Rain Dancers chapter 4 (Short-ish chapter) Uchiyama walked into school the next day, smiling about Noah and how good she hid the fact about the “dating” after school from Beatrix. It wasn’t really dating, so she didn’t know what to call it. Then she saw Luna. The introverted Luna who had a mysterious aura. Luna had red eyes, almost looking like she was… crying. Uchiyama looked away, to see Mika standing ahead of her. “Do you know Noah?” Mika asked. “Yes…” Uchiyama replied, because she kept a secret from him. “He’s absent. I guess Beatrix will annoy him again at his house. I’m his childhood friend.” “Well, I have a ‘secret.’ And it’s about him,” Uchiyama cupped her hands over her mouth and whispered, “we are kinda ‘dating.’ We dance in the rain after school. DON’T tell anyone.” “Oh my god, what!? Wowwwwwwww,” Mika breathed. “Let’s go into class now.” -ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ Uchiyama asked Mika at lunch where Luna was. Apparently she felt sick and went home. Then Uchiyama got a great idea. She asked Mika what things she likes, and got info. Luna likes aesthetic cafés, kawaii items, and matcha. Uchiyama began her plan after school to find out why Luna cried. -ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ Uchiyama walked into the Sakura Cafe with a pink wig and makeup. She ordered chai tea with milk foam and caramel syrup. While she was waiting, Luna walked in. She carried an old picture of a woman who might be her mom. She sat down next to Uchiyama and cried, while clutching the photo. “Mom… everyone hates me. I don’t know how long… I can carry on… the new girl hates me… and Mika just assured I am fine… when I’m not. I just want… to go see you again…” After hearing that, Uchiyama couldn’t resist her cover anymore. She took off her wig. “Luna.” “H-huh? Ah! It’s you!” Luna said, startled. “I don’t hate you, I actually made this disquise to find you. Mika told me you liked aesthetic cafés, so…” “Well, I only left school because I didn’t feel comfortable doing anything today at school. I just wanted to go home.” “But, what happened to… your mom?” Uchiyama asked softly. “She… she passed away when I was four. She asked me to make many friends. But, I am so shy that I just make people assume that I hate them, so they will hate me back.” “I think we have a lot in common, Luna. Do you think we could be-“ Uchiyama hesitated for a moment, “friends?” “Yeah, I think so, maybe even more.” Luna smiled. “Let’s be best friends then!” Uchiyama exclaimed. “But… I have no experience. What do they do?” “We have sleepovers, buy matching outfits, and get a heart necklace that is cut in two.” “Wow, thanks Uchiyama…chan!”
