22:11
The phone vibrated in my hand.
I was lying on my bed, listening to the rain pattering on the windowsill.
And then the screen lit up.
[Miyako]: Are you wet?
I answered right away.
[Kurume]: A little bit. And you?
[Miyako]: Almost dry. Probably because you were holding the umbrella more over me.
[Kurume]: It's not intentional.
[Miyako]: Are you sure?
[Kurume]: Almost.
Pause. I was about to put the phone down when another one came.
[Miyako]: It was nice. In the rain. With you.
[Kurume]: Me too. It's strange how the rain can get warm.
[Miyako]: It's probably not raining. And who's next to him.
I've read it twice.
Then three times.
[Kurume]: Do you say that often?
[Miyako]: Only when I can't say it directly.
Silence. Long.
She continued first.
[Miyako]: Sometimes I wish I could be bolder.
[Kurume]: And for me, it's about learning to understand.
[Miyako]: Then we're a great team. One hints, the other guesses.
I smiled.
[Kurume]: There's only one step left. For someone to finally speak up.
[Miyako]: But maybe it's too early. Otherwise, the story will end quickly.
[Kurume]: Do you want it to last longer?
[Miyako]: Very much.
[Kurume]: Then I'll wait. Until you're ready to say it. Or until I lose my temper first.
[Miyako]: Agreed. Good night, Kurume.
[Kurume]: And you, Miyako.
I put the phone down and closed my eyes.
The world outside was raining,
and inside, everything was buzzing with words that weren't there,
but which I heard.