Sun, Shelter and Rain

Summary: Hagu takes a break from painting and ponders over her feelings towards three men.

The painting was incomplete. She had run out of paint and the break allowed the accumulated exhaustion from days of working without rest catch up, overwhelming her.

Almost like running a marathon, you had to keep moving. Stopping for a second, just a mere second, would be enough to break the momentum and you will never reach the same speed as before.

Hagu lay sprawled on her back amidst broken brushes and flecks of dried paint scattered like random branches which bore fruits of all colours. Her eyes drifted towards the window where little rivets of water were flowing down the glass.

It's too heavy.. I can't get the acrylics today.

She wished for the rain to stop. Though, there was no deadline for the painting, it was just another product of her frequent bouts of inspiration.

Ironically, what served as an inspiration for the painting initially now hindered it's completion.

She wished for the sun, to feel the warmth on her face, to perceive the murky shade of red when she viewed the sun with her eyes closed, and of course, to get her supplies.

A wind was blowing when he met her on the fields that day. She wasn't feeling particularly cold because the sun shone brightly and intensely, spreading warmth from the top of her exposed head right to her toes.

Despite that, Morita wound the red scarf around her neck and pulled her in so tenderly for a kiss. The sun shone brighter than ever. When he left, it took a few moments before a cloud passed over and even longer until the rain came down, chasing the warmth with chills.

She stood there the entire time, and fell sick soon after.

Hagu blinked as a flash of lightning lit up the grey sky and was almost immediately followed by a bellow of rumbling thunder. She was glad to be indoors, with a sturdy roof over her head.

Always taken for granted but just as important was shelter. A place to socialise and share, to prepare, to rest.

Takemoto held the umbrella mostly over her as they walked down the street and was slightly drenched on his right.

The sun was out, but it was pouring. Just the kind of weather that would give rise to rainbows.

"Unpredictable weather, isn't it?" he squeezed her shoulders reassuringly, as if implying that amidst the uncertainties, there was something always there, a constant.

A droplet of water fell onto Hagu's arm. There was a gap where the window was slightly open.

Water existed in every single piece of her creation, in the brilliant colours she painted on the canvas. In her perspiration as she worked, the unshed tears behind her determination.

The weather was unbelievably warm whenever he visited, even during spring. He would spend ages watching her draw and admiring her past works so carefully painted on rough pieces of paper.

He never failed to turn up with refreshing treats- popsicles, fruits; things to relieve the heat.

Once, Shuji had brought her to a musical fountain after dinner.

"Shu-chan, I wish to study in Tokyo." The art college he told her about seemed interesting.

Looking at the magnificent sprays of water, Hagu decided that she liked them more than fireworks.

Rain gives life and comfort as much as the sun and shelter do.

Then again, there was no point for comparison, was there?

She smiled and let her heavy eyelids close.

Much as she liked the sun and appreciated the comfort of shelter.

I'd still choose water.

~End~

A/N: I admit, there's something strange about the time frame in this story. Still, reviews are loved and thanks for reading!