The rain didn't wait.
It fell fast, loud, and sudden—like the sky had been holding its breath too long and finally let go.
Liz stood under the front gate of the school, arms crossed, watching the downpour like it had betrayed her. Her phone blinked low battery, and the only notification was from the school's weather alert… twenty minutes too late.
Of course.
She didn't bring an umbrella. Again.
Behind her, footsteps slowed, then stopped.
She turned slightly.
Wonwoo.
He didn't say anything. Just stared at the rain for a moment, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a black umbrella—closed.
He looked like the kind of person who wouldn't mind walking in the rain.
So did she.
But somehow, they were both still standing there.
---
Minutes passed.
Students rushed past in pairs, umbrellas bumping, laughter trailing behind. Someone brushed Liz's shoulder. Another nearly kicked her shoe.
Still, she didn't move.
Still, he didn't speak.
Until—
Click.
The soft sound of an umbrella opening broke the silence.
Liz blinked.
Wonwoo had stepped beside her, holding the umbrella halfway over his own head. The other half—wordlessly—covered hers.
She didn't say thank you.
He didn't look at her.
They walked in silence, shoulder to shoulder, close but never touching.
At the first intersection, she expected him to turn.
He didn't.
At the second, she glanced sideways.
He was still there.
By the time they reached the subway stairs, Liz finally stopped.
"This is my way," she said quietly.
Wonwoo didn't nod. Didn't say goodbye. Just looked at her, then handed her the umbrella.
"...?"
He turned before she could ask.
Walked into the rain.
Head down.
No cover.
She stared after him—confused, cold, and warm all at once.
The umbrella in her hand was black. Plain.
But it felt... personal.
Inside the handle, something scratched her fingertip.
A sticker.
A small white one with messy handwriting.
> Don't return it. It rains a lot anyway.
—W
---
That night, Liz drew two people under an umbrella.
Their faces were blank.
But the space between them felt full.