Even Though I Loved You First

“Then what if I go to your house?” (Kei)

“…huh?” (Arisa)

➹

~School Rooftop

Wednesday (11:12 A.M.)

A Few Hours Earlier

“…I see. So that’s how it ended…” (Kei)

“Isn’t it such a good ending though!?” (Arisa)

I was currently on the rooftop, having lunch with Arisa, as she explained the ending to one of her favorite mangas.

The manga had a weird plot in my opinion. It was about a university student that fell in love with one of his co-workers at his part-time job, who was also a single mother.

He was rejected once, however, he took the initiative and studied hard, forming a bond with not only the woman he fell in love with but also her son.

The ending had a really sweet and coherent conclusion, which was why Arisa wanted to talk about it with me.

“I mean… I get from where you’re coming from… but I still have my doubts.” (Kei)

I could only muster that, along with a wry smile, as an answer.

“I will lend them to you! All four volumes!” (Arisa)

Arisa proudly declared.

“That’s a bit—” (Kei)

“I will lend them.” (Arisa)

“Y-yes ma’am.” (Kei)

Confronted with Arisa’s cold tone and icy glare, the only thing I could do was shrink.

➹

~English Class

12:20 P.M.

“I’m done with the chart.” (Riku)

“That was fast… wait it’s all wrong.” (Sachi)

“Wha–?!” (Riku)

“You really…” (Kei)

Currently, the whole class was split into groups of three. Naturally, I decided to go along with Riku and Sachi.

“We were lucky enough to have Kei partner with us. So don’t waste such an opportunity.” (Sachi)

As she pulled a strand of her long black hair over her ear, Sachi said.

“Guess so… still, I never expected the whole class to fight over Kei.” (Riku)

“Haha…” (Kei)

During the selection process of the groups, the whole class tried and gathered around me, asking me to partner up with them.

I wanted to partner up with other classmates of course. But having almost twenty people on top of me… was kind of exhausting.

“Though they were mostly our female classmates.” (Riku)

“That explains some of the envious stares directed to me.” (Sachi)

She shivered, as she made her statement.

“Sorry…” (Kei)

“You should be.” (Riku)

“Riku?!” (Kei)

“Pfffttt.” (Sachi)

“Not you too!” (Kei)

I somehow thought they were both making fun of me… No. Wait. They WERE making fun of me. As I flusteredly looked back and forth, Riku spoke.

“Kei. Did something good happen?” (Riku)

“Huh?” (Kei)

“I was asking myself that question also.” (Sachi)

“It’s just that… You seem to be enjoying yourself even more lately. I was pretty worried ever since that happened. Yet somehow, you look better than before.” (Riku)

“Something good, huh?” (Kei)

‘…you look even better than before.’ Was the fragment that stood out for me.

Do I look happier than before? That isn’t the case, is it?

I was convinced that most of the happiness I gained in the past was thanks to Shizuka, my childhood friend. But contrary to my expectations, both Riku and Sachi seem to think otherwise.

Then—

“!?” (Kei)

“Kei?” (Sachi)

“Eh? Ah, no… it ‘s nothing.” (Kei)

I took a deep breath and spoke again.

“To answer your question. Yes, I’m enjoying myself.” (Kei)

Although mixed up with a bit of embarrassment, I answered honestly.

Shizuka and I may not hang out often anymore, but somehow that loneliness I felt is gradually starting to dissipate.

➹

I don’t get it.

This weird feeling that’s little by little appearing in my heart, a feeling that seems to replace another one.

A feeling so familiar yet so different…

And why was it?

Why was it that when I thought about my happy days, your face was the first thing that came to mind?

Human feelings are complicated…

My feelings are complicated.

➹

~Way From School

2:00 P.M.

“And why are we walking home together this time?” (Kei)

“Why does it feel like you’re new to this?” (Arisa)

“That’s how it seems?” (Kei)

“Absolutely.” (Arisa)

“Huh?” (Kei)

As I walked down the school’s hallway, I was kidnapped by Arisa, who suddenly said ‘Let’s go home together~’. In that way, I was now walking alongside her.

“So, are we taking a detour today?” (Kei)

“That’s the plan. My siblings already left for university, and my parents are working twenty-four-hour shifts today. So I want to go home later than usual.” (Arisa)

“Your siblings don’t live with you?” (Kei)

I asked Arisa, as we continued our exchange.

“No. They live in another city for university, they rent a place and usually come home for holidays.” (Arisa)

She continued.

“Sometimes, it’s even worse when mom and dad aren’t home since I can’t cook.” (Arisa)

As she said that, something came to mind.

“Thinking about it, do you even have enough money for this detour?” (Kei)

“I can manage.” (Arisa)

For those who don’t know. Arisa has a bad habit of spending money instead of saving it, even though most of the time she makes me pay.

Thinking this was a great opportunity to show my appreciation towards Arisa, who has been of great help to me, I called out to her and suggested something.

“Then what if I go to your house?” (Kei)

“…huh?” (Arisa)

➹

~Kamihate Household (Living Room)

2:30 P.M.

Arisa’s POV~

How the hell did this happen?

Currently, I found myself in the living room, after inviting Kei into my house. However I couldn’t think straight, I remembered the exchange I had with him.

“Is that a no?” (Kei)

“W-wait. Why do you want to go to my house?” (Arisa)

“You probably don’t have much money left, do you? Also, take it as a token of appreciation. Sometimes a homemade meal is better than a store-bought.” (Kei)

“U-uhm… I mean… I don’t mind, but what about your parents?” (Arisa)

“I will contact my mother, and tell her I’ll be later than usual.” (Kei)

“O-okay then. Follow me.” (Arisa)

Before I knew it, we were no longer walking to a certain spot to part ways. Rather, we walked in the same direction.

And that brings us to the present, where I currently have Kei, making a meal with things he bought at the nearby supermarket.

Needless to say, I was nervous the entire time.

➹

Kei’s POV~

“Now then. Let’s get to work, shall we?” (Kei)

I was currently in the kitchen of the Kamihate household.

Before I knew it, I ended up proposing the idea of visiting Arisa’s house, under the pretext that I will cook something for her.

I don’t know what came to me, but before I knew it, such words came out of my mouth.

➹

What I decided to serve Arisa was simple—grilled steak with brown butter.

Which was a recipe my father taught some time ago.

I slightly seasoned two steaks with salt and pepper on both sides before putting them on the preheated pan on the stove.

At the same time, I melted butter in another frying pan, while I continuously mixed it.

After that, nothing much was necessary. After using tongs to turn them and take them out of the pan, then slicing some vegetables and along with a handmade dressing, I served my dish to Arisa.

➹

~Kamihate Household

3:20 P.M.

Arisa’s POV~

“Go on. Dig in.” (Kei)

Kei gently settled the plate in front of me, who was sitting on the dinner table, and motioned me to start eating.

“O-ok then. Thanks for the food.” (Arisa)

After expressing my thanks, I used the knife and fork that Kei handed to me and took a piece of steak. The moment the piece of steak landed in my mouth…

“!?” (Arisa)

A tender, juicy, cooked perfectly, and perfectly seasoned flavor spread throughout my whole mouth.

Not only the steak, but the greek salad that complemented it, was no joke.

“So…?” (Kei)

Probably due to the fact I dropped silent, Kei gradually got worried.

That’s why to calm him down and ease him a little, I gave my honest opinion.

“Sorry I dropped silent… it’s just that… this is way too good! Kei, you are really good at cooking!” (Arisa)

“Is that so? My father taught me this recipe, so I’m glad.” (Kei)

He scratched his cheek in embarrassment.

“…” (Arisa)

“Arisa?” (Kei)

Probably feeling my stare, he looked at him and asked.

“No, nothing. Anyway, sit down! Let’s eat together!” (Arisa)

“Will do!” (Kei)

Then, Kei sat down in front of me, and we conversed as we dug into the delicious meal Kei prepared.

➹

~Kamihate Household

4:20 P.M. 

“I’m stuffed…” (Arisa)

“I didn’t even make that much though…” (Kei)

He was right, once steak along with some side dishes and greek salad as a whole was all he made. However, it was probably because I was with Kei that I felt full.

“You didn’t need to do the dishes though…” (Arisa)

“I’m a guest here so it’s alright.” (Kei)

Kei was currently in the kitchen, washing the dishes that were used and carefully rearranging them in their respective places.

The image of Kei, gently wiping the utensils clean and carefully organizing them, was alluring and charming, to say the least.

“If I may ask, why did you propose to cook me a meal?” (Arisa)

Somehow I understood that Kei wasn’t the type of person to barge into people’s homes like that. He would most likely wait for him to be invited rather than proposing.

At least… That’s what I understood.

As if nothing else mattered, as if the two of us were the sole people left. A smile crept on his face, and just one phrase was all it took for my heart to skip a beat.

“I wanted to return to Arisa with my feelings of gratitude…” (Kei)

And then, with another smile, which was even more genuine than the last, he softly said.

“Thank you, Arisa. I know I said it already, but I wanted to say it again. I’m really grateful.”

That smile is not fair… 

“Unn. Don’t worry about it.” (Arisa)

That was the last thing I said before Kei went back home.

To Kei, who was once heartbroken, I just want to say—

—I’m still not done showing my gratitude and devotion to you.