Prompt || Musique_Me
Word Count: 950+

Pitter patter pat.

The falling droplets drummed against a nearby sheltered walkway, rain against metal.

Pitter patter pet.

As the light shower slowly progressed to more heavy downpour, you didn't flinch.

Pitter patter pit.

The water soaked your skin and clothes, however your earpiece and phone were covered.

Pitter patter pot.

You didn't mind. Sitting under the rain at night felt refreshing.

Pitter patter put.

It soon began a tradition as long as it rained at night.

Another day, another problem. It was always the case. You wore a dark coloured hoodie albeit you couldn't seem to remember what colour it was. Oh well, it didn't matter anyway. Having your hoodie pulled up, you shielded your earpiece from the wet weather. As for your phone, it was somehow dry underneath your semi-drenched jacket.

Your mind had wandered off to contemplate life in general. It was the secret to sleeping well, you thought. What kept you up mentally that night was the Boy Wonder Cop, Tasuku Ryuenji. Based on looks, sure he was hot. Rarely you two got the chance to talk before he got called away on business. So what if you went to Aibo Academy? Many things, actually.

Besides being friends with Gao and his social circle, you get the privilege of going on wild, extraordinary and possibly near-death adventures. Not to forget the forging of potential lifetime enemies who swore revenge on you just for outsmarting their dumb asses. Fun. An added bonus for free food at Gao's place. Sorry, sidetracking.

You see, most of your misadventures seem to always entangle Tasuku. That's honestly not a bad thing but it does attract some unwanted attention. Alright, let's backtrack for a bit. You were a tomboy so you'd rather spend your time with boys than girls. To you, they seem easier to talk to. Girls always seem to have a thing for gossip, you felt.

Many fan-girls of the 'great' Tasuku Ryuenji commented that you were a try hard. Bro, what? If you were a try hard, then they weren't trying at all. Those girls don't even try to befriend and understand him first, let alone want Tasuku to date them.

A speeding car raced by, splashing a huge puddle of water onto your clothes.

Disgusting.

You chose to remain quiet though, wishing to maintain the silence that hung in the air. Unfortunately, fate seemed to have jinxed your night as a cluster of brightly colored umbrellas passed by. Snickering under them, one of them said loudly,

"What a try hard. Look at her trying to be emo."

At this time? Think again.

"I know right. Just like how she's trying to get close to my Tasuku-senpai."

Bro, does he even know you?

"Why would Tasuku-senpai want a pig like her?"

If I'm a pig, at least I feed people. You only feed people empty lies.

The three girls shared a laugh before walking away, twirling their umbrellas in the rain. You shook your head. There was no point trying to knock some sense into people like them.

At least I don't have to worry about worrying. They're just trying to comfort themselves because they didn't try hard enough.

Despite coming up with smart comebacks, you couldn't help but ponder over their words. It was like venom - you know it's poison but curiosity was sometimes too overpowering, egging you on to take a sip. You let out a shaky sigh.

The feeling of being unwanted began to worm its way into your head.

Am I really what the others see?

You looked down at your palms. Paper cuts and blisters littered your hands. Feeling your wet skin, you didn't take notice until then how rough it really was.

Do I try that hard?

You reminisced the past few days. Buddyfighting Gao, playing a soccer match against Kanata, studying with Noboru, always having lunch with the guys (and girls) - spending every second with them.

Am I being too 'extra', like third wheeling or just tagging along?

Looking back, you did see a pattern in yourself - you always involved yourself in businesses that weren't yours to begin with.

I end up tripping everybody up, you realised.

I really am a try hard.

You leaned against the bench, resting your head and facing the crying starless sky, eventually deciding to join it. Your tears warmed your cheeks compared to the cold, relentless pelleting of droplets.

"[Name]?"

Your vision was blurred but the unmistakable voice shocked you. You jolted upward, nearly jumping out of your seat.

Tasuku was shielded from the rain by one of Jack's wings. Glancing up, you saw that his other wing was outstretched overhead to protect you from the rain. You fumbled to pause the music from your phone and unplug your earpiece.

"What are you doing here?" The young buddy cop inquired. Not caring that the bench was drenched, he sat next to you.

You wiped your hot tears that threatened to fall.

"I usually come here to think," you answered, your voice trembling. You blinked multiple times to fight back the tears that continued to build up.

"Oh [Name]." The bluenette pulled you into his warm embrace. You cried with the rain, sobbing your heart out to him.

After you calmed down, Tasuku whispered, "Let's go home."

Using his buddy skill, Tasuku carried you in his arms as Jack flew overhead to shield you from the continuous rain. He took you to his house where you ended up staying for the night. The flight there was peaceful as you eyelids grew heavy. You tried to fight against it but exhaustion ultimately won the battle. The last thing you saw was Tasuku muttering a few words to you.

"Sleep well, [Name]."