"Honey... wake up~"
"Hubby, it's time to wake up!"
"Darling, wake-"
"Aiko-"
"-"
"Ugh... It's been a week of these ridiculous dreams. Do they mean something? Or is it just my brain playing tricks on me?"
Aizawa Aiko, 16 years old, 190 cm tall. Handsome? Maybe. But who cares? I certainly don't. I'm just an average guy, nothing special. If I looked like a K-pop idol, maybe things would be different. But I don't, so here we are.
Never got a love letter, never held a girl's hand. Not that I care. Love is just another one of those pointless human constructs.
Fifteen years ago, I got run over by a truck and suddenly found myself reborn as a baby. Classic isekai trope. But what makes me so special to deserve this second chance? Beats me.
One thing I know for sure is that I despise people. Women, men, doesn't matter. They're all the same, annoying, untrustworthy, and fake. They made my life miserable in every way possible. Just because I looked a certain way, they all wanted a piece of me. From elementary school to my job, it was the same story. What did I ever do to deserve that?
The only people I could tolerate were the oba-sans, the grandmas. They talked to me like I was a human being, not some monster. My parents too, but they're gone now.
Never had any real friends. Just users who wanted something from me. I was constantly being used for their "dirty" work, whether in school or at my job.
I never could talk about my past experiences or how I felt. Depressed, miserable. Basically I got all the nerfs without any of the buffs.
The only thing I could say was good about myself was that I was a bit smart. But that was it.
Hobbies? I didn't have any. Video games were the only thing I enjoyed. Everything else was just noise.
Old and miserable, I'm kind of glad that all of that ended when I died. I wish it had happened sooner. I thought about suicide multiple times but never went through with it. I'm scared of death and the pain that comes with it. Who isn't? Even the toughest guys are scared of death, they just don't show it.
But here I am, given a second chance. A chance to live again, to maybe find some meaning in this existence. Yet, I can't help but wonder, what's the point? Will things be different this time? Or am I doomed to repeat the same cycle of loneliness that I once was never able to break?
So, here I am, sitting in the classroom, listening to the boring voice of a teacher explaining math.
"Today, let's learn about quadrati-"
"Милый~"
Huh? What was that?
I turn my gaze to the right.
Looking at me directly in my eyes with a flirtatious smile - Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou, a girl with an ethereal and captivating physical appearance. WIth her almond-shaped eyes, long, silver hair and a hourglass figure. Wait... flirtatious smile? I'm imagining things
Even if I did hate women, I do have to admit, she was a true beauty.
Anyway... Why is she looking at me?
I gesture her with my eyes at the teacher.
Her smile widens.
What?
Kujou-san, were in class right now. Can you not look at me like that? Even if the class is boring, you shouldn't look at me. Look at another person! My face is hideous!
Wait. Maybe she's just looking outside. Yeah! I'm a dumbass! How could a girl like her look at me?
I turn my gaze back outside.
1, 2, 3 ,4 ,5...
I turn my gaze towards her again.
She's looking at me with the same face expression...
Why do I have to deal with this?
"Ano, Kujou-san, the teacher..." - I say with a almost silent voice.
"Милый~" - she responds
What? Girl, I don't understand Russian, please respond in a language I can understand! You are making this hard for me!
Maybe if I just don't look at her she won't notice me... Yeah I'll do that.
I turn my gaze back to the board.
10 minutes pass...
She's still looking...
Maybe she finds the sky interesting? I mean it's blue, it has clouds. Very beatiful.
I turn my gaze towards her again.
"Kujou-"
"Alisa"
Huh?
"Call me Alisa"
Mikhailovna-san, isn't this too straightforward? I mean... we barely know each other. Maybe she wants something from me... I never had a girl show actual attraction for me, so I doubt she actually likes me.
"Mikhailovna-san-"
"Alisa" - she responds.
Courting death! You are courting death, Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou!
"Alisa-chan, can you not?"
"Why~? Aren't we friends~?"
"We've never talked before... and were in class you know? The teacher might scold us. I advise you start paying attention to him."
"Yes, he might, but I like looking at you more."
"Is that right? Do what you want, I guess."
I turn my gaze back to the board.
My social interaction bar is at a all time low! I need to recover.
"Ты такой цундэрэ~"
That was the last time she spoke during class, but atleast she started paying more attention to the teacher... But sometimes I felt her gaze on me.
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Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou POV
My darling...
My honey...
Милый...
Why? Why did you have to die like that? Why couldn't we just grow old together? Why couldn't we see our children grow like the other married couples? Our grandchildren aswell.
Does the universe hate us? Why can't we just be together? How many times do you have to suffer for us to succeed in living together?
Please, let this be the last time. I can't bear anymore seeing your cold body lying on the ground. The memories of our life together , they were beautiful. I remember the way you smiled, the sound of your laughter, the warmth of your touch. Those moments were everything to me.
I close my eyes and see your face, but when I open them, you're not there. The emptiness is unbearable. I reach out, hoping to feel your hand in mine, but there's nothing but cold air. The world feels so empty without you.
We had so many dreams, so many plans. We talked about traveling the world, about building a home filled with love and laughter. We dreamed of watching our children take their first steps, of hearing their first words. We imagined growing old together, sitting on our porch, holding hands as the sun set.
But every time... every time, it all goes away. I've tried everything, I don't want to lose you anymore... I'm tired...
I wish I could turn back time, to hold you more, to not lose you again, to tell you how much I love you. I wish I could change the course of events, to save you from the fate that takes you away from me everytime. But I can't, and that helplessness is a pain unlike any other.
I don't want to lose you again, not anymore. This will be the last time. I promise.
"I love you" - I muttered quietly.
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Aizawa Aiko POV
It's been a month since I've been in this class and like usually I don't really have any friends. I mean who would want to be with a loner like me?
Anyway... It's lunch time! Perfect for a guy for me, I can choose a cozy spot where no one will bother me. In this case... a stairwell! It's kind of abandoned and nobody really passes by here, so I have this place all for myself.
My bento is kind of basic... like my life. I don't really like to make things hard for myself, so I just eat basic meals. Eggs, meat, dairy, fruits, fish. Vegetables are bad and they bloat you, also they are green, green is bad color. Only vegetable I eat raw is a carrot.
I suddenly hear some footsteps...
Masaka! Somebody is really passing by here? Who is it? Has my time finally come? I won't go down without a fight! I've trained in martial arts you know?
Suddenly those footsteps stop right infront of me.
With her rare white hair that you don't see everyday and cheeky smile, I already knew you she was.
"White oni?"
"How rude!"
"What are you doing here, Mikhailovna-san?"
"Oh! You mean why am I here! Of course it's to see my you~ And call me by my name!"
"Eh...?"
"Aiko-kun, я люблю тебя~" She smiles.
"Do you want to eat together?"
I stare at her for a few seconds.
"...No. You are just an annoying girl who doesn't stop bothering me, and I have no interest in you."
"Ты такой милый~" She said, taking a seat near me.
Should of picked another spot to eat. My spider senses earlier were tingling and I didn't listen. This is completely my fault. My defeat. 0-1 in your favor Kujou-san.
I don't even care about her anymore, she's a minor character anyway, nothing important.
But gotta say, her bento is sugoi! The bento box wasmasterpiece of culinary art, probably meticulously prepared by private chefs who poured their hearts into every detail. Not to mention when she opened it, the smell, amazing, 10/10.
She looks at me with a smile
"Do you want to take a bite?"
"... I'm fine. I don't really have a big appetite anyway..."
"Okay then!"
Why is she so cheerful? Is this the aura of an extrovert? I'm getting blinded by it. It's too much!
"Ne, Aiko, can I call you that?"
Straight with the names huh?
"If it's not a bother for you, then go ahead. You already called me that anyway."
"It will never be a bother for me."
Is she flirting? Nah, impossible.
"Anyway, I wanted to ask, would you be willing to be friends with me?"
"Huh?"
I look at her, baffled. Is this some kind of meticulously devised plan that she has and planning to destroy me in the future? No chance!
"I really enjoy your company and want to get closer to you. Will you be my friend?"
"I-"
"You're probably thinking that I'm planning to destroy in the future, right?"
Is she a mind reader!?
"Now you're thinking I'm some kind of mind reader, am I right?"
Esper!! Esper, I'm telling you! I need to get away from this girl ASAP!
I move away from her slightly.
Her smile widens.
"So, uhh, Alisa? What was that about being friends with me?
"Oh! I want to be friends with you, Aiko!"
But this the second time we're talking, shouldn't we get to know each better? I don't know how this works... My social interaction bar is almost depleted, can't continue. Retreat! Retreat!!
I look at her confused, but don't reply.
"You're probably wondering why want I to be friends with you right? Well, does it need to have a reason? I just want to get to know you better!"
Yeah, right, I've heard that somewhere. And after that they used me and ditched me afterwards after when I helped them.
"What do you say? Are you up for it?"
"Sorry, not interested."
"Why?"
"Because, I have no interest in people."
"Not even a little bit?"
"Nope."
"Well, what if I said I had something in common with you?"
"You do? What?"
"That's for me to know, and for you to find out."
Hm?
"But even then I still want to be friends with you"
This woman... How do I even talk to her, I wish she would just curse me, so I could send her away back from where she came from.
"Is that so? Sorry, still not interested."
"Can I ask why though?"
"Because, humans are terrible, they always want something from me and use me after, leaving me alone and sad. They make fun of me, bully me, and don't give a damn about my feelings. I just hate everything about them, especially their fake faces and fake personalities. Why would I want to become friends with someone like that?"
I continue rambling. This bad habit of mine. I hate it sometimes. I just keep talking and talking. The "friendships" I ruined because I always said the truth is why I can't really make friends. I wish I could just die and for all of it to be over.
"Stop right there." - she said.
I stop rambling.
"You have the right to feel like that, and I understand where are you coming from, but please, don't generalize everything. You'll find that there are people who care about you, who love you and want to help you. All you have to do is reach out and let them in."
"But everyone-"
"Everyone is different, Aiko. And even if you have had bad experiences with people, not everyone is the same. You have to give people a chance, you have to let them in, otherwise you will never be able to open your heart to them. And trust me, it's worth it."
I look at her in confusion. What is this feeling? Why do her words make me feel so warm inside?
"Aiko, please, let me show you that not everyone is out to hurt you, that there are people who can accept you for who you are and love you for it. Please, give me a chance, I promise I won't disappoint you."
She grabs my hand and looks into my eyes.
I feel myself getting lost in those almond-shaped eyes of hers.
"I... uh... "
I try to form words but none come out.
I look silently at her for a few seconds.
"Let's get to know each other, Aiko. I'm sure we can become great friends."
"I... okay."
"Really?"
"Yes, but only for a month, and after that I want you to leave me alone."
"Of course!" - she smiles, showing her white teeth, her eyes twinkling with happiness.
"No problem, thank you for giving me a chance."
"Mhm."
"Ne, can I eat lunch with you everyday?"
"Huh?"
"Can I eat lunch with you everyday?"
"Don't you have your friends though? Shouldn't you eat with them?"
"You're my friend, silly."
"Right..."
"Oh! And you can call me Alya from now on!"
"Kujou-san?"
"Come on... say it!" - she pouts
"...Alya"
She giggles.
"Yes, Aiko~?"
This feels... rather nice, I completely forgot about this feeling, I don't think I'll get used to it, but I'll try. Can I?
----------------------------------------------------------
We are walking back to our classroom.
Alya is skipping steps while walking. But there's been something on my mind during that conversation.
"Uhh, Alya?"
"Yes?" - She looks at me.
"What cup size are you?"
Uh oh, UH OH. What the he did I just ask? Damn teenage hormones. Me and this big mouth of mine... Well it's over. Goodbye my first and last friend in this life. I had a good run. Sayonara-
"F-cup"
Huh?
"But in the future it'll be a G-cup~."
Who am I?
Why am I here?
"Nice." - I managed to say.
"I'm flattered. But why are you asking that, Aiko~"
"I was just... curious, is all."
"Anything else you wanna ask?"
No, I don't think I will.
"You can ask anything about me you know~" - she smiles.
I stare at her silently. She giggles back at me.
"Let's go! Class is about to start!" - she continues walking, while I stand there like a corpse.
...I won't suddenly die tomorrow, right?
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Damn, I went overboard with this chapter, ignore the cringe interactions beetwen characters, I am trying my best here. 😭