It was sunny in the morning. I should have checked the weather forecast.

Guess I have no choice but to run home.

“Ren.”

I heard a voice behind me as I thought that.

“Wakana? You’re still at school?”

“I got held up with the library committee. What about you?”

“Same here, committee work.”

Wakana pulled a folding umbrella out of her bag.

“You don’t have an umbrella?”

“It was sunny this morning.”

“You should check the weather forecast.”

She opened her umbrella.

“Wait, are you just leaving me behind?”

I called out as she quickly headed for the exit. Wakana let out a small sigh and tilted the umbrella halfway toward me.

“Do you want to come under?”

“Yes, please!”

“But it’s a folding umbrella. It’s small.”

“Just for a little bit, please!”

“Alright, I guess. I don’t want you catching a cold either.”

“Thank you! You’re a god, a saint, Wakana!”

“Don’t exaggerate.”

I stepped under Wakana’s umbrella.

“Move closer. You’ll get wet.”

“Oh, okay.”

I moved closer, just as Wakana told me to. Our shoulders almost touched.

“I’ll hold the umbrella.”

“Mm.”

I took the umbrella from her and started walking. Her hair smelled faintly of shampoo, clean, simple, and just like her. Being this close made me more aware of her than usual.

“Ren, your face is red. Are you okay?”

“Huh? Oh, maybe it’s because I’m just getting over being sick.”

“I see. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

When we passed through the shopping street and entered the residential area, the wind suddenly picked up.

“Whoa!”

The umbrella flipped in the strong gust.

“Careful!”

I quickly pulled Wakana close to shield her.

For a moment, her body pressed against my chest.

“Ah…”

She let out a small sound. Looking at her face, I noticed her cheeks were a little red.

“I-I'm s-sorry!”

“No, it’s okay…”

We hurriedly stepped apart. Wakana readjusted the umbrella and looked away.

After that, we didn’t say anything and walked quietly together.

✩ ✩ ✩

When we got to Wakana’s house, the rain was still falling.

“This is fine. Thank you.”

I tried to return the umbrella to her.

“Keep it for now. You can give it back tomorrow.”

“Then I’ll take you up on that.”

“Mm, see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

Before Wakana opened the door, she turned back and gave me a small wave.

I waved back and then headed home alone.

✩ ✩ ✩

By the time I got home, the rain had gotten even heavier.

As I took off my shoes at the entrance, I heard footsteps behind me.

“Ah, big brother!”

I turned around and saw that Ruka was soaking wet.

“You’re drenched.”

“Yes. I didn’t have an umbrella. You’re not too wet, though.”

“Wakana had an umbrella, so she let me share it.”

“You were with Wakana-san... I see.”

Ruka's eyes glance at the folding umbrella in my hand. Her expression looked a little complicated.

Then I noticed something.

Ruka’s uniform was soaked and stuck to her body. Her white blouse, in particular…

I didn’t know where to look, and quickly averted my eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

Ruka tilted her head curiously. The movement made her blouse shift slightly…

“N-no, nothing. Go take a shower quickly.”

“Yes. Alright then, I’ll go.”

“Yeah.”

Ruka walked toward the bathroom, and I couldn’t help but notice her wet skirt clinging to her legs, showing her figure more than usual.

I shook my head.

What am I thinking? She’s my little sister…

The feelings were different from walking home with Wakana, and a strange mix of emotions swirled in my chest.

Chapter 9: "When I Was Caught in a Sudden Rain, I Walked Home Under an Umbrella With My Childhood Friend but My Stepsister Turned Transparent?"