The Storm Can't Stop Us

"How does it look, Natsume?" Anzu asked her aunt, who was analyzing weather data at a computer in the lab.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the storm is gonna stop anytime soon." Natsume looked at Anzu and the boys apologetically.

Anzu and Hiroo both visibly deflated at the news. The group had been planning a picnic for a good while, since it wasn't easy to get the whole group together with how busy Yoyogi and Ayato's schedules were. Everyone had prepared something for it, but Anzu and Hiroo had gotten a little carried away with how much food they had prepared. So much that they had to rely on Ryusei's strength to carry most of it, and they suspected that they wouldn't even be able to finish all of it among the 6 of them. They had originally gathered at Natsume's lab as a meeting point to then go to the park together afterwards, but the storm started unannounced right as they were leaving.

Everyone else seemed pretty down, too. Even Ryusei, who would usually be as carefree as ever, was staring sadly towards the lab's exit.

"Well…" Shibuya grabbed one of the food containers from one of the big bags at Ryusei's feet. "It's not the same as eating outside, but we do already have everything here…"

"It would be an unnecessary waste." Yoyogi said. "And it's not like we can just go back home with how things are outside."

The mood in the room immediately changed, everyone happily following the new plan. While Natsume and Ayato worked on making sure the picnic blanket was properly spread out in the floor, the other 5 were getting their food containers organized.

It didn't take long for them to almost forget the storm outside. Everyone was busy chatting, and choosing what to eat among the many options they had. At Ayato's recommendation, Ryusei had tried a dragon fruit for the first time and found it quite nice. Natsume had been invited to join in, and was constantly squealing at how good all the sweets tasted.

After a few hours, by which everyone was starting to get full, Natsume realized they hadn't heard any storm sounds for a while. So she stepped out of the lab to see how things were outside.

She was soon back in, happily telling the others to come look outside as well. Though a bit confused, they followed along.

Even though the storm had left a bit of a mess, the group couldn't help but smile at the rainbow that was now up in the sky. Ayato immediately insisted they needed to get a picture of him with it in the background, to which Anzu simply giggled as she complied, and also took photos of everyone else (which had gotten Shibuya and Hiroo quite flustered).

Although things hadn't gone according to plan, it had been a great day. Anzu knew she would smile again when looking at those photos in the future.