A lovely Invitation

“Echoes of Love: A Second Chance.”

Chapter 39

“Haa…” I mumble as I stretch my arm out and hit that G-Spot. If I stretch even longer I might get a deadly cramp.

“Today was pretty tiring,” I say as I start to traverse through the streets in order to reach the hospital in which Aoi is residing. Her previous words start kicking in.

“Woah, she told me she was getting discharged soon.” I realize.

“Woah, doesn’t that mean we’ll be together once she’s back?! How could I show no reaction to that!” If I visit her and she’s pretty agitated then I can’t complain at all. It’s all my fault.

“Hah… how do I make up now?” I mumble. Luckily, I was passing by a convenient chocolate store that was conveniently open this late. I entered the store to discover… No one. What? Were you expecting a waifu so there could be more drama? Let’s be real for a moment. The store was absolutely empty. Except for the cashier’s little baseball-style blue hat that is barely visible. I pick up a really lavish chocolate box that definitely does not look like it'll be heavy on my wallet. Sob.

I reach the counter to find a really cute girl there. Yep, here it is. The moment y’all were waiting for.

“Umm… excuse me?” I call.

“Hmm?” She looks up to face me. Alright, I was wrong. She isn’t cute, she’s absolutely gorgeous! She appears to be the same age as me. I’ve never seen her before.

“I want to buy this,” I say as I point to the golden box of chocolate I’m holding.

“Oh yeah, my bad.” She checks the chocolate box. After checking it, she looks at me with really judgemental eyes. Did I do something wrong? That’d be 8,999¥.

8,999¥?!

“H-Here!” And there goes my whole wage. ToT

Hah… I wonder if I’ll see her again. I should worry about the problem in front of me right now. I’m now crossing the street in front of the hospital with a package in one hand and mind-heavy filled with thoughts as to what to say.

I enter Aoi’s ward nervously.

“Hello…?” I call expecting a reply.

“...” Absolutely nothing.

“Huh, where’d she go?” I enter the room with heavy steps.

“BOOH!”

“AHHH!!!” I scream, tearing my lungs apart.

“Where’d you appear from?!”

“It’s very fun to tease you.” She lets out an amused chuckle as she pats my shoulder.

“I absolutely despise ghosts. Please never do anything like this again.” I say with heavy breath and puffs.

“Sure,” She says, continuing her chuckling.

“So, you finally cared to think about me?” Aoi asks.

“I’m very sorry!” I say as I bow down and stretch my arm with the lavish golden chocolate box I bought. “This is for you.” I offer.

“Really?! I’ve always wanted to try this brand at least once! But… isn’t this very expensive?”

“Is there anything more valuable than you?”

“Yes, you.” She says. God, she's a smooth talker.

“I love you,” I say since I'm so embarrassed I can't even think to say anything else. This is the first thing that comes to my mind.

“Me too.”

I sit down on her bed. I love this interaction.

“So, when’s the amazing day?” I ask.

“Hmm?” She replies while fully examining the box of chocolates.

“The day you’re gonna get discharged?”

“Oh, that’s tomorrow.” She looks at me in an amused way.

“Tomorrow?! Why didn’t you tell me before?” I ask in shock.

“Well if you’d care to call me—”

“Alright, I understand.” I interrupt.

“Be glad that it isn’t so hard to reconcile with your girlfriend.” She says as she opens the box and slowly sits down right next to me.

“Here, tell me how it is?” She grabs the first chocolate and puts it next to my mouth.

“Alright,” I say as I gobble up half of the chocolate in 0.2 seconds like an absolute goblin. She lets out a chuckle as she pulls it back.

“Hmm, I wasn’t finished,” I say in confusion.

“I know.” She says as she puts her lips on the area I bit off. I get shy and start looking at the floor with red cheeks. She rests her head on my shoulder as she takes small bites of the chocolate.

“Thank you, It’s delicious. Especially after you ate it.”

Can you not make me more embarrassed than I already am?!  My cheeks get red as a tomato and I can’t stop my fingers from twisting themselves. I notice that she’s completely invested in the chocolate.

“So…” I suggest.

“Hmm?” She replies.

“You live alone, right?” I ask.

“Yeah.” She replies. Still examining her chocolate.

“I was wondering if you could… move in with me.” I am completely nervous and don’t know what kind of reply I will get.

Her expression suddenly gets serious and she looks dead in my eyes and says “Quite hasty aren’t you.”

“Wai- Wait, I don’t mean it l-like that!” I say stutteringly.

“That's saddening.” She says in a teasing tone.

“I- I’m serious! It saves rent and… I’d be… I’d be close with you…” I say while trying to suck on the non-existence void.

“Alright.” She says with a smile on her face. “ I live alone already. So, I wouldn’t mind living with you.” She says, still holding her smile.

I lose my composure and finally give in to my hugging needs. As I hug her, she first has a shocked face but slowly by slowly, she places her hands behind my back and we both embrace each other. I never thought that a day like this would ever come in my life.

“I’m sorry for before.” I apologize once again.

“I already forgave you.” She says.

“Thanks,” I say. Followed by, “It wasn’t on purpose.”

“You already compensated for it. So, don’t worry about it.” She says. “And uhh… I’d love to be like this forever but I want to eat the chocolate too.” She says.

“Oh, yes.” I let out as I soften my grip and start to back up.

She’s finally going to be back. Back to school, back in our group, but what change is the most prominent is… she’s going to start living with me.

Chapter 39 End

[Author’s note]

I am very very very sorry guys for delaying this so much! In the past month, I’ve been having many health issues and when it settled down, My laptop broke. So, yes, I’m back. And I promise you that this time, I’ll do my best to provide you with content.

Thank you very much for still sticking with me and reading my work.

Arman Azeem,

[Thank you]