Rain poured heavily against the windows, turning the streets outside into a blur of gray. Aira sat at the kitchen table, spooning the last of her breakfast into her mouth, glancing at the downpour outside.
Her younger sister, still cozy and dry in her pajamas, leaned against the doorway with a small grin. "Lucky me. My class is in the afternoon. I get to watch the rain instead of walking through it."
Aira smiled softly, brushing a strand of dark blue hair from her face. "Lucky you indeed. Enjoy it while you can."
Her father, reading the morning news at the table, chimed in without looking up. "Make sure you wear your coat. And no running through puddles, Aira. Last thing I need is a sick child in the middle of a storm."
"Noted," Aira replied, sipping her tea. "I'll try my best not to get swept away by a puddle tidal wave." She glanced at her sister with a teasing grin. "But don't tell Mom I said it; she'll scold me for being sarcastic."
Her mother laughed, placing a hand gently on her daughter's shoulder. "Sarcasm aside, remember to be careful. And don't forget your homework."
"Yes, yes. I've got it all under control," Aira said softly, finishing her breakfast. The rain beat on, relentless, yet somehow comforting — like the world was still ordinary, still predictable.
She grabbed her bag and umbrella, waved goodbye to her family, and stepped outside. The storm was heavy, rainwater splashing against her shoes and dampening the edges of her coat. She adjusted her umbrella, muttering under her breath, "Perfect. A day made for slipping in puddles and getting scolded for wet clothes."
The streets glistened under the gray sky, puddles reflecting the occasional flash of lightning. Aira walked carefully, enjoying the rhythm of the rain, even if it slowed her down. She couldn't help but think that, despite everything, mornings like these had a strange charm.
By mid-morning, the rain had not let up, and the hallways of the school were slick with dripping umbrellas and wet coats. Aira moved carefully through the crowd, polite nods exchanged with classmates, some smiles returned, some avoided.
Across the classroom, her friend Livia's eyes were sharp, a shadow of frustration crossing her face as she watched Aira quietly help another student understand a tricky problem. And then, Aira's crush, Haru, laughed at something small she had done, giving her a brief wave that made Livia's jaw tighten.
The tension simmered silently, unnoticed by anyone but Aira herself, who remained focused and calm. By the end of the morning, the classes were over, and Aira found herself needing a quiet moment away from the crowded, wet hallways. She made her way to the rooftop, the rain drumming harder against her coat and umbrella.
"You're really lucky, you know," Livia's voice called sharply as she stepped from the shadows near the railing.
Aira turned. "Livia? I didn't think you'd come up here in this weather."
"I wanted to talk. Really, I did. But… you always have a way of stealing everyone's attention. Even Haru."
Aira's stomach tightened. "Livia, I—"
"You don't even notice it, do you?" Livia hissed. "All your kindness, all your little smiles… he likes you. And I can't stand it anymore."
Aira opened her mouth to reason, but the wind whipped at her hair, the rain masking her voice. She stepped back, careful on the slick tiles.
"Please, Livia… we can—"
"I'm done pretending," Livia snapped. Her hand shot out, pushing Aira hard.
The world spun. Aira's feet slipped on the wet tiles. She grasped at the railing, heart pounding. "L-Livia!" she shouted, but the sound was drowned in the storm.
Below, the city was a blur of gray and puddles, the rain sparkling like shards of glass in her vision. She tried to steady herself, tried to find solid ground, but it was too late.
Aira fell.
The wind tore at her clothes, the rain stung her face, and for a fleeting moment, the world seemed to pause. Her thoughts scattered — fear, confusion, and a flash of sadness for her sister waiting at home, oblivious to the tragedy unfolding.
And then — darkness.
The storm roared around her, drowning out everything else.