Chapter 4: So… we’re a couple now…?

"Do I have to say yes…? What should I say?" That was the most difficult decision of my life.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "Hina," I began, my voice trembling slightly, "I really like you too. And I feel that same connection. But… this is all happening so fast."

Hina's face fell slightly, her eyes losing some of their sparkle. "Do you… not want to be with me?" Her body was trembling and it looked like she could explode at every moment.

"W-what do you mean…?" She asked.

Her voice was a menacing whisper, cold just like the ice.

"No, it's not that," I hurried to explain. "It's just… I've never felt this way before. It's overwhelming."

She looked at me with such intensity that it felt like she could see into my soul.

"Kai, I've never felt this way before either. But I'm sure of my feelings. I want to be with you, no matter what."

Her sincerity was undeniable, and I felt my heart melting at her words.

"Okay, Hina. Let's give it a try. Let's be together."

Her face lit up with joy, and she threw her arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. "Thank you, Kai! You won't regret this, I promise."

The embrace was way too tight.

Enough to deny my breathing.

After some seconds , she finally released me.

As we sat there on the bench, wrapped in each other's arms, the evening sky was made the stars shine in such a beautiful way.

The park was serene, the sounds of nature around us providing a perfect backdrop to our newfound relationship.

Me and Hina then shared a deep and passionate kiss.

I could feel Hina's passion in it, while our tongues were dancing in such a beautiful and harmonized way.

After our lips parted, Hina had a blush covering all of her face.

Her breath was somewhat heavy.

"K-Kai… c-can I sleep at your place tonight?" She asked me, while her hands were gently drawing circles on my chest.

It seemed like it took all her force to ask something like that.

My heart started to race even more than before.

"Finally… my time as a virgin are finally over…?"

That's what I though, but at the same time, I didn't want to take advantage of Hina.

She really looked like someone who felt love for the first time in her life.

So i didn't reject her, but only postponed it to another day.

"Well, Hina… I'd love for you to sleep with me… but shouldn't we wait some time to know each other better before something like that?" I said , while gently scratching the back of my head.

I tried to remain calm and thinking with my brain instead of thinking with my Excalibur.

Hina's passionate look got replaced by a disappointed but adorable pout.

"Uhm… okay…" she said before clinging to my arm.

After that, we remained to look a the stars for some other time.

"The sky is beautiful tonight… isn't it?" Hina said, while her eyes were still looking at the stars.

"Yes… it surely is , Hina." I replied.

After some time, we exchanged goodbyes and went home.

We "promised" ourselves to go visit the Yukka river tomorrow after school, which was 20 minutes distant from my house by car.

Luckily, my father and mother always send me money every week , so i could afford a taxi.

During my way home, Hina kept texting me a lot.

She asked me questions like:

"So… am i really the only one for you?"

"Do you really live alone?"

"Why didn't you let me stay?"

And also:

"Can you tell me about Yuna?"

"For how long have you known her?"

Our entire conversation seemed like an interrogation.

Too many questions coming one after another.

Then , after i returned home, I didn't even have the time to put the phone away that Hina texted me: "Are you at home…?"

All i could do was replying her back.

"Yes, I'm home." I texted.

"Thanks goodness… I was getting too worried…"

"How adorable… she really cares about me…"

But that was the first sign of a dangerous path that i embarked.

Deep down i was feeling a little sense of alert, but on the other hand, i still wanted to believe in Hina's genuine side.

I still didn't know anything about her past or her family.

She didn't mention them not even for once.

After texting a little with Hina, we said goodnight to each other and went to sleep.

Obviously not before doing a shower.

---

The next few days passed in a blur of happiness.

Hina and I spent every possible moment together, and our bond grew stronger.

Yet, the odd moments of discomfort still lingered, like when Hina would show up unexpectedly or her grip on my arm would tightened just a bit too much.

During our visit at the Yukka river, an adult woman with her baby tried to come close to us to ask for some information.

As soon as she faced us, her expression on her face got changed from a normal one to a terrified one.

"What is it, Ma'am?" Hina said with a cold voice.

"N-nothing." The woman replied while rapidly walking away with her baby.

I didn't notice that right away because i was too focused on taking photos of the river.

I barely took a look at them.

I thought about it later.

But more similiar events happened.

My usual group of friends started to "avoid" me.

But not my person in particular, but they tried to avoid me whenever Hina was in my company.

They looked scared.

Even at school, Hina's presence didn't let any girl even ask anything to me.

I felt like the world around me was closing.

The "funniest" thing , as i said many times, was that we were a couple since a few days.

—

One evening, as we were leaving school, Hina suggested we go to a secluded spot she knew about.

"It's a beautiful place, Kai. You'll love it," she said with a smile.

Curious, I agreed.

We walked for a while until we reached a small, hidden clearing in the woods.

It was serene and beautiful, just as she had promised.

We sat down on the grass, and Hina leaned her head on my shoulder.

"Kai, I want to tell you something about my past."

My heart skipped a beat. "What is it, Hina?"

That was the first time that Hina mentioned her past.

She took a deep breath.

"I've had a difficult life. I've done things I'm not proud of. But meeting you has changed everything for me. You've given me a reason to be better, to leave the past behind."

I squeezed her hand reassuringly. "We all have things we're not proud of, Hina. What's important is that we move forward."

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Kai. I promise I'll always be there for you, no matter what."

And after that, we shared another passionate kiss.

For some strange reason, i didn't feel any kind of regret in her words despite she said "I'm not proud of".

Then , i decided to ask about her family.

"Hey, Hina. Can i ask you something?" I asked while my right arm was wrapped around her neck in an affectionate hug.

"Yes, Kai. You can ask me everything." She said while holding my hand.

"Do you live with your parents?" I asked in curiosity.

"…" I felt Hina's body twitching at my question and i also hear a small sigh coming out from her mouth.

It seemed like I caught her off guard with my question.

"My… f-family… i…" Hina whispered some words while her eyes were empty and lifeless.

Then, she snapped to reality and replied to me.

"I-i live alone. My family… work… overseas…" she said while looking away.

She didn't seem 100% honest but it looked like this was a sensitive topic for her, so I didn't ask any further questions.

I just smiled softly at her, deciding to believe her words.

Then , I gently hugged her more tightly and whispered "it's okay, don't worry."

Hina rested her face on my chest, fully relaxing into my arms.

It was such a peaceful feeling, despite the feeling of unease that was still lingering in my soul…

---

The following week, things took a darker turn.

Hina's possessiveness began to escalate.

She would get upset if I talked to other girls, even for school assignments.

The things I didn't understand was why she kept coming into my class, or even walking outside to give me a deadly stare.

She kept revealing more stages of jealousy everyday.

Obviously she didn't even try to hide that for me, because she wanted to be 100% sincere with me.

One evening, I found her waiting outside my house, a menacing look in her eyes.

"Kai, who was that girl you were talking to today?" she demanded.

"She was just a classmate, Hina. We were discussing homework," I explained, trying to stay calm.

Her expression softened slightly, but the intensity in her eyes remained.

"I don't want you talking to other girls. You're mine, Kai."

I felt a chill run down my spine.

"Hina, you can't control who I talk to. We're in this together, but I need my own space too."

She looked hurt but nodded. "I'm sorry, Kai. I just... I get scared of losing you."

I saw her fists clenching.

She was trying her best to hold herself despite everything.

"Sorry… I don't want you to be this jealous… I'm the most loyal guy of this world…" I said while smiling lovingly.

Hina looked at me, in her eyes there was a strange aura.

Not a positive one.

"I trust you. I trust you. I don't trust girls. That's why I don't have friends." She said with a cold voice.

---

As the days went on, the tension between us grew.

I started to feel trapped, suffocated by Hina's obsession.

One evening, after another argument about my interactions with other classmates, I decided I needed to talk to someone.

I met Hiro at a quiet café, hoping to get some advice.

"Hiro, I don't know what to do. Hina's getting more and more possessive. It's starting to scare me."

Hiro listened carefully, his expression serious.

"Kai, you need to be careful. This kind of behavior can get dangerous. You should talk to her, set some boundaries."

"I know, but I'm afraid of how she'll react," I admitted.

"Just be honest with her. If she truly cares about you, she'll understand."

"And… there are some voices about Hina… but I can't talk to you right now. Come to place one of these days after school." Hiro whispered to my ear.

I nodded at him and then I walked away.

---

That night, I decided to have a serious conversation with Hina.

We met in the park where we had first made our wish.

"Hina, we need to talk," I began, trying to keep my voice steady.

She looked at me with concern. "What's wrong, Kai?"

"I need you to give me some space. I care about you, but your possessiveness is starting to affect me. I need to be able to talk to my friends without feeling guilty."

Her eyes filled with tears. "Kai, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize I was hurting you. I'll try to be better, I promise."

I hugged her tightly, hoping that things would improve. "Thank you, Hina. I just need a little more freedom."

Too many things were happening but all these beautiful conversations were leading to nothing.

---

For a while, things seemed to get better.

Hina tried to respect my boundaries, and our relationship regained some of its initial happiness.

But the darkness that lurked within her was never far away.

One evening, as I was leaving school, I saw Hina standing by the gate, her face pale and her eyes wide with fear.

"Hina, what's wrong?" I asked, rushing to her side.

She clung to me, her body trembling. "Kai, there's something that is bothering me."

My heart pounded in my chest. "What is it, Hina?"

"Why do you still talk to other girls ?"

She said.

But this time, for the first time after we met, I felt a real threat coming from her tone of voice.

I felt like she could kill me in any moment.

And it was in that moment that I realized that I girl that became my girlfriend was not the one whom i believed it was.

Her voice was enough to make me scared for my life.

"So, Kai? Why are you still talking to other girls?" She asked again, while tightening the grip on my arm.

I didn't feel the blood circulating anymore.

I needed to think about what to say.

I felt like a wrong answer could kill me.