Rejected a 1000 Times, I Tried to End It… And Got a 1000 Girlfriends!

The room was quiet now except for the faint beeping of the heart monitor and the distant murmur of voices outside. Shizuki Aisha and I stood their, the air between us charged with a mixture of warmth and newfound intimacy. Her hand was still resting on my chest, her cheeks glowing faintly pink from our kiss.

I broke the silence, my voice soft but filled with uncertainty. "Aisha… can I tell you something?"

She tilted her head slightly, her dark eyes locking onto mine. "Of course, Kage-kun. You can tell me anything," she said, her voice filled with genuine care.

I hesitated, my gaze dropping to the thin blanket covering me. "I don't even know where to start. My life… it's been such a mess."

Her hand shifted to mine, her fingers gently intertwining with mine. "Start wherever you want," she encouraged. "I'm here to listen."

Her touch gave me the strength to open up. "I've always been… a nobody. Even when I was a kid, I didn't have friends. I wasn't smart enough to impress the teachers or athletic enough to stand out in sports. I just kind of… existed."

Aisha's brows furrowed, her grip on my hand tightening slightly. "That's not true," she whispered, but I could see the sadness in her eyes as I continued.

"By the time I got to high school, I started thinking maybe things would change if I found someone—someone who cared about me, who could make me feel like I mattered." I let out a bitter laugh. "So, I tried. I asked out a girl. She rejected me. I thought, 'It's okay, Kage. You'll find someone else.' So I tried again. And again."

My voice cracked, and I swallowed hard, willing myself to stay composed. "Every time I thought, 'This will be different,' but it never was. It's like I was invisible to everyone. No one wanted me."

Tears welled in Aisha's eyes as she listened, but she didn't interrupt. She simply held my hand tighter, her thumb gently rubbing the back of it.

"My parents… they passed away when I was young, so it's just been me and my uncle. He's not a bad guy, but he's never been… there. He sent money when I needed it, but he never came to see me. I guess I just felt like… if I disappeared, no one would care. No one would even notice."

Aisha's voice trembled as she finally spoke. "But… you're wrong, Kage-kun. I care. I'm here."

Her words hit me like a tidal wave, and I felt a lump form in my throat. "Why, though? Why do you care about someone like me? I'm just… broken."

She shook her head, her ponytail swaying slightly. "You're not broken. You've just been hurt. And I care because I see you. I see the kind, gentle person you are. You don't deserve to feel like you're alone in this world."

Her sincerity brought tears to my eyes, but I managed to hold them back this time. I squeezed her hand lightly, the warmth of her touch grounding me. "Thank you, Shizuki-San. For everything."

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of my confession lingering in the air. Then, as if to lighten the mood, Aisha gave me a shy smile. "So… what kind of food do you like, Kage-kun?"

I blinked, surprised by the sudden shift. "Food?"

She nodded, her smile widening just a little. "Yes! I want to know everything about you. Your favorite food, your favorite color, your hobbies… everything."

I chuckled softly, her enthusiasm infectious. "Well, I've always loved ramen. Especially the kind with thick broth and extra pork slices. It's like a hug in a bowl."

Aisha giggled, and the sound was like music to my ears. "Ramen, huh? I'll keep that in mind. Maybe I'll make it for you sometime."

"You cook?" I asked, surprised.

She puffed out her chest proudly, though the blush on her cheeks betrayed her confidence. "Of course! I'm not just a nurse, you know. I can make a mean bowl of ramen."

"I'll hold you to that," I said, smiling.

After a few more minutes of lighthearted conversation, a thought began to gnaw at me. I hesitated, unsure if I should bring it up, but the words slipped out before I could stop them.

"Shizuki-San… what if… what if I ever get another girlfriend?"

Her reaction was immediate. Her cheeks turned scarlet, and she pulled her hand back, staring at me with wide, confused eyes. "W-why would you ask me that?" she stammered, her voice a mix of shock and embarrassment. "We just became a couple, Kage-kun!"

I looked down, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I know. I don't mean it in a bad way. It's just… after everything I've been through, I can't help but wonder what would happen if… if someone else came into my life."

She didn't say anything at first, her hands fidgeting in her lap as she avoided my gaze. I reached out and gently took her hands in mine, the contact sending a familiar jolt of electricity through both of us.

"Aisha," I said softly, calling her by her first name, "please. I need to know how you'd feel. I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to lose you."

Her eyes darted to mine, her expression conflicted. For a moment, it seemed like she didn't know what to say. But then she took a deep breath, her voice trembling as she spoke.

"Kage-kun… as long as you don't leave me and you love me the same way, I think… I think I could accept it."

Her words surprised me, and I blinked at her in disbelief. "You would?"

She nodded, her face flushed but her eyes steady. "I love you too much to let you go, Kage-kun. If… if having someone else in your life would make you happier, then I'd accept it. I'd still stay by your side, because I don't think I could live without you."

Her voice cracked slightly at the end, and I could see the vulnerability in her expression.

I felt my heart ache at her words, and I tightened my grip on her hands. "Aisha… I don't deserve you."

"You deserve to be loved," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "And I'll make sure you never feel alone again."

In that moment, I realized just how deeply she cared for me. She wasn't just my first girlfriend—she was my lifeline, my anchor, my everything.

"I promise, Aisha," I said, my voice full of emotion. "I'll never leave you. I'll love you just as much as you love me."

Her eyes filled with tears, and she smiled through them, her face glowing with happiness. "Then that's all I need."

We sat there, holding each other's hands, the unspoken bond between us stronger than ever.

END OF CHAPTER : 3 : TELL ME!