With my eyes captured by hers, it was as if time stopped. Not only for 10 seconds, but it somehow felt like hours to me.

-Well...you aren't planning on walking around on this rain like that, are you?

That question made me snap back to reality.

I tried my best to give her an energetic outlook, contrary to my usual.

-Well...to be honest...yes, I was.-said I, more anxious than I have ever been.

-You were.

I gathered all of my courage from all of the romcom anime I have watched. No...I won't be one of those dumbasses main characters.

-If you don't mind, can I share your umbrella?; Chikaaaaaa

She laughed, it was like the laugh of a cat, something so cute it's almost undescridable.

-Just Chika is fine. I thought that I would have to give the question, but it seems that you are braver that I assumed. Alright, let's go!

The moment both of us stepped out into the rain, my mind started to wander around. It was as if the rain was gone and the only thing left was the the gentle heat of the sun touching the skin.

I tried to act as normal as possible, but it was impossible to hide my shyness.

We passed by Kai and others. I think they always take the train.

They looked at me with a very weird expression. I don't know if it was jealousy, but instilling that feeling on them would make me somewhat happy, not gonna lie.

-Your stop is here, right?

-Yes

She stretched her arm to me, with her umbrella in hand.

-I don't want you to catch a cold, take it, you can give it back to me tomorrow.

-I can't take it, not from you.

-Don't be so stubborn. I want to start coaching you in volleyball. So...don't you dare get sick! You have a lot to train.

She started pouting.

My heart can't take much more of this.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

My hand met her umbrella.

-Ok, ok, thank you very much.

-Don't get the wrong idea, it's not like I'm worried about you or anything.

I wouldn't assume Chika to be a tsundere.

-I will see you tomorrow. 18pm at the gym is ok for you?

-Yes, it's fine for me, I will see you tomorrow.

And so we parted ways.

She ran into the rain and entered a car, it must be someone to pick her up.

There I was, with that blood-red umbrella in hands. Something from someone special.

It's obvious that I will accept her tutoring. It's seems that my disguise as a complete disaster in sports is still perfect. She didn't bring up my bruises, wich probably means that she didn't see them. Good, she's one of the last persons that I would have wanted to start asking too much questions.

On the bus ride home I was studying hard. You should know how to manage time, but there is no neen to overwork yourself.

The kids were looking at me like I was some sort of maniac. Their faces were kind of funny.

When I got home, Dad was baking.

-Hey, don't give me that look. It's extremely important to always try and learn new things.

-I don't even know what you are talking about, this is my regular face.

-You always look like a Shinigami, you should rest more.

I smiled.

-You know I love Ryuk...I'm gonna get working. Call me if you want a hand with dinner. Mom is gonna come late, right?

-You know how it is. She is always very busy at the Court. You can take a little nap now, Kiryu. I can cook dinner alone.

That didn't felt right.

-What are you planning to cook?

-Did you hear what I just said?

-C'mon, you know that my sense of justice won't allow me to let a man work all by himself.

-(Just like your Mom...) I want to grill some Unagi.

-Sounds good to me.

I put my backpack on the floor and took of my school uniform.

-Let's go!

We must have taken around one and a half hours to cook and prepare everything.

At around 8PM we sat down on our dinner table and started to eat. It is always another moment if solace for me.

-Tell me, you didn't steal that umbrella, did you?

I guess I somehow managed to forget about the ownership of that umbrella, but there wasn't any point in trying to cover it up and say something like:Oh, no, it's from a guy in my class, he lended it to me.

-A girl from my class lended it to me.

His eyes emitted a glow similar to starlight.

I knew the outcome of this.

-She's cute, right? Do you like her?

Surprisingly, his enthusiasm didn't bother me, so I just answered:

-She is the personification of beauty and intelligence. Yes, I think I like her. But it's not like she would even think about going out with a loser like me.

My father's face hardened in anger, but softened afterwards.

-With an attitude like that, of course she won't go out with you. Just try to relax every once in a while.

-Ok.

Minutes turned into hours.

We talked about school, my dad's unstable employment, among other things.

We cleared everything up and Dad went to sleep. I told him I was gonna study in the kitchen for a little while and then go to sleep.

I didn't lie about studying, but I lied about the second part.

At the nucleus of my closet is my suit. It's the best hiding place I could think of.

It's made of black cloth from top to bottom.

I managed to "transplant" some lenses into it, so I could see without having to show my eyes. I'm still getting used to it.

I always wear a red bandana. I figured that I needed some trademark item.

Let's go, a little bit of downwards parkour and...

Good, now where should I start my patrol?

A mis-calculated jump granted me those bruises, I need to start being more careful.

I guess I will just go where trouble is.