Even Though I Loved You First

~School Rooftop

“So? Are you just planning on leaving her be? She has to know soon enough. As long as the truth is still hidden, she’ll still think like a child.” (Sachi)

“I-I know what you’re getting at but… I just don’t–” (Hayato)

“You’ll end up seeing her sad expression sooner or later.” (Sachi)

Outside the school’s rooftop, a pair of two people stood while looking at each other. From the looks of it, it all is just a small argument. Sachi Sadataka, who had a much rougher and stricter tone different from her usual informal (recently more gentle) speech, and Hayato Hayasaka, someone who was important in this discussion.

“I know that but—” (Hayato)

“Hayato. This play won’t advance if there isn’t a story to tell. She has to know, I atleast want to help Kei get some closure. And no matter how you see it, even though Shizuka sees Kei as family, she hasn’t even once considered how Kei sees her.” (Sachi)

The way she sees it, Shizuka has always been a person who never took into account what others thought of her, and even though for some that was a virtue—

—for her it wasn’t.

Her carefree smile.

Her clueless attitude she always wore even if Kei seriously and obviously made a move on her.

And the way she one-sidedly called Kei and herself ‘siblings’.

Were things that even though Sachi loved Shizuka due to them being best friends, she saw those times as nothing less than reasons to loathe her.

It was just a matter of time until this play.

—reached the climax of its first act.

~Present Time

Shopping Mall [3:15 P.M.]

Kei’s POV~

“That should do it for now… I think.” (Kei)

I checked the list on my phone just to be sure. I was at the shopping mall, shopping for materials for next week along with some books my sister Karane commissioned me. It has been four days since Valentine’s and everything has now returned to the calm atmosphere from before. Even though I haven’t had the chance to talk with Alyssa even once ever since that happened.

Back to the present, I started to roam around the place mindlessly looking for some entertainment since I thought it was way too early for me to go home. I passed by an arcade, however I didn’t feel like looking around, so I instead decided to head to a vending machine that was nearby and get myself something cheap to drink. However, as I was doing that,

“You! The young boy over there! Want to hang out with me~”

I suddenly got called out and as I was thinking something along the lines of “This again…” Thinking I was being picked up again, I turned around and the one who called out was an unexpected person.

“Huh? Tenshi…?” (Kei)

“It ‘s been a while, Kei.” (Tenshi)

My cousin Tenshi Ichinose, in other words the daughter of my father’s brother and my uncle Tetsuya, walked up to me while she played with her white hair and gazed at me with her purple eyes which are the trademark of our family.

“It really had, last time we saw each other was at New Year’s right?” (Kei)

“It was. So, how are you holding up?” (Tenshi)

“I’ve been doing well, completely adapted to my life in highschool so far. What about you, Tenshi?” (Kei)

“Kind of tired…” She said with a pitiful expression, “I’ve been studying nonstop for my college exams in June…” (Tenshi)

“Must be hard… Anyways, are you free right now? I have nothing to do at the moment and I was looking for something to divert my attention to, want to head to a cafe and catch up?” (Kei)

“Sure, sounds nice. Count me in~” (Tenshi)

Confirming that my cousin was available, I proposed the idea which was rapidly accepted. Then, we proceeded towards a nearby cafe as we made some chit-chat.

~♡~

~Shopping Mall [Cafe]

4:16 P.M.

“So, how ‘s uncle Touya and Kaho doing?” (Tenshi)

“As healthy and lively as ever.” I chuckled.

“Kotone and Karane?” (Tenshi)

“As clingy as ever.” (Kei)

After putting both our orders in, Tenshi started with a little bit of chit-chatter. My cousin was two years older than me, and currently she was going through her third and last year of highschool as the president of her school’s student council. She lived in another city, so we rarely ever saw each other. We last saw each other at a New Year’s Eve party that my family holded.

“To think that I’ll see you sooner than I expected~ Luck’s like luck isn’t on my side~” (Tenshi)

“Hoh~ Can’t you just admit you’re happy to see me?” (Kei)

“I’m not like those two, that’s why I’m a beautiful angel~” (Tenshi)

She giggled after throwing a very pun-intended remark.

When it came to looks, there was no denying that Tenshi was beautiful (even though Arisa was even more beautiful than her). However, when it came to personality, she was just as a accurately-describe angel, bizarre.

“I feel like you’re looking down on me inside that head of yours.” (Tenshi)

“You’re quite sharp Ms. Ichinose.” (Kei)

“I knew it! Also, stop calling me by our family name. It’s gross when we both share it.” (Tenshi)

She grumpily took a sip of her coffee which had just arrived, and as I received mine from the waiter, I suddenly remembered something.

“Speaking of which, you said ‘sooner than I expected’. What does that mean?” (Kei)

“Oh that.” She cleared her rested the cup on the wooden table. “You know the med-school that’s not too far from here? I’ll be applying to that one around June, so I thought I’ll come and start looking for a place if I get accepted. I was planning on making a short visit to Kaho and uncle Touya.” (Tenshi)

“If I had the time~” She said. For as long as I remember, Tenshi always had an aptitude for medicine. When I was a child, due to all the energy I had in store, I always ended up injuring myself in one way or another. In those cases, it was always Tenshi who ended up healing me.

“Have you settled on one yet?” (Kei)

“No~ I planned on looking at six places and managed to look at four. However, it was getting late so I thought of going to your place right now and shortly after taking the 6:20 p.m. train home.” (Tenshi)

She slightly fixed her silky white hair saying so.

“By the way, I see you were shopping.” She pointed at the paper bags I had with me.

“Karane commissioned me to buy her some books, I also wanted to buy some supplies for next week so it seemed beneficial to me.” (Kei)

“Heh~ What did you buy?” (Tenshi)

“Some light novels Karane listed, and some reference books I needed. Here.” I handed her the paper bags for her to look at them.

“Oh! I know this one, my friend has all the copies. I managed to borrow them from her so I read the whole series. It was good, not my cup of tea but it was fun.” (Tenshi)

She proceeded to look at the reference books.

“Oh, I have these two. However, Kei.” She proceeded. “If you want to use them I recommend you don’t depend too much on it.” (Tenshi)

“Hmm? Why’s that?” (Kei)

“You’re stupid, so you probably won’t understand much.” (Tenshi)

“Oi. Please stop thinking of me as if I’m some snotty brat! What kind of devil are you?!” (Kei)

“First of all, weren’t you a snotty brat? Second of all, I’m not a devil, I’m an angel.” (Tenshi)

Angel my a**! I strongly gulped down those words as I decided to just leave her be.

“Anyway, in all seriousness. These books are commonly used for extra help. No one relies too much on them, they usually attend cram schools, pay for a private tutor or use videos online for help. I’m part of the latter group in that regard.” (Tenshi)

“Heh~ I see.” (Kei)

“However, shouldn’t you take a break? You are usually four months ahead of your studies, aren’t you?” (Tenshi)

She was right, ever since I entered middle school, I never had difficulty learning topics because I already studied them beforehand. Even now, I already started studying a topic that will probably be covered in a distant amount of weeks.

“I know but… I’m doing it because I want to…” (Kei)

“Kei. No girl will feel happy if their partner is either the embodiment of the ‘nerd emoji’ or if it’s a workaholic.” (Tenshi)

“How did you know?!” (Kei)

“It was written all over your face.” She grinned.

Am I that easy to read…? I pondered for a while.

“Though I’m glad…” (Tenshi)

She rested her chin on her right hand as she looked through the window, with a distant expression adorning her beautiful face.

“You’re a good guy, Kei. Even though it’s almost impossible to argue when we’re in the same room, we both know that it’s just one way to show our platonic affection. When you told us about how you got dumped before you could’ve even confessed, I was stunned. Heck, even mama who usually only melts when she cuddles with my dad acts really mellow towards you.” (Tenshi)

The former part of what she said was true, she wasn’t a cousin to me. She was more as another older sister, that was always there when I needed it. Of course, the two of us usually cursed each other and fought with each other, but we never crossed any line, and when one of us was feeling down, the other one refrained from acting mean as we usually did.

“So, if you ever need advice, I’ll be right here! Let your senior in love help you out!” (Tenshi)

“Haven’t you been single for two years now?” (Kei)

“Hey! At Least I was in a relationship! You single-brat!” (Tenshi)

“Who are you calling a single-brat?!” (Kei)

After conveying what she wanted to say, our attitudes returned to normal. However, that was just how Tenshi Ichinose was. She may have a sharp tongue at times. But when you really need it, she’ll be there as if a guardian angel was bestowed upon you. Unn, she was really true to her name.

We went together to my house, where both my sisters were surprised at Tenshi’s sudden arrival. However at dinner, a good time was had and because of that, Tenshi left later than she planned. Of course, since it was getting way too late, my mother volunteered to drive her home, since she wanted to catch up a bit on the process.

Then at night, as I was getting ready to sleep, I got a message.

Kokoro: There’s something I want to discuss with you.

Kokoro: Tomorrow after school, at the family restaurant across the station. You know the place, don’t be late.

“Something to discuss…?” (Kei)

Setting my confusion aside, I stopped thinking and drifted off to sleep. Thinking that tomorrow was just another day.

But little did I know that tomorrow will be the day that will set the record straight.