A sparse stream of people drifted along the roadside, each carried by their own small currents; their faces plain but sated, like bowls filled warm.

A gauzy rain veiled the whole city; cars, iron beetles under siege, were soon slick and shining.

Watching classmates pop umbrellas one by one, laughter like bright beads as they said goodbye and vanished into mist, Yan Er sighed.

Dread pricked first, then reason. At this rate, the rain wouldn’t quit; if she waited, it might be tomorrow.

What now…

“Why did I forget my umbrella…”

Yan Er nearly clawed at the air, like a cat cornered by water.

When she left, the sky was only bruised and dim; she thought it would pass. She never guessed rain would drop like a curtain.

Should’ve checked the forecast.

Too late; the campus thinned to echoes, and loneliness pressed like a damp coat.

Calling home wouldn’t help; no one would come.

Hope slipped away; she decided to wait for a lull, then dash home through the spray.

“Eh? Isn’t that Yan Er-chan? No umbrella?”

A familiar voice rose behind her; Yan Er turned on instinct.

“Mai, you haven’t gone home?”

“Mm, I stayed late on duty. Looks like you hit a snag, right?”

“Uh…”

“It’s obvious. No umbrella. Geez—tell me next time. Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

“Really?”

“Do I look like I joke? Alright, umbrella up; home we go.”

Mai popped her umbrella first and beckoned through the rain. Yan Er froze, then stepped under the small roof.

Few cars crossed like wet shadows; the downpour emptied the street.

Even with that canopy, the rain needled both girls.

The rain stayed heavy; at this pace, they’d be drenched chicks.

“Sorry. If I hadn’t forgotten, you wouldn’t suffer with me.”

“It’s fine; I wanted to drop by your place anyway.”

“If you don’t mind…”

At Yan Er’s door, not just her—Mai was drenched head to heel.

Wet fabric clung; a pale bra ghosted through, a jolt to the eyes.

Mai was a girl, yes, but a lily at heart; liking girls came natural.

She stared openly, wolfish gaze on Yan Er’s rain-slick shape; those tempting lines fed her eyes.

“Don’t—don’t look, Mai!”

Yan Er felt the wolf at the edge; she folded her arms fast.

With a lily like her, you had to keep your guard up.

“Hey-hey, Yan Er-chan, don’t hide so much. We’re both girls, right?”

“Anyway, go shower first! I’ll get you clothes.”

“Tch, so boring.”

Feeling her push fail, Mai yielded and went to the bath.

Watching her fade from sight like steam, Yan Er finally let out a breath.

Facing this lily wore her down; she wondered how Mizuki dealt with her.

But Mai brought her home, and prying into a friend’s private rain wasn’t right.

For now… clean clothes for her, and dry that uniform.

Mai was already undressed in the bathroom, basking under the shower like warm rain.

Yan Er, in fresh loungewear, carried clothes to the door.

“Mai, I’ll leave the clothes here—”

“Hey now—don’t be in such a rush. Wanna come in together?”

As Yan Er pulled away, Mai leaned out half her body, wicked grin like a hooked moon; it felt like she’d force the gate.

“Mai!”

The boldness startled Yan Er; that alluring body hit her eyes like lightning, and her heart sprang like a startled sparrow.

“Sweet little lamb, come, fall into my arms—”

“Cut it out, Mai!”

Red-faced, Yan Er slipped her grip and fled to her room. Mai could only sigh at the tide.

“Mm, guess I rushed it.”

After easing out of that never-before mood, Yan Er exhaled; then Mai, fresh from the bath, pushed the door.

“M-Mai!”

Yan Er fumbled, afraid she’d be eaten whole.

“Hmm, your place is really quiet. Do you live alone, Yan Er-chan?”

Unexpectedly, Mai didn’t pounce; she tossed a casual question like a pebble.

“No, I live with Mom, though she rarely comes home.”

“I see.”

Mai sat wherever and towel-dried her hair; silence pooled around Yan Er.

“Yan Er-chan.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“You’re thinking about something, right? Feels like you’re bottling clouds.”

“…It’s nothing much. Mom’s just not home. I’m from a single-parent family, and lately she often goes on dates to find someone.”

She could taste the bitterness as she said it.

“Isn’t that good? If your mom finds a new half, you get a whole home.”

“Mai… my mom’s partner… is a woman.”

“…Huh?”

Mai’s mind stalled like a motor in the rain.

“Even I didn’t see it coming—Mom chasing women—unbelievable. You like girls too, Mai, so you can understand her, right?”

“I do. If you love someone, there’s no reason to bar the door. That’s how I see it.”

“So at least think about my feelings, okay? Mom’s too willful—back when she divorced, and now too.”

Yan Er puffed like a teapot, showing her small storm.

Mai smiled, helpless.

Such child-thoughts; who knew this girl, who seemed a bit mature, had this side.

“Yan Er-chan, you don’t need to tie yourself in knots. Because… it’s your mom’s happiness; it doesn’t really disturb your sky, does it?”

“Is it?”

“Of course. If she’s rebuilding a home, part of it is you.”

“Really?”

“If it were only selfish, she’d have dropped you long ago. The fact you can complain means you two are close.”

“…Mai, I feel like you stole my lines this chapter. Shouldn’t I be the one saying that?”

“Doesn’t matter; I’m just padding the word count.”

…

“Then, small talk’s over. Let’s get to the main event.”

“Wait—did you plan to take advantage from the moment you came in?”

“Bingo. Come on, hug.”

“Hold up, don’t—ah, let me go! You lily, what are you trying to do? I’m telling you I—”

“Mm, I just want to sleep next to you. Got a problem?”

“…”

Yan Er had no words.

“Alright, suit yourself. Either way… you’re not going back tonight.”

Outside, the night sky kept slinging wind and rain; at this rate, it wouldn’t stop.

Still, Yan Er didn’t hate this rain.