21st Century Necromancer

Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Rejection

"Eh?" Jounouchi Hiromi's confession had left Chen Yu somewhat at a loss for words. Although he had guessed her intentions, it was still a difficult question to face for him, who didn't want to hurt Jounouchi Hiromi and felt somewhat attracted to her as well.

Seeing the look of indecision on Chen Yu's face, Jounouchi Hiromi started to feel a bit displeased, but for the sake of her own happiness for the rest of her life, she repeated her question, "What's this 'eh'? Are you pretending you didn't hear me? I said, I—Jounouchi Hiromi—want to be—your—Chen Yu's—girlfriend! To date officially! Do you accept or not?"

Under Jounouchi Hiromi's intense gaze, a bitter smile appeared on Chen Yu's face. Although he very much wanted to agree and make this handsome yet tender female doctor his girlfriend, after hesitating for a moment, Chen Yu still reluctantly answered, "Hiromi-san, that's quite direct of you and puts me in a bit of a difficult position. However... I'm sorry, I can't accept. I'm really very sorry."

After finishing his words, Chen Yu even bowed deeply to Jounouchi Hiromi, showing his apology.

"Eh? Why?" Chen Yu's rejection and apology caused a shift in the dynamic between them, leaving Jounouchi Hiromi bewildered, "If it's because my direct attitude made you uncomfortable, Mr. Chen Yu, I can apologize, but why would you reject me? You're single, and so am I; why can't we be together? Am I not pretty enough? Or not gentle enough? I can cook and do chores, and although I'm a bit older, it's not by that much, is it? And also... I..."

"Doctor Jounouchi Hiromi!" Seeing Jounouchi Hiromi becoming flustered, Chen Yu had to raise his voice and call out her name, only managing to calm her by placing his hands on her shoulders.

"I'm sorry... I got too emotional." When Chen Yu held her shoulders, Jounouchi Hiromi's emotions finally eased, but she felt something welling up inside her heart, and had to keep her head raised to prevent it from overflowing.

Pushing away the hands Chen Yu had placed on her shoulders and walking to one side with her back to him, Jounouchi Hiromi sniffled before asking with a choked voice, "Can you tell me the reason? After all, this is the first time I've confessed to a guy since high school. I should at least know why I failed, right?"

"It's not about you, Hiromi-san, it's me..." Chen Yu hesitated for a moment, but decided to give Jounouchi Hiromi a plausible reason. That way, she might feel a little less upset, and his own guilt might be somewhat alleviated, "I'm Chinese, aren't I? I don't plan on settling down in Japan, and I will return to China in the future. Hiromi... no, Doctor Jounouchi, you wouldn't possibly come with me to China, would you?"

"What if I'm willing to give up everything in Japan and go to China with you?" Jounouchi Hiromi, stirred by emotion, turned around, her red-rimmed eyes staring at Chen Yu, seeking a positive answer from his lips.

However, today seemed destined to be a day of disappointment and heartbreak for Jounouchi Hiromi. Chen Yu shook his head, "Don't be like that, Doctor Jounouchi. Let's be calm, okay? You are Japanese, you've lived in Japan for thirty-three years, you're accustomed to everything here, and all your ties are here. Why would you make such a big sacrifice for someone who may not be right for you? Besides... as a Chinese, my parents would not approve of me having a Japanese girlfriend.

Moreover... I uphold the principle of remaining unmarried. I'm used to being alone and really don't want to marry, nor do I wish to allow anyone into my life. Thank you for your kindness, Doctor Jounouchi, but I am truly very sorry."

"I see, now I understand. I've caused you trouble, and I am very sorry for that." After hearing Chen Yu's explanation, Jounouchi Hiromi tried to smile, but her tear-stained, red eyes and the sorrow in her gaze made Chen Yu's heart tremble uncontrollably.

It would be a lie for Chen Yu to say he had no affection for the female doctor with whom he had worked side by side in the same office for a year. Especially over the course of that year, there was a time when Jounouchi Hiromi started trying to gain his favor in various ways, and it was not in vain. Doctor Jounouchi Hiromi had long since left her mark in his heart.

However, Chen Yu simply couldn't respond to her confession, nor could he offer her any response. Besides the reasons and excuses he mentioned, the most fundamental reason was that he was the Necromancer.

After all, which normal girl would accept a boyfriend who deals with corpses at home every day and lives next to a graveyard in a haunted house? Without a special predilection, such a situation would likely scare any girl to death, wouldn't it?

Although Jounouchi Hiromi was a surgeon, with a higher tolerance and acceptance for certain things than most people, she was obviously not so desensitized as to live under the same roof as undead creatures.

Chen Yu didn't want to hurt her; rather than start a relationship with her and then break up once she discovered all that she couldn't accept, it was better to reject her from the beginning. That way, she might feel momentarily sad, but she wouldn't be deeply hurt.

And another especially important point was that the fact Chen Yu was the Necromancer had to remain undiscovered by her.

"I have surgery this afternoon; I need to prepare the surgical technique, so I must leave." Chen Yu bowed again to Jounouchi Hiromi. Looking up, he bit his lip, and finally said to her, "Doctor Jounouchi, no, Hiromi, you are an excellent doctor and a wonderful woman, you will meet a better man. I'm really very sorry about today."

After he finished speaking and bowed once more, Chen Yu left the rooftop, leaving Jounouchi Hiromi alone, her tears scattering in the wind.

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After a tense afternoon of surgery, Chen Yu returned to his office, feeling awkward and unsure how to face Jounouchi Hiromi, only to find her desk already empty. While her belongings were still in place, she had clearly left much earlier.

Chen Yu felt a pang of remorse and shook his head helplessly. After completing the day's case notes and surgery records, he glanced at the clock, confirmed it was time to leave work, and then packed up his things to leave the office.

Despite being affected by the matter with Jounouchi Hiromi, he still had plans he intended to carry out.