Even Though I Loved You First

~24 Years Before

“Damn it… why… Why him!?” (Touya)

Sitting in a swing in a park, soaking wet, a young man with raven hair and violet eyes seated, with a frustrated and depressed look on his face.

The young man’s name was Touya Ichinose, someone who was currently dealing with his first ever heartbreak, a first love that went unfulfilled.

Under the pouring rain, one that didn’t seem to stop, he just sat there motionless. He thought he did everything to appeal to his first love but it wasn’t enough.

However, fate will have it. This part of his life—

“You are Touya Ichinose, from next class, right?” (Kaho)

“You were… Kaho Kirigaya… right?” (Touya)

—was just the prologue towards his ‘happy ending’.

Yes, even with love stories. Even if it is by a slight chance—

—The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, right?

➹

~Present Time

Ichinose Household (8:00 A.M.)

Kei’s POV~

[Arisa: I see… so you made up your mind, huh?]

[Arisa: Well, I will cheer you on so, do your best!]

[Kei: Thank you, Arisa. I mean it.]

[Kei: To be honest, I was a bit reluctant, but the sooner the better, right?]

[Arisa: That’s the spirit!]

[Arisa: Now, I bet you have some things to do before that, right? I will leave you to it.]

[Kei: Thank you again.]

[Arisa: ~]

After my short interaction with Arisa, I tugged my phone inside my pocket, and went downstairs.

However, as soon as I got up from my bed, my phone rang.

Ichinose Household

[Touya: I know this will be a little bit abrupt, however.]

[Touya: Please keep your schedules open for today at 5:00 P.M. as a preparation for a sudden family meeting.]

After reading the message my father sent to our family group, I couldn’t stop shaking.

To put it mildly, I was nervous, I wasn’t the type to talk about my troubles at all. As long as others were happy, I was. I took a deep breath, and went down to the kitchen.

➹

“M-morning everyone.” (Kei)

“Good morning, Kei. Breakfast will be ready soon, so take a seat.” (Kaho)

My mother Kaho Ichinose, greeted me.

“Morning, Kei. What’s up with that ‘family meeting’ stuff?” (Karane)

“Morning, Kei. I was wondering… the same thing.” (Kotone)

My sisters Karane & Kotone Ichinose, asked me.

“I told you. ‘Wait for me’, right?” (Kei)

I said to them, as I sat down on the table, as I waited for mom.

My sisters, who knew what I was talking about, looked at each other and then, they nodded.

“Then we won’t pry.” (Karane)

“Yes.” (Kotone)

“All right kids, breakfast is ready!” (Kaho)

As mom came and served our breakfast, my sisters sat on the table.

It was early morning, and as I felt the cold that came with the winter, I felt my heart pound, faster by the second.

➹

Third Person POV~

Kei was always the type of person that didn’t talk much about himself, not willingly, at least. There wasn’t any specific reason, he just didn’t want to.

Whenever he felt conflicted about something he always took a walk, with no destination in particular, in this situation, it wasn’t an exception.

“Hah~ It’s so chilly~” (Kei)

He was currently walking down the street of his neighborhood, as he walked by, he was greeted by many of his neighbors, and close friends of his father Touya Ichinose.

His father, being a lawyer, was someone who helped many people in different cases. Thanks to that, his name is known throughout his neighborhood, and Kei, as the good child he always was, had the trust of everyone.

➹

How long are you planning on running away?

Don’t you think it’s time?

Time to tell them the truth?

Aren’t you always holding everything for yourself? That’s no good Kei, one day… you might reach your limit.

➹

~Local Coffee Shop

11:00 A.M.

After walking for a while, Kei now found himself in a local coffee shop near his house.

“Crap… I forgot my wallet…” (Kei)

He exclaimed, as he sat on the counter searching his pockets.

“Order anything, kid. This one’s on me.”

As he was pondering on what to do, a voice called out to him. When he looked at his side, he saw a young man, probably a college student, with brown hair and rose-beige eyes.

“Excuse me?” (Kei)

“Don’t raise your guard. You are Mr. Ichinose’s son, right? Take it as treating the offspring of a benefactor~” 

“‘Benefactor’?” (Kei)

Kei couldn’t help but tilt his head at the man’s words.

It wasn’t anything grand, as he explained that Touya gave him the chance of interviewing him for a really important assignment.

“Looks like something is on your mind. I might’ve met you just now but, let me hear you out if you like.”

Somehow, he felt a strange feeling of familiarity from him. Nevertheless, Kei readily agreed and told him about his ‘love life’ and how he will announce everything today, hence the reason for his nervousness.

➹

~15 Minutes Later

“I see.” 

As he finished giving him the rough details, he thought for a while and then said to him.

“You shouldn’t worry about it. Sure, they supported you all the way. Still, I doubt they will be disappointed in you. I think they will feel rather proud.” 

“Why is that?” (Kei)

“Because you tried. That’s what matters.”

“I see…” (Kei)

Kei dropped silent, because what the man said was indeed true. His family was united, and they knew Kei did his best.

For them, that was all that mattered.

“May I ask your name?” (Kei)

“My name is Aiku Ka— *ping* —?” (Aiku)

Before his surname was said, a sound interrupted him. Aiku took out his phone and stared at the screen for a while.

“Geh—!? S-sorry kid, my sister sent me a message asking me to go back home. I got to go. Oh yeah, your name?” (Aiku)

“Kei Ichinose.” (Kei)

“Then, nice to meet you, Kei. See you around!” (Aiku)

“U-unn…” (Kei)

Kei couldn’t do anything but wave at him as Aiku left. But he was still wondering about his full name.

Nevertheless, motivated, he decided to spend the time deciding how the talk would go, while sipping the coffee Aiku bought him.

Days Until Family Meeting:

Today

➹

~Ichinose Household

The sky turned a vermillion color, the temperature was decreasing as time went on, and he couldn’t hear as much noise anymore.

However, that didn’t matter. As he right now found himself in the living room.

“First of all, thanks for clearing your schedules, if you had anything to do, I apologize.” (Touya)

“Do you mind telling us the details, Touya? Is rare for you to call all of us.” (Kaho)

“That’s what I want to know. Kei, do you mind?” (Touya)

He said, as he looked in the direction where Kei Ichinose, his son, was sitting.

“Yes, dad.” (Kei)

As Kei got up, he recalled all the events that led up to this point…

His unrequited love.

His encounter with Arisa.

The bonds he made with new people, and the new places he visited.

Every single event flashed through Kei’s mind as he stood, ready to speak up.

“Now, all of you may be wondering why you are gathered here today. I wanted to make an announcement. Something regarding a certain someone all of you know—

—Shizuka.” (Kei)

His sisters froze, his mother widened her eyes, while Touya just looked a little surprised.

All because of how he addressed his childhood friend.

Shizuka.

And not.

Shizu.

“The theme of this announcement? Haha well…” (Kei)

Before saying anything, he took a deep breath, and with a single tear dripping down his face, he—

“Unrequited Love.”

—told his story.

➹

Kei’s POV~

In this kind of scenario one usually says, ‘I wonder when it happened…’, no? Well as much as I’d like to use that phrase, I won’t.

To be honest, I always strived to reach higher places. You could say, that was what made me ‘Kei’. Only that.

But thinking about it, the only reason I did it was for Shizuka…

It’s funny right? I did everything I could for someone who couldn’t reciprocate my feelings.

I thought we could always be together, that’s why I was sad when she told me she got a boyfriend…

That’s why I was frustrated when I learned that her boyfriend was a good guy. I couldn’t interfere anymore, you know?

I’ve been throwing guilt at no one but myself.

Not because I wasn’t attractive enough.

But because even though you lent me your support, I couldn’t fulfill anything.

Maybe that’s why I hid it from all of you. Because I was scared you will think of me as pathetic. 

I may look like a reliable and versatile person on the outside but…

Even I have my insecurities, you know?

However, this whole ordeal has taught me something.

That people are there for me, that I have people who care about me.

Funny thing, I was in the park crying the same day it happened, and well… Arisa, yes that Arisa, found me and listened to me. Oh but please, don’t be mad at her for not telling you, I wanted to tell everyone myself… but I never found the courage.

Anyway where was I…? Ah yes!

I thought this was now the best time to tell you.

To tell you that there’s no need to worry about me. I’m dead set on moving on!

That’s why I want to make a request…

➹

Third Person POV~

Kei turned towards his family, who was dumbfounded by everything Kei told them, then he said.

“That’s why I want to make a request…” (Kei)

“I might’ve not brought the results you desired but… even if that’s the case—” (Kei)

At this moment, he was getting really emotional.

“—will you please watch over me?” (Kei)

As he stated his request the room grew silent.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Five minutes.

Time passed and suddenly—

“M-mom!?” (Kei)

“You did your best, Kei. Mom is proud of you. Very much.” (Kaho)

—he was being hugged by Kaho.

“I-I’m sorry Kei… I never noticed how much you have been holding up… even if you tell me it’s okay… we are you sisters, your older ones to boot! We should’ve noticed what specifically happened to you… we just waited for you to reply and… we didn’t notice any of these thoughts within you…” (Karane)

“Sis…” (Kei)

His sister apologized, looking dejected.

His other sister Kotone, also embraced him gently. And after a while, his dad Touya, who was oddly quiet, spoke.

“I’m proud of you son. I really am. Your determination really reminds me you are my son. The way you also expressed your feelings also reminds me of your mother. As someone who raised you and watched you grow… Thanks for your hard work, Kei.” (Touya)

His father Touya, smiled gently at him.

He felt like he was about to cry. However, no tears fell, and only the sounds of light sobbing enveloped the room.

Kei Ichinose didn’t realize at the time…

But falling in love… having said love unrequited…

For him, it was just the beginning.