Chapter 376: Leo Karumi [10]

Reaching the outside of that detestable building—and its detestable purpose—Leo’s expression darkened.

The world had been swallowed by heavy rain, a downpour that drowned everything in water.

"I... fucking hate this day."

Why did everyone and everything have to disrupt his routine today?

Of course he’d forgotten his bag, and of course he hadn’t checked the weather—so he didn’t even have an umbrella.

But when Leo glanced to his right, he froze.

A bundle of umbrellas lay neatly against the wall, as if they’d been waiting for him.

"Huh?"

He blinked a few times and approached cautiously. Above them, a piece of paper had been taped to the wall.

For the forgetful ones.

Return the next day.

Leo’s lips curved as he picked a red umbrella.

"Luck finally decided to come back to me."

He was definitely not returning it.

He snapped it open and stepped into the rain.

This was how he left school.

On foot.

They didn’t live far—only a twenty-minute walk—and Leo never minded it. It kept his head clear. He could always take the bus, but he preferred not to. Walking was quieter.

The rain, though... the rain was what he minded.

Or at least he had, until now.

The streets were mostly empty, only a few cars passing now and then. Everything felt muted, the only real sound the steady hiss of rainfall.

"Meow!"

"Hm?"

Leo stopped. Something small blocked the path ahead.

"Meow! Meow!"

’A cat?’

A white cat lay on the sidewalk, fur soaked through, staring out at the street as if it had forgotten how to move. Leo frowned and approached carefully. When he got close enough, the cat stiffened and turned toward him with golden eyes, slit pupils.

But it didn’t run.

Or rather... it couldn’t.

Leo spotted it: a faint trail of blood, already being washed away by the rain.

Holding the umbrella tight, he crouched. The cat hissed immediately, baring its fangs, but Leo stared back without flinching.

"You want me to leave you here to die, you ungrateful shit?"

The cat stayed tense, glaring at him. Before it could react, Leo took its back left paw and inspected it.

"Ah... a splinter."

A big one, lodged deep—probably from stepping on it or jumping down without noticing. Maybe the rain had hidden it.

The cat kept meowing, frantic and angry, but Leo didn’t hesitate. He pinched the splinter and pulled.

"MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!"

Leo was pretty sure the cat was cursing him out in its own language.

He tossed the splinter aside and released the paw. For a second the cat just stared—then its posture loosened, as if it finally understood what had happened.

And like a switch had flipped, it padded closer and started rubbing its face against Leo’s leg.

That was what did it. Leo couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his mouth.

He reached down and stroked its wet fur. The cat purred.

"I wish I could take you home," Leo murmured.

"But it looks like you already have one."

He’d noticed the collar around its neck.

"You should go back," he said, voice flat but not unkind.

"I’m sure your owner’s worried."

The cat answered with a single meow.

Then it suddenly jumped.

"Whoa—!"

Leo startled hard, stumbling backward. His foot slid. He fell onto his ass and the umbrella slipped from his grip.

"Ah, fuck!"

Instantly, he was drenched.

Leo glared up just in time to see the mischievous ball of fur sprinting away like it hadn’t almost bled out five seconds ago.

He clicked his tongue.

"Ungrateful shit..."

His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out quickly—already getting wet—and shielded the screen with his hand.

Mom:

I know you’ve forgotten, so don’t forget to buy a gift for Lia’s birthday. That is tomorrow.

Leo stared at the message blankly.

’Her birthday is tomorrow? Seriously...?’

He slid the phone back into his pocket and lifted his head, rain pouring down his face, eyes tired and dead.

"I fucking hate this day."

"Then how about I help improve it?"

A black umbrella slid into place above Leo’s head, shielding his face from the rain. A shadow swallowed him as someone stepped close—so close that a face appeared above him, looking down.

A beautiful girl. Not just pretty—absurdly beautiful, to the point Leo genuinely wondered for a second if he was hallucinating, if he’d finally died and ended up somewhere better... until he recognized her and remembered he was still stuck on this dull planet.

Her onyx-black hair flowed down her back, glossy red lips set in a worried line, and dark eyes that looked almost polished. Her skin was flawless—no scars, no acne—and she wore the same school uniform as him.

Leo knew exactly who she was.

"Lea..."

His expression darkened immediately.

The girl watching him with that concerned look was the student council president—famous for being the most beautiful girl in school, the smartest girl in school, and the second-smartest overall...

Obviously, Leo was first. He’d beaten her every year since their first year, all the way into their final one.

Not that he cared. He treated her the same way he treated everyone else. The only difference was that Nathan—unfortunately—was in the student council too, serving as vice president.

Despite how Nathan acted sometimes, he was responsible, smart... and friends with Lea.

Because of that, Leo had ended up interacting with her from time to time over the years. But it wasn’t like he considered her a friend. More like... compared to the strangers at school, she was less strange. And compared to the rest, less incompetent.

She’d invited him to join the student council more times than he could count—personally, too—and he’d rejected her every single time.

"Why are you looking at me like I’m your archnemesis?" Lea asked, forcing a small smile. "Please stop that. It genuinely hurts."

"What do you want?"

Leo didn’t care about her feelings. He didn’t bother pretending.

Her lips twitched. His tone clearly bothered her, but she still tried to keep that polite smile in place.

"I saw you sitting here, soaked in the rain, and I wanted to help. Am I not allowed to?"

Leo met her eyes. There was no deceit.

He sighed.

"No. It’s fine. Thanks."

Her eyes widened slightly, she hadn’t expected gratitude from him.

Leo stood up and picked up his own umbrella... or what was left of it. The thing was already drenched and useless now.

"Want to share?" Lea asked.

He looked at her. She looked back with mischief in her eyes and a teasing smile.

Leo narrowed his gaze and scoffed.

"Fine."

"Huh?"

"I said fine. Or are you backing out now?"

"N-No... I’m not..."

Still a little caught off guard by his agreement, she stepped closer. Leo raised Lea’s umbrella and covered them both—then casually dropped his own umbrella onto the ground.

"Hey! You can’t just leave that there!"

"It’s useless anyway."

"That doesn’t matter. It’s littering! That’s illegal, you know!"

"Good luck."

He started walking as if he hadn’t heard her. Lea froze for a second—then realized half her body wasn’t under the umbrella anymore. Rain immediately soaked her shoulder and sleeve.

"Ah—!"

She hurried back under the umbrella and glared up at him.

"You... you’re unbelievable! I lend you my umbrella and you start acting like it’s yours! You’re so ungrateful!"

Leo ignored her, and they kept walking, leaving the abandoned umbrella behind.

After a few steps, Leo suddenly stopped. Lea stopped too, tilting her head at him.

"Actually, never mind," Leo said.

"You should just go without me. I need to go to the shopping mall."

"...That’s fine," Lea replied immediately.

"I don’t live far from the mall anyway, and I’m free. I also needed to talk to you about something."

Leo stared at her for a second, then sighed.

"So it wasn’t just because you wanted to help. Be honest—how long have you been trailing me?"

Lea turned her head away, guilt written all over her face.

"Since you rejected that first-year," she admitted quietly. "In front of your class. I-I mean... I wanted to call out to you earlier when you forgot your umbrella, but you found one. Then I hesitated, and... I decided to finally approach after I saw you help the cat."

"Hmph." Leo looked away. "Whatever. It’s fine."

Then, after a pause, he added in a tired voice, "Let’s go. Sorry for the trouble, I guess."

Lea blinked, softened a little, and nodded.

"Thank you... and it’s no trouble."

They shared one umbrella as they headed toward the mall. Their shoulders stayed close, bumping now and then as they walked.

Once Lea seemed to regain her composure, she glanced at Leo.

He stared ahead, with a blank expression.

"Why the shopping mall?" she asked.

"What are you buying?"

"A gift for my little sister," Leo replied immediately, not noticing the surprised look that flashed across her face.

"Eh? You have a little sister?" Lea asked.

"How is this the first time I’m hearing about it?"

"Because there’s no reason to tell you anything about my private life."

"But even Nathan never mentioned you had a little sister!"

"Again. Because there’s no reason for me—or Nathan—to tell you about my private life. Your curiosity annoys him too, which honestly takes talent. So... congrats."

A small pout formed on Lea’s lips.

"You really are difficult..."

Leo rolled his eyes.

"Just tell me what you want this time."

Lea’s expression shifted instantly, turning serious. She kept her gaze on him as they walked, and Leo consciously matched her pace so she wouldn’t drift out into the rain.

"I want to ask if you’ve thought about our request," she said, "about doing a solo performance at the end-of-year festival."

A sigh escaped Leo’s lips immediately.

"I heard everything from Nathan," he said. "And I told him to tell you I’m not doing it."

Lea pursed her lips, not exactly shocked. She’d expected that answer—Nathan had warned her.

"Then... what about playing the lead role in our theatre play for the festival?"

"No."

"The antagonist?"

"No."

"A side character?"

"No."

"Then just a background extra!"

"No."

"Ugh!" Lea snapped, frustration breaking through.

"You’re so annoying!"

Leo turned his head toward her, his expression sharpening.

"You call me annoying, but all I want is peace. And you people keep pestering me with selfish requests because you’re not competent enough to handle things yourselves."

His tone stayed steady, flat, almost bored—which somehow made it worse.

"I have no obligation to any of you. I don’t owe you anything. I’m not close with any of you. And I’m not helping any of you—especially when it isn’t mandatory."

Hit by the onslaught of his words, Lea had no choice but to look away. But Leo wasn’t finished.

"All of you—especially you—act like you’re so kind. But you just don’t stop. You give in to your curiosity, trying to learn more about me at every turn, without respecting my privacy or my wishes. It’s always you guys who come to me, never the other way around. Anyone in my position wouldn’t exactly be fond of—"

"Alright! I get it! I get it! I... I’m sorry, okay? You’re right. I shouldn’t bother you so much..."

She squeezed her bag tightly with both hands, staring down at the pavement as she spoke, her expression bruised and apologetic.

"I understand that I get too curious sometimes," she said, forcing the words out. "And that I can make some people uncomfortable... or give the wrong impression with my actions..."

Maybe Leo had pushed too hard.

"...As long as you understand, it’s fine," he replied.

With that, Leo considered the conversation over. He didn’t want to revisit it. Honestly, he hadn’t wanted to be in this situation in the first place.

"But..." Lea’s voice came again—much more earnest this time.

She stopped walking so abruptly that Leo had to stop too, or she would’ve been left standing in open rain.

"The only reason I’m selfish is because I want everyone to have an amazing time—something they can look back on with real memories when they leave this school properly. And I know I’m not the only one... Everyone is excited. They can’t wait for next week so we can start preparing and making the end-of-year festival something special. I’m only saying this because I know it’ll become a precious memory for everyone—me included—if you participate too!"

"..."

"I don’t know what I have to do to convince someone like you. I don’t know if telling you your family would be excited would work... and I can’t bribe you, because I’ve heard you and your family are loaded. You’re smarter than me. No matter how hard I try, you always beat me. You’re the most athletic in our year, too. If someone like you says no... then what’s the point of trying to change your mind? B-but I can’t give up! If there’s even a one percent chance you might change your mind, then I’ll keep being selfish and disrespectful—if not for everyone else’s sake, then at least for mine!"

Lea bent forward, breathing hard, forcing air into her lungs. She’d spoken so much, and each sentence had grown louder than the last. Luckily, the street was mostly empty, and the rain was loud enough to swallow her voice.

Leo watched her. Lea kept her eyes down, refusing to meet his face—so she didn’t see the small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

’Why are girls always this stubborn...?’

The student council president—admired by everyone—was practically begging him.

If anyone saw this, they’d fall in love with her all over again, touched by how desperately she fought for their "childhood memories"... and they’d probably want to murder Leo for being so cold.

"Are you crying?" Leo asked.

Lea flinched.

"N-no...!"

"But I can see your tears hitting the ground."

"T-that’s—" she stammered. "That’s just the rain! Just the rain!"

Even as she shouted it, she still wouldn’t look up.

’The thing is... I doubt my family would get excited just because I performed at the festival.’

If that was all it took, he would’ve accepted Lea’s request the first time she asked.

Maybe they’d be a little happy, sure.

But Leo still didn’t see the point in actively participating with his classmates, with the other students in their final year.

’Precious memories, huh...

I don’t think I’ve ever really cared about that.’

He narrowed his eyes at Lea. She was trembling faintly, and Leo adjusted the umbrella to make sure it covered both of them properly.

’But you cared. Nathan cared. Everyone cares.

Everyone wants this to be perfect... except me.’

"...Okay," Leo said suddenly.

"Huh?"

Lea finally lifted her face. Rain had plastered strands of hair to her cheeks, and her eyes were wide—so wide it looked like she’d misheard him.

"Can you repeat that?" she asked, stunned.

"...Food."

"What?"

"Food."

"Food?" she echoed, genuinely lost.

"Yes," Leo said.

"Food."

"What... what about food?"

’I wonder...’

"Treat me to food," Leo said.

"Eh? What? Treat you to food...? W-why...?"

She looked completely perplexed.

And then—of all things—Leo smiled.

"If you want me to help with the end-of-year festival, help me first. You’re coming with me to buy a present for my little sister. After that, you treat me to food."

Lea stood there, dumbfounded. Shocked. Her mind clearly scrambling to catch up with the sudden turn.

"You... you’re not joking, right? Please—if you are, just say so. D-don’t mess with me like that... Don’t be cruel this time. Please."

"I’m serious. But if you don’t believe me, then don’t take my help. Suit yourself."

And with that, he started walking again.

Lea panicked instantly. If she hesitated even a second, she’d be left in the rain. She hurried forward and grabbed his free arm.

"W-wait! Wait, wait, wait! I-I believe you! I believe you, I swear! I’ll help you buy the best gift your little sister will love forever—and I’ll treat you to as much food as you want! I promise!"

"...You don’t need to go that far," Leo muttered.

"But fine."

A dazzling smile spread across Lea’s face.

Leo sighed.

"Can you let go of my arm now?"

"Eh—ah! Yes, sorry!" she said quickly, releasing him at once.

After that, she treated him like a skittish cat, as if one wrong move might make him change his mind.

Leo didn’t care. He kept walking, and she matched his pace beside him, smiling to herself like she’d just been given a second life.

’...I wonder if someone like me... can still make... precious memories.’