I reached the ground level, where the rows of lockers were, in front of the entrance of the school; Fluffyfluff Dreams High.

I reached the number 69 and released the lock with a word.

"Melons."

Indeed, it was the year 2067 after all. Lockers which used physical keys were outdated. Our school had been using voice recognition over fingerprint recognition recently. Seems like they're using some of these technology on the VR games I've been playing recently as well.

...I'm getting off topic aren't I...

Anyway.

I opened the locker successfully, but I didn't find what I was looking for.

"Ah, shucks... it's still raining this heavily... I can't believe I didn't bring an umbrella..."

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The rain peltered onto the roofs thunderously.

...I definitely did not want to go outside without one. I would've imagined my little sister packing it for me. Was she having another scuffle with my girlfriend yesterday...? Strange...

Just as I pondered over this first-world dilemma of mine, a soothing voice akin to an angel reached my ears.

"Do you want to... share an umbrella? Yuu-senpai?"

"Eh?"

I looked over my shoulder, and found a girl wearing the same school attire as me.

Well of course... we were still in school grounds. She's probably an underclassmate of mine, but how did she know my name? I don't remember her at all...?

The girl twirled her bangs, and fidgeted her knees uncomfortably.

It seems that she's extremely conscious around me, but still had the courage to ask me if I was in trouble... What a kind girl...

[Akira] "U-uhm... Yuu-senpai... I am... Akira... remember? Ehehe..."

"Akira...? ...Ohhh!!! You!"

Well I don't really remember anything still... Let's just go along with it. She seems to have an umbrella with her.

[Akira] "...Senpai..."

Eh? Her face looks a little depressed now? ...Whatever. Let's ask where she's headed.

"Err... So where are you headed?"

[Akira] "Uh-uhh... it's towards the train station... so would you like to walk ther-"

"-Oh! That's a pity, we're going different directions in that case... Well, best wishes then! Remember to wait for the rain to stop!"

[Akira] "Eh?"

I took the umbrella off her hands and opened it shortly after releasing the velcro. Then, I made my way out of the school grounds.

I walked on forward in the rain as I fell in deep thought...

"That girl... I hope she doesn't catch a cold..."