Chapter Text
Zhang Hao remembers everything began on a rainy day.
He was staring blankly at the road, quietly cursing himself for not bringing an umbrella. The sky was grey, and it didn't seem like the rain would stop soon. Zhang Hao was planning to go home as soon as possible after his teaching schedule at the music courses finished, but when he got off the bus, it was already raining.
His eyes found a familiar spot—a cafe across the road that looked very homey, with two cats peacefully sleeping between the outside door and flower pot. Looking at the weather, maybe Zhang Hao should just run to cross the road and get there. But then it would make his clothes wet—even worse, the possibility of him catching a cold when his agendas for the week were still full. Zhang Hao scoffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest, drowning in the thoughts of what would be the best choice.
Another bus stopped at the halte. Zhang Hao could hear a voice yelling, “See you tomorrow!” before a boy with a white hoodie carrying a backpack got down from the bus. Zhang Hao immediately noticed that the boy was a bit taller than him, but his face had this kind of natural, fresh charm.
So young, so alive.
It took no longer for that boy to already be standing beside Zhang Hao and eagerly open his umbrella. The sound of heavy rain filled the space between them, and Zhang Hao sighed because he knew the rain wouldn't stop very soon.
“Do you have an umbrella?”
Zhang Hao didn't expect that question at all. He didn't even think that boy would say anything to him. So, he turned his head to face the one who delivered a question, and found those round eyes meeting with his own.
“No,” an immediate response as Zhang Hao shook his head.
Zhang Hao didn't understand why a big smile suddenly appeared on that boy's face. Moreover, he noticed the way those round eyes almost got turned into half-moon shapes as that boy smiled. Then, the boy who had no name yet took a step closer to Zhang Hao while lending his umbrella.
“You can take this!” he said, the smile didn't disappear at all.
“What?” Zhang Hao almost didn't believe in his own ears. “Why? Did you bring two umbrellas?”
A laugh fell from the white-hoodie-boy’s lips. “No, I didn't. But my destination is already there.”
Zhang Hao noticed that boy pointing his finger at the cafe across the road. He then looked up back at the boy with the white hoodie, “It is already close. But if you want to let me borrow your umbrella, at least let's go there first—”
“It's alright. I have always wanted to have a fun time running in the rain,” the laughter from the umbrella’s owner now getting louder. Zhang Hao could see a mischievous but gentle glint in those round eyes, and he couldn't help but be reminded of a deer. A deer eyes with an aura like a puppy. “Take this! You can return it anytime to that cafe. Just say that it's for Kim Gyuvin.”
Kim Gyuvin. So that's his name.
Saving that piece of information behind his head, Zhang Hao’s hand finally took over the umbrella from Kim Gyuvin’s. He muttered while making a bow gesture, “Thank you so much. You help me—I think I'm going to catch a cold if I stay here longer.”
“No problem,” Kim Gyuvin’s smile didn't fade even for just a second. “Take care, make sure you get home safe. See you soon, then!”
Just like that, Kim Gyuvin ran through the rain, his back slowly getting smaller in Zhang Hao's eyes. He found that the boy with the white hoodie stopped right in front of the cafe door, bending himself down to land his hand on top of the cat’s body. Making sure Kim Gyuvin had already finally entered the cafe, Zhang Hao tried to dig something inside his head.
Kim Gyuvin. Kim Gyuvin. That name strangely felt as if Zhang Hao had recognized it somewhere.
Zhang Hao took out his phone from his pocket. His fingers were busy scrolling and tapping on the screen, until he found something that he had been looking for.
Band contest participant lists. Team 4: Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, Kim Gyuvin.
Oh.
Oh.
Zhang Hao didn't even know why, but he couldn't resist a smile blooming on his face.
So there he was.