Cursed by love

As Soon, I reached the destination for our meeting.

As soon as I arrived, it looked like Kiyomi was already there waiting for me.(I guess her house must be nearby if she got here this fast.)

I was breathing heavily while walking towards her.I called out her name, and she turned around to see me.

She asked if everything was alright and why I had asked her to come here.

Without wasting any time, I told her,"I love you."

She gasped, thinking she had heard me wrong, and asked me to repeat myself.

I stepped closer to her and once again said,"I love you."

I could clearly see she was shocked. She suddenly went silent.I knew it would be a big surprise for her, but I was still really nervous about what she might say.

I lowered my gaze, as she said,"I appreciate your proposal… but I can't accept it."

I figured something like this might happen. She was probably taken aback by the sudden confession.

Still calm, I asked her why."Is it because we've only recently become friends? Or… is it because you don't have any feelings for me?"

I told her to answer honestly and that I wanted nothing else.

She looked up at me with tears in her eyes and said,"It's nothing like that. I love you too… but I'm not the kind of partner you should be with."

She continued,"We should just stay friends and nothing more."

I frowned and asked why she thought that way."Is there something you're worried about?"

She said,"You don't know anything about me… or my past. If you did, you probably wouldn't have even thought of proposing to me."

I replied,"I don't care what your past was like. If you never want to tell me, I won't ever ask—unless you choose to share it. I only care about you. I just want to be with you, no matter what happens. Whether we live in a small house or a big one… whether we have wealth or nothing at all… even if we're on the verge of death… I only want to be with you.

You're the only woman I've ever loved.You're the only one for me—and you always will be, even after death does us part."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she said,"My life hasn't been easy. If we were together… I'd only bring you trouble and pain."

I looked at her and said,"If you're ever unhappy, just say the word, and I'll turn the world upside down just to make you smile. I only ask one thing—please accept me and stay by my side for the rest of our lives. No matter what you've been through or who you were before… I will always love you."

As soon as those words left my mouth, she jumped into my arms, hugging me tightly, crying.

"I love you too," she sobbed, "I want to spend my life with you… I just don't want you to end up hating me."

I gently patted her head and whispered,"No matter what, I'll never hate you. Even if you killed me or drowned me in despair—I'd still love you."

We stood there, locked in each other's arms, as our worlds collided and time stood still.

We didn't care about anything else as we embraced beneath the setting sun.

From that day onward, my love for her kept growing stronger.

Aika accepted our relationship and often helped us get even closer.

Every morning, Kiyomi would come to pick me up with Aika.

We'd spend our days laughing, full of joy and without a care in the world.

She often visited my house, and my mother adored her.

Before long, Kiyomi had become a part of our family.

But there were still things I didn't know—like who her parents were, or where she lived.I didn't let those thoughts ruin our relationship, because as long as Kiyomi was happy, that was all that mattered.

Still, those questions never left my mind. I kept ignoring them, believing that someday, Kiyomi would tell me everything.

A few weeks later, we finally decided to go on our first date.

Since it was my first time planning one, Aika and I worked together to come up with something romantic that Kiyomi would enjoy.

We spent the whole day at my house planning. Once we finished, it was time for Aika to leave.

She teased,"I can't stay any longer. Kiyomi will get mad if she sees me with another girl!"

I laughed and said,"Kiyomi's not like that. She knows we're childhood friends."

Still, she said it was getting late and she should head home.

I offered to walk her, but she refused, saying,"We shouldn't get too close anymore. You're in a relationship now."

I insisted, but she simply said,"Please, just listen to me."

I didn't argue any further. I walked her outside, and then returned inside.

My mom asked,"Did you and Aika have another fight?"

I sighed and said,"No, nothing like that. She just wanted to go home alone."

Mom looked at me and asked if things were getting difficult between us.

I said,"Not really… it's just that I have a girlfriend now, and Aika said I shouldn't hang out with her too much."

My mother replied,"Even if you have a girlfriend, Aika is your childhood friend. Don't be too distant."

I nodded and said I'd try. As I walked up the stairs to my room, I wondered…

Should I keep my distance from Aika like she asked?Or should I treat her like I always have?

I let go of those thoughts for the time being. I decided to sleep early—I didn't want to keep Kiyomi waiting tomorrow.