Chapter 9: "Adventure in the Rain"
The rain showed no sign of stopping today either.
Droplets falling continuously from the gray sky blurred the outlines of the city and made the shadows of the sinking buildings sway gently.
Nagisa hooked her umbrella over her shoulder‚ lifted her face‚ and spoke cheerfully.
“Wow! Today’s perfect for an adventure too!”
Next to her‚ Rin let out a small sigh while adjusting the lantern’s light.
“…Is this what you call perfect weather for an adventure?”
Despite her calm voice‚ her mouth loosened slightly as she watched Nagisa’s smile.
In the alley of the sinking city‚ water flowed like a river. The railings of the bridge were half-collapsed‚ and rainwater dripped incessantly from the windows of abandoned houses. The two of them moved cautiously‚ checking their footing.
“Rin-chan‚ look‚ look! Over there‚ the roof is still intact! If we climb it‚ we could see the whole city‚ right?”
“Dangerous. It’s wet‚ and it might collapse.”
“But… it’s so exciting!”
Nagisa’s voice was lively enough to compete with the sound of the rain. Rin shrugged. The desire to avoid danger clashed with her inability to stop Nagisa’s curiosity.
From a short distance‚ Momiji watched over them. Holding an old sketchbook and covering it with cloth to keep it dry‚ she quietly followed them from behind without speaking. She would only help when necessary—that was her role.
As they moved deeper into the city‚ the water level gradually rose. The puddles at their feet nearly reached Nagisa’s knees‚ and she laughed‚ splashing as she exclaimed‚ “It’s so cold!”
“…You’re getting carried away.”
Rin muttered‚ raising the lantern high to illuminate their path.
The sound of rain continued without pause‚ as if the world itself were dissolving into water.
Yet‚ amidst it all‚ their voices clearly rang out.
As if signaling the beginning of an adventure.
Deeper into the sinking city‚ the rainwater grew even deeper‚ and the cobblestones beneath their feet disappeared completely.
Nagisa laughed and splashed in the water‚ saying‚ “Wow! It’s like a swimming pool!”
“…This isn’t the time for playing.”
Rin said calmly‚ though she narrowed her eyes slightly at Nagisa’s joyful expression. She secretly admired Nagisa’s strength—her ability to smile even in such a situation.
Suddenly‚ Nagisa stopped in her tracks.
Through a gap in a collapsing building‚ she spotted an old bridge. The wooden planks were half-broken and blackened by the rain.
“Hey‚ hey! If we cross that bridge‚ we can get over there‚ right? There’s probably something waiting!”
“Too dangerous. If a plank falls‚ it’s over.”
“But… that’s what adventures are all about!”
Nagisa’s eyes sparkled as she ran toward the bridge‚ waving her umbrella. Rin sighed‚ raising her lantern and following behind.
The bridge was extremely slippery‚ creaking with every step.
“Wow! It’s shaking!”
“…You’ll fall.”
Their voices mixed with the rain‚ creating an atmosphere of tension and excitement.
After crossing the bridge‚ a small plaza opened up. In the middle of a puddle floated an old sketchbook.
“Treasure found!”
Nagisa shouted‚ stretching her hand toward it.
“Wait. It’s wet and dangerous.”
“It’s fine!”
At that moment‚ Nagisa slipped and fell into the puddle. Cold water enveloped her body‚ and she let out a loud scream‚ “Hyaaaah!”
Rin hurriedly reached out and pulled her up.
“…See‚ I told you so.”
“Hehe… but I got the sketchbook!”
Soaking wet‚ Nagisa held the sketchbook high with a beaming smile. Rin shook her head in exasperation‚ but seeing that smile made her feel a little relieved.
From a distance‚ Momiji watched quietly. In her eyes‚ she saw not only the danger but also the solid bond between the two. Being able to laugh together even in the rain—that was the strength needed to survive in this post-apocalyptic world.
Just after Nagisa was pulled out of the puddle‚ a “crack” echoed from the back of the plaza. The old stone wall‚ unable to withstand the rain‚ began to slowly collapse.
“Rin-chan! The wall’s falling!”
“…Hurry‚ this way.”
Rin shouted‚ pulling Nagisa’s hand firmly. They ran‚ kicking up water‚ desperately avoiding falling debris. Mixed with the rain‚ the sound of crumbling stones echoed through the city.
They fled into a narrow alley‚ where the water was even deeper and the ground unseen.
“Wow‚ my feet are sinking!”
Nagisa laughed as she struggled to move forward.
“…This isn’t the time for laughing.”
Rin muttered‚ but Nagisa’s voice gave her comfort. Being able to laugh even in fear—that was Nagisa’s strength.
But the next moment‚ Nagisa’s foot caught on something‚ and she lost her balance.
“Kyah!”
She cried out‚ falling into the water again.
Rin immediately reached out and pulled her up.
“…Don’t be reckless.”
“Hehe… but adventures are thrilling!”
Rin watched Nagisa laugh‚ brushing her wet hair back‚ with a mixture of exasperation and warmth. That smile quietly warmed her heart.
At the end of the alley‚ another old bridge remained. The wooden planks were half-rotted and extremely slippery from the rain. If they didn’t cross it‚ they couldn’t move forward.
“Rin-chan‚ what should we do? We have to cross it‚ right?”
“…We’ll be careful. I’ll go first.”
Rin raised her lantern and slowly stepped onto the bridge. The planks creaked and seemed ready to break. From behind‚ Nagisa shouted‚ “You can do it!” and watched his back.
Partway‚ a plank sank‚ and Rin wobbled.
“Rin-chan!”
Nagisa cried out‚ offering her umbrella. Rin grabbed it and managed to regain balance. In the rain‚ the two hands tightly holding each other conveyed a strong bond.
After crossing the bridge‚ they looked at each other in relief.
“Yay! We made it!”
“…Yeah.”
Their small voices carried relief and a touch of pride.
From afar‚ Momiji watched quietly. In her eyes‚ it wasn’t just danger she saw—it was the growth accumulated through this small adventure in the rainy city.
The two of them stood still for a while on the rain-soaked cobblestones. Their hearts raced‚ and their breathing was heavy. Amid this lingering tension‚ Nagisa brightened up.
“Phew! We did it! Any adventure with Rin-chan is a success!”
Rin replied bluntly.
“…Because you do reckless things all the time‚ I end up struggling.”
Yet a small smile appeared on her lips. The pride of overcoming difficulties together with Nagisa quietly took root in her heart.
Then Momiji quietly approached‚ holding her sketchbook‚ and spoke softly to the two.
“…You did well.”
Her words carried a warmth like an older sister’s.
Looking toward the back of the plaza‚ they could see the city had sunk even further. Half the utility poles were submerged‚ and distant buildings had only their roofs above water. The rain showed no signs of stopping‚ and the world continued to crumble‚ slowly but surely.
“Hey‚ Rin-chan. If the city sinks even more… what will happen?”
“…I don’t know. But we have to keep moving.”
Rin’s words were calm‚ but her eyes betrayed lingering anxiety. Nagisa was silent for a moment‚ then lifted her face.
“Then let’s go on lots of adventures before it sinks! I’m sure we can still find plenty of fun things!”
Her voice carried over the rain‚ filling the plaza. Rin nodded slightly‚ and Momiji smiled quietly as well. Even in this apocalyptic world‚ their bond had clearly grown stronger.
From the depths of the sinking city‚ an eerie sound echoed—metal creaking‚ something collapsing—it was a prelude to their next adventure.
For now‚ the adventure in the rain had come to an end.
But the girls’ journey would continue. With friendship and hope in their hearts‚ they would move forward toward the next challenge.
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