Yuuya (narrating):It began with a drizzle that turned into a tempest—both outside and in my life. I never expected a rainy day to transform my modest home into a stage for a rom-com disaster.
Scene: Outside Yuuya's House – Late AfternoonHeavy raindrops pelt the pavement. Yuuya paces nervously by the front door as he glances at his phone. The sky rumbles, and in the distance, he sees a lone figure limping up the driveway.
Yuuya (whispering to himself):Great. Just what I needed—a soggy Nanami with a broken umbrella. Focus, Yuuya, focus…
The door swings open. Nanami, shivering and drenched, stands there with a small bag of cookies and a hopeful expression.
Nanami:Sorry, Yuuya… the trains stopped, my phone died, and my umbrella gave up on me. I thought, since you live close by… maybe I could ask for shelter?
Yuuya (voice cracking, suddenly overenthusiastic):Of course! Come in, come in—I mean… yes! My door is always open!
He fumbles with the door while trying to act casual, but his sweaty palms betray his panic.
Scene: Yuuya's Living Room – Moments LaterThe rain mutes all sound but the soft hum of a refrigerator. Nanami settles onto a worn but cozy sofa, wrapped in a large, knitted blanket. Yuuya, still in a frenzy, hustles to make her comfortable.
Yuuya (narrating):I paced for minutes—maybe hours—in my head, rehearsing what I'd say. But now that she's here, drenched and adorable, all I can think about is the inevitable intrusion of my mom.
Yuuya:Alright… so, uh, make yourself at home. I—I haven't had a chance to clean up, so please ignore the piles of laundry and that half-eaten sandwich on the table.
Nanami (smiling reassuringly):It's okay. I'm used to surprises. By the way, would you mind if I changed my wet clothes? I… could really use something dry.
Yuuya (stammering):Oh! Right. Of course—uh… over there is my spare towel. And… my oversized T-shirts. They're, uh, very roomy. Perfect for these types of emergencies.
Scene: Yuuya's "Closet of Convenience" – A Few Minutes LaterNanami emerges from the bathroom wearing one of Yuuya's large, comically baggy shirts that drapes over her like a tent. Yuuya nearly chokes in horror and amusement simultaneously.
Yuuya (eyes wide):Nanami… why are you wearing my shirt?
Nanami (giggling softly):Because you offered it, and it's surprisingly comfortable. Besides, it looks great on me, doesn't it? Like a stylish disguise for a girl caught in the rain.
Yuuya (internal monologue):I'm not sure whether to be grateful or mortified. My shirt was meant for a guy. Now it's a fashion statement—a statement I never intended to make.
Suddenly, the front door creaks open as Yuuya's mom enters with a bag of groceries, placing it on the counter with practiced ease. She freezes for a moment as she sees Nanami in Yuuya's shirt.
Yuuya's Mom (cheerfully, with a knowing smile):Well, aren't you two a sight for sore eyes! I leave for five hours and return to find my son with a live-in guest. What's all this? Are you sharing my son's warm company on a rainy day?
Yuuya (flustered, diving behind the couch):MOM, PLEASE! It's not what you think!
Nanami (politely, with a slight smile):It's exactly what it looks like, Ma'am. I came to keep Yuuya company because it was raining—and I didn't want him to be alone.
Yuuya's Mom (raising an eyebrow, playfully stern):Ah, I see. Well, Yuuya, you seem to have a knack for attracting wonderful company. Don't worry—I won't tell anyone. But make sure you both have something warm for dinner!
Scene: Dining Area – EveningYuuya's mom insists on cooking dinner while Nanami settles on the couch in the oversized shirt. The scene is almost cinematic: warm lights, the aroma of fresh stew, and a tension mixed with laughter.
Yuuya's Mom (passing Nanami a bowl):So, Nanami-chan, how long have you two been—what was it now?—dating?
Yuuya (desperately, leaning forward):We're not—uh, it's complicated.(Internally: This is worse than the school incident.)
Nanami (softly):We've been seeing each other, almost a month now. I must admit, I tried to break up with him once. But then, I fed him lunch, and everything changed.
Yuuya (muttering under his breath):I regret that lunch more than I regret—well, most of my life choices.
Yuuya's Mom (smiling warmly):A woman who cooks for you, even in your moments of confusion, is a treasure. You two are quite the pair.
Scene: After Dinner – Later That NightThe living room is dimly lit by the soft glow of a table lamp. Yuuya sits on the floor, half-slumped and exhausted. Nanami, her hair slightly damp from earlier, curls up on the couch with a pillow. Soft thunder rolls in the distance.
Nanami:Thanks for letting me stay, Yuuya. I know this is unexpected, but I'm really glad to be here.
Yuuya (exhaling, a mix of exasperation and warmth):I… I shouldn't have let you in, but now that you're here, it feels… nice. Even if it's all a big, awkward mess.
Nanami (gently):Sometimes the best moments are the messy ones.
Yuuya (looking down at his hands):I never thought my life would involve sharing my home—and my oversized T-shirt—with someone as wonderful as you. Not when I'm teetering on the brink of total humiliation.
Nanami (smirking):I think a little humiliation builds character. And it makes for great stories later.
They share a moment of comfortable silence as the rain continues to tap on the window.
Yuuya (narrating):I've spent so many moments trying to escape, trying to break up, to deny that this goofy, unexpected relationship could mean more. But on nights like these—when my mom almost crowns our predicament with her teasing and the storm plays its own symphony—I realize that maybe, just maybe, I don't want to run.
Scene: Late Night – Just Before SleepYuuya glances at the clock; it's nearly midnight. He tiptoes into the living room where Nanami is already nodding off with the gentle rise and fall of her chest. He quietly drapes another blanket over both of them, careful not to wake her. His face shows a mix of resignation and bittersweet fondness.
Yuuya (whispering as an internal monologue):Maybe I'm not the brave hero I always thought I was. Maybe I'm the guy who's terrified of perfection, yet somehow, perfection keeps showing up in the form of Nanami and her endless, kind surprises. And as I lay here, drenched in my own self-doubt and soaked by the rain, I wonder: maybe it's okay to let the storm in once in a while.
In the hallway, Yuuya's mom peeks around the corner with a tender smile.
Yuuya's Mom (softly, to herself):They're growing up. And sometimes, the messiest moments are the ones that shape us the most.
Yuuya (narrating, as the scene fades to black):Tonight wasn't what I planned—no heroic breakup, no grand declaration—but it was real. And in this real moment, with Nanami beside me and a house full of unintentional humor, I felt something I wasn't sure I could ever escape: hope.
[To Be Continued.]