"Pitter-patter..."
After sleeping soundly through the night, Chiba slowly opened his eyes to the patter of heavy rain. He slowly sat up, and the torrential rain outside the window gradually reflected in his still-sleepy eyes. The air was thick with the dampness unique to rainy days.
Before he knew it, the last trace of drowsiness slowly faded under the stimulation of the rain and moisture.
A refreshed feeling gradually welled up within him.
Sure enough... it rained. As he watched the rain outside, the thought naturally crossed Chiba's mind. Then, his gaze fell on the clock that had somehow been hung opposite his bed.
7:30. Based on the clock's pendulum, the concept of time slowly surfaced in his mind.
Then, next...
As that awareness of the time emerged, Chiba got out of bed, casually put on the clothes beside him, and went downstairs.
Starting from this moment, he still had plenty to do today.
"Good morning."
When he came downstairs, he found Kushina preparing a bento. Seeing Chiba, Kushina, seated behind the low table, closed the bento box and smiled.
"Good morning, Teacher Kushina."
Chiba hurriedly returned the greeting.
Yukina didn't come downstairs? Is she still unconscious, or... can't she come down, or doesn't want to see me? Yet inwardly, he was worried and doubtful at not seeing Yukina.
"Don't worry. Go wash up first. Yukina woke up last night and is much better now. Her emotions have settled down too. She only fell asleep at dawn and hasn't woken up yet."
At that moment, as if she had seen through Chiba's doubts and worries, Kushina spoke gently.
"Yes, I'll go right away."
Hearing Kushina's words, Chiba froze for a moment before immediately thumping off toward the washroom. He seemed to have let out a sigh of relief.
*She woke