Chapter 5 Blue Umbrella

The rain continued to pour like grief falling from the sky-merciless, steady, cold. Huyan walked slowly through the empty street, each step echoing with a heaviness the storm couldn't wash away. His soaked coat clung to his skin, but he didn't flinch. He felt hollow-like a ghost wandering in a city that had long forgotten him.

Overhead, a flickering streetlight buzzed and stuttered, its dim yellow glow casting long shadows that danced with the rain. Huyan looked up at it, eyes distant, then whispered to no one, "I gave everything for a man who destroyed everything... with the same hands that once held me."

A puddle shimmered beneath his feet, and his reflection looked back with dead eyes-eyes too tired to cry, too broken to be angry. The water rippled as if recoiling from the truth staring into it.

His steps slowed as he approached a familiar building-a tall glass company office, its neon sign barely visible through the rain. The wet pavement reflected the name of the company, glowing faintly like the last light left in his heart.

He stopped. Looked up at the sign. And said bitterly, "You left this behind for me. But you never stayed for me."

He sat on the cold stone steps out front, resting his elbows on his knees, face hidden in the crook of his arms. His voice barely a whisper. "Your last memory... is this place. You never came home from here."

Then, like lightning through his chest, a memory crashed into him.

He was a boy again-small, waiting in the dark. The hands on the wall clock moved slowly, tick by tick, until sleep stole him. The door creaked open hours later. He woke to the sound of heels on the floor, the scent of rain on her coat.

"Mom?" he whispered, rubbing his eyes.

She rushed in, dropping her bag, kneeling to hug him tight. "I'm sorry, Huyan... work wouldn't let me go. I didn't forget you, baby."

"You promised we'd go to the festival," he mumbled into her coat, voice heavy with disappointment.

"I know," she whispered, kissing his head. "Tomorrow. I promise. Just us."

He remembered sneaking into her office the next day, her surprised face turning to a frown-then to a warm smile. From that day on, he followed her everywhere, loving the quiet moments in the company more than any playground.

In the present, the rain struck harder, but a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

He remembered once, during a storm just like this, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I hate the rain," little Huyan had muttered.

She looked down at him, smiling softly. "Rain isn't bad. You just have to see it from the right place. Stay in my arms and watch-it's beautiful when you're safe."

Safe... The word echoed painfully.

A sudden shadow fell over him. The sound of the rain lessened.

Huyan looked up slowly.

A blue umbrella hovered above him, shielding him from the storm. A girl stood there, soaked herself but unfazed. Blue hair clung to her cheek. Her eyes were calm, curious.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

For a moment, he forgot how to breathe.

"...Are you here?" he whispered, almost to himself.

She blinked. "Huh? Are you talking to me? Do we... know each other?"

Reality pulled him back. He lowered his gaze.

"No. Sorry. Just... a reflex."

She tilted her head, examining him. "You don't look homeless. But you're sitting in the rain like one. Is something wrong?"

He couldn't answer for a moment. The lump in his throat wouldn't move.

"Life," he said finally. "It's... heavier than usual today."

She watched him a moment longer. Then, without another word, she reached out and took his hand.

"Come on," she said softly. "The rain won't fix your problems. It just makes you colder."

Before he could react, she gently pulled him to his feet and guided him down the street. He followed, dazed.

They reached a nearby bus stop-sheltered, empty, with the soft patter of rain hitting the roof above. They sat in silence, the only sound the storm and their breath.

She pulled two sandwiches from her bag and handed one to him.

"I don't usually help strangers," she said. "But you looked like you needed someone tonight."

He took the sandwich quietly, surprised by the warmth of it.

"I work at the company you were sitting in front of," she added, unwrapping her own. "Used to love it. Now... not so much."

He looked at her. The flickering light above made her blue hair shimmer like the ocean. "What's your name?" he asked.

She smiled. "Aya. The kind of name that means happiness. Or so my mom says." Then she glanced sideways. "And yours?"

"Huyan."

Aya took a bite, chewed thoughtfully. "Nice name. So... why were you sitting there like the world ended?"

He hesitated, then asked gently, "First Why do you hate your job?"

She scoffed. "Because everyone dumps their work on me. I'm just an intern, but it's like I run the whole damn place. And my boss? Always conveniently on leave."

Huyan chuckled softly for the first time that day. "Sounds exhausting."

"It is," she groaned. "But I can't quit. I need the money. Besides..." she gave a guilty smile, "...the cafeteria food is amazing. I stay for the dumplings."

He laughed, surprised at the sound of it. "So, you're in hell... but at least they feed you well."

"Exactly," she grinned. "But enough about me. Your turn. What's haunting you so bad you'd sit in a storm like that?"

Huyan went silent.

Where do I even begin...?

Today he had lost a father who never gave him love... and gained a truth that shattered the last peaceful image of his mother. A truth so bitter, it burned. A storm raged in his soul, louder than the one around them.

He looked at her-this stranger who offered warmth in the coldest moment.

And he thought: Do I tell her the truth? Or do I hide behind a softer lie?

"I... I lost someone," he said quietly. "And found out something I wish I never knew."

Aya's smile faded, her eyes softening.

"Was it someone close?"

Huyan nodded. "Too close."

She reached over and touched his arm lightly. "Then maybe... it's okay to sit in the rain sometimes. As long as you don't drown in it."

Huyan looked at her, eyes burning.

"Why did you help me?"

Aya shrugged. "Because maybe, somewhere out there... someone helped me once too. Or maybe... I just wanted to be the reason someone didn't give up tonight."

And in that moment, with storm all around and silence in between, Huyan smiled.

A real, fragile smile.

He didn't know why this loop, this encounter, was different.

But somehow, Aya... felt familiar.

And for the first time in a long time...

He didn't feel completely alone.