Kuro

It was raining heavily as I headed home from work. In front of the lobby, I found a discarded umbrella and used it to get home. My steps drew closer to the apartment. However, I didn't realize that from a distance, someone was watching me.

Upon arriving in front of the apartment, I closed the umbrella with a quick motion. Just as I was about to enter, my body stiffened as I noticed a figure standing behind me.

"Kuro?!"

Kuro stood there in his office clothes, completely drenched. Water was still dripping from his hair and clothes onto the floor. His face looked paler and more exhausted than usual.

"Why are you soaking wet like this?"

Worry overcame my awkwardness. I quickly set down the umbrella I had found and approached him. My hand started to lift, but I hesitated to touch his shoulder.

"You're usually always prepared... Why didn't you bring an umbrella?"

Kuro remained silent for a moment before answering briefly.

"Someone borrowed my umbrella."

I stared at him for a few seconds. His tone sounded too casual, but for some reason, his answer felt off.

"Oh... I see." My gaze accidentally followed the direction of his sight.

Kuro glanced at the umbrella I had just put down. Only for a moment, almost imperceptibly. After that, his face returned to a flat expression as if nothing had happened.

I frowned.

Something was wrong.

But before I could ask, Kuro had already walked toward the bathroom.

"I'm taking a shower first."

"Hey, wait..."

Kuro didn't answer. He went straight into the bathroom and closed the door.

I stood alone in the hallway. My gaze returned to the umbrella I had found earlier.

I picked it up and examined it more closely.

"Could it be..."

I couldn't be sure of anything yet. But there was a strange feeling making me suspect that the umbrella might not have been just a random one I happened to find in the lobby.