Chapter 4 — "Rainy Distance"

The sky was a dull, endless gray. Rain poured steadily against the school windows, turning everything outside into a blurred watercolor of grey and white.

From her desk by the window, Yuki stared blankly at the heavy drops racing down the glass, her chin resting in one hand.

Her sketchbook lay open in front of her... but the page was empty. No lines, no shapes.

"Tch... no rooftop today," she thought with mild irritation.

The rooftop was soaked, unreachable — and without it, everything felt heavier, slower.

Across the room, the sound of cheerful voices stirred the stillness.

Haruka stood surrounded by friends, laughing as she chatted easily with two classmates. Her ponytail bounced slightly as she moved, and her carefree smile lit up the little circle of girls gathered around her.

Yuki’s gaze drifted sideways, watching her without much thought.

"...She looks like she’s having fun," she mused silently. The corner of her mouth tugged down just a little.

For a while, she simply watched the rain, the quiet hum of the classroom filling the space between them.

Then —

"Look at you... sulking like a cat stuck indoors."

Yuki blinked, pulling her gaze toward the familiar voice. Haruka stood a few desks away, smiling playfully as she gave a small, teasing wave.

Yuki shrugged lazily.

"Yeah... sucks."

But before Haruka could say more, her friends tugged at her arms with bright, excited voices.

"Haruka, we need to talk about the relay for the track meet!"

"Come on! You promised to help us plan the formation!"

Haruka laughed softly, letting them drag her away.

"Alright, alright — I’m coming."

She turned with one last grin, her usual glow undimmed.

But before she left, she flicked something across the room. A small, wrapped candy bounced gently onto Yuki’s desk.

"Here. Eat this."

Yuki picked up the candy slowly, turning it between her fingers with a blank look.

"...Why would I?" she muttered, glancing at Haruka. "And you seriously carry these things around all the time..."

Haruka gave her a teasing look, one eyebrow raised in lazy amusement.

"Hey, better than those cancer sticks you love so much."

With that, she waved over her shoulder and left, her friends already pulling her toward the door.

"See you later, Yuki!" she called back.

Yuki stayed where she was, staring after her. The classroom felt too big, too quiet without that stupid grinning face nearby.

She sighed, unwrapping the candy and popping it into her mouth as she slumped back onto her desk.

"...Why is it raining so hard..." she mumbled to no one, letting the sweetness replace the taste of boredom.

Her phone buzzed softly beside her sketchbook.

Bzz... Bzz...

She glanced sideways at it, barely caring — until the screen lit up.

"Bored? I don’t mind if you drop by. You know the place."

Yuki stared at the words for a long moment. Her eye caught the faint glow of the screen’s reflection — not surprise, not confusion... only quiet knowing.

Of course.

With a tired sigh, she leaned back, the lollipop stick dangling from her lips.

"...I guess I’ll go," she muttered softly, eyes lifting to the dull ceiling.

Anything was better than dying of boredom.

Even that place.

...— End of Chapter 4 —...

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