Even Though I Loved You First

~February Twelfth

“…so please! Help me a bit, would you?” (Kokoro)

“H-huh…?” (Arisa)

With both her hands together, my best friend Kokoro Shiina bowed down to me after she called me to the back of the school building.

“What’s wrong with you all of a sudden…?” (Arisa)

Naturally, I was confused because it was unlike Kokoro to ask for a favor, especially to me. Usually it’ll be either to Karane or Kotone but somehow, this time she asked me for advice.

“What do you mean ‘What’s wrong’?! It’s my first Valentine’s Day with Sei! So, I want to make him some chocolates!” (Kokoro)

So this is the so-called ‘Valentine’s cliche’… I wasn’t particularly amused at Kokoro’s maiden-in-love aura. Anyways, according to Kokoro, before she and Seichiiro became a couple, she used to hand him store-bought chocolates. However, this time she wanted to make him some homemade chocolates and due to this being the first time for her, she decided to ask me for help, surprisingly.

“Why not ask Kotone?” (Arisa)

“Because she said she’ll be busy with Student Council~” (Kokoro)

She clung to me as she protested. Could you cut that off?

“And Karane’s a no-go, I assume?” (Arisa)

“You know about it?” (Kokoro)

“Kei told me.” (Arisa)

“At least you knew beforehand… Kotone didn’t even bother! Anyways!” She clasped her hands together again and continued, “Would you lend me a hand? I get to make chocolates for him and you get to use it as an opportunity to do some for Kei! Is a win-win if you ask me!” (Kokoro)

“I’m in.” (Arisa)

“Ain’t that way too fast?!” (Kokoro)

I mean, if it’s for Kei, then it isn’t a question, you know? Of course, the main reason as to why I accepted was to help Kokoro.

~♡~

~Kamihate Household [2:15 p.m]

“Pardon the intrusion~” (Kokoro)

“Drop the greetings, my parents aren’t home.” (Arisa)

“So it hasn’t changed. huh….” (Kokoro)

As soon as I saw Kokoro’s expression darken, I immediately diverted the topic to the actual matter at hand.

“Anyways, let’s go to the kitchen. We don’t want your love to run out before we make him those chocolates~” (Arisa)
To my teasing, her facial expression eased and she gave me a warm smile which was unlike her (at least the Kokoro I know of).

“As if!” (Kokoro)

She chuckled and after that, we headed to the kitchen.

~♡~

~Kamihate Residence [Kitchen]

“So? What are we doing? I assume you have a general idea.” (Arisa)

“…acarons…” (Kokoro)

“What was that?” (Arisa)

“I was planning on macarons…” (Kokoro)

“Oh…” I realized why that was the case and softly smiled at her, “then macarons it is.” (Arisa)

“Ok then, let’s set everything up, shall we?” (Arisa)

We spent about ten minutes doing the prep work and once that was finished, we started with the macarons, as I instructed Kokoro who was beside me.

“Add cream of tartar to your aged room temperature egg whites and beat until very soft peaks form.” (Arisa)

“Like this?” (Kokoro)

“Unn.” Since it took a few minutes of beating, I decided to wait and after she was done, I continued, “When firm glossy peaks form, add your superfine sugar in three increments and beat. The egg whites will form firm, glossy peaks after being mixed with all of the sugar for a few minutes. This indicates that the whites in the bowl or on the raised whisk beaters have firm, silky, and sharp points.” (Arisa)

It somehow feels good to be relied on… I rarely have anyone to rely on me and it was moments like this that made me feel somehow proud.

“Speaking of which, Arisa.” (Kokoro)

“Hm? What ‘s up?” (Arisa)

“What are you giving Kei?” (Kokoro)

Making small chatter as she stirred, Kokoro asked me about my treat for Valentine’s Day.

“Fruit tarts. Kei isn’t exactly fond of sweets you see, so I thought fruit tarts will fit better~” (Arisa)

“Such a thoughtful wife, huh…” (Kokoro)

“Like you’re the one to talk.” (Arisa)

I retorted.

“In a large bowl, sift the confectioners’ sugar and almond flour together. The more space you have for the macaron batter in the bowl, the simpler it will be to handle. Any bigger fragments can be forced through the sieve with the aid of a spoon.” After answering Kokoro’s question, I continued to give her directions.

“You really are good at this, huh?” (Kokoro)

“Were you doubting me?” (Arisa)

“A bit, though the food you make is good so I can’t say much…” (Kokoro)

“T-that so.” (Arisa)

“Oya? Is our Arisa blushing?” (Kokoro)

“It’s embarrassing being praised, you know?!” (Arisa)

“Hee~” Kokoro continued teasing me as she listened to my instructions. Honestly, back in middle school I never thought I’d be in the kitchen teaching my friend about how to bake sweets…

~♡~

~Few Minutes Later

Kokoro’s POV~

After we made the finishing touches to my macarons, I quickly lended a hand to Arisa as she made her fruit tarts. Due to Arisa buying the crust beforehand, it didn’t take as much as it took for me, she rearranged the fruits beautifully as if she was used to making these types of arrangements.

After she finished with the arrangements, she brewed some coffee and handed it to me in a mug as I sat down on the dining table at the Kamihate’s.

“You seemed like you were used to it not too long ago.” (Kokoro)

“The arrangements, you mean? Well, before my siblings left for college, we used to bake some sweets for fun here and there… though it’s been quite a while since that happened…” (Arisa)

A distant smile appeared on her face as she sat in front of me with her coffee on both hands. Her light-brown eyes looked a little vacant, but they immediately lit up.

“It’s all good now, though.” She smiled, “I may not have as much company right now as I had back then but… I’ve been having so much fun lately I have no time to think about it, you know?” (Arisa)

What appeared plastered on her face wasn’t the fake smile that I was once used to when I first met her, but a genuine one that transmitted warmth and some kind of easement in my heart.

Looks like Kei’s changing her for the better…I thought to myself. Ever since Arisa and Kei have started hanging out, Arisa has been even more true to herself, and occasionally she started being selfish, which we welcomed with open arms. ‘Love changes people’, as they say.

“How’s everything with Kei going?” (Kokoro)

“With Kei? Hmm… How should I say this… I feel like we’re getting closer than before, although I still feel like I have to work harder on myself, you know?” (Arisa)

“Don’t change for some worthless man, okay?” (Kokoro)

“That’s funny coming from the one who’s one of the clingiest girlfriends I’ve ever met… Some people in class regard you two as ‘husband and wife’ already, you know?” (Arisa)

“Wait… They do?!” (Kokoro)

I got taken aback at Arisa’s words, which were a certain interpretation of the relationship between me and my boyfriend Seichiiro Amagi.

“Yup… haha, it isn’t exactly a bad thing, you know? Due to the two of you being so close, you rarely have fights, I doubt you two will break up anytime soon.” (Arisa)

“I hope so…” (Kokoro)

“That face of yours is really cute, you know~?” (Arisa)

“Shut up…!” (Kokoro)
We continued chatting for a while, I drank my coffee and after packaging the sweets I made on a box, I headed home.

[Kokoro: I left Arisa’s place already, I’m heading home now.]

[Sei: That ‘s good. What was that important thing you had to do with her?]

[Kokoro: Fufu~]

[Kokoro: Secret~]

[Sei: If you say so…]

[Sei: Anyway, be careful out there, and call me once you get home.]

[Kokoro: Sure, my Sei!]

After I contacted my boyfriend, I continued walking towards the train station, and once I got into the train I started thinking.

As far as I’m concerned, Arisa seems to be giving it her all… no sane person wouldn’t have seen her feelings by now… Especially the son of the Ichinose’s.

Kei Ichinose, two of my best friends’ younger brother by a year and also my junior, in a way. I can’t exactly tell but, maybe he knew his feelings weren’t mutual before that thing happened.

He was sharp, just like Karane and Kotone, he was someone able to read people and see their true intentions. Of course, he wasn’t perfect in that regard either, since he isn’t exactly good when it comes to confronting feelings. To that… the only though that came to mind was—

He has to know, doesn’t he? No matter how insensible someone can be. It’s basically impossible for him not to realize by now.

In this play, I was nothing more than a mere background character. However, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing,

Because even background characters can fit into supporting roles, can’t they?

I decided that I won’t do much, I don’t want to complicate their relationship further (even though it isn’t strained at all). However as Arisa’s best friend—

—meddling to some extent is fine, right?

After Valentine’s, I decided to have a little ‘talk’ with this junior of mine.