Even Though I Loved You First

~Student Council Room

“H-huh? S-sorry, can you repeat that again?” (Kei)

“Would you like to join the student council’s roster?” With an amiable smile, and a professional speech, the student council president Tomokazu Tenjou gave me an invitation for a position on the student council.

The room is full with bookcases, a corner has both a small refrigerator and an electric kettle, at the end of a long table within a space of about five meters, the president rested on his desk with the vice-president at his left.

Apart from the two of them, my sister Kotone and I were the only ones in the room.

“Me? On the student council?” (Kei)

“Yes, of course. You have a great background, Kei. You being the representative of your year also further boosted my opinion on you.” (Tomokazu)

“I-I feel flattered really but… I don’t think I can manage between the council and my class representative tasks… Also, aren’t there better suited people for the job?” (Kei)

“Don’t worry about it, the position I’m offering you is quite a practical one. As a general affair’s officer, your only job should be replenishing stationary if needed. You can also check for things inside the room that could be changed. In other words, your job is to ensure that the environment allows all members to work efficiently.” (Tomokazu)

He paused for a bit, and then continued, “Not to mention, I’ve heard great things about you from Treasurer Kotone,” He glanced at my sister who was beside me.

“Oi, Kotone Ichinose, care to explain?” I glared.

“Fufu~ What’s wrong? I was just bragging about my younger brother whom I’m proud of!” (Kotone)

“S-stop stroking my head, sis! I’m no child!” (Kei)

“Stingy~” (Kotone)

I turned back to President Tenjou. “A-anyway. Do you mind if I think about it? I have some things on my plate right now, so I don’t think I can actually give you an answer.” (Kei)

Setting things straight with Shizuka and making up my mind about confessing to Arisa. I really didn’t have any more mental capacity to think about such important things such as this.

✕✕✕

“Haha~ Seriously, I’m afraid to ask what exactly you told them about me.” Leaning against the wall next to the gate, I turned to my older sister, who was opening a newly-bought bottle of water.

“Geez~ I didn’t tell them anything bad though. I only told them how reliable you are. And for someone who’s workspace is usually well-maintained, a general affair’s officer position is quite the match.” I received the water bottle from Kotone.

“A match made in heaven if you ask me!” She pried. Well, the position was indeed a good match for me. Not only that, but having a student council position on my student record will prove beneficial both when applying at a university and when looking for a job in a few years from now.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Ready to go?” As Kotone kept telling me about the advantages of a position on the council, our sister Karane showed up with a sports bag on her left shoulder.

“We are, let’s go now then.” I extended my hand to Karane, and as if reading my thoughts, she handed me her bag, I received it and put it over my shoulder.

“Sooooo, I heard you were scouted by the student council?” Karane, who walked to my left, asked.

“Unn. I still don’t know my answer though.” (Kei)

“Heh~ Good work, Kei!” (Karane)

“H-hey… Not you too!” My sister, who apparently saw me as a little kid, was ruffling my head as a mother whose son showed her a drawing of their little family. That’s how I felt at least.

“What are we having for dinner tonight?” (Kei)

“Mom and dad won’t be home tonight. So, you two want to order take-out?” (Karane)

“Let’s watch a movie together!” Kotone beamed.

“Sure. Sounds good.” (Kei)

✕✕✕

“I’m beat…” I sighed as I laid down on my bed, arms wide open and facing the ceiling. I started thinking.

What was I thinking? I don’t know. My thoughts were all across the place. There was absolutely no sound in the room apart from the tickings of my clock. Distant shower sounds were the only external sounds that came through my door.

Shizuka. A childhood friend whom I was in love with. I still remember vividly the days I spent by her side. I used to call her ‘Shizu’ until not too long ago.

When she announced her relationship to us, my thoughts jumped towards all those countless cheap harems where the childhood friend was always treated as a cast-away.

Arisa. Our previous relationship from her point of view could be described as the younger brother of her best friends. However, after some events, she and I became best friends.

But we couldn’t keep things that way. As interpersonal relationships are concerned, the more someone feels love, the more likely it’ll be for them to fall in love with those who shower them in affection. I don’t know if I made sense.

Things just couldn’t stay the way they were. I no longer saw Arisa as just a friend. She probably felt the same, yet she made no further move due to her being considerate of me. In a sense, our relationship was that of more-than-friends-but-not-lovers.

*ring* *ring* *ring* As I continuously heard the mechanical ring coming from my phone, I waited for a few seconds until the other party picked up.

“Kei? It’s quite late, what’s up?” I could hear Arisa’s sweet voice coming from the other side of the phone.

“Nothing much. Were you about to go to sleep?” I glanced at my clock, which displayed a time of nine seventeen, in it.

“To be honest… I was kind of planning on going through the internet for a while. Maybe read a manga on my phone while I’m at it.” She said,

“Then, do you mind keeping me company?” I could only ask much.

“That sounds better than just reading something in complete silence. Sure, let this kind older sister keep you company!” (Arisa)

I could only chuckle. Arisa and I then spent little less than an hour talking about random things. School, manga and whatnot. I told her about the invitation from the student council and about how I’m planning on setting things straight with Shizuka.

Now that I think about it, Arisa has always been a good listener… Even if she doesn’t know much about a topic, she’ll try to take interest in it and investigate to stay on the same page with whoever she’s talking to.

It’s hard to picture her princess-like persona nowadays. Before I knew it, I started growing drowsy. I said my goodbyes to Arisa and hung up. After that I went off to sleep with a warm feeling on my chest.

I need to do something about this increasing distance soon… I should… definitely… confess soon…

My thoughts ended, as my consciousness faded.