Waiting for You in the Rainy Garden - Chapter 8

The next morning, Hiyori woke up in my room.

Curled up asleep in the futon, she looked younger than usual.

Her hair, which had been wet from yesterday’s rain, was completely dry now, with a few cute bedhead strands sticking up.

When I thought that Hiyori only showed such a defenseless side of herself to me, a gentle warmth spread through my chest.

I sat at my desk, gazing absently at Hiyori’s sleeping face.

Her breathing was calm, and the futon shifted softly with each rise and fall of her chest.

Somehow, that small movement felt incredibly precious to me.

—After all, Hiyori really is important to me.

Last night, when Hiyori hugged me while crying.

When she called my name in a trembling voice.

That desperate expression when she said, “Don’t go anywhere.”

All of it remained deep in my heart, warming me each time I remembered it.

I hadn’t realized how much Hiyori’s presence filled my heart.

If anything, I’d realized it far too late.

“…Mashiro?”

Hiyori rubbed her eyes as she sat up.

Her morning voice was slightly hoarse, softer than usual.

Just hearing it made my chest tighten.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning. About yesterday… I’m sorry. For suddenly barging in like that.”

Hiyori lowered her eyebrows apologetically.

But beneath that expression, there was also a hint of relief.

“It’s fine. I was happy you came.”

When I said that, Hiyori smiled shyly.

That gentle smile seemed to quietly hide the traces of yesterday’s tears, warming my chest again.

Hiyori got out of the futon and sat beside me.

The distance was close.

Our shoulders almost touching, but not quite.

That subtle distance felt ticklish, but I didn’t mind it.

“Mashiro, starting today… is it okay if I stay properly by your side?”

Hiyori said this while slightly lowering her gaze and fidgeting with her fingertips.

That gesture felt like a continuation of a confession, making my heart skip a beat.

“…Yeah. I want you to stay.”

The moment I said it, Hiyori’s face brightened instantly.

Like morning sunlight streaming in, the room’s atmosphere suddenly grew warmer.

Hiyori happily leaned her shoulder against mine.

That distance didn’t scare me anymore.

Rather, I hadn’t known that having Hiyori’s body temperature so close could feel so reassuring.

The moment Hiyori’s shoulder touched mine, something inside my chest quietly unraveled.

It felt like the anxieties and uncertainties from until yesterday were gradually melting away.

—From now on, I’ll stay properly by your side.

By Hiyori’s side.

That’s what I thought on that morning.