"Crack," "shhh," heavy rain suddenly poured down as Adrian and Elsa almost reached the school gate. Adrian pulled Elsa's wheelchair back slightly so she wouldn't get hit by the heavy rain in front of them. They waited inside the school building because they didn't bring umbrellas. While waiting for the rain to stop, many students passed by them. Adrian read every thought of those who passed him:
[Oh, that legless kid is still at this school, huh? I thought she'd gone out to sea. She seems to have a boyfriend now, that's good. My man is safe.] thought a passing female student.
[So, they're the ones who were causing a stir in front of the class, calling themselves husband and wife. No shame at all, legless and shameless.] thought a passing male student.
[I've hated her since junior high. Why did she even come to this high school? Legless and arrogant.] thought a female student.
[Hmm, that legless girl is pretty cute. I could play with her, she's a junior.] thought a senior male student.
[Ugh, legless. Why would that guy want her? He should be with me instead.] thought a senior female student.
Adrian watched Elsa, who sat calmly, smiling faintly, unaware of the thoughts of the people passing by. "Grip," Adrian squeezed the handle of Elsa's wheelchair, his heart slightly seething at the thoughts of the people who passed them and spoke ill of Elsa. Suddenly, his hand went up and held Elsa's head from behind, making Elsa slightly surprised but not angry.
"Something wrong ?" Elsa asked.
"Nothing, it's just uncomfortable here," Adrian replied.
"Yeah, the rain suddenly came down, so we have no choice, hehe," Elsa responded.
Seeing Elsa smile at him, Adrian smiled back at Elsa. Then Elsa looked forward again.
"Adrian," Elsa called.
Because of the noisy heavy rain, Adrian lowered his head so he could hear what Elsa was saying.
"It's okay if you want to go first. I can manage on my own later," Elsa said.
"It's fine, I don't have any plans either," Adrian replied.
"Really? Not bothering you?" Elsa asked.
"Nope, not at all," Adrian answered.
"Thank you," Elsa replied.
"You're welcome. We're neighbors, after all. We can't go home separately like enemies, hehe," Adrian said.
"That's true, hehe," Elsa said.
Both fell silent again. Unconsciously, they each held their chests and pondered.
"Uncle, now that you've met Auntie and apologized, and Auntie has accepted your apology and expressed everything, what should I do now, Uncle?" Adrian wondered to himself.
"Auntie, your husband is behind me now. You also said everything in front of the class earlier, and Uncle also spoke to you. You've both forgiven each other, so what should I do now, Auntie?" Elsa wondered to herself.
Finally, after almost all the students had gone out, braving the rain, some with umbrellas, Adrian and Elsa were left alone in the school building, watching the rain intensify.
"Let's take a taxi," Adrian suggested.
"Um... will it be difficult?" Elsa asked.
"Hmm, that's true. Getting in and out will be troublesome if the rain is this heavy. Let's wait a bit longer," Adrian replied.
"Okay, let's wait a little longer until it lessens," Elsa replied.
"Were you in junior high here?" Adrian asked.
"Yes, but only for the 9th grade. Before that, I was in Bandung," Elsa replied.
"Oh, I see. So you already have many friends?" Adrian asked.
"Ah, not really. Yuni, just now, is the closest, the one who genuinely wanted to be friends with me. Besides, this high school is new, so many transferred after graduating junior high because they still didn't trust the new school. So only a few continued here, mostly those who live nearby. What about you? Where are you from?" Elsa replied.
"Hmm, me? If I tell you that this is my first time going to school, would you believe me?" Adrian asked.
"What? Your first time at school? You didn't go to elementary or junior high?" Elsa asked.
"I did, but at home. Since I was little, I couldn't go out freely, so I was forced to stay home all the time," Adrian replied.
"Oh, I see. Sorry, I didn't know," Elsa said.
"Why sorry? It's normal, isn't it? We just met," Adrian replied.
"Yeah, that's true. Um... can I ask something?" Elsa asked.
"Ask what?" Adrian asked.
"Aren't you disgusted or grossed out seeing this?" Elsa said, pointing to her legs, which only reached her thighs.
"Why should I be disgusted? I don't feel that way. Why are you asking that?" Adrian asked, surprised.
"No, usually when new people meet me, the first thing they ask is about my legs, and if I tell them I've been like this since birth, they just make small talk then move away and never talk to me again, as if they're disgusted to see me. But you're different," Elsa said.
Adrian fell silent. He looked at Elsa, who seemed carefree and smiled while staring at the rain in front of them.
"You're strong, huh?" Adrian blurted out.
"Huh? What about it?" Elsa asked, confused.
"Nothing, hahaha. No wonder you told me to go first earlier," Adrian replied.
"Well, I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable, hehe," Elsa replied.
"Relax, I won't feel uncomfortable. I don't know myself, but I want to ask, have we met before? Why do I feel like I know you and feel close to you?" Adrian asked.
"Hmm, that question is actually the same for you, because I feel that way too," Elsa replied.
"Could it be because of our hearts?" Adrian asked.
"It's possible," Elsa replied.
"Hmm, maybe we met in a past life, haha," Adrian said.
"Hehe, yeah, that's true. We met in 'isekai', hehe. You know what 'isekai' is, right?" Elsa asked.
"Of course I do. I always read comics, manga, and novels because I'm always at home. Maybe we both reincarnated from isekai, haha," Adrian replied.
"Exactly, exactly. What do you like to read?" Elsa asked.
"Lots of things, it's hard to list them all one by one, but I'll tell you later," Adrian replied.
Finally, both were engrossed in conversation amidst the rain. Adrian rotated Elsa's wheelchair, and he sat cross-legged in front of Elsa. They happily shared stories with each other, oblivious to their surroundings.
"Strange, I can talk so much with him/her," both thought to themselves.
Unbeknownst to them, in the midst of the rain, an invisible middle-aged couple, holding hands, watched them with broad smiles on their faces. After that, the couple looked at each other and nodded at one another. They waved at the two of them and turned to walk away towards the school gate.
"Thank you, Adrian, Elsa. Now it's your turn to be happy. Goodbye, our prayers are with you," Jimmy and Irene said, holding hands and walking away.