Even Though I Loved You First

~Afterschool

Empty Classroom (2:10 P.M.)

*staaaaareee~*

“Kei…? Do I have something on my face…?” (Sachi)

“Hey Sachi… Is it just me or… do you have a different type of atmosphere than usual? It’s been like that since we came back…” (Kei)

Today, it was just Sachi and I. We decided to use our time wisely and study for an upcoming quiz next week.

However, there was something I noticed, and that was something regarding my best friend Sachi.

“How so?” (Sachi)

“I don’t know… Somehow, you seem to be more approachable.” (Kei)

“R-really now?” (Sachi)

“There it is! You seem less formal than before!” (Kei)

Sachi’s vocabulary was really wide for a high school girl, that was a fact. She also had a dignified tone of voice, which made her sound unapproachable. However, lately, she seemed even more casual than before.

“H-hah… well… somehow I feel happy you know?” (Sachi)

“Riku?” (Kei)

“Kei!” (Sachi)

“Hahaha, sorry sorry.” (Kei)

I apologized to the flushed Sachi, as I lifted both arms in the air.

“But still, you seem even happier than before.” (Kei)

‘I’m glad’ I added, as I fondly smiled at her. Then, as if noticing the genuine tone behind my words, Sachi smiled back at me.

“It is thanks to you, Kei.” (Sachi)

“Are you coming on to m—” (Kei)

“No.” (Sachi)

“—ouch…?” (Kei)

We both giggled back and forth, then shifted our focus to our textbooks once again.

After that, nothing much happened, we continued studying until it got late. Not long after, we parted ways in the hallway.

Still, I couldn’t help but notice how much people around me are changing. However, whether that change is for the better or the worse, that’s for them to decide.

➹

~Afterschool

Main Gate (3:00 P.M.)

“Change, huh?” (Kei)

As I walked toward the main gate, I thought. Am I also changing? It may seem like an obvious statement, regarding the fact that we human beings are constantly changing. But I was curious, what’s changing within me?

Many people’s changes are noticeable.

Riku

Sachi

Shizuka & Hayato

Even Arisa has been going through a significant change I can’t understand. It sometimes feels like everyone’s changing except myself.

Just as I was thinking about this—

“Huh? Kei?” (Arisa)

“Hmm?” (Kei)

—Long brown hair, along with a set of beautiful rose beige eyes; my best friend, Arisa Kamihate, walked up to me once she took notice of my presence.

“Arisa?” (Kei)

“The sun’s setting, what are you doing here?” (Arisa)

“I was in my classroom getting some extra studying done. What about you?” (Kei)

“My, how diligent~ As for me, I had club activities, I’m heading home now, you too?” (Arisa)

“Unn.” (Kei)

I nodded.

“Then, why don’t we walk home together? You know, since we have the chance.” (Arisa)

“H-huh? Oh, sure…?” (Kei)

I don’t know why, but unlike before, I felt ‘nervous’. Still, I decided to put this feeling aside and strolled alongside Arisa.

➹

3:15 P.M.

“So how’s everything looking on your end? The second semester must be even more difficult for you second-years.” (Kei)

As we strolled side by side. I asked Arisa, starting some idle chatter.

“…” (Arisa)

“Huh? Arisa?” (Kei)

Arisa remained quiet as if she never heard what I said. It took her a few seconds to answer my query.

“…hell…” (Arisa)

“What?” (Kei)

“It’s hell, I tell you!” (Arisa)

“Hah?! Wait, why are you tearing up?!” (Kei)

Before I had a chance to react, I found Arisa tearing up behind me.

“Can I complain to you for a sec?” (Arisa)

“…? Umm… sure?” (Kei)

After that, she started complaining about how she had a lot on her plate even though it has been less than a week since we started the second semester.

For the record, we stopped by a park and bought some drinks, since Arisa proposed taking a detour.

On another note, Arisa looked even more flustered than usual, which I couldn’t help but think of as cute.

➹

~On a Nearby Park

3:32 P.M.

“Pffft. I pity you, it seems like you have it rough, huh?” (Kei)

Was the remark I made to Arisa, who was currently drinking the iced tea she bought from the vending machine nearby.

“If you pity me then don’t laugh.” (Arisa)

She chuckled and gave me a wry smile when she heard me.

“Then, what about you?” (Arisa)

“More peaceful than I initially thought.” (Kei)

“How so?” (Arisa)

“About two presentations. Some new duties for us, class representatives, and some tutoring requests. Nothing too big.” (Kei)

I answered as I stretched my back.

“Why do you and those two have such a twisted definition of ‘peaceful’?!”

By ‘those two’, I assumed she was talking about my sisters, but it doesn’t have that much of a difference, does it?

It probably ran within our family, but every one of us was adept with multitasking, that’s why none of us ever looked at it as a nuisance, or something bothersome.

I explained this to Arisa. However, once I finished, the latter stayed quiet.

“…that’s cheating!” (Arisa)

“Say what now?” (Kei)

No matter how you see it, there’s no cheating here…

“I mean, aren’t you guys blessed with really good genetics?! Are you human?!” (Arisa)

“Last time we checked, we were…” (Kei)

“I don’t buy it!” That was what Arisa followed up with. She seemed dead set on the idea of us being some kind of deity.

“We also have things we can’t, do you know? For example, did you know Karane can’t cook?” (Kei)

“Wait, what? That Karane?” (Arisa)

“Yup. She makes a hell of a mess when she tries, so she usually depends on Kotone or me in that regard.” (Kei)

“Speaking of which, during our Home Economic classes, Karane and Kotone usually operate as a duo… so that’s why, huh?” (Arisa)

Arisa, who seemed to recall a memory, dropped silently into a state of deep thought. Little after, I continued.

“And Kotone, she hates horror. Last time, when Karane and I were watching a horror movie, she looked like she wanted to join us, so we let her. When the movie was over, she was so scared that I had to soothe her for almost an hour, haha.” (Kei)

“Somehow I can see that…” (Arisa)

Speaking of past stories and chit-chatting like this felt nice. At least that was what I thought until…

“What about you, little Kei?” (Arisa)

“Oh! It’s getting late isn’t it?!” (Kei)

I turned my gaze onto my watch resting on my wrist and saw that it was already 3:50 p.m. 

“Huh? Kei?” (Arisa)

“Come on, Arisa. I will leave you behind~” (Kei)

“Huh? Hey?! Kei, wait up!” (Arisa)

I continued walking, as Arisa tried to catch up with me. In a sense, I tried to divert the topic to the best of my abilities. 

Having her find out will not only be embarrassing, but she may think of me as pathetic.

➹

4:05 P.M.

Arisa’s POV~

“Geez… leaving me behind like that…” (Arisa)

“Haha, sorry about that.” (Kei)

“It’s okay. It doesn’t matter much now, does it?” (Arisa)

“You got that right.” (Kei)

Kei, wryly smiling, messed around with me like he always does.

However, there was something on my mind.

Why did he avoid the topic just now?

Some moments ago; we were having a conversation about things that Kei and his sisters were unable to do. However, when it was Kei’s turn in the matter, he hurriedly averted the topic, as if it was something he didn’t want people to know.

“By the way, Arisa, how long until you reach your home?” (Kei)

“Hm? From here… in about… 8 minutes… I guess?” (Arisa)

“I see. I was thinking of accompanying you home, but it seems there’s no need…” (Kei)

“Now that I think about it, the neighborhood has been a little scarier as of late.” (Arisa)

“Huh? Arisa?” (Kei)

It was a lie, but if it meant spending a little bit more time with him, then I didn’t want to.

“What? You really wouldn’t let a young maiden like me walk alone?” (Arisa)

“I’m not sure about the ‘young maiden’ part, but if you insist, then…” (Kei)

“Then it’s decided! Now then, let’s do this…” (Arisa)

I wrapped my hand in his, albeit a little bashfully.

I made my choice, the choice of going all out from now on. For me, recognizing and accepting my feelings was crucial.

“H-hah…” (Kei)

Kei looked bewildered at my sudden behavior.

“What? You did this when we went out last month~” (Arisa)

Chatting about trivial things without a care in the world.

Playing around and going places we never went before.

Ever since I started hanging out with Kei often, every day has been even more fun.

I couldn’t help but think like this as I slowly strolled hand in hand with Kei.

It was a selfish wish but…

I wished that this state of ‘tranquility’, especially moments like this—

—could last forever.