Parting the Clouds

How should I describe the weather outside? The light was clearly blocked by layers of thin fog, but the sun seemed to be struggling to break through the obstruction.

My thoughts on the weather?

Actually, for me, whether it's a clear sky or a drizzling rain, physiologically speaking, I don't have any particularly strong reactions. Things like raindrops falling on my face or light slipping through my fingers—I don't feel anything special about them.

So whether the weather is good or bad is more determined by my mood. Right now, for instance, I just feel that the atmosphere is just right.

Maybe it's a subconscious reaction from my body, but I always feel that this heaviness and restlessness before regaining light are somewhat similar to my current situation.

In short, everything feels perfectly comfortable, just as it should be.

Mm, because I quite enjoy making fresh and delicious food myself, I go out every couple of days to buy ingredients for cooking. Coincidentally, today the fridge was completely empty of ingredients.

So, taking advantage of this leisurely afternoon, I'll go out for a stroll and experience life.

Pushing open the door, a spring breeze mixed with the scent of cherry blossoms brushed past, and red maple leaves scattered along the roadside.

The seafood market wasn't too far either—just a ten-minute walk along the seaside would get me there.

Sometimes, when I stand on the beach and gaze at the boundless ocean, I can't help but feel a sense of unreality, a bit of insecurity. Even though I've mastered many areas of knowledge almost perfectly—or at least, in my perception, I've achieved perfection—I still feel a slight lack of strength.

Maybe it's because my mindset hasn't settled yet. No matter how much I longed for transmigration, it was really just a form of self-abandonment or complaint about my previous world's self. When it actually happened to me, I became a little afraid—afraid that this is just a dream, afraid that after accepting such an excellent setup now, I'll return to my old life.

If I had been destined for an ordinary life from the start, it might not have been so hard to accept. But having glimpsed and personally experienced the beautiful scenery outside the window, even if I were to retreat to my original small room, I'd constantly fantasize about that world beyond my reach.

Maybe this state is why I don't feel fully integrated with this body. It's accommodating me, trying to convince me to accept it, but I always feel like there's a missing opportunity.

But there's no need to rush. Moving forward at the current pace is also comfortable enough.

After buying some simple ingredients, it seemed like rain was on the way. The clouds in the sky were heavier than when I left, gathering darkly overhead. Didn't it look like it was about to clear up when I stepped out? Fortunately, I had brought a small umbrella with me.

Still, I didn't want to be too threatened by the rain, so I decided not to take the main road today. Cutting through this nameless alley to get home would be a bit faster. Even though it's a little winding, that kind of difficulty is nothing for me.

Raindrops began to fall, and I opened my umbrella. I happened to hear some noisy sounds nearby. It's not that I'm a meddlesome person, but among the noise, there was clearly a girl's scream. Curiosity drove me to move forward and check it out.

The deeper I went, the harder it seemed to tell the way out. The paths crisscrossed in all directions. I originally planned not to go further, but at the intersection, I was bumped into by a girl.

She didn't even apologize. First, she looked back to see if anyone was chasing her. Seeing no one behind, she directly pulled me into an inconspicuous corner.

The sky had darkened, and I could only vaguely make out her nice figure and the slightly golden ponytail tied up.

"Hey, what are you doing blocking the way for no reason?"

She looked up, her gaze somewhat cold as she stared at me. Under her sweaty forehead and slightly messy bangs from running, a cute face came into view.

Mm, I could say she's an incredibly cute beauty, but her eyes revealed indifference.

Yet, with that cute appearance of hers, even if she dressed like a frivolous gyaru, it was easy for me to see through her from the way she subconsciously covered her thighs and the hem of her clothes.

After all, speaking such harsh words and putting on such a cold expression, but instinctively protecting herself when seeing a guy—the contrast was actually quite big. Or rather, it was quite cute, even if she might not realize it herself.

"It was you who bumped into me first, you know."

"What are you talking about? You're partly responsible too."

Damn it, don't rely on your cuteness to shift the blame onto me.

Forget it, I'll let it slide for now. Rainwater dripped down her hair onto the ground, and her light blue shirt was soaked by the rain.

I moved a little closer to her, letting the umbrella cover her too.

Seeming not to understand my kind gesture, she instinctively crossed her arms in front of her chest.

Sure, the light blue shirt being wet from the rain might make it a bit see-through, but I had no such intention, okay!

I just didn't want her to get rained on.

To avoid being misunderstood, I decided to end this topic and explain to her.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I just didn't want you to catch a cold from the rain."

"Really?"

She still showed a hint of distrust in her eyes and leaned back against the wall.

I handed her the umbrella. She hesitated for a moment but still took it.

Do I really look that much like a bad guy?

I rubbed my chin and gave her a once-over.

Wouldn't it be a waste not to tease her a little, given how she thinks of me?

I pressed my hand against the wall behind her shoulder and leaned down.

Close at hand, the warm breath from her small mouth hit my face directly. She instinctively tried to dodge but couldn't move.

In interactions between people, there's always a default distance. Strangers keep a certain space between them when talking; once that distance is crossed, both parties feel uncomfortable. Between friends, that distance is a bit closer. The most intimate distance in human interaction is usually reserved for those we trust most, because with trust, even being this close doesn't create resistance.

I just stared at her like that. Maybe it was too sudden—she didn't react at first—but after locking eyes with me for a while, she blushed and turned her head away.

Mm, I have to say, her features were really exquisite. Maybe it was the stuffy atmosphere of the thunderstorm, but even my breathing felt a little rushed.

I tilted my head and leaned in close to her.

She turned her slightly flushed face away, took a deep breath, and placed one hand against my chest.

"You, what are you trying to do?"

Seeing her slightly panicked expression, the coldness and arrogance she had been faking had already vanished without a trace.

"I just wanted to prove to you that if I had any improper intentions, I would have acted long ago."

She bit her lip, glanced up at me, then blushed and lowered her head to avoid my gaze.

Suddenly, the sound of chaotic footsteps came from the intersection, faintly accompanied by curses.

"Can't believe that bitch pulled one over on us today. What rotten luck."

"Exactly, exactly. I think she's gotten bold today. It's already good enough that we're not going after her. And she dares to come back for revenge?"

"Ugh, how annoying! What the hell did she throw? Mixed with the rain, it's all dirty and stinking."

"Hmph, if we ever catch her, I'll make sure she has a nice long 'reminiscence' of the past three years' 'fun times'!"

It seemed this little group had been left in a bit of a mess by whoever 'she' was, and they walked straight past the corner without noticing us.

Speaking of which, the girl in front of me had been running away in a panic earlier—could it be that this girl right here was the one who did it? No wonder she wasn't watching where she was going.

Not paying much attention to this minor incident, I poked my head out at the intersection and saw the passage was already empty.

"Let's go. No one's there."

I signaled that she could leave, and suddenly noticed that the hem of my pants had gotten wet from the rain.

Huh? Wasn't the umbrella supposed to cover both of us? I turned around and found her still standing there, looking pretty as a picture.

Seeing me look back, she innocently blinked her big eyes, then pointed at the inside of her knee.

"Um, I accidentally bumped into something just now..."

"...What, you want me to carry you?"

"I never said anything like that, don't jump to conclusions on your own."

What an unstraightforward personality.

She awkwardly averted her gaze.

"Then try taking a step."

She attempted to walk, and seemed to involuntarily press her lips together from the pain.

"Still trying to tough it out like this?"

"Who, who's toughing it out? It doesn't hurt at all, okay."

I shoved the shopping bag in my hand into hers and crouched down.

"It's really nothing..."

Her soft body pressed against my back, and her low murmurs lingered in my ears.

The reason I decided to help her was purely out of a sense of chivalry, stepping in when I saw injustice—nothing at all to do with her being cute or anything like that.

Yeah, that's about it.