in the rain - Part 4

Summary
"Jun returns to his share house and tells Tomoru about the events of his day. Even though Reiji was kind to him, Jun feels like he got on his bad side..."

Location: Fantome Iris Share House

Tomoru: So that's what happened...

You got caught in the rain, tripped over an empty can and landed in a puddle of waterー

Jun: Don't make me hear it again! I'm so disappointed with myself!

Tomoru: Well, it's just the same old you.

And I suppose you couldn't refuse the invitation to go have a chat at the share house?

Jun: ...Yeah.

Tomoru: But the kid was from Epsilon Phi...that would've made Feli-san worried.

Jun: Felix-san?

Tomoru: I've yet to hear the full story...

Tomoru: ...What kind of person did Karasuma-kun seem like to you?

Jun: He speaks very politely, even to someone like me. He treated me kindly.

But sometimes it felt like he was looking at me like I was a piece of moldy bread...it was probably just my imagination...ahaha.

When he smiled it didn't feel real, and his eyes... they're cold and frightening.

It reminded me a little of my sister...somehow...

Tomoru: I see...

Jun: I'm so pathetic even though I'm an adult.

Tomoru: Yeah, I won't deny that.

Well...I can't say I'm much different...

But we all have our weaknesses, right?

Jun: ...Right.


Location: Shopping District

Jun: Hah...hah... I-I should've listened...

It wasn't supposed to rain!? It's been sunny until now!?

Jun: No, no...ugh, so unlucky...wah!?

(Splash)

Jun: Ouch...why is there a plastic bottle here... ugh, I'm getting deja vuー

Jun: ...

Reiji: You never learn, do you?

Jun: K-Karasuma-kun

Reiji: ...

Reiji: I can't understand you

Jun: Huh?

Reiji: You were born with both incredible talent and a lucky upbringing, so why did you turn your back on it all and let it go to waste?

Why would you come running back to something you once threw away?

Jun: I-I...

Reiji: Blaming it on bad luck seems to be one of your favorite things to do. 

Please don't joke around. You've got plenty of good luck.

And yet you can't even begin to understand how fortunate you are.

Jun: ...I...I'm sorry.

Reiji: Why are you apologising?

You've done nothing to upset me. There's no need to apologize.

Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Epilogue

in the rain - Epilogue

 Summary
"A few days have passed and Jun takes a fall on the side of the road during a sudden downpour. Just as he did the last time, Reiji makes an appearance."

Location: Shopping District

Reiji: You've done nothing to hurt me. There's no need to apologize.

Jun: But...

I've never been good with people, I'm just a nuisance to everyone around me...so I thought I'd been a bother to Karasuma-kun too...

It's my fault you're looking at me like that...I'm sorry.

Reiji: ...

ーFlashbackー

???: 'S okay, 's not a big deal.

It was a dream, an amazing dream. But we all gotta wake up from our dreams eventually. Ain't that what father used t' say?

So please...don't cry so much...Reiji.

Reiji: Butー I didn't want you to give up on your dream.

ーFlashback endー

Reiji: ...

People like you are what they call "weak".

...The "weak" will always be "exploited".

...I refuse to be "weak" like you any longer.

I'll be on the side that "exploits". 

If you don't wish to be ripped to shreds, then stay away from me and Epsilon Phi.


Location: Epsilon Phi Share House

(Door opening)

Reiji: ...

Tadaomi: You're back, Reiji-kun

Reiji: I am.

Tadaomi: ...Reiji-kun, you're making the same face as before. Did you see Suzaki-san again?

Reiji: You're the same as ever... try laying off the human observation sometimes.

You might research the wrong person and discover something you'd wish you hadn't.

Tadaomi: Something I wouldn't want to know?

Reiji: ...I found myself holding back a hand from a fallen person I'd helped before.

I acted kindly initially but showed my true nature the second timeー

...But the old me wouldn't have hesitated to reach out to someone that needed it.

(I wear so many masks, I thought my "true self" was hidden.

But before I realized it, my "true self" had been replaced by a mask too.

ーNii-san, I'm sure my "past self" will never return.

If only I didn't know that)

Tadaomi: Reiji-kun is showing weakness...how rare.

Reiji: ...That guy who accepts his own fragility must be rubbing off on me.

( ...I shouldn't have given him that warning, either.)

It seems rainy days still cause a change in me.

Tadaomi: Are you okay?

Reiji: Of course.

I won't let my dreams die as mere fantasies.

For that I will ensure that Epsilon Phi is the victor of LRFes. I'm prepared to use any means possible.

(The screen fades to black)

Reiji: No matter how heartless of a mask I must wearー

Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Epilogue