Even Though I Loved You First

Story Arc 4: There It Is Again, This Template

~Flashback [Former Half of January]

“…and so, I just don’t know what to do…” (Shizuka)

“I see.” (Hayato)

With her head on her boyfriend’s lap, Shizuka Sakurajima consulted Hayato about the current status quo between her and Kei. Due to this, probably sensing Hayato’s discomfort, Shizuka clarified herself.

“Don’t worry~ There’s no romantic feelings for him inside me! It ‘s just… Kei and I have been like a pair of siblings ever since we knew each other, you probably already felt like this but… is like knowing that the older brother figure you always looked up to gets far and far away… until the point you’re no longer family but strangers.” (Shizuka)

“You still haven’t realized it, huh…” (Hayato)

Her boyfriend Hayato said under his breath.

“Huh? Realized what?” (Shizuka)

“I won´t tell you, if Kei really is family to you then you should’ve noticed by now.” (Hayato)

“Huh? Huh?! Hayato?! Do you perhaps know something I don´t?! Hey, don’t look the other way!” (Shizuka)

Flustered, Shizuka pried Hayato to confess, but to no avail.

Needless to say, she needs to realize soon… because the longer she stays oblivious—

—the more strained her relationship with Kei ends.

~♡~

~Present [Inside the Classroom]

Kei’s POV~

“Morning everyone!” (Kei)

“““?!”””

“Deja vu?!” (Kei)

As I opened the door to my class, I decided to greet all of my classmates as per usual. However, when my greeting went across the classroom, all eyes went on me for some reason.

“Morning, Kei!” (Riku)

“Morning, Riku. Surprising to see you here so early.” (Kei)

“Good morning, Kei.” (Sachi)

“Morning to you too, Sachi. Slept well?” (Kei)

““…”” (Riku & Sachi)

“You too?! Why are you staring at me like that?”

For some reason, it seemed it wasn’t only my classmates, but my best friends Sachi Sadataka and Riku Ryuzaki, also had this weird hobby of staring at me like I was a lunatic.

“N-no, it’s just that… You seem different somehow…” (Riku)

“I second Riku. Kei, did something happen? You seem even more happier than usual.” (Sachi)

“Do I now?” (Kei)

I ran my hands across my face, and massaged them gently and it seemed true. For some reason, the facial muscles seem more relaxed.

“Okay everyone, quiet down. HR is starting!” (Haru)

Once Haru entered the classroom, everyone calmed down and those who were on other seats went back to theirs. I also placed my bag at the left hanger on my desk and sat down, listening to Haru’s… or should I say Ms. Haru’s announcements for the say.

~♡~

~Somewhere Near The School Gym

“Do I really seem all that different?” (Kei)

As I grabbed for myself something to drink, I asked myself that question. This morning, it seems that everyone saw something in my behavior that was different than usual. Of course, I for myself, didn’t actually feel any of it. Could it be because I realized my feelings for Arisa? If so, then is it that noticeable?

“If it isn’t Mr. Purple Guy.”

“Please stop referring to me as if I was some sort of animatronic maniac…” (Kei)

“Haha~ Sorry, sorry~ Anyways, it´s been a while since the last time I saw you, Kei.”

“You too, Seichiiro.”

Dressed in our turquoise school uniform, one of my sisters’ friends and also secretary for the student council Seichiiro Amagi, walked up to me as I opened my can of black coffee.

“How’s the council doing? Is my sister working diligently?” (Kei)

“Haha. Kotone is as efficient as ever.” (Sei)

“I see. Am glad then,” (Kei)

“What about you two? You seem to change yourself somehow, Kei.” (Sei)

“‘You Two’?” (Kei)

I asked Seichiiro, as I had a sip of my coffee.

“You and Arisa, of course—” (Sei)

“Pfftt! cough cough” (Kei)

“—whoops. Everything ok?” (Sei)

“Yup. Y-you just took me by surprise.” (Kei)

“Thanks” I cleaned myself with a handkerchief Seichiiro gave me. Then I stood up and threw the can inside the trash bin. I faced him and said,

“Everything is going fine. She has been of great help to me.” (Kei)

“She really seems unreliable, but when it comes to it, she’s of big help if needed.” (Sei)

“I couldn’t agree more, haha.” (Kei)

What Seichiiro said was true, at first glance, Arisa seemed like the type of girl to be completely carefree. However, she had an idea of the overall values society looks for nowadays. Thanks to this, she’s someone who can be trusted when it comes to personal advice.

“Anyway, what were you doing here?” (Kei)

No one usually comes by this part of the building, the few people that came were the only ones that knew about the vending machine that still gets stocked up somehow.

“Oh, sh*t! I came to buy some drinks for Kokoro and myself. Then Kei, I’ll buy these and go. See you around!” (Sei)

“And… he’s gone… sigh… He’s such a caring boyfriend, isn’t him?” (Kei)

I couldn’t help but chuckle while seeing Seichiiro’s figure as he jogged off. Which due to his black hair, naturally blended with the environment.

~♡~

~Somehow, Inside a Cat Cafe

“…and somehow, many people say I’ve changed. What do you think, Arisa?” (Kei)

As I petted a cat that was resting on my lap, I asked the girl that was accompanying me.

“If I’m being honest. I also think you’ve changed in a way. You somehow seem more energetic, your mature aura is still there but, you are starting to act more genuinely. Also, your eyes seem more sincere too.” (Arisa)

“I-I see…” (Kei)

“Oya? You blushing?” (Arisa)

“What if I am?” (Kei)

“You’re surprisingly honest sometimes…” (Arisa)

She retorted as she continuously petted the cat that went up to her. Am I really being jealous of a cat? What’s up with me…?

~♡~

Arisa’s POV~

After leaving the cat cafe, Kei and I were now walking side by side, as we went through some pictures we took with the kittens.

“This one really came out nice didn’t it?” (Kei)

“It really did! Hey, send all of them to me!” (Arisa)

“I was going to even if you didn’t tell me.” (Kei)

As we walked, I couldn’t help but notice that Kei seemed even more excited than before. To which, I couldn’t help but gently smile at him.

“Oh yeah, I took this one of you with one of the cats!” (Kei)

He showed me his phone, in which there was a photo of me petting a cat that sat on my lap while wearing a kind of ‘motherly smile’ on my face. The picture seemed to be taken by a professional, so when I saw that, the first thing that came to mind was,

“Hey, send that one to me right now. It really looks good.” (Arisa)

“Sure. Let me see… and…” (Kei)

beep beep

As he fiddled with his phone, mine rang.

“Sent!” (Kei)

“Thanks, Kei.” (Arisa)

“Sure, no problem.” (Kei)

I know I already mentioned this but… Doesn’t Kei seem different than usual? As I thought of that—

“Oya? Arisa, fancy meeting you here, we came by to visit since we have some time off from college. The one beside you is… huh? Kei?”

“…Aiku?” (Kei)

—We ran into my older brother Aiku Kamihate. However, it seemed like both Aiku and Kei already knew each other.

Are they acquainted somehow?