Chapter 1: The Angel is a Fine, water soaked girl (1/2)

“…What are you doing?”

It was raining, and she, Mahiru Shiina, was seated on the park’s swing when Amane Fujimiya first spoke to her.

Amane had begun living alone soon after just starting his first year of high school. Living in the apartment to his right was an angel.

Of course, the Angel was a metaphor. Nevertheless, Mahiru Shiina was so pretty and cute that the metaphor was truly not a joke.

Her flax-colored straight hair was well-maintained, smooth, and glossy, her clear white skin smooth and unblemished. She had a nice nose, a pair of large eyes beneath her long eyebrows and fine-looking bright pink lips, and combining all these traits, she had a delicate, doll-like beauty.

She was in Amane’s school and in the same year, and he often heard of what others said of her. Most said she was a girl of brains and brawn.

In fact, she had maintained first place in every exam they took, always acing during gym classes.

Amane knew few details about her as they were in different classes, but if the rumors were true, she was a perfect superhuman.

She had no obvious flaws, a nice face, outstanding grades, and was humble and obedient. It was no wonder she was popular.

Some boys would be utterly envious at the prospect of living next to such a pretty girl.

Despite that, Amane did not intend to do anything to her, and did not think he could.

Of course, Amane too felt that the girl Mahiru Shiina was truly charming.

Despite that, they were simply neighbors. Amane never intended to get involved with her, nor did he have the chance to talk to her.

If he did, he might garner the boys’ envy. Truth be told, if they could get along just by living next to each other, the boys infatuated with her would not have to suffer so.

And to add on, love was different from a mere infatuation with the opposite gender. As far as Amane was concerned, Mahiru was a pretty girl most suited to be marveled from afar.

For that reason, Amane never expected a sweet and sour relationship with her, and naturally would not expect to get involved with her. He was merely living next to her, never actually interacting with her.

So when he saw her spacing out alone without an umbrella in the middle of the rain, he wondered. What is she doing?

The rain was so heavy that everyone else had already ran home. Yet here she was, alone at the park between the school and the apartment, on the swing.

What’s she doing in the rain?

Dark, thick clouds covered the skies, and there was no light shining through, making the surroundings dim. It had been raining since morning, and he could not see her clearly. But the eye-catching flax-colored hair and uniform clearly identified Mahiru.

Amane did not understand why she was there without an umbrella, letting the rain soak her.

It appeared she was waiting for no one in particular, and she was not reacting to the fact that she was wet. She was merely staring listlessly in a certain direction.

Looking up, the face already lacking in color pigments looked pale.

If she was not careful, she could catch a cold. Despite that, Mahiru sat there quietly.

It seemed she wanted to do so, and had no intention to return home. Perhaps it was inappropriate for any bystander to voice their concerns to her.

So he thought as he prepared to cross the park, but at the last moment, he saw her contorted teary-looking face and scratched his head.

He had no motive to get involved with her at all.

But his conscience would ache if he left someone be with such a pained look. That was all.

“…What are you doing?”

Amane spoke to her with an aloof voice, showing that he had no ulterior motives. She shook her long hair, seemingly bogged down by the absorbed water, and looked towards him.

Her face was pretty as usual.