The days after their first date felt like a dream.
Ren and Hikaru were officially together now — not loudly, but naturally.
Ren would mess with Hikaru's hair during class. Hikaru would sneak shy glances when Ren wasn't looking.
Sometimes after school, Ren would pull Hikaru into an empty stairwell just to kiss him slow and lazy, until they were both breathless.
Daiki teased them endlessly.
Daiki (laughing):
"Damn, Ren, you really stole my baby! I should've fought harder!"
Ren would only smirk and pull Hikaru closer by the waist, saying:
Ren (possessive):
"Too late. He's mine now."
Life was perfect.
Or so they thought.
---
But in the shadows, someone wasn't happy.
Reo.
The ex who once owned Hikaru's heart — and crushed it cruelly.
He couldn't stand watching Hikaru smiling for someone else.
Laughing.
Blooming like a flower in someone else's sunlight.
Reo (gritting his teeth to his friends):
"If I can't have him, nobody will."
They planned it after school.
Hikaru was walking home alone, waving goodbye to Ren at the gate, his backpack swinging behind him, headphones in his ears.
He didn't notice the car pulling up beside him.
Didn't notice Reo stepping out with two other guys.
---
At the karaoke bar:
The room was dark. Loud. Soundproofed.
No one could hear anything happening inside.
Reo locked the door behind them.
Hikaru sat on the couch, confused and scared, clutching his bag tightly.
Hikaru (trembling):
"W-What is this, Reo...?"
Reo (smirking):
"Relax, babe. It's just like old times. You and me... and some friends."
His friends laughed darkly, turning up the music loud to drown out any sounds.
Reo sat beside Hikaru, way too close, brushing his fingers against his thigh.
Hikaru (panicking):
"Stop it...! I have someone now!"
Reo (mocking):
"That rough punk? Please. You belong to me."
He tried to grab Hikaru's wrist, pulling him onto his lap, making him struggle.
Hikaru's heart raced — not from excitement, but pure fear.
He twisted, trying to push Reo off, but he was stronger.
The other guys laughed, blocking the exit.
Tears pricked Hikaru's eyes.
His mind screamed one name: Ren.
---
Meanwhile:
Ren was pacing in his room when Daiki called.
Daiki (teasing voice):
"Yo, your baby is partying at the karaoke bar without you! Should I go keep him company?"
Ren (stopping dead):
"What? Where?"
Daiki (laughing):
"Relax, man, he's with some people I don't know, probably classmates—"
Ren (gritting teeth, grabbing his jacket):
"Send me the location. Now."
Something felt wrong.
So wrong.
Without waiting, Ren ran out into the night.
---
Back at the karaoke room:
Reo pinned Hikaru against the couch, trapping him.
Hikaru struggled, his small frame no match for Reo's grip.
Reo (low voice):
"Just one kiss, babe. For old time's sake."
He leaned down.
Hikaru clenched his eyes shut — and suddenly,
BANG!
The door slammed open so hard it bounced off the wall.
Ren stood there.
Breathing hard.
Eyes dark.
Fists clenched.
Ren (voice deadly calm):
"Move. Now."
The temperature dropped.
Even Reo's friends backed up, feeling the danger radiating from Ren like a thunderstorm.
But Reo smirked.
Reo (taunting):
"Oh, look who's here. Are you gonna cry, punk? You can't protect hi—"
He didn't finish.
Ren crossed the room in two strides and punched him square in the jaw.
Reo crashed onto the floor, stunned.
Ren grabbed Hikaru, pulling him into his arms, shielding him fiercely.
Ren (whispering, shaking):
"I'm here. I'm here. You're safe now."
Hikaru clutched his shirt, sobbing into his chest.
Ren glared at everyone else.
Ren (growling):
"Touch him again and I'll fucking end you."
He dragged Hikaru out of the room without looking back.
---
Outside, in the dark street:
Ren pinned Hikaru gently against a wall.
His hands shook with anger and fear.
Ren (voice rough):
"Are you okay? Did he touch you?!"
Hikaru (crying softly):
"I-I'm okay... You came..."
Ren leaned down, forehead resting against Hikaru's.
Ren (hoarse whisper):
"Of course I came. I'll always come. Always."
He kissed Hikaru fiercely, almost desperately, like trying to erase the nightmare.
Hikaru kissed back, crying into Ren's mouth, holding onto him like life itself.
There, in the middle of the night,
under the dim streetlights,
Ren kissed Hikaru again and again —
promising silently that no one would ever touch his baby again.
Ren held Hikaru tightly as they walked under the dark sky, never once letting go of his hand.
Hikaru was still trembling a little, his steps small, but Ren slowed down for him — step by step, just like they always would, together.
When they reached Ren's home, he didn't ask anything.
He simply led Hikaru inside, handed him a big soft hoodie to wear, and pulled a blanket over his shoulders.
Ren (gentle):
"You don't have to talk about it. Just stay here. Safe."
Hikaru nodded wordlessly, his fingers clinging to Ren's sleeve.
They sat on the couch, side by side, Ren's arm wrapped firmly around him.
The TV played some silly cartoon in the background. The rain tapped gently at the windows.
It was the safest place in the whole world.
After a while, Hikaru fell asleep against Ren's chest, breathing slow and easy.
Ren kissed the top of his head softly and closed his eyes, too, holding his whole world in his arms.
---
Next Day:
Daiki and some of Hikaru's friends came over.
They brought snacks, drinks, and the loudest smiles.
Daiki ruffled Hikaru's hair and winked at Ren.
Daiki (laughing):
"Man, you really ARE his knight in shining armor, huh?!"
Ren only smirked and pulled Hikaru closer by the waist.
Hikaru blushed but leaned against him shyly, feeling more loved than ever.
They spent the afternoon laughing, playing video games, singing karaoke (for real this time, safely at home).
No fear.
No sadness.
Just friends, love, and a future waiting for them.
---
Later, as the sunset painted the sky pink and gold:
Ren took Hikaru's hand and kissed his knuckles softly.
Ren (whispering):
"No matter what storms come… I'll always be with you."
Hikaru smiled, eyes bright like stars.
Hikaru (soft voice):
"Through the rain... right?"
Ren nodded, pulling him close for a long, quiet hug.
And in that warm embrace,
under the gentle light of the setting sun,
their story — "Through the Rain" — found its perfect, happy ending.