The dimly lit corner of the restaurant buzzed with laughter as a group of college students enjoyed their night. Yohan sat off to the table, swirling his glass and barely touching the food. He wasn't very fond of places like this. Rising from his seat, he said calmly, "Sorry, I need to use the restroom." he stepped away toward the washroom.
***
The sound of running water quietly hummed in the restroom as Yohan washed his hands. But in the middle of it, he froze—he could hear a few boys talking nearby.
"Kael, you're really too much," one of them said, laughing. "You fell in love with Emily at first sight two years ago, but you still rejected her ninety-nine times."
"What? Kael? Isn't he the guy Emi likes? He also likes her? Then why did he keep rejecting her?"
"I do like her," Kael replied casually. "But I wanted to see how far she could go."
"Aren't you worried she might give up?" another asked.
"She's obsessed. She won't," Kael said with a smirk. "She's already confessed ninety-nine times. Besides, I've decided to stop playing games. I'll accept her next confession."
"What? Just because of that you hurt her ninety-nine times?"
Yohan's jaw clenched. He thought about Emily—how she poured her heart into every love letter, how she used to cry after every rejection.
"Just one last confession—the hundredth confession between us—and we'll be together forever," Kael said, his eyes gleamed with anticipation.
***
The usual hum of the city faded into a blur as Yohan walked, his mind racing with Kael's words.
"Just one last confession—the hundredth confession between us—and we'll be together forever."
That single line replayed at the back of his mind again and again. Emily—his best friend—had always been a little chaotic. She didn't wear dresses or makeup; she preferred basketball over dancing. She was different—confident, carefree, always grinning like an idiot over the most ridiculous things.
But everything changed two years ago, when she fell in love with Kael at first sight. She changed. She became a poet instead of a joker, pouring her heart into those ninety-nine love letters. And with every rejection, that idiotic smile of hers faded a little more.
"He said he'll think about me if I confess to him a hundred times. So I'm going to confess a hundred times." Emily had said that two years ago, her eyes gleaming with determination.
Yohan had thought it was ridiculous—that she'd eventually give up after getting rejected for the hundredth time. So, he let her be.
But now... he knew she wasn't going to be rejected. Kael would accept it—not her feelings—but his own satisfaction. She'd finally get the "yes" she wanted so badly. She'd get her happiness.
"She won't leave. She's obsessed."
Her happiness? Would she really be happy? Kael took her feelings for granted—what guarantee was there that he wouldn't hurt her again?
He was the kind of guy who could watch her get insulted just to feed his own vanity. Would he protect her if they dated?
"Damn it," Yohan muttered in frustration.
Yohan took a deep breath, trying to recollect himself. The cool night air brushed his face as he wandered, lost in thought.
He wondered how she would react if she knew about Kael's feelings. Would she be overjoyed to learn that he loved her too, or would she be heartbroken to realize thar he had tested her love ninety-nine times?
The hundredth confession — it could change everything. One 'yes' from Kael, and her future might shine brighter... or plunge into darkness.