[60] You are my first girlfriend

Kaoru returned to his apartment, long past midnight. As he stood in front of the door, a slight sense of nervousness crept into his heart, knowing that Shiranui was probably waiting for him. When Kaoru slowly opened the door, he felt relieved to see that no one was standing at the entrance.

However, as he stepped into the living room, a voice suddenly startled him.

"Just got home?" Asuka asked, her eyes glued to the television, which was playing a western action movie.

Kaoru turned his head stiffly, confusion clear on his face. "A-Asuka? May I ask why you're here at this hour?" he asked, trying to maintain his awkward smile, his curiosity piqued.

Asuka turned her gaze towards him, her eyes glinting with a mix of suspicion and sweetness. "Mm~… Of course, I'm here to see my boyfriend, right?"

Kaoru froze at Asuka's words. "N-no… What about Shiranui-san?" he asked, feeling a bit anxious about how Asuka had explained her presence to Shiranui.

"Oh, I already told Shiranui-san that we're a couple," Asuka answered nonchalantly.

Kaoru felt a twinge of nervousness, imagining Shiranui's reaction after hearing the news. "And how did she take it?" he asked, his voice filled with worry. He knew that Shiranui had feelings beyond mere friendship, and he was concerned that Shiranui might experience emotional turmoil upon learning about his relationship with Asuka.

Asuka chuckled lightly, clearly amused. "Oh, don't worry. Shiranui-san was a bit surprised, but she understands. She's very professional. In fact, I think she even gave me advice on how to handle jealousy gracefully."

Kaoru let out a sigh of relief but still felt somewhat uneasy. "Wow, I really don't want to burden anyone emotionally. But I'm glad to hear that," he replied.

Asuka gazed at him with a soft smile. "Actually, I came here tonight because I wanted to spend time with you."

Kaoru gave her a knowing smile. "Wasn't last night enough? We were together until noon," he teased, recalling their intense and intimate moments that had lasted well into the day.

Asuka's face instantly turned as red as a tomato. With a mix of embarrassment and mild irritation, she stood up and gently punched Kaoru, who was still sitting on the couch. "Mou! Don't remind me of that! It's your fault with that insane stamina of yours!" she pouted, her lips curling adorably, though a smile tugged at the corners.

Kaoru chuckled, amused by her reaction. "Oh, my bad. I was just joking. But yes, we had a great time yesterday."

Asuka grabbed a pillow and threw it at him with a playful scowl, though her smile remained. "Hmph! You never stop, do you? But it was fun, I can't deny that."

Kaoru caught the pillow and pulled Asuka back beside him. "I'm glad you enjoyed our time together. But tonight, let's just relax. Nothing beats a quiet moment like this."

Asuka sat back down on the couch, this time closer to Kaoru, and rested her head on his shoulder. "Yeah, I agree."

Their hands intertwined as they sat together, savoring the peaceful night. In the quiet of the moment, Kaoru felt grateful and determined. He wanted to make Asuka happy, not just by being with her, but by also resolving his past. With Oboro by his side, he was certain they were heading in the right direction.

Kaoru glanced at Asuka, who had fallen asleep beside him, her soft hair exuding a sweet fragrance. In his heart, he thought, 'Haah, I guess I should thank that outer god for sending me to the wrong coordinates and landing me here. Otherwise, I might never have found this happiness.'

Meanwhile, in another part of the apartment, the door to Shiranui's room was slightly ajar, giving her a faint view of what was happening in the living room. She had watched the scene unfold from the start, her heart filled with a mix of pain and envy. Seeing the intimacy between Kaoru and Asuka left her feeling crushed, especially now that she knew Asuka was Kaoru's girlfriend.

Shiranui sat on the edge of her bed, her hands trembling as she clenched them. Memories of small, caring moments with Kaoru and Asuka flashed through her mind. The pain of realizing that Asuka was now with Kaoru was overwhelming.

Still, she couldn't ignore the reality that she had to accept the situation and try to move on. Shiranui took a deep breath, attempting to calm herself, but it didn't seem to be enough. Kaoru's caring nature as he had looked after her had truly made her fall for him. His kindness, gentleness, and strength were everything she admired in a man.

"Kaoru…" Shiranui muttered, the corners of her eyes filling with tears. She stared at the ceiling, trying hard to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. The feelings she held were so deep, and they were impossible to ignore. She didn't know how long it would take for these emotions to fade.

As the night grew later, Shiranui finally lay down in bed, wrapping herself tightly in her blanket. Even though her body tried to rest, her mind kept drifting back to Kaoru. Every memory and feeling weighed heavily on her.

She cursed her own helplessness, wishing that time could speed up the healing process. In the darkness of her room, Shiranui prayed for peace and strength to move on with her life, though deep down, her heart still ached from the unrequited love.

With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep, hoping that time would help ease the pain and give her a chance to turn over a new leaf in her life.

---

"Hey, Kaoru…" Asuka whispered as she lay on top of him, her face so close to his as he rested. Her soft body felt warm against him, adding to the comfort of the night.

"Yeah?" Kaoru replied gently, enjoying Asuka's presence beside him. Her soft touch made him feel at ease, and he couldn't help but smile with contentment.

"I've decided that it's okay if you take another woman besides me," Asuka said with a serious tone, causing Kaoru to freeze in shock.

"Wait… What? Asuka, are you serious!?" Kaoru's eyes widened as he stared at Asuka, who looked completely serious. "Seriously?"

Asuka nodded slightly, reaffirming her decision.

"Hold on, can I ask why?" Kaoru asked, confused and a bit concerned.

Asuka sighed, looking at him with a soft yet determined gaze. "Kaoru, I know you're an alpha male whose energy can't be satisfied by just one woman. Besides, I can't keep up with your appetite in bed. I think, for us to stay happy together, I'll need help. You need more than what I can give."

Kaoru felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment at Asuka's blunt statement. "Hmm, I… I don't know what to say. I've never thought about this before," he replied, feeling somewhat awkward and uncomfortable with Asuka's honesty.

Asuka gave him a gentle smile and stroked his cheek, offering a soothing touch. "You don't have to feel awkward. I just want you to be happy and satisfied in our relationship. I know I might not be able to meet all your needs, but I still want to be by your side and support you."

Kaoru grasped Asuka's soft hand, looking at her with sincere concern. "Is this about Shiranui?"

Asuka nodded, her face showing understanding. "Yes, I heard about her feelings. I can see how deeply Shiranui cares for you, and I know it's not something easy to ignore."

Kaoru felt a bit surprised but also relieved that Asuka had already understood the situation. "So, you already knew about her feelings? I never intended to make her feel left out."

"Don't worry," Asuka said softly. "I know how caring you are with the people around you, and I understand how complicated emotions can be. Sometimes, feelings develop in ways we don't expect."

Kaoru looked at Asuka with concern. "But, Asuka… Are you really serious about accepting Shiranui? Honestly, I don't want to hurt your feelings over something like this."

Asuka smiled gently and caressed his cheek with her hand. "What do you mean 'something'? Kaoru, I know you love me, and I love you too. But we can't ignore the people around us."

Kaoru sighed, his emotions swirling inside him. "I understand, but you know yourself. If Yukikaze finds out that I made Shiranui fall for me after saving her and helping her regain her lost memories, that would be the worst feeling ever."

Kaoru smiled, feeling the weight lifting slightly from his shoulders thanks to Asuka's support. "Thank you, Asuka. It seems I really did fall for the right person."

Asuka furrowed her brow, curious about Kaoru's comment. "Hey, what do you mean…?"

Kaoru chuckled softly, "Hehehe~" He grabbed Asuka's hand and held it gently. "Alright then, I'll talk to Shiranui and Yukikaze about this tomorrow. I'm sure we can work it out in a good way."

Asuka smiled, her eyes sparkling with affection. "I trust you, Kaoru. I love you."

Kaoru returned her smile with warmth. "I

 love you too, Asuka."