Harbor at the End of the Alley

At dusk, in a rainy alley beneath a gray sky, a boy hurried past a girl who was just about to stuff a cat into her hoodie pocket.

He glanced sideways and called to the girl on the other side of the alley, “What are you doing? Are you a cat smuggler?” The girl walked straight on, leaving not a cloud behind.

“There can’t be anyone more unlucky than me, getting carsick on the way to a competition,” Song Jin groaned, crouched by the roadside. Xing Tian clapped a hand over his mouth as he dashed off the bus, coughing violently. They glanced at each other, then turned away, only to lock eyes again when their chewing gums touched.

Outside a cafe during the rainy season, Song Jin deftly tucked the kitten into her hoodie pocket and carried it inside. The wind chimes rang. The boy looked up, his gaze briefly faltering. “Long time no see, cat smuggler.”

The flutter of a young heart is like the fine rain of the rainy season: hard to see, but you can feel it when you reach out.

At last, we have a light that belongs to us.

Dear readers, to find out what happens next, please head to the main story. Thank you for your support!