Caught in the Rain
Summer break. Thinking back, it felt a bit off. The girl who'd been such a huge Ruti fan lately hadn't mentioned A-Star at all, and she hadn't shown up to any performances or events. ...Had she really quit being a fan? My shoulders slumped without me even realizing it. Nothing stings quite like a fan who used to adore you turning away. No matter how much time passes, you never get used to it.
"Something wrong? Why are you so down today?"
Spotting my dejected look, Ga-young asked with genuine concern. I whipped my head away and puffed out my cheeks sulkily.
"It's nothing. Just... coming to school even during break feels a little off, you know."
Ga-young let out a little chuckle and slid her desk right up next to mine.
"If you pass the makeup exam, you can skip the rest of the supplementary classes. I'll help you study so you ace it."
She thumped her chest confidently. I decided to gratefully accept the help. Why turn down tutoring from the top student in school? Passing the exam comes first, after all.
"Anything you don't get here?"
"Everything."
"Haha... Guess I'll have to go one by one, then."
Ga-young patiently explained each problem step by step. I could tell she was adjusting to my level. I scribbled down every word she said in my notebook without missing a beat.
We were deep in focus like that when—
Sniff sniff.
Ga-young, mid-explanation, suddenly pressed her nose to the back of my neck. I jolted in surprise and instinctively pulled away.
"D-Do I smell or something...?"
"No, your shampoo just smells so good. What brand do you use?"
"Oh, that's all it was..."
...I'd thought maybe I stank or something. I let out a deep sigh and answered her question.
"Bellra Lu shampoo, and the matching treatment and rinse from the same line. I use all three together."
"Got it. I need to get some too."
Ga-young's face lit up as she pulled out her phone to search for the products I'd mentioned. But her expression soured the instant she saw the price.
"E-Eleven... eleven thousand won each!? What shampoo costs this much...?"
I was shocked too when I heard the price. It was sponsored stuff from an ad agency, so I had no idea it was that pricey.
"Tch."
Looking bummed by the cost, Ga-young set her phone down. ...But she'd searched it right away, so she must've really liked it. Hmm, fine. She'd helped me study, so I'd return the favor.
"I've got tons of unused shampoo at home. Want one?"
"But... it'd make me feel bad taking something this expensive."
"It's samples from my cousin's company. Freebies, so no need to feel guilty."
"Really? Then..."
Ga-young fidgeted with her fingers and glanced at me shyly.
"Can I come over to your place after supplementary classes?"
"Sure."
It was too much hassle to bring it to her, so I agreed easily. It wasn't her first time at my place anyway.
"Yes!"
Ga-young pumped her fist in excitement. I tilted my head, puzzled.
...What's so great about coming to my house?
* * *
After supplementary classes, we were heading home together when Ga-young stopped and pointed to an arcade tucked in the side of a shopping strip.
"Wanna play there for a bit before we go?"
"The arcade...?"
I hadn't expected an invitation from someone who probably didn't even know the first thing about games. As I stared blankly, she fanned her face like it was too hot.
"I wanna rest somewhere cool. I'm starting to sweat a little."
"Oh, gotcha. Sure."
The weather was brutally hot today—worse than usual. A quick break in the AC sounded good. UV rays are a girl's worst enemy, after all.
I followed her into the arcade. It was bigger than I remembered, filled with the chaotic blare of machines. Luckily, it wasn't crowded.
...I'd come here a ton as a kid. Had it really been almost five years?
Every direction I turned, unfamiliar machines. I hadn't expected much, but it actually looked fun.
"What should we do first?"
I let Ga-young pick the first game. She pondered with her chin in hand, then pointed to a coin karaoke booth in the back.
"I... wanna do karaoke. It's been forever."
"Ah."
I'd forgotten—90% of high school girls hit arcades for coin noraebang. No way. My voice is something I cannot hide.
"K-Karaoke's a no-go today. My throat's not feeling great. You go ahead and sing solo if you want. I'll just watch."
"Tch, fine then. Let's pick something else."
Ga-young smacked her lips regretfully and scanned the other machines. That's when some familiar faces walked in.
"Huh? Ga-young? And next to you..."
It was a girl from our class who hung out with Ga-young a lot. A few kids from other classes trailed behind—classic popular crowd.
"You bailed on us saying you had stuff to do, and now you're here with Kim Siyeon? In uniforms, no less."
Seul-gi from our class eyed us suspiciously. Ga-young waved her hands, trying to clear up the misunderstanding.
"I-I had some school stuff."
"Oh yeah? You're here, so that's done, right? Perfect timing—we were gonna hit a café later. Come with?"
"Uh...?"
Ga-young sneaked a glance at me. Seul-gi followed her gaze to me.
An awkward silence hung for a moment before Seul-gi cautiously spoke up.
"Kim Siyeon... wanna come too?"
A popular kid inviting an outsider. What else could it be but politeness? I wasn't clueless enough to say, "Yeah, I'd love to!" And honestly, I didn't like those scenes anyway.
"I've got other plans."
I turned it down smoothly and murmured to Ga-young.
"I'll head out first."
She'd have more fun with her friends. I tactfully made my exit. I could give her the shampoo at school tomorrow.
"See you tomorrow."
"W-Wait..."
I bolted out of the arcade and hurried home. How long had I walked? Then I heard someone desperately calling my name from behind.
I stopped and turned. Ga-young was sprinting toward me, out of breath.
"Huff... How... could you just... leave like that...?"
She'd run so hard, sweat was pouring off her in seconds.
"I was giving you space to hang with your friends."
"Hoo... We already promised you'd come to your place first. Promises are meant to be kept."
Ga-young wiped the sweat from her forehead and caught her breath. Her eyes, slightly flushed, burned with fierce determination to honor our deal.
I got the hint.
...She really wants that shampoo, huh. Fine, I'll give her two. No, three.
We stood facing each other like that when—
Plip.
A raindrop fell from the sky onto my forehead. I looked up. The sky had turned slate-gray without warning.
Then, as if on cue, the downpour started.
A freak shower. It hit so suddenly, there was no escaping it.
"Ah."
"Ah."
No wonder it felt extra muggy today. Rain was coming.
* * *
We rushed home to escape the rain, but Ga-young and I were both soaked to the bone. I grabbed two towels and handed one to her.
"You go first in the bathroom."
"I'm fine—you go ahead."
"I need to get changed anyway. Don't argue, shower first."
"Okay..."
Ga-young slipped into the bathroom, looking noticeably tense. While she was in there, I pulled some spare clothes from the drawer. I'd lend her my gym uniform. But underwear? Lending mine felt too weird, so just the uniform. She could dry hers in the dryer quick enough. Until then...
"Your change of clothes are out here."
"Thanks."
I left them by the door and headed back to the living room. I flicked on the TV, and an emergency broadcast about a heavy rain advisory blared out.
It was the heaviest downpour of the year by far. I hurried to tell Ga-young.
"Your parents might worry. Want me to call a cab right now?"
"Wait..."
Ga-young cracked the bathroom door and peeked out.
"With a heavy rain advisory, we shouldn't go out, right? Thunder's been rumbling non-stop."
Right on cue—BOOM! Lightning cracked outside. Ga-young yelped and ducked back inside like she'd seen a ghost.
This was a problem. She clearly had no intention of heading home.