Waiting for You in the Rainy Garden - Chapter 19

The rain continued to fall for a while.

The sound of raindrops tapping against the greenhouse glass was gentle and rhythmic, almost as if harmonizing with the beating of our two hearts.

What had started as sporadic drops had gradually turned into a soft, steady drizzle, enveloping the entire greenhouse in a gentle sound.

Strangely, that sound seemed to soothe my heart, slowly melting away the anxiety that had accumulated deep in my chest.

Hiyori remained silent for some time, still holding my hand.

Her silence didn’t feel awkward—rather, it seemed to be filled with emotions too deep for words.

The warmth of Hiyori’s hand gradually spread to mine, creating a gentle warmth between us.

The greenhouse was dimly lit, and each time raindrops trailed down the glass, the light would shimmer, creating a quiet atmosphere as if we were underwater.

The leaves of the plants swayed slightly in rhythm with the rain, their shadows softly cast upon the floor.

In that scenery, only Hiyori’s profile stood out clearly, and my chest tightened.

“Mashiro.”

Hiyori called my name softly.

Her voice was so quiet it seemed it might dissolve into the sound of the rain.

Yet it definitely reached deep into my heart.

“You know… I don’t think I was afraid of quitting track and field. I think I was afraid of you seeing me as someone who couldn’t run anymore.”

“…”

My chest ached.

This was the moment when Hiyori’s true fear finally found words.

Hiyori had always tried to be strong.

She didn’t want to show her weakness, desperately forcing smiles instead.

Remembering that made my chest tighten.

“Hiyori… That’s…”

My attempted words were interrupted by Hiyori’s quiet voice.

“I know. I know you wouldn’t dislike me for something like that. But I was scared. Scared of the self that had always been running breaking down.”

Hiyori placed a hand on her chest.

Her fingertips trembled slightly, directly conveying the turmoil in her heart.

“But you know… because you were here… I thought it would be okay to break. That if I broke, we could rebuild together.”

Tears fell at her words.

The knowledge that Hiyori trusted me so much spread warmly through my chest.

The fact that she said she needed me in her future made me both happy and pained, and I couldn’t stop crying.

“Hiyori… I need you too. Just seeing you smile makes me… so incredibly happy.”

My voice trembled.

Hiyori gently wiped away my tears.

Her fingertips were tender and warm, and just their touch made my chest grow hot.

“Mashiro. Will you stay by my side from now on too?”

“…Yes. Always.”

The moment I spoke those words, Hiyori smiled.

Her smile was soft and gentle, like light breaking through the rain.

Hiyori gently touched my forehead.

That gesture resonated deeper and more tenderly in my heart than any words could.

Where her fingertips touched grew gradually warm, and that warmth spread all the way to the depths of my chest.

The sound of rain weakened slightly, and soft light streamed into the greenhouse.

Though the sky beyond the glass was still gray, I could tell there was definitely light beyond it.

“I wonder if the rain will stop.”

“Yes. It definitely will.”

Hiyori stood up and looked up at the sky through the glass.

Her profile no longer held any hesitation.

It was the face of someone who had overcome all the anxiety, fear, and tears from until yesterday.

In the rainy garden, Hiyori was about to start walking toward where the light was breaking through.

And I would definitely be right there beside her.