Waiting for You in the Rainy Garden - Chapter 10

The seasons slowly shifted, and the rainy season came to an end.

The steady pitter-patter of rain vanished, replaced by summer winds sweeping across the school grounds.

Amid the humid air, the dry scent of summer began to mingle somewhere in the atmosphere.

The plants in the greenhouse, having soaked up the rain’s blessings, spread their leaves vibrantly.

Their leaves, shimmering in the light, seemed to rejoice at the arrival of the new season.

I waited for Hiyori in front of the greenhouse.

My heart beat just a little faster in my chest.

How many times had I waited for Hiyori here?

But today held a special meaning.

—Just like that day.

The rainy night when Hiyori ran all the way to my house.

The words we exchanged, the tremor in Hiyori’s voice, the warmth of her hands—they all remained deep in my heart.

Since that day, our relationship had clearly changed.

But the change wasn’t for the worse; rather, it grew stronger and deeper than before.

Eventually, I heard footsteps approaching from afar.

Turning around, I saw Hiyori running toward me.

Her hair swayed in the summer light, and a faint sweat glistened on her forehead.

Though out of breath, Hiyori smiled and waved.

“Mashiro, sorry to keep you waiting!”

“No, I just got here.”

Truthfully, I’d been waiting for a little while, but I didn’t say so.

Hiyori laughed happily, took my hand, and pulled me straight into the greenhouse.

As we opened the greenhouse door, the moist scent of soil and greenery softly enveloped us.

Light filtered through the glass, reflecting off the plants’ leaves and bathing the entire greenhouse in a gentle glow.

This was the place where we had so often found peace.

On days we cried, laughed, or felt lost—this greenhouse had witnessed it all.

“Hey, Mashiro.”

Hiyori stopped and turned toward me.

Her expression was serious, yet somehow tender, and my heart fluttered just a little.

“I think… from now on, we’ll face all sorts of things… but even so, I want to stay by your side.”

Her voice was quiet, but unwavering.

Those words went straight to my heart.

I felt, almost painfully, just how much Hiyori cared for me.

“…Me too. I want to be by your side.”

The moment I said it, Hiyori’s face lit up.

That smile was brighter than the summer sun, warming my heart.

Hiyori laughed joyfully and squeezed my hand tightly.

The warmth of her hand gently melted away my anxieties about the future.

Rainy days and sunny ones.

Days of worry and days of laughter.

—Surely, the two of us could overcome anything.

In the greenhouse, Hiyori whispered softly.

“Mashiro, I love you.”

Her voice was gentle and sweet, seeping quietly into my heart.

“…I love you too, Hiyori.”

Those words settled in my heart, quiet and certain, like the light after rain.

Hiyori’s eyes shimmered with happiness, and she squeezed my hand even tighter.

Hand in hand, we began walking toward the future.

As we opened the greenhouse door, a soft summer breeze swept through.

That wind felt like it was gently pushing us forward, as if saying, “It’s going to be okay.”

No matter what seasons lie ahead, no matter what storms may come—

I will walk on, together with Hiyori.