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Kirishima slowly woke up to the pleasant sound of rain pattering on the roof. His curtain danced with the wind. He checked the time. "Oh, shoot! Mina!" She was supposed to be coming over for them to hang out.
He hopped out of bed, pulling on a tank top and giving his place a quick sweep. It wasn't spotless, but tidy enough for him not to feel self-conscious. He had snacks she liked and drinks in the fridge and even tea and coffee if she wanted something warm instead.
Carefree laughter pulled his attention to the window. Kirishima peeked outside to see none other than Mina, splashing around in some small puddles in his front yard. She was wearing a clear plastic raincoat and knee-high rainboots, having the time of her life. It reminded him of when they were little, how Mina kick-started their friendship.
Little Mina pulled on the dark-haired boy, who tumbled after her in his yellow rain boots. "The puddles are fun, you'll see!"
She did a big jump, sending water droplets out in a circle. “Come splash with me!”
The boy’s pointy teeth showed with his cautious and curious expression as he pulled his hood over his head. Bright red eyes watch the fluffy-haired girl with matching pink skin stomping about with her big grin. Light rain was drizzling all around them, sunlight glistening about and making Mina's front yard sparkle. She had invited him over after school - out of nowhere, to him - and here he found himself.
“Eijiro, come on!” Mina called out to him from the middle of a small puddle. Her raincoat was buttoned up but her hood was down, though the rain seemed to have no effect on her hair. It was like she didn't feel the rain at all, solely focused on the water gathered at her feet.
He gingerly tapped his foot in a circle of water in front of him on the pathway leading to the house. The water jumped and rippled outwards. A harder tap made a happier sound, and he looked for a bigger puddle.
One foot, step. Other foot, tap. Splish, plop, splosh, sploosh.
A big smile spread across his face when he jumped into his biggest puddle yet, making water splash more like his new friend’s. “Mina, look!”
Mina splashed her way over, her joy only growing as Eijiro got more comfortable with the activity. “It's fun, right?”
He gave her a big nod. "Really fun! How have I never done this before?" He jumped again.
Mina was upset to see that Eijiro wasn't at school the next day. She went over to his house.
Eijiro’s dad answered. “Hello, Mina. I'm sorry, Eiji can't come out to play today. He's not feeling well.”
“He's sick?” Mina frowned. “What happened to him?”
“Nothing serious, I think he just got a head cold from getting wet yesterday.”
Mina’s eyes widened. “It's my fault…” she sniffled. “I made Eiji come outside with me…”
Mr. Kirishima ruffled her hair lightly. “It's ok, Mina. Don't worry. Tell you what. You can come see him but be very careful. I'll give you a mask.”
Mina nodded as she came in, putting on the mask before coming inside.
Eijiro was on the couch, covered up to his chin with a blanket. He looked tired but perked up when he saw her. “Mina!”
She ran up, eyes wide and sad. “I'm sorry, Eijiro! I didn't mean to get you sick!”
“You didn't make me sick, Mina.” His voice was a bit weak, softer than normal. “Dad said it's because I got wet in the rain yesterday. I caught a cold…”
Mina patted his forehead, brushing away his bangs. “I like when my mommy does this when I'm sick.”
Eijiro closed his eyes. “It feels really nice.”
“Do you think you can come to school tomorrow?”
He frowned lightly. “I hope so…”
Mina looked around for a moment. Eijiro’s dad was busy in the kitchen. She pulled her mask down and gave Eijiro a bright smile. “My mommy says if you can smile while you're sick, you’ll get better faster. Can you smile?”
He looked at her for a moment, blinking. He used his fingers to push up the corners of his mouth, giggling when Mina laughed at him. “I'll try to smile lots and lots!”
Mina looked up to lock eyes with him through the window, giving a big wave. Her hair was uncovered, just like back then. “Come splash around with me, Riot!”
He laughed, running out the door. “My immune system’s way manlier now, so you won't have to take care of me this time!”