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The rain poured down, drenching both of them immediately. Knowing that their books would be ruined in this sort of rain, they immediately took off their backpacks and clenched them tightly to their chests and began to run, the path home turning to a blur. They were en route to Keke's house, but with this kind of weather, Keke wasn't sure they would make it in time.
“The shrine is closer!” Sumire said as she turned the street corner.
Keke kept up with her pretty well, both of them panting from the sudden sprint.
Soon enough, they made it to the shrine and ducked under the awning. Keke flashed a smile at Sumire as they both slumped on the ground and leaned against the wall, catching their breath.
“The rain was so sudden,” Keke commented.
Sumire snorted. “You started running so quickly; the look on your face was priceless,” she joked, nudging the other girl with her shoulder.
“Not as priceless as the way you were clenching your backpack!” Keke retorted playfully, shoving her back.
Thunder resounded, echoing throughout the courtyard and causing both girls to stop and stare as rain plummeted down and dripped off the eaves above them. The droplets coalesced into one big puddle in front of the shrine, mingling and becoming part of each other’s everything.
As the sky continued to open above them, Keke couldn’t help but notice her heart was thudding as loudly as the water against the roof. She perceived Sumire breathing next to her, still worn out from their run, and felt warmth radiating from the small contact of their shoulders. She glanced up at Sumire, noticing the way small droplets were clinging to Sumire’s eyelashes. The green eyes Keke often got lost in were gazing quietly upon the rain in front of them, relaxedly observing the winding streams of water forming in her family’s yard.
Keke hadn’t known she was staring until Sumire looked at her. Her face warmed immediately, but she didn’t tear away her gaze like she normally would. Instead, she stared back at the expression on the other girl’s face and felt her heart tighten. Sumire’s eyes widened slightly with surprise and her eyebrows raised with intrigue, as though she were looking at Keke—really, truly looking at her—for the very first time.
We really ought to go in, or we’ll catch a cold.
The thought floated through Keke’s mind, logical but transient, as some thoughts are when something important is about to happen. Blue met green as each girl continued to stare, memorizing each other’s features. The curtain of water and growing darkness of the gray afternoon sky offered such a sense of intimacy that they felt it was okay to stare in such a way, because doing so at school in the middle of the club room was so much different. There were no club members to tease them for becoming closer, or forced banter to keep up appearances. It was just Keke and Sumire, Sumire and Keke, in the solace of a world being rejuvenated.
Keke didn’t know who leaned in first, but when their lips met, it felt so soft, delicate, and right. Their lips hovered centimeters from each other and moved back in, moving with a passion that only they could make happen with one another. Keke’s hands ran up and down Sumire’s back as she felt hands settle in her wet, gray hair. How long had they wanted to do this? How long had their lips wanted to meet over and over again? Keke didn’t know and didn’t care, because finally, finally, Sumire’s lips were hers.
Keke poured everything into the kiss: the crown, the way Sumire looked at her after Starlight Prologue, the hug they had shared in front of this very shrine—
It was wet and warm, suddenly, against Keke’s cheek. Keke pulled away, and they both caught their breath, attempting to relieve some of the tightness in their chests. Sumire smiled softly at her, her expression watery yet bursting with joy, and wiped away the tears that had joined the rain on Keke’s face. Keke’s own hand found her way to Sumire’s cheek, realizing she had been crying too.
Sumire wordlessly pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back comfortingly. Keke relaxed into the touch as a blend of petrichor and a sweet green melon scent wafted pleasantly from Sumire.
They sat there hugging each other on the cold ground for who knows how long. When Keke recalls this day, she always laughs to herself because it was so uncomfortable on that hardwood floor, and the way they leaned over each other had been so awkward. They could have moved inside where it was warmer, changed their clothes, and cuddled in comfortable pajamas.
But Keke cherished that hug especially, because this awkwardness was a part of them, and it never quite left even as they wore each other’s clothing and slept so close every night. Keke hadn’t particularly liked rain before that day, but now rainy days made her don a small smile and wear it proudly even as the rain blocked out the sun.
Sumire pulled back from the hug and brushed a loose strand of blond hair behind her ear, gazing lovingly at Keke. How long had she wanted to look at Keke that way with no restraint? Was it as long as Keke did?
“Let’s change into some warmer clothes,” Sumire suggested, and she stood up from the ground, offering Keke her hand.
Keke took it and let Sumire lead her inside the shrine. They slipped their shoes off at the door, separating their hands momentarily, and joined them again to walk through the living room and toward Sumire’s bedroom. Keke had been here so many times at this point, but it all felt different now. The pictures of the blond little girl on the wall were Sumire’s past, and Keke wanted to be her future. She couldn’t help but glance at the photos of Sumire’s parents and wonder if she could take those sorts of pictures with Sumire one day.
The shrine was dark as they made their way down the hall toward Sumire’s room. Keke watched as Sumire slid open the sliding door and walked in, leading her along.
“You can borrow some of my clothes,” Sumire said, handing her some pajamas. “Oh, and you can stay over—if you want to, that is. My parents and sister are visiting my grandparents, so they won’t be here tonight. I wanted to stay behind since we have practice tomorrow,” she explained, gathering clothes and bath towels.
“Of course I want to stay over,” Keke said, taking some clothes from Sumire. We just kissed, she wanted to say, but nothing came out.
Sumire said nothing, and Keke wondered if she was just as hesitant to mention anything as she was. Because if Keke brought up the kiss and Sumire admitted she just liked her as a friend and it was all a misunderstanding, she wasn’t sure her heart could take it. Those tears, though; they had to be real, right?
“Let’s go warm up some water for a bath,” Sumire said, and started her way down the hall. “If we don’t get warm soon, we’ll catch colds.”
“Yeah, yeah, mom,” Keke said playfully as she followed her once more. Her heart twisted with joy when Sumire turned and rolled her eyes at her.
“You can go first,” Sumire said. “I’ll make us some soup for dinner while you wash up, okay?”
Keke’s hand flew out and caught Sumire’s involuntarily. “Wait,” she said, and Sumire turned to look at her.
Keke studied Sumire’s beautiful face, simply wanting to stare at her for a moment longer.
“What’s up?” Sumire asked after Keke hadn’t said anything.
Keke smiled, shaking her head. “Umm...Thank you, Sumire. For everything. I...I really, really like you. As more than a friend.”
Sumire nodded, chuckling. “After we just kissed, I would hope so," Sumire said with a smile. "But in all seriousness...thank you, Keke. You mean more to me than I could ever convey with words.” And then she pecked Keke on the cheek and went off to the kitchen.
Keke was left standing in the hallway, thinking about how she wouldn’t mind spending every rainy day just like this for the rest of her life.