Rainy Night and a Stray Cat

Qin An gently stroked Qin Chan’s glossy black hair and instructed, “Xiao Chan, take good care of your sister. Don’t bully her, okay?”

Qin Chan looked like a kitten enjoying the petting, but then she put on a serious face. “Magical Girl Xiao Chan promises to take good care of my sister. I won’t fight her for the remote control or for candy. But big brother, you have to buy me magical girl cards.”

“Alright, I know.”

Qin An could never refuse her requests. If she asked for the stars and moon, he might actually pluck them down for her.

Qin Yage’s face was flushed red. Just as Qin An was about to leave, she blurted out, “Brother, the weather forecast said it will rain today. Remember to bring an umbrella.”

After saying that, she immediately hugged her Hello Kitty pillow and rolled around on the sofa, hiding her face. Getting embarrassed over something so simple was probably a first in the world.

Qin An smiled slightly, picked up the large black umbrella by the shoe rack, and left.

Qin An was heading to a bookstore, the place where he worked part-time. Since his second year of middle school, because Qin Yuqing’s unstable work brought unstable income, Qin An had decided to work to support the family.

He eventually found this bookstore. The owner was a bald middle-aged man. He seemed to be a landlord, living comfortably off his properties. His purpose in opening the bookstore was just to let more people in the neighborhood read books. It was like a cozy local library. Very few people actually bought books, so the work was quite leisurely. The pay was merely symbolic.

But Qin An really liked this job. He would make a cup of hot coffee, open a classic when he wanted peace, or read a manga or light novel when he was troubled. Occasionally, a kid would clamor to buy a manga, or a student preparing for exams would come in looking for study guides. That was about it.

Working hours were from seven to eleven in the evening. After Qin An took over, the bald boss would sneak off home to be with his wife and daughter. Qin An was already used to it.

The bald boss put an arm around Qin An’s shoulder and said with a smile, “Qin-kun, I’ll leave the night to you.”

“Okay, store manager.”

Qin An gently placed his umbrella at the door and sat quietly at the counter, not wishing to disturb anyone. Two girls inside were still discussing in low voices.

“This manga looks pretty good. I like the art style.”

“I know her. She debuted two years ago as a newcomer. Her art style was so amazing that she became hugely popular right away. And this one and this one are both her works.”

“She’s doing two series at once? That’s impressive!”

“No, she just leaves holes unfilled. And she publishes biweekly, sometimes monthly. They say she’s a tall, beautiful woman. Everyone calls her the Queen of Delays.”

“Digging holes and delaying are bad habits! I just hope she doesn’t drop the series.”

“Yeah, I hope she finishes this one, Climbing Into Big Brother’s Bed, soon. The brother and sister in it are so adorable.”

The two girls actually bought all the tankōbon volumes of this mangaka. They must really have liked her. Qin An glanced at the cover name, “Qin Zi.” So it really is her work.

Drip, drop.

For once, the weather forecast was actually accurate. It started drizzling outside.

A middle-aged woman frowned. “Ah, it’s raining. My clothes are going to get soaked. So annoying.”

An office worker shrugged. “I’ll just brave the rain. I’ll shower when I get home anyway.”

A bratty kid reading manga in the store wrapped his head with his jacket and dashed into the rain.

After the rain started, the bookstore, which had been lively a moment ago, instantly fell silent. No customers were left, but Qin An still held his post.

At eleven o’clock sharp, Qin An turned off the lights and locked the door. The rain outside was still falling slowly, a steady drizzle that probably wouldn’t stop all night.

Qin An walked alone in the rainy night under his large black umbrella. His shadow stretched long under the dim yellow streetlights.

Under a streetlamp ahead, a figure was shivering. She was wearing the uniform of Shenchuan Middle School, hunched against the brick wall, holding a cardboard box tightly in her arms.

Qin An walked toward her under his umbrella, his shoes making a faint squelching sound on the wet pavement.

The girl looked up. Her eyes were swollen and her face was wet, making it impossible to tell if it was tears or rain. When she recognized Qin An’s face, she gave a somewhat pathetic, relieved smile. It was Yuko Hirano.

“Meow~”

In the cardboard box was a small black cat with emerald-like eyes. Even though it was wrapped tightly in Qin An’s wool sweater, its tiny body still trembled from the cold. It lay motionless in the box.

Yuko looked up at him, her voice trembling. “Sorry for getting your sweater dirty…”