Seeing Chen Yu suddenly freeze, Jounouchi Hiromi immediately realized her question was too intrusive. The hesitation Chen Yu had shown earlier about whether to let her in was obviously because he worried that these things might scare her, not wanting her to know about the affairs related to them.
But now, she had asked him whether these things were his collection, whether they were or not, or whether Chen Yu responded or not, her question clearly touched upon personal privacy he was unwilling to discuss.
Even outside of romantic relationships, it is taboo in everyday conversation to inquire about the private matters someone is reluctant to talk about, because everyone has secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Probing into others' privacy and secrets is undoubtedly impolite and can cause discomfort.
Jounouchi Hiromi wanted to say something to mend the situation, but the awkward atmosphere left her at a loss for words.
At that moment of embarrassment and anxiety for Jounouchi Hiromi, Chen Yu placed a glass of water before her and sat down, looking at Jounouchi Hiromi, who seemed unsure of what to do. He appeared to breathe a sigh of relief and asked her, "Hiromi, aren't you scared?"
"Scared?" Jounouchi Hiromi, surprised by Chen Yu's question, widened her eyes, wondering why he would ask such a thing, but quickly replied, "Scared? I don't think so! Although it would be quite startling to see this kind of thing when waking up in the middle of the night, I don't feel scared during the day! After all, I am a surgeon, and I have seen human specimens before. It's nothing, right?"
After speaking, Jounouchi Hiromi shifted her gaze to the glass jars in the corner of the living room, where various organs and bones were soaked in liquid, along with other unidentified plants or ash-like substances. Although she indeed felt frightened and thought it was creepy, she still forced herself to act nonchalant.
Seeing Jounouchi Hiromi put on a brave face, Chen Yu naturally understood her intentions, but he had no idea how to deal with her feelings for him.
He wanted to reject her to avoid hurting her, but feared she wouldn't cope; he considered accepting her, yet doubted she could accept all of him; contemplating escape, yet he couldn't resist her gentle charm; wanting to confront it, but he felt ambivalent amidst her tenderness...
Chen Yu didn't know how to choose. If he were just an ordinary man, to be loved by a beautiful and gentle woman like Jounouchi Hiromi, even if she were older than him, would be a dream come true. But... he was someone concealing secrets that others could not know, and even if he wanted a life partner, he must be exceedingly cautious. Only someone who truly earned Chen Yu's trust could be allowed into his life.
Allowing Jounouchi Hiromi into his home was an attempt by Chen Yu to try trusting her; however, seeing her obviously scared yet feigning bravery, he hesitated again.
"Hiromi..." Although he was undecided, Chen Yu finally braced himself and asked Jounouchi Hiromi, "You are a great woman, I believe no man could reject a woman as gentle and beautiful as you, and surely you aren't lacking for good men around you. So why did you choose me? You see, I'm a man who lives in a cheap apartment next to a cemetery, who keeps all sorts of strange specimens at home. The real me is different from the me you know, so why do you like me?"
"Because I like you, that's why I like you!" Chen Yu's honest confession made Jounouchi Hiromi feel joy in her heart. She simply moved her whole body closer to Chen Yu, sitting by his side, "Mr. Chen Yu, you are a very gentle person, and this is evident in the way you treat your patients usually. Plus, you are very attentive and caring towards others. After a year of being together, I have discovered many virtues in you, and that is why I have fallen for you without even realizing it."
"But..." Jounouchi Hiromi's explanation gave him a feeling of being unexpectedly cherished, yet he still hesitated. He was about to emphasize his own shortcomings but before he could say anything, Jounouchi Hiromi's finger was already pressed against his lips, silencing the words he was about to speak.
"There are no 'buts,' Mr. Chen Yu." With her finger on Chen Yu's lips, Jounouchi Hiromi's smile was full of tenderness. When she looked at him with her eyes, as clear as a tranquil autumn moon, he could deeply feel her heartfelt affection and determination. Her gaze wasn't sharp, nor was it aggressively passionate, it was gentle as water, seemingly ready to melt anyone in its warmth.
"I like you, the person that you are." Beneath the gentle look was a firm declaration, as steadfast as a boulder sculpted by the flowing water, "To like someone obviously means to like every part of them. If I only liked the parts you show in front of me, then it wouldn't be you I was fond of, but rather an illusion of you. Since I like you, shouldn't I accept everything about you, including your likes, habits, even your bad tendencies?"
"Of course, the things you like to keep around the house I might still need some time to accept. But just give me a little time, and I will adapt! I will accept all of you!"
Jounouchi Hiromi's words revealed her unwavering resolve, and Chen Yu had never imagined that her feelings for him could drive her to such lengths. Chen Yu, who initially thought Jounouchi Hiromi just had a favorable impression of him, never expected that this woman, who usually seemed gentle and fragile, would possess such firm and intense emotions, and be willing to offer so much for him.
"Hiromi..." Reaching out to hold the fingers she had pressed to his lips, Chen Yu called out her name again, "I'm not worth all this."
"What does worth have to do with falling in love with someone and giving them everything?" Jounouchi Hiromi extended her other hand to caress Chen Yu's cheek, her eyes brimming with affection so thick it couldn't be dissolved, "Besides, as long as I feel it's worth it, isn't that enough?"
Chen Yu thought his heart was firm enough not to be swayed by anything, but at this moment, Jounouchi Hiromi's gentle gaze alone had defeated him, leaving him utterly vanquished.
But in matters of the heart, sometimes the one who takes the initiative isn't necessarily the victor. The real outcome of love is decided by other confrontations.
However, such confrontations are obviously not meant for others to know about, something even Audis was aware of. It had already covered its eyes and burrowed into its cat bed, curled into a ball, unwilling to listen or see, to avoid corrupting its pure little soul.