The next afternoon was a rainy day.

The heavy rain that had been falling since the morning had formed several trap-like puddles on the street.

After finishing their work in the student union, the two presidents walked to the platform of Toyosaki Station holding umbrellas, and took the train home together after a long absence.

certainly--

What this refers to is the kind where everyone goes back to his own home.

Although the two communicated normally, the girl seemed to have made up her mind not to go to someone's apartment easily until the mystery of Akane Kurisaka was solved.

Under such circumstances.

Even though Kato Yusuke could choose to wait for the next bus to avoid the possible embarrassing situation, that would seem too deliberate, so he just calmly got on the train with Megumi.

This way.

The two will have a brief ride together before arriving at the station near his apartment.

In this rainy weather, even the tram has a hint of coolness, as if to tell you that winter is approaching.

After entering the carriage, the girl immediately observed the surrounding environment to look for any empty seats that might appear.

Unfortunately, due to factors such as time and weather, they were unable to find a vacant seat in the carriage, so they had no choice but to stand on the armrest near the door.

Megumi was near the corner between the door and the row of seats, while Kato Yusuke stood next to her, using his body to isolate the surrounding crowd, creating a fairly comfortable space.

The folded umbrella was placed at his feet, and the raindrops slid down the smooth umbrella like dew, dripping on the ground, and gathered into a small transparent water mark next to the black leather shoes.

The girl moved her steps lightly and stepped on it inadvertently. The water surface spread out like hydrangeas without anyone noticing, producing many tiny water splashes.

The light reflects the water droplets scattered everywhere, reflecting the slender calves outlined by black stockings, the dark blue sailor skirt with an autumnal feel, and the red ribbon tied to the chest...

And the pink hairpin pinned to the lead-colored short hair.

Crescent-like eyebrows, clear spring-like eyes, and cherry blossom-like lips.

All the beautiful fragments are combined together to paint a clear and shallow picture of the girl's delicate and poetic appearance.

It doesn't compete with flowers to dazzle people, it's just peaceful and quiet.

It's like a weeping cherry blossom blooming quietly in a hidden place where no one knows.

"Hey, Yusuke?"

Hui gently opened her lips and asked casually: "Do you want to listen to music together?"

A slender white hand held up a single earphone and presented it quietly in front of his eyes, sending an invitation clearly and unequivocally.

Kato Yusuke glanced at the other white earphone on her left ear, said a good word, then reached out to pick up the earphone in her hand and inserted it into his right ear.

A thin white digital cable built a bridge, connecting the two people.

"Do you have any favorite songs?"

"It will be all right."

After hearing this, Hui looked up at him, and then looked down at the MP3 screen. While choosing the track, she replied: "This kind of answer is the most nerve-wracking..."

The pink hairpin swayed gently on the temples on the forehead with the rhythm of the train, emphasizing its presence in the field of vision, making people want to reach out and fix it.

Kato Yusuke's eyes swayed for a while, then he changed his question and asked, "Are there any Rie fu songs?"

"Which song is it specifically?"

"Life Is Like A Boat."

"Well, there is such a thing as this. Please wait a moment."

"good."

The girl gently slid the control button with her right thumb and quickly found the corresponding song.

"I found it. It's a very old song. Shall I start playing it?"

"Um."

With a little force of green fingers, he pressed the play button in the center with a "beep" sound.

"Nobody knows who i really am..."

The female singer's unique voice rang in her ears.

The rhythm of the music is soothing and lazy, with a sense of calm loneliness, which makes people relax.

Bang, bang, bang, bang~

The tram passes through the rain.

The overcast sky looks gray, and with the slightly sad lyrics, it always feels like time has become blurry.

As if tired, Hui leaned his upper body against the metal wall of the carriage, closed his eyes and listened carefully.

Her hands hang naturally on her thighs, one of her legs is straight and the other is slightly bent, and the bent foot presses the heel of her shoe against the wall.

The whole person presents a natural state of relaxation, exuding a fresh and quiet atmosphere.

The two were immersed in the same song.

Kato Yusuke stared at her, his eyes falling on the long, thick black eyelashes, and a trace of confusion flashed under his eyes.

Hui, who returned to the student union, became that assistant again. She put away the light on her body and hid herself behind him, silently providing companionship and help...

"Speak of it, Yusuke."

The girl suddenly raised her long eyelashes, opened her eyes and looked at him, her eyes were like black grapes soaked in mist.

Yusuke Kato, who was deep in thought, couldn't avoid it. He turned away his eyes belatedly and responded: "...Well, what's wrong?"

"...It's nothing, it's just that my test scores may decline this time. I just want to tell you this." Hui said softly, with a calm voice like the sound of elegant water.

"Which subject is problematic?"

"Well... I think there may be a little bit of it. I'm sorry that you bothered to give me guidance before."

"No, I also have something to trouble you with." Kato Yusuke turned back to his face, considered it and said, "I can continue to help if necessary."

"..."

Hui stared at him for a while, her eyes half-hearted and indifferent. Then she raised her hand to pull up a strand of hair floating in front of her face and asked, "Does this mean you invite me to your home?"

"I mean school and outside."

After a pause, Yusuke added: "If you want, you can go to my place."

"Well~~~ But Yusuke looks very troubled. Do you want me to go or not? To be honest, I'm a little worried about whether I'm causing trouble for you."

"I don't think so." Kato Yusuke pursed his lips and whispered: "Otherwise I will get the spare key back."

Clang, clang, clang, the sound of the tram echoed in my ears.

There was a gap of several beats.

"...Hmm~~~Then I'll think about it then." After saying this, Hui stood up straight, moved a few inches forward, and faced him face to face, with the distance between them almost touching each other's toes.

Then carefully and slowly, she leaned her head on his chest.

"...Great, I'm very concerned that I will become a trouble, thank you for saying that." The girl murmured, and the sound she played was like the passing spring breeze.

A light weight rested on his chest, and the residual fragrance of shampoo wafted from his fluffy hair, faintly drifting into Kato Yusuke's nose.

He felt a little itchy and a little anxious, so he turned his face to the side and pretended not to know anything.

"Hey, let me say... Yusuke."

"...?"

"Do you know anything about why Kasumigaoka Shiu-senpai doesn't come to the student union?"

"..."

Kato Yusuke was silent for a moment, then nodded, but didn't say much.

Hui waited for a while, but still didn't get an answer. She couldn't help but raise her head from his chest, looked at him and said, "You still... don't tell me anything, Yusuke."

Kato Yusuke's eyes moved slightly, he opened his lips, thinking about preparing a response.

At this moment……

——Squeaky.

As the tram stopped on the track, the door opened with a "chih" sound.

The crowds who wanted to get off at this stop began to walk out.

"..."

"..."

Kato Yusuke raised his hand and took off the earphone from his right ear, returning it to its original owner. "Thank you for the earphone, I'll leave first."

Hui nodded slightly, took a step back, and said, "See you next week, Yusuke."

"See you next week."
To be continued...