run, with approximately no space in between, and the street is probably slippery. So he fell on his face, bringing Chifuyu in the process with a loud yelp.
The boys have both their faces kissing the ground, head to toe drenched, and the jacket tossed aside. They have no protection from the rain and are now drowning in the dirty puddle. Great. Takemichi day getting worse now is complete..
On the contrary, Chifuyu did not recognize Takemichi’s agony and barked a loud laugh, then tried to stand on his knees.
“Oh God, this is the worst idea ever.” Chifuyu said, not a single smile gone from his face.
“You just realized it now? Ugh…”
“Come here,” Chifuyu extended his hand. After retrieving his jacket, he helped Takemichi up and walked them to the station. It’s no use to run because what’s the point if they are already soaked, so they slowly walk.
Takemichi thought falling in public was already embarrassing, but no. He has to endure both of their shame because Chifuyu clearly didn’t really care about being wet while getting on a train. Takemichi made a mental note to never ever say yes to whatever idea might pop up on Chifuyu's head. No, one lesson is enough. He really hopes he can be immune from Chifuyu.
~0~
The result of their action instantly happens to Chifuyu, he has to take a full rest at home because getting cold. The whole thing is ridiculous and Takemichi put the blame almost entirely on his bad luck. So, being the good partner that he is, Takemichi quickly comes to Chifuyu’s house to nurse him to health after school.
“We should have waited yesterday,” Takemichi sighed, handing Chifuyu a plate of peeled apples. “Eat this.”
“But it’s fun, tho,” Chifuyu said between bites.
“I think we have different meanings to the word fun. ”
“Yeah… yeah…” Chifuyu shifts his position a little and slightly unfolds his blanket. “Do you want to cuddle me or not?”
“It’s your fault if I get sick.”
“Just get in here, I’m lonely.”
With a fond sigh, Takemichi climbs to the bed. Nuzzle into the warmth from the blanket and Chifuyu. Well, one thing for sure Takemichi would hardly say no to his partner.