Author's Note: Another Gokaiger fic! From the summary, you could probably tell it's a Joe/Ahim fic. I know it's still pretty early to go into pairings, but I just had to write this idea down! This story is inspired by this song of the same title, Melt, by Hatsune Miku. The story is post-episode 4, and it begins with Ahim already realising she likes Joe…

"Do I really like him? How long must I wait until I can tell him how I feel?" Ahim sipped her tea as she gazed at the guy doing steady push-ups at one corner.

Her deep thoughts were interrupted as Marvelous, who was sitting on his chair, cried out, "Joe! Ahim! It's your grocery duty today!"

"Groceries! Groceries!" Navi repeated for the fun of it.

Immediately, Joe stopped his push-ups and Ahim put down her cup of tea. Before leaving the Galleon, Ahim grabbed a random collapsible umbrella and put it into her coat, then both of them rappelled down.

They did their groceries quite fast, and like before, Joe offered to carry both bags as usual, despite's Ahim's protests. As they exited the supermarket, an unexpected sight greeted them – it was raining cats and dogs.

"Ah, that was pretty unexpected," Ahim commented in her usual tone of voice.

Joe stared at the pouring rain for a moment. "I didn't bring an umbrella out." He then turned to Ahim. "Did you?"

Ahim nodded slightly and reached into her coat. "It's a small umbrella though."

Joe remained silent for a moment, supposedly pondering. He let out a small sigh and said, "Guess I have to share an umbrella with you."

When Ahim heard that, her heart skipped a beat. Share an umbrella…with Joe? That means…

"I shall hold the umbrella, but I may have to trouble you by letting you carry one of the bags. Here, you can carry the lighter one," Joe said as he reached for the umbrella in Ahim's delicate hands.

"Um…no…it's alright, I was supposed to carry my share in the first place…" she laughed awkwardly as she took one of the brown bags.

Joe opened the umbrella. "Come on, let's go."

As Ahim stepped into the rain, underneath the umbrella, her heart inexplicably started beating at high speed. She couldn't believe that she was standing at such close proximity to Joe. She never did, since she always thought Joe had this thing about personal space. Nevertheless, it was –

"Stand closer, Ahim. At this rate, both you and the groceries would get wet." As he said that, Joe did something Ahim never expected him to do – he swept her off her feet. Accurately speaking, he suddenly yanked her towards him, and her head touched his chest as the gap between him and her closed.

Now, Ahim's heart turned from racing at an immeasurable speed to almost completely stopping. She was so close to him, she could hear his heart beating steadily; she could even feel his breath…

It was then when she realised she was holding her breath the whole time.

Oh gosh, Ahim, why do you have to become like this just because you are sharing an umbrella with Joe? Ahim berated herself silently.

"You are walking unusually slow today," Joe spoke up.

"Ah…I…" Ahim was temporarily lost for words. "I…don't want to get the groceries wet, that's why!" She paused for a while. "Do you…want me to walk faster?"

"Oh, no, it's okay; I rather walk slower than get the groceries wet."

They were spending an unusually long time making their way back to the Gokai Galleon, but Ahim wished it could last longer – or in fact, that time could stop at that moment.

Then, unconsciously, she felt herself do something unexpected of her. Slowly, her free hand – the one not holding anything – gravitated towards Joe's hand which held up the umbrella for both of them. She held it firmly, and looked up to Joe in case he showed any sign of discomfort with her invading his so-called "personal space".

Joe did not show any form of displeased reactions. He looked straight as they walked on, raindrops hitting his well-defined features, and dripping down his long hair.

Right now, underneath a small umbrella with Joe on a rainy day – she could just melt!

Maybe…right now…she could try bringing across her feelings to him…

"Joe-san, I…" Ahim muttered to herself quietly.

Joe seemed to turn his head slightly towards her.

"I…I…" somehow, Ahim suddenly got stuck in her words. She just could not bring herself to mention the word "like"…

"We have reached the bottom of the Galleon," Joe suddenly stopped in his tracks. Immediately, 2 ropes fell down from the majestic Gokai Galleon. They both grabbed the ropes and flew up.

"I…like you…" Ahim thought to herself.

Author's Note (2): Hope you liked it! I'm not planning on writing another chapter were they "confess" their feelings or something, but if you want to, I may write it in Joe's POV. Just drop me a message or include it in your review