Even Though I Loved You First

~A Year Later

When sixth grade rolled around, the duo’s relationship didn’t change much, their routine has been practically kept the same again and again. They continuously hung out at Kei’s house to the point it became the norm.

“Is that everything?” (Kei)

“Yup! It should be at least…” (Shizuka)

“If you forget anything Ms. Sena will get mad…” (Kei)

“Shut up! I know!” (Shizuka)

After paying the bill and leaving the store, both Kei Ichinose and Shizuka Sakurajima walked side by side towards the latter’s house, as they finished picking up groceries.

“So, what are you doing after leaving these?” (Kei)

“Hmm… Ah! Can I head over to your house? Karane said I could grab any manga from her collection. So I wanted to head over anyway.” (Shizuka)

“Sure. That’s fine by me.” (Kei)

As they walked, they continued chit-chatting about various topics, ranging from tv shows, mangas and even touching the topic of their classes.

“Hey, hasn’t your hair gotten a bit shorter? or is it just me?” He quickly ruffled her head.

“H-hey stop it!” (Shizuka)

“Sorry.” (Kei)

“I-I mean, I cutted down about three centi… cimti…?”

“Centimeters?” (Kei)

“Exactly! Anyways, I plan on cutting down some more… Do you think it’ll look good?” (Shizuka)

“Of course, anything will suit you, Shizu!” (Kei)

He quickly reassured her, and as he saw her round cerulean eyes sparkle, a tender warmth spread across him.

✕✕✕

~Ichinose Household [Kei’s Room]

“And finished…” (Shizuka)

“You really read all the books, huh?” Kei looked astonished as he organized all the eight books Shizuka grabbed from his sister’s stash into a pile.

“Of course I did! Shizu always does things quickly if she gets motivated!” (Shizuka)

“Why don’t you change all that motivation into making more friends?” (Kei)

“T-that’s a totally different matter…” (Shizuka)

Both were about to enter middle school in about half a year and yet, Shizuka’s only long-lasting friend was Kei. Naturally, due to the energetic attitude she adopts around Kei, anyone could think that she was an easy going person and someone who’s extremely sociable. However, looks could be deceiving, as she only acted this way towards the Ichinose siblings, and she was really shy around people.

“But that series made me question something…” She muttered as she got up from Kei’s bed and stretched her back.

“Kei… How do you think it feels to love someone? Like in love kind of love…” (Shizuka)

“Ok first of all, if you say ‘love kind of love’ it’s really confusing but be thankful I understand. Now second…” He pondered for a bit, as he rested the book he was reading on his tea table. After a while, he gave an answer.

“I don’t know. That’s probably some grown-up stuff… But maybe it’s the same as loving your family? Probably they just want to spend every second possible with said person? I can’t just give you a definition… I’ve actually… never thought about it…” (Kei)

“I see… so that means you haven’t loved someone before?” (Shizuka)

“Huh? Of course not. We’re only twelve Shizu, aren’t we too kids for this?” (Kei)

The two were only finishing elementary school, and yet they were still children. However, they were just reaching the age where it was completely normal for children to become interested in the opposite sex. There was no in-between.

“I see, I wish I could ask mommy about it but somehow it feels pretty embarrassing. So I will hold off on my curiosity for a while.” (Shizuka)

“That’s good then, don’t rush it. Let’s learn it together when the time comes.” Somehow, such insinuation was unconsciously voiced. However, since they knew nothing about the topic, both of them didn’t pay too much attention to it.

✕✕✕

As both of them indulged in their respective hobbies, the room was left completely silent to the point that only the minute hand of Kei’s clock was audible. Then, Kei muttered under his breath.

“…we’ll soon be in middle school, huh?” (Kei)

“We will be one of the big kids!” Shizu fist-bumped the air as she laid down on Kei’s bed.

“…big kids don’t say things like that…” (Kei)

“Huh? They don’t?!” (Shizuka)

“Of course not you dum-dum…” He couldn’t help but chuckle.

Silence prevailed for a little bit more. From the arrows on the clock, all the way to the chatter of people passing by. As they indulge into this sweet silence that they never found uncomfortable, Shizuka thought.

“What type of place do you think middle school is?” (Shizuka)

“Probably the same as school? I mean… only the classes should get harder…” (Kei)

“I see… What kind of people do you think we will meet?” (Shizuka)

“No one knows, Shizu. Papa says that the more we grow up, the more different types of people we will meet…” (Kei)

From nice people to selfish people.

From introverted people to extroverted people.

From keen people to clueless people.

Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. Just like any child, they wanted to know everything that big kids do, and naturally they wanted to look like ones too.

But these two had a long way to go. They had to mature a bit more, though only one of them was able to mature enough to realize the budding feelings that looking back, they were first seeded on that day.

“Anyways!” She stood up from the bed, “Kei! Let’s survive these together okay?” (Shizuka)

As the breeze that came through the window caressed his cheeks, the vermillion color of the afternoon sky filtered and complemented Shizuka’s childish and cute appearance. Which somehow, made his heart skip a beat.

“Pfftt, we are not going to die, Shizu!” (Kei)

“Hey! Stop laughing!” (Shizuka)

Both of them stood up and left the room, deciding to head down to the kitchen to refill their snacks and enjoy the quiet weekend which was shrouded in tranquility.

Both of them didn’t think much of their middle school life at first. However, a certain chain of events will cause certain parts of the original script to be overwritten. And finally—

—leading the first act of the play to its true ending.