Even Though I Loved You First

𝖣𝖾𝖼𝖾𝗆𝖻𝖾𝗋 23𝗋𝖽 (𝖠𝖿𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗇𝗈𝗈𝗇)

➹

~2:00 P.M.

Arisa’s POV~

“A-Arisa I think I can’t go on anymore…” (Kei)

“Just a little more… hang in there…” (Arisa)

“Arisa… I… I” (Kei)

➹

“I can’t anymore! Please… my dignity is already in shambles!” (Kei)

“Coward…” (Arisa)

“Hah? Arisa, how is that from the seven games we’ve played, I’ve only won two!?” (Kei)

“Get good, kid.” (Arisa)

“Oi!?” (Kei)

Kei, who seemed highly depressed beside me, hung his head in despair.

“I can’t… no more please…” (Kei)

We were currently in an arcade, and we’ve been going around the different types of games, playing around as usual.

When playing around, there was no longer a ‘friendly aura’ around us. Instead, from an outsider’s perspective, we were no more than mere rivals.

It’s fun this way, so who cares~

➹

“I feel I lost something important today…” (Kei)

“What’s that?” (Arisa)

“My pride as a man.” (Kei)

“I see. Don’t be discouraged, okay? Here you go.” (Arisa)

I tried to cheer him up, as I gave the sulking Kei, which sat on a bench inside the arcade itself, a can of hot cocoa.

“You’re the one to talk… ah, thanks.” (Kei)

“Unn.” (Arisa)

Kei seems to be feeling a little bit better, well… just a little bit though.

“Still, aren’t you too good at games?” (Kei)

He curiously glanced up at me, and inquired about my knack for games.

“Actually, my older siblings like to take me out to arcades when they’re off university. Hence, I have a grasp of the inner workings of these machines.” (Arisa)

I did a fist pump on my mind as I said that.

“Heeeeeeh~ Arisa’s awesome, huh?” (Kei)

“Th-thank you… A-anyway! What about you? You seem a bit too natural with the ladies…” (Arisa)

I had this in my mind before, but Kei knew really well how to treat a woman. Such a level of gentlemanliness was low on highschool boys nowadays.

“Hah~ There’s no deep meaning to it, you know? I have known Shizuka since we were children. Not only that but, when it comes to my generation of Ichinose’s, I’m the only guy, you know? So I’m quite used to dealing with them. Still, I couldn’t, and can’t to this day, ever understand what they are thinking…” (Kei)

“Wait, really?” (Arisa)

I remembered a fragment of a conversation I had with Karane, we were talking about our families and such, when she casually said she had 1 other cousin and her uncle. I think it was.

“Unn. I have a female cousin about 2 years older than me, but she lives in another prefecture.” (Kei)

“Heh~” (Arisa)

Thinking I learned a little new about Kei, we played inside the arcade for a while, and left not too long after.

➹

~3:30 P.M.

“How embarrassing” (Kei)

“Hm? What do you mean by that?” (Arisa)

“Don’t ‘What do you mean by that?’ Me! I lost 5 – 18 to you, remember!?” (Kei)

“Pffft. Get rekt kid.” (Arisa)

“Hmph.” (Kei)

Kei, who was discouraged thanks to the one-sided beat up, pouted. I have to admit, he’s kinda cute like this.

“Oh come on~ Don’t pout! Want to go buy something sweet?” (Arisa)

“Aren’t we eating way too much?” (Kei)

I tried to cheer up the pouting Kei, but he delivered me some common sense.

“W-who cares! Let’s enjoy ourselves today! Come on, my treat!” (Arisa)

I kindly smiled at him and took him by the hand.

It feels warm…

Somehow, when I took him by the hand, I felt safe…

…and happy…

➹

~3:45 P.M.

“How delicious!” (Arisa)

“It sure is.” (Kei)

We sat on a bench, in front of a retail store, as we both munched on recently-baked cookies we both bought.

“This reminds me… sometimes when we went to my grandma’s house. My mom, along with my uncle’s wife, tend to make a bunch of cookie trays.” (Kei)

“Heh~ Is that so?” (Arisa)

“Yup. Oh, these ones have jelly inside.” (Kei)

“Oh! Gimme, gimme!” (Arisa)

“Here.” (Kei)

“It’s really good!” (Arisa)

The cookies themselves were not only soft, but they felt really sweet thanks to the jelly that was stored inside of them.

They really are fluffy and nice…

➹

~4:05 P.M.

There were about two hours left for the Christmas tree to be lit. So in the meantime, Kei and I decided to stroll around the plaza together.

Now, hence with a little less nervousness, we were walking hand by hand.

“Lava lamps look cool nowadays, don’t you think so too, Arisa?” (Kei)

“Hah? What’s up with you? That’s sudden.” (Arisa)

Kei, who was at my left, suddenly commented. As he looked over to a certain store.

“Not much, I just thought… one for my desk will look really good. I want a purple one to boot!” (Kei)

“That’s quite… a passionate statement…” (Arisa)

I couldn’t help but smile wryly at Kei, who started to act as a child.

“What about you, Arisa? Is there anything you wish for?” (Kei)

“Hm~ I’m saving money for a telescope. After that~ let’s see…” (Arisa)

Spending more time with you.

Eh?

Before I could finish my sentence, a thought flew through my mind.

“Arisa?” (Kei)

“N-no nevermind. There isn’t actually anything! Haha…” (Arisa)

“Ok…? If you say so? If you feel unwell, feel free to tell me, ok?” 

“Don’t worry about it!” (Arisa)

After that we went to a lot of other places, until it was already time for the Christmas tree to light up.

However, I couldn’t get that thought out of my head.

➹

Say~ Just how long are you planning to take?

You are on the edge of finding what you truly want.

What your heart desires.

So come on! Just a little bit more! 

Little by little. The gate to your heart, which was previously locked, will eventually open.

➹

~Main Plaza (Main Sector)

6:00 P.M.

Before we knew it, the highlight of today’s event came. The Christmas tree, which was about 15ft. (457.2 cm.) high. Also possessed a lot of ornaments hanging from all directions in every branch.

And finally…

“””Wow…””” (Crowd)

“It’s beautiful…” (Arisa)

“It sure is… that’s quite a view…” (Kei)

The crowd full of people, which also came to watch the lighting of the tree, started murmuring in awe, as the tree decorated itself with so many beautiful colors.

It was… a really splendid sight…

“Now then! Hey, Kei!” (Arisa)

“Hm?” (Kei)

I called out to Kei, who still had his gaze focused on the dazzling sight.

“Merry Christmas!” (Arisa)

When he heard those words, he shifted his attention to me, and then received the bag I had with me all day, with both his hands.

“A… scarf? Hm? Is this?” (Kei)

He shifted his eyes towards one end of the scarf, in which the name ‘Kei’, was neatly embroidered in it with violet yarn.

A present fitting for the being was ‘Kei Ichinose’.

“It’s… beautiful… and it’s warm… Thank you, Arisa.” (Kei)

“Unn!” (Arisa)

I smiled at him, however—

“Looks like we had sort of the same idea, huh?” (Kei)

“Eh?” (Arisa)

—his words caught me by surprise.

“This is my gift. Hope you like it.” (Kei)

Kei took a little red box adorned with a beautiful white ribbon from the left pocket of his coat, and he gently handed it to me.

As I opened the box, what I saw was…

“A handkerchief?” (Arisa)

A beautiful and neatly folded, brown handkerchief with its edges embroidered with golden threads.

Not only that but—

“Is this… my name?” (Arisa)

“Yes. What do you think?” (Kei)

—it had the name ‘Arisa’ carefully embroidered on one side.

“I’ll take good care of it!” (Arisa)

At my unexpected resolution, Kei got taken aback, but then, smiled softly.

“Glad to hear it. Now then *kohon*” (Kei)

Kei cleared his throat, and then…

“Merry Christmas, Arisa!” (Kei)

*badump*

“!?” (Arisa)

I felt a loud heartbeat coming from my chest…

Ah…

I finally get it…

I…

Towards Kei…

~Kamihate Residence

Arisa Kamihate’s Room

7:45 P.M.

Third Person POV~

It has been little over an hour since both Kei and Arisa went their separate ways, after their Christmas date ended.

And now, Arisa found herself on her desk, with a blanket over her shoulders, thinking.

“Merry Christmas, Arisa!”

Suddenly, remembering the dazzling smile Kei gave, she felt her temperature rise.

However, this time was different.

The diferencia?

She now knew how she felt.

In the almost three months since she started to hang out often with Kei, they made unforgettable memories.

Some of those memories, Arisa wished could last forever.

However, back then, she didn’t know why she felt that way.

But know…

“How troublesome…” (Arisa)

She was deep in thought regarding the matter.

She recalled many memories.

“…Arisa…?” 

The day she found him, crying in the park. Due to the damage, an unrequited love can cause.

“So… Kei Ichinose… will you let me… Arisa Kamihate, be your miracle?”

The day she asked him to hang out more often. When ‘she took the offensive’ to put it simply.

…and…

“Merry Christmas, Arisa!”

Once again, the memory of when she realized Arisa was in love with him.

And now… there was nothing anyone could do.

That was life.

No matter how many people deny it.

How much people want to state as a lie.

Even though many years have passed.

The fact that—

“Arisa Kamihate Fell In Love With Kei Ichinose”

Will remain forever—

—engraved on the history of Arisa’s life.

And soon…

Kei ‘s.

➹

As Arisa stayed on her desk, she gave a final look to the handkerchief Kei gifted her.

And then, a smile slowly formed on her beautiful face.

However, she didn’t try to hide it.

She decided that she wouldn’t ignore this feelings of her’s.

Hence, they were an important treasure for her.

Slowly she clasped her hands together, and as she looked out the window, a single mutter escaped her cold lips.

“Still… ‘Love’, huh?” (Arisa)

And that’s how the stage was set from Arisa’s side.

Now it was time, for Kei to move on, and rekindle the familiar yet unknown feeling, that was known as—

—’True Love’.

Story Arc 2: Daily Life Without You By My Side [End]