Chapter 5 — Rain and Memories

Chapter 5 — Rain and Memories

Silence remained between them. The rain outside continued falling steadily against the windows while the library lights cast soft shadows across the nearly empty room.

Ethan kept staring at the stranger. The stranger stared back. For a moment, neither moved. Then the stranger finally spoke.

“Sorry.”

Ethan blinked. “I thought you were someone I knew.”

His voice remained calm, but something about it felt strange.Not awkward.Not embarrassed.Almost… disappointed. The stranger slowly stood from his chair.

Ethan watched quietly. Before walking away, the stranger paused for a second. Then, without turning around, he said—

“See you, Ethan.”

And then he left. Leaving Ethan alone. The library suddenly felt much quieter. Ethan remained seated for several seconds. Completely confused.

“What was that about…”

He looked toward the direction where the stranger disappeared. Nothing. No footsteps. No sign of him.

After a while, Ethan simply shook his head slightly.

“…Forget it.”

He reopened his book. Or at least tried to.

Because strangely— The words no longer entered his mind. His thoughts kept drifting. Back to Lucas. Back to that stranger. Back to questions he didn’t want to think about. Outside, the rain only grew stronger. Soon, thunder quietly echoed from far away. Ethan glanced toward the windows.

“…It’s getting late.”

He finally closed the book carefully and placed it inside his bag. After organizing his things, he walked toward the library entrance. The moment he reached the doors, cold air greeted him. Rain poured heavily outside.

Students running across the campus. Umbrellas everywhere. Water hitting the pavement endlessly. Ethan simply stood there. Watching.

For a moment, he looked strangely distant.

Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He pressed a number. After a few rings—

The call connected.

“Is Madam there?” Ethan asked quietly.

A voice answered from the other side.

“Madam has an urgent meeting to attend. She won’t be available today.” Ethan stayed silent briefly.

“Okay.”

He looked outside again.

“I’m going home.”

A pause.

“Tell the driver to pick me up.”

“Yes, sir.”

The call ended.

Ethan slipped the phone back into his pocket.

He continued waiting quietly beneath the entrance roof while rain continued falling. Fifteen minutes later—

A black luxury car slowly stopped in front of the building. Students nearby immediately noticed.

“Whoa…”

“Whose car is that?”

“That looks expensive…”

Some students quietly stared as the driver quickly stepped out holding an umbrella.

“Good evening, young master.”

Ethan simply nodded. He entered the vehicle without another word. The door closed. And slowly— The car drove away. Inside the vehicle, silence filled the space.

Rain continuously hit the windows while city lights blurred outside. Ethan rested his head against the glass. His eyes quietly observing the passing streets.

Usually— This ride home felt peaceful. Today wasn’t.

His thoughts refused to stay quiet.

Who was that stranger? Why did Lucas look at me like that? Why now…

He clenched his fingers slightly. Then slowly loosened them. Outside, traffic lights reflected across the wet roads. Ethan closed his eyes briefly. And memories he tried avoiding slowly surfaced. A younger voice. Laughter. Rain. Someone running. Someone smiling. “You promised.”. Ethan immediately opened his eyes.

His breathing remained calm. But his expression changed slightly.

“No…”

he whispered quietly. He looked outside again. The rain continued endlessly. The driver noticed through the mirror.

“Is something wrong, young master?”

Ethan remained silent for several seconds. Then quietly answered—

“No.”

But even he knew— That wasn’t true. Because for the first time since transferring— The past he worked hard to leave behind… Was slowly catching up.

To be continued…

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