10 The Angel Next Door

*Drip drip drip

"What are you doing?"

Standing under the rain with an umbrella in my hand I asked the person in front of me who was sitting on a pair of swings. She had silky blonde hair and large caramel eyes. As she was sitting under the rain her hair was slightly messy but it didn't affect her beautiful image one bit. She looked up and gazed at the person who spoke to her.

"Watanabe-san? Do you need anything?"

Mahiru Shiina. She was one of the most popular girls in my school, reaching the likes of our own volleyball manager in terms of popularity. She had an angel like appearance and had a modest and quiet personality making her very popular among her classmates.

"I just wanted to know why you're sitting in the rain without an umbrella."

"Oh that? Thank you for your concern but all I wanted to do was sit here. You don't need to worry about me as I chose this."

Replying in a soft but lifeless voice I could tell by her sentence that she didn't want me to get involved even if it was clear that there was a problem but she didn't want me to get involved one bit. She sent a glance as if saying why I came up to her anyways.

I sighed I must seem like a creep for just talking to her out of nowhere. Because of my obnoxious personality—being a busybody and all, I just can't help myself from wanting to help out even if it was for my own self satisfaction. I went up to her and gave her the umbrella I was using and told her to take it. I quickly went away since I saw her trying to give it back to me attempting to refuse my help.

***

Without my umbrella I went to the convenience store to grab something for my dinner since cooking was the last thing on my mind after going through practice and having that event with my neighbor.

*Ding dong

"Welcome!"

Hearing the standard greeting I went to the food aisle to pick out my dinner for tonight.

"Haruto?" I turned around and saw Daichi picking out some sports drinks and some snacks.

"Ahh captain it's a coincidence seeing you here! Are you coming here to also pick up your dinner?"

He laughed, "No, I just wanted to restock on some snacks and drinks since I was running out of them at my place."

He looked at my cart and frowned asking if that was my dinner for tonight.

"Beans and some potato salad? Are you sure this is going to fill you up? You have been practicing even more than usual after hearing our practice game coming up, will this give you the nutrients that you need?" Wearing an accusing face he asked lots of questions about my diet.

"Well I have protein bars at home and some other similar stuff so I can always have that.." I never cared about what food I eat other than some stuff from my favorite restaurants. If they can give me nutrients then I wouldn't care.

"Haaa you.. You're an athlete so diet is just as important as practice so you have to watch out what you eat ...." I stood there listening to his lecture and felt a bit embarrassed having someone find out about my eating habits.

***

Why is it so hot today?

I was in the gym after school doing passing drills with the team the next day. Outside it was sunny with no clouds and there were a lack of wind that could had potentially help cool us down. We had to open up all the windows to help ventilate the gym but playing and running around in this condition is making me sweat bullets.

"Kage..ya.ma hurry and gi.ve me a set…" The heat seems to be getting to the little stamina monster himself and Kageyama is also not an exception.

*Clap

"Let's take a break shall we. It looks like everyone is in dire need of one." Daichi clapped his hands to grab our attention and suggested to take a break which we gratefully took.

I sat down by the wall and began to drink my water. I started to melt into the wall I was leaning on as exhaustion started to fill my body. I looked to my right and saw Hinata sprawled on the floor melting just as I was.

"Why don't we end practice early since this weather seems to be taking a hit on everyone." Daichi spoke up and suddenly suggested. I usually never want to end a practice early but it really is tempting me to accept it this time..

"Actually I will cut practice short now since I feel like if we continue some stubborn members may get a heat stroke from not taking care of themselves properly" He turned and look towards Hinata, Kageyama and I. But I felt like he stared at me a while longer..

To our objection we tried to say no but his smile turned scary and we were forced to go home.

***

Okay I take my words back I'm glad he ended it early as it was scorching.

I ran out of water as I drank it all on my way home and now I'm parched. As I was getting up the stairs I started to feel dizzy and weak with each step. Luckly I got to my apartment and went inside. I drank some water but my head was still hurting so I grabbed a cooling patch and applied it to my forehead.

I sat on my couch and leaned back trying to calm my head. Wondering how I was going to eat dinner tonight in my condition.

*Ding dong

*Ding dong

Okay who the heck is at the door and why does it sound louder than usual. I slowly got up and walked to my door to open it. To my surprise I saw a blonde beauty standing in front of me holding a folded umbrella.

I don't think I ordered a beauty to come to my door did I?

"You must be thinking sometime rude aren't you." A cold voice snapped me out of my daze.

"Sorry Shiina-san I just didn't expect you to ring my door so I was surprised. So what I can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to return the umbrella you gave me… are you alright your face is flushed right now."

"Really I don't think so? Maybe it's just the sunlight shining on my face." Ugh my headache came back

"...Did you get sick because you lent me your umbrella?.."

Huh? What is she talking about.

"Nono I was totally fine when I came home. It's just the heat got to me so you don't need to worry about me getting a cold from the rain that day." Ugh it came back again.

? Why is there 3 Shiina's right now. Did she learn a magic trick to suddenly multiply. My headache started to hurt again but this time I had no choice but to hold my forehead.

"Just like I thought you do have a fever because you lent me your umbrella…"

She seems to be really misunderstanding this. Even if I didn't get ill from the rain I didn't want to make her feel obligated to help me seeing me in this state. I wanted to quickly convice her to go and close the door but I stumbled and caught myself using the door knob.

"I can't leave you like this, even if it wasn't from the rain.." She spoke in a soft voice "I will repay the favor back."

Okay this girl seems to be really hellbent on helping me. Why is she so stubborn…

I eventually relented as I didn't have the brain power and energy to argue any further. I lead her into my apartment and she looked around.

"How can you even live in a place like this…"

I took some damage hearing her and felt a bit embaressed showing her my living situation. Why is everyone finding out about my bad living habits the past few days.

I slowly walked to my couch and collapsed as exhaustion came flooding in all at once. Before blacking out I heard a gentle voice "I will be back I need to get some items.."

***

I woke up to the sound of paper being flipped as if someone was reading. I slowly opened my eyes and saw my ceiling. I felt my headache lessen to a great degree as it looks like that nap helped out a lot. I touched my forehead and felt a damp cloth and noticed a thin blanket on me. I looked around and saw a beautiful girl sitting on a chair near my table reading a book. She had the same silky blonde hair but instead of a uniform she wore a brown cartilage sweater with a long skirt.

"Oh you're awake now how are you feeling?" She asked softly while closing her book.

"I feel much better compared to before" I saw many washcloths and a water basin near me "This.."

"I brought it from my house."

Oh she seems to have her answers ready. I continued to look around but can't help but notice the smell floating around my living room. "Do you want to eat? I made some cold soup so you're free to have some."

This seems to be a lot of effort just to repay back a lent umbrella. But I will graciously take what is given to me.

I stood up and took off the blacket that was on me. Hearing me stand up she turned around and quickly turned her head.

"Before you eat I think you should change your shirt first" She quickly said with a raised voice. Confused I looked down at my shirt and realised why told me this. Due to me sweating in my sleep my shirt seems to have gotten stuck to my body and my muscular frame was revealed through my shirt.

Although I was proud of my body being seen like this is a little embarrassing. I quickly went to my room and changed. While doing so I remembered seeing her flushed face as she turned around to look away.

'The rumours about her being cute seems to be true after all' as all I ever thought of her was a distant but beautiful girl.

***

After changing Haruto went to the living room to see Mahiru at the table setting down a bowl of green soup. Haruto sat down and intensely stared at the soup 'I'm getting PTSD from the time Akane made me try her food. It was green like this but I had to fight demons on the toilet after eating it'. "You don't have to eat it if you don't want it." Mahiru said in a cold voice after seeing how he was looking at her soup.

Hearing her tone he took a deep breath and put the soup in his mouth praying that he didn't have to fight the toilet demons a second time. Tasting the soup it had a light and clean tasting flavour, surprised he began to eat the soup right up.

"It's delicious.."

"Thank you. It was an easy dish to make so it wasn't anything special." she said modestly while wearing a small smile.

'I didn't know such a small smile can be so beautiful.." shaking his head to get rid of his thoughts he contiuned to eat.

"Thanks for the help but isn't this a bit too much for just repaying back a lent umbrella?"

"It's fine. It wasn't much and even if you wern't sick from the rain I wanted to repay back the favor."

"It was just for my own self-satisfaction and me being a busy body that one time. I'll try not to bother you since it was just a one time thing."

After saying that Mahiru was shocked by his words and Haruto narrowed his eyes.

"You don't think I did this on purpose just so you can pay me back did you?"

Mahiru looked away and Haruto sighed "I just did it since I was there at the moment and I don't go around chasing girls left and right especially in a sneaky and foul manner."

"Plus I would rather build a genuine connection with someone rather than resort to some kind of manipulation." He scoffed.

Mahiru slighly relaxed after hearing his words

"You sound very pure compared to what you look like" She slightly smiled while saying.

"I feel like that wasn't a compliment."

"Who said it was".

Seeing that he was able to clear up his intentions he continued to eat his soup while engaging in some small talk and bickering with Mahiru

Cleaning up the dishes he guided Mahiru out the door and once again thanked her.

Going back to his room he began to do light workouts before showering and finally closing his eyes. Taking a break from the hectic day he experienced.

***

Why is artifact rng so bad for me.. 10 runs and not a single good piece Well thanks for reading and until next time. Peace…