next day

The next morning, Mina clutched Ari's hoodie a little tighter as she walked through the campus gates.

She had planned to return it immediately.

That was the plan.

But the warmth of the soft fabric made her hesitate.

Before she could gather the courage, someone gently tapped her shoulder.

"Good morning, sleepyhead."

Mina turned around and almost hid behind the hoodie.

Ari stood there with two cups of hot chocolate and the same sunshine-like smile.

"I wasn't sleeping."

"Mhm. Then why do you still have my hoodie?" Ari teased.

"I... forgot."

"You forgot?"

"...Maybe."

Ari laughed, the kind of laugh that made everyone nearby smile without knowing why.

"Then keep it for today."

"What?"

"You look happier wearing it than I ever did."

Mina stared at her.

"You're... strange."

"I've been called worse."

Ari handed her one of the cups.

"Extra marshmallows. I guessed you'd like them."

"You... remembered?"

"You smiled yesterday when the café staff added marshmallows by mistake."

Mina blinked.

She hadn't even noticed Ari had been paying attention.

No one had ever remembered such a tiny detail about her.

Her heart felt strangely warm.

By lunchtime, Ari walked into the cafeteria carrying her tray.

The room buzzed with conversations until she spotted Mina sitting alone in her usual corner.

"Mind if I join you?"

Mina looked up.

"You don't have to."

"I know."

"...People will stare."

"They're already staring because you're wearing my hoodie."

Mina's face instantly turned pink.

"I hate you."

"No, you don't."

"...I don't."

Ari grinned victoriously before sitting down.

The conversation flowed effortlessly.

Mostly because Ari talked enough for both of them.

She told Mina about accidentally greeting the wrong professor that morning, getting chased by a very determined campus cat after feeding it once, and nearly tripping over her own shoelaces while trying to look cool.

Mina tried to stay quiet.

She really did.

But every few minutes another soft laugh escaped her lips.

"There it is again," Ari whispered.

"What?"

"Your laugh."

"It's embarrassing."

"It's adorable."

Mina immediately buried her face in the sleeves of the hoodie.

"You keep saying dangerous things."

"Dangerous?"

"They make my heart beat weird."

The words slipped out before Mina realized.

Silence.

Mina froze.

"...Pretend I never said that."

Instead of teasing her, Ari simply smiled.

"I won't make fun of you."

"You won't?"

"Never."

There wasn't a hint of mockery in her voice.

Only sincerity.

That somehow made Mina even more flustered.

Classes ended just before sunset.

Dark clouds gathered again, and rain began falling in gentle drops.

Ari opened her umbrella.

"Walk home with me?"

"Our houses are opposite directions."

"I know."

"You'll have to walk back alone."

"I don't mind."

"...Why?"

Ari looked at her as though the answer was obvious.

"Because I like spending time with you."

Mina's cheeks turned crimson.

No one had ever said something so simple with such honesty.

As they walked, Ari quietly held the umbrella a little closer to Mina so not a single raindrop touched her.

Meanwhile, half of Ari's shoulder was getting soaked.

Mina noticed.

Without thinking, she stepped closer.

Their shoulders brushed.

Ari smiled but said nothing.

Sometimes, kindness wasn't loud.

Sometimes, it was standing in the rain, getting wet, just to make sure the person beside you stayed warm.

And for the first time in years, Mina found herself hoping tomorrow would come a little faster.

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