Even Though I Loved You First

Episode Four – If One Dreams At Midnight

“Huh? An outing you say?” (Ichirou)

Lifting his gaze from his book, Ichirou said in surprise. Sumire, who sat by the kitchen counter, said, bringing her lips to her cup. “Since we have this free time now, why not go out together?” (Sumire)

“It should be a good sense of pace, but you’re not busy are you?” (Issei)

As they said, Ichirou had nothing on his schedule, there were a few more loose ends for the upcoming festival but it wasn’t an emergency and they had plenty of time to work with, so he relaxed for a while. “H-huh? U-uhm… not really…”

“Alright then, how about tomorrow?” His mother asked to which Ichirou nodded, he returned back to his book and that was the end of it. However, something inside him said it wasn’t right, maybe it was the fact that it has been a long time since he last spent time with his parents like this, however he couldn’t bring himself to sense it as normal.

“…Fine by me then… I’ll make some space in my schedule.” (Ichirou)

His parents smiled and went back to what they were doing, at the same time Ichirou seemed to have something on his mind. He placed it at the corner of his dreamscapes and went back to his room, feeling more tired than usual.

✦•✦•✦

Few Years Ago

“Mom and dad are leaving already?” A young boy, probably a little over twelve, went out the door leading to the kitchen as he saw his parents with suitcases on all hands. “It seems we have to be there earlier than expected, sorry son.”

“Don’t mind it. You’re getting more recognition these days, right? I’ll be rooting for you. Just remember to call back.”

“Hm, will do. Sorry once again.” His father bowed as he grabbed the doorknob and opened the door, the two stepped out as Ichirou Segawa waved his hand with a smile on his face.

“It’s going to feel weird living alone now,” Ichirou chuckled as he went back to the kitchen, “Anyways, I should take care of the house then. I don’t know how long this trip is gonna last, but I should be positive about it… I should be grateful about it.” (Ichirou)

“Heh~ Never knew you lived alone~”

Time goes a little further into middle school, Ichirou was at his school’s cafeteria with his girlfriend at the time. A girl he became friends with and immediately hit it off. “I don’t really like going around mentioning it. There tends to be people that take advantage of it… or so I was told.” (Ichirou)

“I see, living alone sounds cool in my opinion!” The girl excitedly said. 

“Is that so?” Ichirou answered.

“Unn, unn. Just think about it! That’s maximum privacy and it turns quiet which helps when you just want to focus.”

“So that’s the way you see it, huh? Interesting. Well, I end up feeling alone sometimes though.” (Ichirou)

The girl blinked a few times and then with a blooming smile simply said, “But you have me, don’t you?” He didn’t think much of it at the time, they were just sweet words from his partner, he only smiled and patted her head, which the latter wholeheartedly received.

✦•✦•✦

Getting up from his bed, he felt his head spinning as he placed his left hand on his forehead. He looked at the clock and realized it was merely twelve in the afternoon.

“What in the actual f*ck?” Were his first words.

Weird, it’s the first time in a while since I’ve had a dream of her. Sh*t did I eat something bad again? Groaning, Ichirou got up from his bed and headed to the kitchen with the intent to prepare lunch.

The hallways, which once held the laughter of a happy family, which held the sorrow of a lonely being, while painted in a bright red felt nothing but pale, colorless even. 

He entered the kitchen, still with heavy steps and a little half-asleep. He plugged in the coffee maker and left it as he opened the fridge and took out some stuff.

“Ichirou.”
“Whaa?!” Startled, he jumped and hit his head on the frame of the fridge. “…Are you alright?” Turning his head fast, he stared wide-eyed at his mother as he placed his hands on top of his hand.

“Ah, so that’s why I thought I was forgetting something…” He muttered. “Are you planning on preparing lunch?” His mother asked.

“—Eh? Ah— Unn. I woke up kind of hungry, plus it was my scheduled time for lunch, so I was about to—” (Ichirou)

“Can I help you then?” Sumire smiled.

“Huh? Well… If it’s not a bother…” (Ichirou)

Before he knew it, his mother already tied an apron around her waist and took the stuff Ichirou was holding into her own hands. He placed them on the counter as Ichirou continued taking stuff out.

“So, what are you planning?” Asked his mother.

“Some steak along with vegetables, the coffee is there only to wake me up though, I was planning on having some lemonade with it.” Ichirou continued, “Maybe some rice with small pieces of meat, too?” (Ichirou)

“Hmm, I see. Sounds nice, really nice.” His mother said, hand up to her chin. She stole a few glances at her son but ultimately started the prepping together with him.

“By the way, where’s my father?” (Ichirou)

“Since he had the time, he went ahead and paid a visit to Brother Seiya and Ms. Nina, but he should be back anytime now.”

“I see, I’d be questioning your sanity if either of you didn’t pay a visit to them. Well, taking into consideration Ms. Nina’s condition, at least.” (Ichirou)

“Right, speaking of which, Ms. Nina told me you’ve been going to her place every week and took care of her. You did good, Ichirou,I’m proud of you.” Smiling at her son, she reached her hand to pat his head, just like she did in the past.

“!” (Ichirou)

Only for Ichirou to involuntarily take a step back. “Ah— I-I’m sorry, it’s just that it’s been so long that I was surprised.” He wryly smiled and directed his mother’s hand to his head once again with an apologetic tone of voice.

Sumire, while she still patted her son’s head, stared wide eyed at him as he continued cutting some vegetables, placing them into a bowl. Her face looked gloomy for a second, however she recomposed herself and went back to cooking, lifting her hand from his head.

She stopped… Though he didn’t want to admit, he was a little disappointed at the fact that his head was no longer being patted.

I should discuss this matter with my husband… Sumire said internally as she continued her job, she already had her worries, so maybe a talk with her husband for the best trial of action will be in popular demand right now.

✦•✦•✦

???’s POV~

I can’t let this continue. The more time they spend unaware, the more he’ll get hurt in the end. And while I never made a verbal agreement, I want to protect him as if he was my own son.

For everything he did, and in consideration of the bright future this young boy has ahead. I have to do something.

I have to have a serious talk with either of them. That’s the best path.