When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the sterile white ceiling of a hospital room. The faint, steady beeping of machines surrounded me, accompanied by the sharp antiseptic smell that seemed to cling to everything. An oxygen mask pressed gently against my face, the cool plastic slightly irritating my skin.
A voice, soft yet urgent, broke through the haze of my thoughts.
"He's awake!"
Turning my head ever so slightly, I saw a as she left the room.
She returned, with a doctor, following close behind.
She was stunning—no, breathtaking. She had long, silky black hair tied neatly in a sleek ponytail that cascaded down her back. Her figure was impossible to ignore—her uniform snugly fit her slender waist and curvaceous hips. She had large, perfectly shaped breasts that seemed to strain against the fabric of her nurse's outfit. Her thighs, smooth and firm, peeked out from under her skirt, and her movements as she walked were graceful yet commanding.
But it wasn't just her figure that left me speechless. It was the small details—the way her dark eyes held an almost mesmerizing depth, the delicate curve of her cheeks, and a tiny, captivating mole near the corner of her left lip. Her face was as cute as it was beautiful, radiating both innocence and allure.
Our eyes met.
And in that instant, something indescribable happened. A surge of energy, like electricity, shot through my body. It was warm and overwhelming, sending shivers down my spine.
Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and I could tell she felt it too. Her hand flew to her chest, and for a moment, she froze, staring at me with wide, startled eyes.
The moment lingered between us, heavy and charged, until the door opened, and a doctor walked in.
The doctor was in his mid-40s, with a neatly trimmed beard and an air of authority. Breaking the spell, he approached me and began his examination.
"You're out of danger, Mr. Kage Ito," the doctor said, his voice calm yet reassuring.
I blinked, still trying to process everything.
The doctor turned to the nurse. "You can remove his oxygen mask now. He should be fine without it."
The nurse nodded, still slightly flustered, as the doctor exited the room.
She stepped closer, her movements hesitant yet deliberate. As she leaned down, I could smell a faint, sweet fragrance—like lavender—emanating from her. Her delicate hands reached for my oxygen mask, her fingers brushing lightly against my cheeks. The simple touch sent another wave of warmth through me, and I couldn't help but stare at her, captivated.
Her lips parted slightly as she slid the mask off my face. "Umm… Kage Ito-san, are you feeling okay? Do you need anything?" Her voice was soft and melodic, trembling just enough to reveal her nervousness.
"I… I'd like some water," I stammered, my voice hoarse.
She quickly turned to the nearby jug, pouring water into a glass. Her movements were elegant, every gesture precise. Even something as mundane as pouring water seemed magical when she did it.
She brought the glass to my lips, holding it carefully as I drank. Her hands were steady, but I could feel the slight tremor in her grip. My eyes wandered to her flushed cheeks and the faint smile that played on her lips.
When I finished, she set the glass down on the table beside me.
"How… How am I here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Well…" She hesitated, her eyes darting to the floor before meeting mine again. "Your landlord found you and brought you here. Your uncle is the one covering your medical expenses."
I blinked in disbelief. "My uncle?"
She nodded. "Yes. He seems very concerned about you."
"I see…" I said, leaning back against the pillows.
She hesitated, as if unsure whether to say more, before finally adding, "If you're feeling better, I'll bring your lunch now."
As she turned to leave, I reached out impulsively and grabbed her wrist. Her skin was warm and soft under my fingers.
She froze, her entire body tensing as if a jolt had passed through her. Slowly, she turned back to me, her face burning a bright red.
"Can you… tell me your name?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
For a moment, she didn't answer. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Her dark eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the emotions swirling within them—nervousness, surprise, and… something else.
Finally, she managed to whisper, "M-my name is Shizuki Aisha."
Her voice was so soft and breathy that I almost didn't catch it.
"Shizuki Aisha," I repeated, the name rolling off my tongue like a melody. "You have such a cute name… just like you."
The words escaped my lips before I could stop them. Realizing what I'd just said, I let go of her wrist and turned my face away, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Aisha's eyes widened, and she brought her free hand to her chest, clutching it as though trying to steady her racing heart. Her blush deepened, spreading all the way to her ears.
"Th-thank you…" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Then, as if overwhelmed, she quickly turned and left the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
As the door clicked shut behind her, I found myself staring at the empty space where she had been moments ago. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest.
What just happened?
I'd never felt anything like this before. It was as if meeting her had awakened something within me—a longing, a need to protect her, to cherish her. My mind was consumed by the memory of her smile, the way her voice trembled when she spoke, the soft blush on her cheeks.
Was this… what it felt like to meet a soulmate?
I couldn't stop thinking about her. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face. Her image was burned into my mind, and the thought of seeing her again filled me with an almost childlike giddiness.
As I lay there, my hand unconsciously reached up to touch my chest, right where I'd felt that strange, electric jolt earlier. It was still there, lingering like a warm ember, reminding me that she was real—that she was mine.
For the first time in a long time, I felt hope.
I didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain: I wanted to see her again. I wanted to learn everything about her, to make her smile, to be the reason her cheeks turned that adorable shade of pink.
Shizuki Aisha… my first soulmate.
END OF CHAPTER 2: MY FIRST SOULMATE!