Chapter : 24 : I am In Love Again!

A soft, warm sensation enveloped me as I slowly drifted back to consciousness. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, mixing with the delicate fragrance of something familiar—something comforting.

Voices—gentle, melodic—floated around me, tugging me toward wakefulness.

I blinked.

The first thing I saw was them.

Aisha and Hana sat on either side of my infirmary bed, their hands clutching mine, their faces filled with worry. Aisha's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her brows furrowed in concern. Hana, usually so playful and bright, looked uncharacteristically serious, biting her lip anxiously.

Mei stood a little farther away, arms crossed tightly against her chest. Her usual sharp gaze was narrowed at me, but beneath her stern expression, I saw it—guilt.

The moment my eyes fully opened, Aisha and Hana moved in at once, throwing themselves onto me, wrapping their arms around my shoulders.

Their warmth crashed into me like a wave, overwhelming, soothing, filling me with an indescribable sense of peace.

"Ito… are you alright?" they asked in unison, their voices trembling.

I exhaled slowly, feeling the tension in my body dissolve as I lifted my hands, gently resting them on the backs of their heads. My fingers threaded through their soft hair as I whispered, "I'm fine. Don't worry."

Their bodies shuddered against me, and when they finally pulled back, I could see it clearly.

Hana looked relieved, her lips curving into a shaky smile.

Aisha, on the other hand…

Her expression mirrored Hana's, but her eyes betrayed her.

Tears streamed silently down her cheeks, glistening like fallen stars.

I sat up, reaching for her, cupping her face tenderly in my palm. My thumb brushed against the dampness beneath her eyes.

"Were you crying?" I asked softly.

Aisha nodded, her lips quivering—but her smile never faded.

"I was just worried," she whispered.

Hana and Mei immediately chimed in, their voices rising in unison.

"W-We were worried too!"

Aisha and I turned to them.

Both their faces were flushed—embarrassed yet sincere.

A chuckle rumbled in my throat. I extended my hand, motioning for Mei to come closer.

She hesitated but eventually stepped forward, sinking onto the stool beside me.

I placed my hand atop her head and, without hesitation, included Hana and Aisha, gently ruffling their hair in a warm, comforting gesture.

They melted.

All three of them leaned into my touch as if my warmth was the only thing holding them together.

A soft laugh escaped my lips. "I love you all."

Aisha beamed, Hana let out a soft whimper, and Mei… Mei turned her face away, muttering something under her breath.

A few moments passed in comfortable silence before Mei suddenly spoke, her tone laced with suspicion.

"Who was that girl you were talking to instead of coming to us as soon as you left Aisha-san?"

Her eyes locked onto me, sharp and accusing.

Aisha turned to me with mild curiosity. "Oh? Really?"

Hana hesitated before nodding. "T-That's why Mei-chan got angry… and… and why you fainted…"

A nervous chuckle slipped from my lips.

I am so screwed.

The three of them stared at me now as if I was under investigation, their expressions a mix of curiosity, suspicion, and… something far more dangerous.

I took a deep breath. No hesitation. Be honest.

"Her name is Ayase Aoi," I said, my voice steady.

Then, I smiled.

"And I'm in love again."

Silence.

Then—

"HUH?!"

Their voices practically shook the walls.

Aisha sighed first, breaking the tension. "Well… we already talked about this. If you're happy, I'm happy." Her voice was filled with love, unwavering.

My chest ached at her sincerity. "Aisha…" I murmured, my voice thick with emotion.

Hana, still blushing, fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. "W-Well… Mei-chan and I already came after Aisha, so… it's fair if you choose others too…"

My eyes widened in disbelief.

"Hana!" I blurted out, my voice unintentionally high-pitched.

Mei turned her eyes toward the two of them, her expression comically betrayed.

Then she sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "I'll allow it… if you spend more time with Onee-chan and me."

I froze.

My chest tightened—not with fear, but with guilt.

I had been so focused on my growing feelings that I failed to see it.

Mei had felt left behind.

She didn't want to admit it outright, but her words carried the weight of someone who had fought for my attention, only to feel it slip through her fingers.

My hand moved on its own, reaching for the back of her head.

I pulled her toward me, closing the distance between us.

And then, without hesitation—

I kissed her.

It wasn't just a kiss.

It was an apology. A confession. A promise.

Raw and unfiltered, filled with everything I felt for her.

Mei let out a quiet gasp, her body stiffening for only a moment before she melted against me.

Her lips trembled, uncertain at first, before responding with soft, tentative movements.

I could feel her emotions pour into me—the frustration, the longing, the vulnerability.

I wanted to tell her that she was never forgotten. That my love for her was just as strong as it had always been.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless.

Mei's face burned red, her lips slightly swollen from the kiss.

She stared at me, speechless.

Hana, on the other hand, was not.

She covered her mouth with her hands, her wide eyes filled with shock. Her entire face was painted in shades of pink.

"A-Ah…"

Aisha simply smiled, her expression calm, understanding.

I turned toward Hana next.

Our faces were just inches apart now.

Hana inhaled sharply, her breath hitching.

"H-Hana," I whispered.

"Y-Yeah?!"

She was flustered, her body trembling.

I reached out, my fingers brushing against her cheek.

She instinctively removed her hand from her mouth, allowing me to cup her face fully.

I could feel her heat beneath my palm, her skin impossibly warm.

Hana's mind was blank, her thoughts scrambled.

Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something—but before she could, I closed the distance between us.

I kissed her.

Unlike Mei's hesitant response, Hana surrendered to it immediately.

Her hands wove into my hair, gripping tightly, pulling me closer.

She deepened the kiss instinctively, her lips moving against mine in a way that sent shivers down my spine.

Her warmth, her emotions—everything about her consumed me.

For a moment, there was nothing else in the world.

Just us.

When we finally pulled away, Hana looked dazed, her lips slightly parted, her breath uneven.

Mei still hadn't recovered from her own kiss.

Aisha simply smiled, shaking her head.

Aisha chuckled softly.

The sound sent shivers down my spine.

She tilted her head, her eyes filled with something both mischievous and tender. Then, without warning, she leaned in and captured my lips.

It wasn't hesitant. It wasn't shy.

It was Aisha.

Confident, affectionate, and filled with unshakable love.

Her lips pressed against mine, moving with a certainty that sent heat coursing through my body. Her hands found my cheeks, cupping them gently, pulling me closer—demanding more.

I responded instantly.

My arms wrapped around her waist, holding her against me, our bodies fitting together like two puzzle pieces meant to be joined. The kiss deepened, her warmth consuming me, her breath mingling with mine.

She sighed into the kiss, a soft, delighted sound that made my heart pound wildly.

The moment we pulled away, Aisha's eyes sparkled with amusement.

"You're really too easy, Ito," she teased, her voice husky with affection.

Before I could even reply—

Hana.

Hana suddenly surged forward, her lips crashing against mine in an urgent, desperate kiss.

She wasn't like Aisha.

She kissed like she was starving—like she had been waiting for this, like she couldn't hold herself back any longer.

Her fingers tangled into my hair, pulling me closer, refusing to let go.

A quiet whimper escaped her throat, her body pressing into me as her lips molded to mine.

I groaned into the kiss, gripping her waist tighter, my hands moving up to cradle the back of her head.

Hana melted.

She surrendered completely, her body trembling in my arms, her breath hitching as she let herself drown in the moment.

I barely had time to recover before Mei grabbed the collar of my shirt and yanked me toward her.

Our lips met in a heated clash, her frustration and love intertwining into something overwhelming.

Mei wasn't gentle.

She kissed me fiercely, as if to stake her claim, as if to make sure I understood—she wouldn't let herself be left behind.

Her tongue flicked against my lips, a silent challenge, and I responded without hesitation.

My hand moved to the back of her neck, tilting her head slightly as I took control of the kiss. Mei whimpered, her nails digging into my arms, her body arching slightly as she gave in.

Hana's breath was still ragged beside me. Aisha laughed again, her cheeks flushed, but she looked far too pleased with herself.

When Mei finally pulled away, panting, she licked her lips, glaring at me through half-lidded eyes.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.

Looking at the three of them—Aisha, Hana, and Mei—all breathless, all blushing, all completely mine—I couldn't help but smile.

I cupped Mei's face again, brushing my thumb against her lips.

Mei's face turned a deeper shade of red.

Hana let out a soft whimper.

Aisha just grinned.

Then, all at once—

They tackled me.

Lips met lips. Hands roamed. Bodies pressed together.

I didn't even know who kissed me next.

Maybe it was Aisha, laughing as she took my lips again, her fingers threading through my hair.

Maybe it was Hana, her small hands clutching onto me as if she never wanted to let go, her lips moving softly yet desperately against mine.

Maybe it was Mei, still embarrassed yet insatiable, her kisses rough, demanding, filled with every ounce of pent-up emotion she refused to say out loud.

It didn't matter.

I loved them.

And they loved me.

And in that moment, nothing else mattered.

Damn.

I was in love again.

END OF CHAPTER : 24 : I AM IN LOVE AGAIN!