The sky was a heavy gray blanket, threatening to pour at any moment. The first fat drops began to fall just as Gojo was leaving the classroom, his usual nonchalant swagger undampened by the brewing storm. He spotted Raika ahead, her twin tails whipping in the rising wind, her brows furrowed as if daring the clouds to do their worst.
"Hey, Raika!" Gojo called out, stepping up beside her. "Looks like you'll get soaked if you don't find cover."
Raika scowled, crossing her arms as thunder rumbled ominously. "I don't need your charity, Gojo. I can handle a little rain."
Gojo smirked, pulling out a large black umbrella from his bag. The iron-gray canopy unfurled with a practiced flick, sheltering him from the first few drops.
"Suit yourself," he said with a wink, "but you're walking in a thunderstorm without any protection. That's practically an invitation for me to save you."
Raika's cheeks flushed pink, but she stuck to her pride. "I'm not a child."
The wind picked up, driving a sharper stinging rain against her skin. She hesitated, then reluctantly fell into step beside him—but a fraction of an inch outside the umbrella's protection.
Gojo noticed immediately. "You're walking right in the rain, you know."
"I'm fine!" she snapped, though the tremble in her voice betrayed her. The dampness clung to her sheer blouse, the fabric growing thin and slightly translucent, teasing the outline of her curves beneath. The sight made Gojo's breath hitch for a moment, but he quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.
A sudden crack of thunder rolled overhead, making Raika jump. Gojo reached out impulsively, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. Their eyes met, electric sparks seeming to dance in the charged air between them.
"Here," Gojo said softly, stepping closer and tilting the umbrella so it covered her more completely.
Raika's heart hammered in her chest. The close proximity, the smell of rain and ozone on him—it was almost too much. She refused to look at him, but she felt his gaze burning right through her.
Then, as if the universe decided to mess with them further, a strong gust of wind caught the umbrella, tilting it sharply. Raika's hand shot out instinctively to steady it, brushing against Gojo's.
Their fingers tangled, warm and electric in the stormy air.
"Uh—"
A long, awkward pause.
Raika's cheeks flared crimson, and she yanked her hand back like it had been burned. Gojo blinked, surprised, but then his own face colored.
"That was... um... accidental," he said, clearing his throat.
"Obviously," Raika snapped, though her voice wavered.
But the damage was done.
The moment their skin touched, Raika's electric powers flared uncontrollably. A tiny spark jumped between their fingers, followed by a visible shockwave that sent her hair curling with static.
Gojo yelped, his hair standing on end like a live wire. His shirt lifted slightly as the magnetic force tugged on the metal buttons.
Raika gasped, horrified by her own uncontrolled charge.
"Shit! I didn't mean to—"
"I'm fine!" Gojo said, though his eyes widened as a faint trickle of blood appeared from his nose.
Raika groaned, pressing her palms together, trying desperately to drain the electricity.
"This is your fault," she muttered, glaring at him.
"Me? You're the one who literally shocked me."
She rolled her eyes but didn't deny it.
A soft rain began to fall again, soaking their hair and clinging clothes. The umbrella finally righted itself, but the tension between them was still crackling like static electricity.
They kept walking, side by side, closer now than before, each secretly thrilled by the accidental touch.
Gojo grinned, voice teasing. "So, does this mean you accept my umbrella now?"
Raika snorted. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just too stubborn to get wet."
"Sure, sure."
They rounded a corner and spotted Mizuki, Suma, and Hiyori waiting under a storefront awning, giggling as they watched the two.
"Look who finally decided to share an umbrella," Mizuki said loudly, nudging Suma.
Suma smirked. "I told you those two were going to crack eventually."
Hiyori, ever the popcorn enthusiast, already had a bag of snacks in hand. "This is better than a drama series."
Raika clenched her fists, trying to ignore the teasing but failing miserably.
Gojo shot the girls a playful grin. "What can I say? Sometimes even tsundere nobles need saving."
Raika growled, cheeks blazing, but before she could retort, another bolt of lightning split the sky. The thunder shook the ground, and the rain intensified.
"This storm's getting serious," Gojo said, pulling the umbrella open wider.
They quickened their pace, hearts pounding not just from the weather but from the electric charge between them.
As they passed a quiet alley, a sudden, stronger gust blew the umbrella inside out, forcing them to huddle together for shelter.
Raika could feel Gojo's steady heartbeat against her back, and despite herself, she leaned in just a little closer.
"Hey, Gojo," she murmured, voice barely audible over the rain.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks... for the umbrella."
Gojo smiled softly. "Anytime, Raika. Just don't zap me next time, okay?"
She laughed, a genuine, rare sound that made the storm feel a little less ominous.
The rain finally began to taper off as they neared the dorms. The clouds parted just enough to let a pale sunbeam through, illuminating Raika's flushed cheeks and Gojo's tousled hair.
They parted ways silently, but neither could forget the touch, the spark, the moment their worlds collided beneath the storm.
And somewhere, high above, the Thunder Fairy clan watched and waited, unaware that their proud noble had just fallen… hard.
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