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The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Zhang Hao gathered his things and stood up from his desk, glancing out the window to see dark clouds rolling in. He hoped the rain would hold off until he got home, but it didn’t look like it would.
He packed his bag, leaving the classroom just as the first drops of rain began to fall. By the time he stepped out of the school building, the rain had picked up, turning into a steady downpour.
Great. Just my luck.
Zhang Hao pulled his collar up and quickened his pace, but it didn’t take long before his jeans were soaked through, and his hair started sticking to his forehead. He cursed under his breath, wishing he’d remembered his umbrella.
As he walked down the sidewalk, he noticed a familiar face under the awning of a nearby cafe—Hanbin, his classmate from high school. Hanbin was holding an umbrella, standing with his back slightly hunched as he looked out into the rain, seeming lost in thought.
Zhang Hao was about to just keep walking, but then Hanbin noticed him. His eyes widened, and he quickly stepped out into the rain, waving his umbrella toward Zhang Hao.
“Hey!” Hanbin called out, his voice a little shy but loud enough to be heard over the sound of the rain. “You don’t have an umbrella, do you?”
Zhang Hao stopped, surprised. “Uh, no. I forgot it at home.”
Hanbin’s eyes softened with concern. “You’re going to get soaked if you keep walking like that.” He hesitated for a second, before stepping forward and holding the umbrella out. “You can share mine if you want. I’m headed in your direction anyway.”
Zhang Hao blinked, not expecting this offer at all. He and Hanbin knew each other from school, but they hadn’t really spoken much outside of class. They’d exchanged a few words here and there, but this felt like an unexpected kindness.
“Are you sure?” Zhang Hao asked, still unsure. “I don’t want to trouble you.”
Hanbin gave him a small, reassuring smile. “It’s no trouble at all. Besides, it’s pretty bad out here. We’re both going to get soaked if we don’t stick together.”
Zhang Hao smiled back, feeling a little more at ease. “Okay, thanks then.”
They started walking together, Hanbin holding the umbrella and keeping them both sheltered from the rain. It was a little awkward at first—Zhang Hao wasn’t used to this kind of gesture from anyone, and Hanbin seemed a little shy, but the quiet was comfortable.
“So,” Zhang Hao said after a minute, “you live around here too, right?”
Hanbin nodded, his eyes glancing over to Zhang Hao as he kept the umbrella steady. “Yeah, I do. We live in the same complex, actually. Just a couple of buildings apart.”
Zhang Hao raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Huh. Didn’t realize we lived so close.”
Hanbin chuckled, his voice soft. “I guess we don’t run into each other that often, huh?”
“Yeah, I guess not,” Zhang Hao agreed, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Thanks again for walking with me. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s no problem,” Hanbin replied quickly, a little flustered. “I’m happy to help.”
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the rhythm of their footsteps blending with the sound of the rain. The umbrella shielded them from the worst of it, but it wasn’t enough to keep them entirely dry. Zhang Hao couldn’t help but notice that Hanbin was doing his best to keep the umbrella perfectly centered between them.
“So… your apartment’s just up ahead?” Hanbin asked, looking over at Zhang Hao.
“Yeah,” Zhang Hao replied. “Just another minute or so.”
They turned down the street toward Zhang Hao’s building, and as they reached the entrance, he turned to face Hanbin, offering him a grateful smile.
“Well, this is me,” Zhang Hao said, giving a small wave. “Thanks again for walking with me, Hanbin.!”
Hanbin smiled back, his cheeks a little pink. “Anytime, really. I’m glad I could help.”
There was a brief pause before Hanbin spoke again, his voice quieter. “Stay dry, okay?”
Zhang Hao chuckled softly, touched by Hanbin’s concern. “I will, promise. See you around, Hanbin!”
With that, Zhang Hao turned and walked into the building, glancing over his shoulder once more to see Hanbin still standing there, watching him with a small, soft smile.
Zhang Hao couldn’t help but smile too as he walked into the lobby. It was just a small gesture, but something about it made him feel… lighter. Maybe it was just the rain, or maybe it was the kindness from Hanbin that had caught him off guard.
“See you around, Hanbin!” Zhang Hao’s voice echoed in his head, and Hanbin’s smile widened even more.
“Yeah,” Hanbin muttered to himself, practically glowing. “See you, Zhang Hao.”
His cheeks flushed as he watched Zhang Hao disappear inside the building, and after a long moment, Hanbin gave a contented sigh. Then, with a small laugh, he shook his head, clutching the umbrella a little tighter. “I’ll see him again. I’m sure of it.”
☔️
The rain was relentless, tapping against the windows of the school like tiny, persistent knocks. Zhang Hao stared at it in dismay from the doorway of the building. Once again, he’d left his umbrella at home. He sighed, adjusting the strap of his backpack. At least he didn’t have to go straight home this time—there was a cafe nearby where he planned to work on his science paper.
He pulled his jacket tighter and stepped forward, ready to make a dash for it, when a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Zhang Hao!”
He turned to see Hanbin jogging toward him, holding a bright blue umbrella. His sweater looked a little too oversized, and his glasses were fogged up from the warmth inside the building, but he had an unmistakable grin on his face.
“You’re not seriously going to run in the rain again, are you?” Hanbin asked, his tone part incredulous and part amused.
Zhang Hao gave him a sheepish smile. “I was considering it. The cafe’s not that far, so I figured I’d survive.”
Hanbin frowned slightly, shaking his head. “Survive? You’ll be drenched.” He opened his umbrella with a click, holding it up. “Where’s your umbrella, anyway?”
Zhang Hao scratched the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly. “At home. Again. I didn’t think it would rain today.”
“Well, lucky for you, I’m here,” Hanbin said with a playful smile, his confidence tinged with an endearing awkwardness. “Where’s this cafe you’re headed to? I’ll walk you there.”
“Are you sure? It’s not really on the way back to the apartment complex,” Zhang Hao said, hesitating.
Hanbin shrugged, looking away for a second like he was nervous. “It’s no problem. I don’t mind walking a little extra if it means you won’t get soaked.”
Zhang Hao smiled, feeling a flutter in his chest. Hanbin was unexpectedly sweet. “Thanks, Hanbin. I owe you one.”
The two set off, sharing the umbrella as they walked through the rain. It was quiet at first, the sound of raindrops filling the space between them. Hanbin kept glancing at Zhang Hao, his mind racing. This was his chance—he’d been binge-watching rom-coms all week for inspiration, and now he had to try something.
“So…” Hanbin began, clearing his throat. “What’s so special about this cafe you’re going to? Is it the coffee? Or is it the ambiance? Or maybe…” He paused, trying to make his voice sound mysterious. “…is there someone you’re meeting there?”
Zhang Hao raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Someone I’m meeting? No, it’s just me. I’ve got a science paper to work on, and I like the quiet there.”
“Oh.” Hanbin felt a little embarrassed but quickly recovered. “Right. I mean, I figured as much. You don’t seem like the type to have secret rendezvous… unless…” He gave Zhang Hao what he hoped was a teasing smile. “…you’re just saying that to throw me off.”
Zhang Hao laughed, shaking his head. “You’re really reaching, Hanbin. It’s just homework.”
Hanbin joined in the laughter, though his ears turned pink. That was so lame. Why did I think that would work?
When they reached the cafe, Zhang Hao stepped under the awning and turned to Hanbin with a warm smile. “Thanks for walking me here. I really appreciate it.”
Hanbin hesitated, gripping the handle of his umbrella tighter. He didn’t want to say goodbye just yet. His eyes darted to the cafe’s window, and an idea sparked in his mind. “Actually… I’ve got some work to do too. Mind if I join you?”
Zhang Hao blinked, surprised. “Oh, sure. If you don’t mind, I’d like the company.”
“Great!” Hanbin said a little too quickly, his voice rising with excitement. He cleared his throat, trying to sound nonchalant. “I mean, yeah, that sounds good. Let’s get out of the rain.”
Inside the cafe, they found a cozy table by the window. Zhang Hao pulled out his laptop and notebooks, diving into his work with focused determination. Hanbin, on the other hand, took out a textbook he didn’t really need and opened it, occasionally glancing over the top of the pages to steal a look at Zhang Hao.
The soft glow of the cafe lights reflected off Zhang Hao’s face, and Hanbin found himself mesmerized by the way his schoolmate’s brow furrowed in concentration or how he absentmindedly chewed the end of his pen when he was thinking.
“Everything okay?” Zhang Hao asked suddenly, snapping Hanbin out of his daze.
“Huh? Yeah! Totally fine,” Hanbin stammered, quickly looking down at his book. “I’m just… uh… studying.”
Zhang Hao smirked. “Studying, huh? You’ve been staring at the same page for the last ten minutes.”
Hanbin felt his face burn. “I—I was just… reviewing really hard, you know? Gotta make sure I don’t miss anything important.”
Zhang Hao laughed softly, shaking his head. “You’re something else, Hanbin.”
Hanbin’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of Zhang Hao’s laugh. He wanted to say something charming, something that would make Zhang Hao look at him like he was more than just a nerdy neighbor and schoolmate.
“You know,” Hanbin started, lowering his voice a little, “if I didn’t know any better, I’d think I walked you here just so I could spend more time with you.”
Zhang Hao looked up from his laptop, raising an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
Hanbin panicked for a second, but he nodded, trying to play it cool. “Yeah. I mean, who wouldn’t want to? You’re…” He trailed off, realizing he hadn’t thought this through. “…pretty great to be around.”
Zhang Hao chuckled, his gaze softening. “Thanks, Hanbin. You’re not too bad yourself.”
Hanbin’s face lit up, and he ducked his head to hide the goofy smile spreading across his lips. He spent the rest of the afternoon pretending to study, though his thoughts were entirely on the boy sitting across from him.
When the rain finally eased up and they decided it was time to leave, Hanbin couldn’t stop thinking about how perfect this day had been. Zhang Hao didn’t seem to mind his awkwardness—in fact, he seemed to find it endearing. And for Hanbin, that was more than enough to give him hope.
☔️
The next day, Hanbin stared out the window of his classroom, barely paying attention to the lecture. His eyes were fixed on the gray clouds rolling in, a hopeful smile tugging at his lips. The past two days had been an unexpected stroke of luck—both times it had rained, giving him the perfect excuse to talk to Zhang Hao.
What if it doesn’t rain today? he thought, his fingers tapping nervously on his notebook. What if I don’t get to see him?
The thought made him antsy. He didn’t want to wait for another chance encounter. But just as doubt began to creep in, a small patter against the window caught his attention. Raindrops. He could barely contain the grin spreading across his face.
As soon as the final bell rang, Hanbin packed up his things and made a beeline for the school gates, clutching his umbrella tightly. His heart raced as he scanned the crowd of students leaving. When he spotted Zhang Hao standing by the gates, unprepared for the rain yet again, a mix of excitement and nervousness swelled in his chest.
Here’s my chance.
Zhang Hao sighed as he stared at the rain. Three days in a row? Really? He didn’t mind a little rain, but running home soaking wet wasn’t exactly ideal. He was debating whether to make a dash for it when a familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“Hey, Zhang Hao!”
He turned to see Hanbin jogging up to him, umbrella in hand and an easy smile on his face. Zhang Hao couldn’t help but smile back. “Let me guess—you’re here to rescue me again?”
Hanbin chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. “I mean, you look like you could use some rescuing.”
Zhang Hao rolled his eyes playfully but stepped under the umbrella anyway. “I’m starting to think you’re following me around just to play the hero.”
“W-what? No, of course not,” Hanbin stammered, his ears turning pink. “I just… happened to see you, that’s all.”
“Uh-huh,” Zhang Hao teased as they began walking.
They strolled in comfortable silence for a while, the soft sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella filling the space between them. Hanbin’s mind raced as he tried to think of a way to extend their time together. He couldn’t bear the thought of just walking Zhang Hao home and saying goodbye.
“Hey,” Hanbin blurted out suddenly. “Are you in a rush to get home?”
Zhang Hao glanced at him, intrigued. “Not really. Why?”
“The uh, cafe we went to yesterday, it’s right around here, right? I was thinking of stopping by for a bit,” Hanbin said, trying to sound casual. “Want to come with me? You know, just to hang out.”
Zhang Hao raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his lips. “This isn’t another excuse to walk me somewhere, is it?”
Hanbin’s face turned crimson, and he stumbled over his words. “N-no! I mean, maybe a little? But it’s not—it’s just—”
“I’m kidding,” Zhang Hao said with a laugh, his teasing tone softening. “Sure, let’s go.”
Hanbin’s shoulders relaxed, and he couldn’t help the giddy smile spreading across his face as they changed course toward the cafe. The rain continued to fall around them, but under the shared umbrella, it felt like the rest of the world faded away.
As they arrived at the cafe, the bell above the door jingled softly, signaling their entrance. Zhang Hao shook a few raindrops off his jacket and glanced around, his gaze naturally drifting toward the table by the window—the same one they’d sat at yesterday.
Hanbin, already a step ahead, gestured toward it. “How about there again?” he asked, his voice tinged with nervous enthusiasm.
“Sure,” Zhang Hao replied with a small smile, following him.
This time, though, Hanbin didn’t take the seat across from Zhang Hao. He hesitated for a moment before sitting down right next to him on the bench. Zhang Hao glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, but Hanbin pretended not to notice, busying himself with adjusting his bag.
“So,” Zhang Hao said, leaning slightly toward him. “Not sitting across from me today? Feeling bold, are we?”
Hanbin froze for a split second before clearing his throat, willing his cheeks not to flush. “Well, it’s just… you know… this seat has a better view of the window.”
Zhang Hao smirked but didn’t press further, letting the moment pass.
Once they’d ordered their drinks and settled in, Zhang Hao leaned back, fingers drumming lightly on the table. “So, what do people usually talk about when they hang out? I’m not really great at this whole socializing thing.”
“You? Not great at socializing?” Hanbin asked, genuinely surprised. “You seem like you’re pretty good at it.”
Zhang Hao chuckled softly. “Only when I have to be. Like at school. But outside of that? Not really. Most of the time, it’s just me, my books, and my headphones.”
Hanbin nodded, hanging onto every word. “What kind of books do you like?”
“Mostly fiction,” Zhang Hao said. “Fantasy, thrillers, sometimes a bit of romance. What about you?”
“Oh, uh, romance too,” Hanbin blurted out before he could stop himself.
Zhang Hao turned to him, a teasing glint in his eye. “Romance? Really? Didn’t expect that from you.”
Hanbin laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah, well… I’ve read a few. Mostly because, you know, my sister’s really into them. She kept pushing me to try some.”
“Ah, the classic ‘it’s for my sister’ excuse,” Zhang Hao teased.
“It’s true!” Hanbin insisted, though his ears were burning red.
Zhang Hao laughed, the sound light and genuine, and Hanbin couldn’t help but stare. From this close, he could see every detail of Zhang Hao’s profile—the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the faint dimples that appeared on his cheeks, the way a stray lock of hair fell across his forehead.
“Hanbin?”
“Huh?” Hanbin blinked, realizing he’d zoned out.
“You okay?” Zhang Hao asked, tilting his head slightly.
“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” Hanbin stammered, quickly looking away and taking a sip of his drink to compose himself.
Zhang Hao chuckled softly but let it slide. “Anyway, when I’m not reading, I’m usually either doing schoolwork or cooking. I like experimenting with recipes sometimes—it’s fun.”
“You cook?” Hanbin asked, his admiration growing.
“Yeah, a little. Nothing too fancy, but it’s nice to make something from scratch, you know?”
Hanbin nodded, smiling. “That’s really cool. I can barely make instant ramen without messing it up.”
Zhang Hao laughed again, his laughter a little louder this time. “You’re hopeless, aren’t you?”
“Pretty much,” Hanbin admitted with a sheepish grin.
The conversation flowed easily after that, with Zhang Hao sharing snippets of his daily life—how he’d spent an entire weekend trying to bake cookies but burned every batch, how his cat had a habit of stealing his socks, and how he once got stuck on the school roof during a fire drill because he was curious about the view.
Hanbin listened intently, occasionally adding his own comments or asking questions. But more often than not, he found himself zoning out, captivated by the way Zhang Hao’s face lit up as he spoke.
After a moment of comfortable silence, Zhang Hao took a bite of the cake they ordered, then gently offered a forkful to Hanbin. “Here,” he said, “You have to try this. It’s good.”
Hanbin blinked, eyes wide. “Huh? Oh, okay.” He leaned forward a little, accepting the bite from the fork, cheeks turning pink as he chewed. The sweetness of the cake was almost lost to him, though, because all he could focus on was the feeling of Zhang Hao’s hand so close to his.
Zhang Hao, noticing Hanbin’s quiet reaction, smiled softly and reached for another bite. But then, as he looked up at Hanbin, something in the way the light caught his face, the sharpness of his jawline, and the way his lips parted slightly to chew suddenly made Zhang Hao’s heart skip a beat.
He hadn’t really noticed before, but now, in the intimate setting of the café, Zhang Hao found himself really looking at Hanbin. The muscles in his arms were more defined than he’d expected, especially with the way his sleeves were slightly rolled up. Then, Zhang Hao’s eyes wandered to a tattoo peeking out from under Hanbin’s sleeve. The writing on his bicep seemed to flow, a line of words Zhang Hao couldn’t quite make out. He blinked, but it was a star, moon, and sun tattooed on Hanbin’s collarbones that completely drew him in. The delicate design was hypnotizing.
Zhang Hao’s gaze drifted lower and caught sight of Hanbin’s defined muscles as he shifted in his seat, and the realization hit him all at once – along with the kindheartedness and the awkward yet cute personality, Hanbin was also undeniably handsome.
☔️
The sun shone brightly in the morning sky, casting long shadows on the sidewalk as the city woke up to another busy day. Hanbin stepped out of his apartment complex, his heart a little faster than usual. He hoped today would be different—today, he was going to tell Zhang Hao how he felt.
As he walked down the path toward school, lost in his thoughts, he collided with someone coming the opposite way.
“Oof!” Zhang Hao staggered back a step, catching himself.
“Sorry!” Hanbin blurted, immediately reaching out to steady him.
Zhang Hao looked up with a raised eyebrow, recognizing him instantly. “You? Of all people?” He grinned, brushing himself off. “Did you plan this, or are you just always this clumsy?”
Hanbin’s cheeks flushed at the teasing, but he quickly recovered, offering a sheepish smile. “I swear I wasn’t aiming for you.”
Zhang Hao laughed lightly, the sound warm and familiar. “Sure, sure. Well, since you’re here… want to walk to school together?”
Hanbin’s heart skipped a beat. This was the perfect opportunity. He nodded eagerly. “Yeah, let’s go.”
They walked side by side, their footsteps matching the rhythm of the quiet morning, and the comfortable silence between them only added to the ease of their companionship. Hanbin couldn’t help but steal glances at Zhang Hao, feeling the warmth of his presence like the sun breaking through the clouds.
After a few moments, Zhang Hao spoke up. “So, what’s going on in that head of yours today? You seem… a little different.”
Hanbin hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He’d been practicing what he wanted to say all night, but now that he was here, his words felt stuck.
Before he could formulate a response, Zhang Hao casually added, “You’re not planning to tell me you’re finally going to confess your feelings, right?”
Hanbin froze. The teasing tone in Zhang Hao’s voice made his heart beat even faster. Zhang Hao didn’t seem to notice the effect he had, but Hanbin’s mind raced.
“I—I—” Hanbin stammered, his voice wavering slightly, but he quickly gathered himself. “Maybe I was.”
Zhang Hao chuckled, looking sideways at him with a smirk. “I’ll believe it when I hear it, Hanbin.”
Hanbin opened his mouth, but nothing came out for a second. The words had been sitting in his chest for so long, but now, with Zhang Hao so close, it was harder than he expected.
But then, something in him shifted. With the sun shining brightly and the rain no longer a barrier, he realized he didn’t need a reason.
“Okay,” Hanbin said quietly, his voice soft but determined. “I don’t need the rain anymore.”
Zhang Hao stopped walking, turning to face him. His eyes softened. “What are you talking about?”
“I mean…” Hanbin hesitated for just a moment longer, gathering his courage. “I don’t need the rain to make an excuse to walk or spend time with you anymore. I just… I just want to be with you, Zhang Hao. Whether it’s raining or sunny.”
For a moment, Zhang Hao looked at him, his expression unreadable, before a soft smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Is that so?”
Hanbin nodded, his heart racing as he awaited Zhang Hao’s response.
Zhang Hao’s grin widened, as he reached out and gently took Hanbin’s hand. It was a simple gesture, but it sent a surge of warmth through Hanbin’s chest. It felt so natural, so right. “Well, lucky for you, I don’t need an excuse either.”
They stood there for a second, just looking at each other, and then without hesitation, they started walking again. This time, side by side, their hands clasped together, making their way to school under the bright, sunny sky.
The quiet of the morning felt different now, charged with an energy that was both comforting and exhilarating. Hanbin couldn’t help but smile as they walked in step with each other, fingers intertwined, knowing that this moment, this feeling, was only the beginning.