It's been three days since the winter solstice. So when Leo, Emily, and Kaori left school, it was already dark outside. The sound of rain dropping on the umbrellas created booming bangs, yet it was still quiet enough to hear the crickets chirping.
"Emily, are you sure you're okay to be walking in this weather? We can wait inside a bit longer for the rain to let up. I'm sure the teachers won't mind," said Leo.
"It's just some light rain. I'll be fine. Oh! Look."
Emily crouched down and sat on the heels of her tippy-toed feet.
"Look there's still some hoarfrost on the flower. Isn't it beautiful?"
Both Leo and Kaori agreed with her. At the same time, Leo asked himself to not press her any further.
Before long the group made it to the coffee shop.
Emily bought her cappuccino and let the heat from the cup warm up her hands. Kaori copied Emily and did the same. Meanwhile Leo settled for the bottle of juice stored in the open display fridge. Once gathered at the table, everyone pulled out their homework. Kaori took out the Japanese homework that her mom forces her to do. Emily waited to see which subject Leo would start with. Then, Leo took out his math homework. And finally, Emily did the same.
The night continued on like this. Emily would jump in to help Leo on the questions he struggled on. Someone would throw out the occasional joke. Leo would get the group to talk about a completely absurd tangent until Emily would reprimand him for not being done with his homework. Then, Kaori would make some comment on how cute they'd be as a couple, and the two would suddenly get very quiet.
Halfway through Emily and Leo's English homework, Emily's phone started to ring.
"Sorry, it's my mom. I have to go meet someone. Kaori, make sure he finishes the homework."
"Will do."
With that, Emily flew through the door, and the little bell up above made the metallic jingle to let the shop know that she left. She brought everything with her—except her umbrella.