After I finished my meal, I set my chopsticks down and stretched. Aisha stood up, gathering the dishes.
"Alright, time to get my high school boyfriend ready for the day," she said playfully.
I raised an eyebrow. "You really don't have to—"
She held up a finger, silencing me. "No arguing. Stand up."
With a sigh, I stood, and Aisha moved closer, adjusting my collar first, smoothing out my uniform, and checking for any folds or wrinkles. Her delicate fingers brushed against my skin, and the closeness made my heartbeat pick up.
Her expression was focused, her lips pursed slightly as she made sure I looked perfect. "There we go," she murmured, stepping back to admire her work.
I smiled. "You really didn't have to fuss over me like that."
Aisha crossed her arms, tilting her head. "Of course I did. You're my boyfriend. And I want you looking your best when you go out into the world."
I felt a strange mix of amusement and affection swelling in my chest. "You're amazing, you know that?"
She smirked. "I know."
I chuckled, shaking my head before glancing at the time. "I should get going."
Aisha's expression softened slightly. "Yeah…"
There was a pause. A lingering silence between us.
"I'll miss you," she said quietly.
"I'll miss you too," I replied.
She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around my neck, and I pulled her into a deep, lingering kiss. Her lips were soft and warm, moving slowly against mine, as if she was trying to pour all her emotions into it.
When we finally pulled away, she whispered against my lips, "I love you, Ito."
"I love you too, Aisha."
With a final reluctant glance, I stepped outside, the cool morning air greeting me. I turned back as she slowly closed the door, and once it clicked shut, I let out a deep breath.
Inside, Aisha leaned against the closed door, covering her mouth with her hands, her breaths coming out unevenly.
Her entire face was flushed, her heart pounding furiously in her chest.
Last night… was amazing.
She had been acting calm, as if she wasn't embarrassed. As if everything was completely normal. But the truth was—she still felt like her heart was going to explode.
I love him. I so love him.
I had given him everything. Every piece of myself. And I don't regret a single second of it.
Even if Ahane Mei and Ahane Hana accepted his love, even if he had other girlfriends—it didn't change what I feel for him.
She would still give me everything. Because I was her person.
Aisha let out a small laugh, shaking her head at herself.
I've fallen so hard for you, haven't I, Ito?
Meanwhile, outside, I walked toward the cycle parking stand in front of my apartment complex, my fingers trembling slightly as I covered my face.
I still can't believe last night happened.
Everything felt like a dream. A beautiful, intoxicating, impossible dream.
I still can't believe I lost my virginity.
Aisha… she was incredible.
She wasn't just my first girlfriend. She wasn't just the first person who accepted me for who I was. She was everything.
Her kindness. Her warmth. The way she took care of me, without hesitation, without doubt.
She was so cool. So understanding. So… perfect.
My heart had been beating so fast all this time, but Aisha—she had taken everything as if it was normal. She didn't show any hesitation, no unnecessary shyness, no awkwardness.
She only cared about us. About me.
Her acceptance of my feelings for Mei and Hana didn't feel like something ordinary. It felt like something so much bigger.
For the longest time, I had feared love. I had feared rejection, being alone, being unwanted.
But Aisha…
Aisha was like a goddess.
The way she loved me, accepted me, held me—it was beyond what I could have ever imagined.
And if I ever broke her trust… if I ever lost her love…
I clenched my fists, taking a deep breath.
I would never forgive myself.
I love you, Aisha.
With that thought burning deep in my heart, I took another deep breath and steadied myself.
Today… I will confess to Mei and Hana.
I didn't know how they would react. I didn't know if they would accept my feelings, the way Aisha did.
But no matter what happened, I would face it.
Because Aisha had taught me what love truly meant.
I took a deep breath, gripping the handles of my bicycle as I set off toward school.
Today was the day.
I had to confess to Mei and Hana.
No more hesitation. No more second-guessing.
But how should I say it?
The wind rushed past me as I pedaled, my thoughts spiraling into every possible outcome.
Would they accept me? Would they reject me?
I had no idea.
All I knew was that I loved them both. I wanted them both.
And I needed to make them mine.
Mei and Hana… I understood their feelings. They were each trying to push the other toward me. They didn't want to hurt each other. But in doing so, they were both willing to sacrifice their own happiness.
I clenched my jaw.
No.
That wasn't what I wanted.
I wasn't going to let either of them suffer.
I was going to make them happy. Both of them.
I tightened my grip on the handlebars, determination burning in my chest.
I wouldn't let rejection or fear stop me.
Just then, something caught my eye.
A row of televisions lined up inside an electronics shop. Behind the glass, they were all displaying the same program.
A young woman was speaking passionately.
"…The Yūsei no Hana, a flower said to symbolize fate between two souls. It is believed that those who find and present this flower to their loved one will be forever connected, bound by an unbreakable bond…"
I skidded to a stop, my bicycle coming to a halt in front of the store.
A flower that represented fate…
I watched as the screen changed to an image of the flower—a small, delicate bloom with petals as white as the first snowfall. It looked almost unreal, something out of a dream.
The woman continued, "These flowers are rare, but for those who are lucky enough to live near mountainous regions, they can sometimes be found growing on remote hillsides. In fact, there have been sightings of Yūsei no Hana in the mountains behind…"
I didn't even wait for her to finish.
There was a mountain right behind my school.
Without another thought, I turned my bike around.
I still had time before classes started.
I was going to find that flower.
At the back of the school, Mei stood with her arms crossed, staring at the empty space before her.
She had arrived early, earlier than usual, but for some reason, she had felt like she needed to be here.
Something about today felt… different.
A soft breeze rustled the leaves, and the sound of hesitant footsteps behind her made her turn.
Her eyes widened.
"Hana? What are you doing here?" Mei asked, surprised.
Hana stopped a few steps away, looking nervous. She gripped the hem of her skirt, her fingers trembling slightly.
"I… I just wanted some fresh air," Hana mumbled.
Mei raised an eyebrow. "Behind the school?"
Hana shifted awkwardly, avoiding her gaze.
Mei's frown deepened. "Wait… Are you waiting for Kage Ito-kun too?"
Hana flinched.
That was all the confirmation Mei needed.
A strange, tight feeling formed in Mei's chest. She took a step forward, her voice quieter now.
"But why, Onee-chan?"
Hana lowered her head, her glasses slipping slightly down her nose. "Mei-chan, I…"
She took a deep breath, then clenched her fists.
"I want you to be happy with him."
Mei blinked. "…What?"
Hana swallowed hard. "I asked him to choose you."
Mei stiffened.
A strange, sinking feeling washed over her.
Her fingers curled into her palm. "You… You asked him to what?"
Hana's grip on her skirt tightened. "I told him that you were the one who should be with him."
Mei felt like she had been punched in the gut.
Her voice came out sharper than she intended. "Who asked you to do that?!"
Hana flinched again but didn't step back.
Mei took another step toward her, her brows furrowing. "Why would you do that?"
Hana finally looked up, and Mei was stunned to see tears brimming in her sister's eyes.
"Because I love you, Mei-chan," Hana whispered, her voice trembling. "And I know you love him."
Mei's breath hitched.
Hana wiped at her eyes, but the tears wouldn't stop.
"I've always admired you, you know," Hana continued, her voice unsteady. "You were always the strong one. The confident one. The one who never let anything break you."
She let out a shaky laugh. "Even when we were kids, I was the crybaby, wasn't I? You always protected me. You always stood up for me."
Her shoulders shook as more tears spilled down her cheeks.
"So this time… I wanted to protect you."
Mei bit her lip.
Hana took a shaky breath. "I saw how happy you were when you were with him. I saw the way you smiled. I saw the way you looked at him."
She let out a quiet sob.
"I know what it's like to love someone and not have them love you back," Hana whispered. "And I didn't want you to feel that pain."
Mei stood frozen, her heart pounding.
This was… so unlike Hana.
Mei had always known her sister as calm, gentle, and reserved. She had never seen her cry like this—never seen her so emotional, so raw.
And it hurt.
It hurt to see Hana in pain.
And it hurt even more that she thought she had to give up her own happiness for her sake.
Mei clenched her fists.
"You really are an idiot, Onee-chan," Mei muttered.
Hana blinked, startled.
Mei took a deep breath, her hands trembling at her sides.
"You think I was happy because I thought he'd choose me?" Mei asked, her voice quieter now.
Hana didn't answer.
Mei exhaled sharply. "You idiot. I was happy because we were both with him."
Hana's lips parted slightly in shock.
Mei stepped closer, her eyes burning. "And what about you? What about your feelings?"
Hana averted her gaze.
Mei let out a frustrated sigh. "You love him, don't you?"
Hana hesitated.
Then, after a long pause, she gave a small nod.
Mei inhaled deeply, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
She reached out and grabbed Hana's wrist.
"Hana," Mei said, her voice firm. "You don't get to decide this alone."
Hana's breath hitched.
Mei's grip tightened.
"We're twins, remember?" Mei continued, her voice softer now. "We share everything. We always have."
Hana's lips trembled.
Mei gave her a small, determined smile. "So why can't we share this too?"
A fresh wave of tears welled up in Hana's eyes.
"But… But it's not normal…" Hana whispered.
Mei scoffed. "Who cares about normal?"
Hana stared at her.
Mei gave her wrist a reassuring squeeze. "I just want you to be happy, too."
Hana let out a choked sob.
And then, before Mei could react, Hana threw her arms around her, hugging her tightly.
Mei stiffened for a moment, then slowly wrapped her arms around her sister.
Hana buried her face in Mei's shoulder, her body shaking with quiet sobs.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Mei sighed, rubbing Hana's back gently.
"You really are a crybaby, Onee-chan," Mei murmured, but her voice was filled with affection.
Hana let out a watery laugh. "I know…"
They stood there for a moment, locked in an embrace, as the morning sun continued to rise.
Neither of them noticed the footsteps approaching until—
"Hey… You two, how's it going?"
Both sisters flinched, turning in surprise.
There, standing a few feet away, was me.
And I was covered in dirt.
From head to toe.
Mei's jaw dropped. "Where the hell have you been? Rolling around in the mud?"
Hana wiped at her eyes, still sniffling, but her concern immediately shifted to me. "Ito-kun…?"
I let out a breathless chuckle, shaking my head. "Never mind that."
"I came to give you both my answer," I said with a smile.
Mei and Hana froze.
Their faces burned red, their breaths caught in their throats.
Before they could say anything, Hana suddenly blurted, "Choose Mei-chan! She's perfect for you!"
Mei's eyes widened. "No! Choose Onee-chan! She has a hot body! Just look at these!"
Before Hana could react, Mei darted behind her and grabbed her chest, squeezing her large breasts from behind.
Hana let out a strangled moan. "M-Mei-chan! Stop it! You're embarrassing me!"
I blinked.
Then let out a weird, nervous laugh.
They both turned to look at me.
That's when they noticed my posture.
I was kneeling.
Both my hands extended forward.
And in each hand—
A single Yūsei no Hana.
Their eyes widened.
"T-Those are…" Hana whispered.
"The Yūsei no Hana?" Mei finished.
I took a deep breath.
"Ahane Hana. Ahane Mei."
I locked eyes with both of them.
"Please go out with me."
Silence.
Then—
"What?!" Mei yelped. "Both of us?!"
Hana covered her mouth, her body trembling. Tears welled up in her eyes.
She was the first to step forward.
She reached out and took my hand, fingers trembling as they wrapped around the flower.
"I will, Kage Ito-kun."
I smiled, my heart full.
Hana turned to Mei, holding out her hand.
"Mei-chan… Come here."
Mei hesitated, her steps slow.
Then, finally, she reached out, grabbing the other flower.
Her cheeks burned as she whispered, "You better take care of Hana… or I'll kill you."
I grinned, rising to my feet.
"I promise on my life—if I ever break this promise, I'll kill myself."
And with that, the bond between us was sealed.
END OF CHAPTER : 15 : YūSEI NO HANA!