Even Though I Loved You First

Story Arc 6: Confess Before The Gavel Strikes

~Middle School [Year 2 – Semester 1]

If asked about who Karane & Kotone Ichinose were, there would be more than a ninety-five percent chance that their descriptions would’ve been worded with expressions like: beautiful, hardworking, sociable, athletic and also intelligent and extremely kind. Extreme bombshells so to speak.

The twins treated everyone equally and even though many other sociable people gathered around them. Their group consisted of mostly people that previous to their interactions, could be considered either misfits or outcasts.

This was no exception for Arisa Kamihate, who was the last one to join the circle. 

Back in middle school Arisa only talked lightly with Kotone in their first year. However, contrary to what she might’ve expected, Kotone remembered her very well.

♡

“Oh? Arisa, it’s been a while.” She approached the young girl that was reading a book quietly on the corner of the library.

“Hm? Ichinose. It has indeed.” Pretty much uninterested, she gave a curt response and turned her attention back to her book.

Is she sitting here…? Arisa thought, as she heard the sound of a chair being pulled over and the thumpings of books.

“Are you always here, Arisa?” (Kotone)

“Hm? Usually, yes. I am on the library committee, so I normally stay here during breaks and after school.” She pointed, maintaining her eyes on her paperback.

“I see. How’s the class changed?” (Kotone)

Being in the same class during their first year. Kotone barely had an idea on who Arisa Kamihate was. She could be described as a ‘princess-like’ type of girl, with her polite speech that sadly, made people distance themselves from her.

Normally, she would always be on her seat while reading a book. She didn’t exactly make contact with anyone. She was just too scared to try.

“Good.” (Arisa)

“Hm~” (Kotone)

Did she come to study? If so, then why is she losing her time? Arisa could only wonder.

Her response wasn’t exactly a lie as she talked with only one girl in her new class. They weren’t close to the point where they went home together or had lunch together, they just happened to sit next to each other and have light chats in the morning or after school.

Due to Arisa cutting the conversation short, Kotone realized that she wanted to focus on her reading, Kotone could only leave her be. So, she also focused her attention on her study materials, letting her well-proportioned face and violet long hair be illuminated by the afternoon star.

♡

As the day came to an end, Arisa was walking through the front gate planning on heading home right away. That is until a voice reached her from behind.

“Arisa~”

“?” Turning around, the girl whose violet long hair almost reached her waist and her purple eyes emphasizing her smile that was as gentle as that of a mothers, Kotone called out to Arisa who was about to leave the school’s premises.

“Ichinose?” Muttering to herself, Arisa turned to Kotone who was approaching her.

“Want to go home together?” She asked as she got closer.

“Huh? If you wish to, then I have no objections.” Despite cutting conversations short, Arisa somehow couldn’t turn down her request. So, with it being decided,

“Then, shall we go?” (Kotone)

They ended up going home together.

As they walked side by side, neither of them struck up a conversation. They walked silently towards a mutual destination, so to say the point where they parted ways.

That was until Kotone spoke up.

“Sorry to call you out like that. You probably had plans and I made you be considerate of me.” She said,

“Please, don’t mind it. It’s not like I had plans anyways,” (Arisa)

Arisa slightly shook her head, telling Kotone not to mind her. It didn’t make her proud but, Arisa was quite the pushover, probably due to her lack of confidence to deny requests.

They continued walking for a while, silence once again enveloping the two of them. Of course, deep down, Arisa wondered why Kotone was getting involved with her as of late. That’s why, risking it all, she decided to ask.

“May I… ask something… Ichinose?” (Arisa)

“Hm? Sure, what is it?” (Kotone)

“Why have you been interacting with me more lately? Since we are in separate classrooms, why is that?” She hesitantly asked.

“I wonder about that~ To be honest, even I don’t know.” (Kotone)

Surprised, Arisa looked at Kotone, who was staring into the distance. “Huh?” (Arisa)

“Something just made me talk to you. Honestly speaking, you are a nice girl Arisa, from what I see.” (Kotone)

“You are good at reading the mood, which makes you quite sharp and considerate. During our first year you even tended the flower beds anonymously.” (Kotone)

“You saw me…?” Arisa felt her face getting hotter from embarrassment.

“All in all, I thought ‘Even though she’s such a nice girl… what a waste’ or something like that~ Oh! Did I mention that I also found you extremely beautiful?” (Kotone)

“U-uhm, thank you for your kind words.” (Arisa)

While they made this exchange, they made it to their destination. Meaning it was already time to part ways for the day.

“Then, I’m going this way.” (Arisa)

“I go this way. See you.” (Kotone)

“Unn.” She quietly nodded and walked away, until she was called out once again.

“Arisa.” (Kotone)

“Unn?” (Arisa)

“The main reason I invited you to go home together was because I wanted to ask you if you wanted to hang out with us.” (Kotone)

“‘Us’?” She asked, tilting her head.

“Our friend group. Don’t worry, aside from my sister, they are all good people. They are also quite understanding, that’s why you shouldn’t worry about having to keep up appearances.” (Kotone)

“How did you…?” (Arisa)

“Fufu~ Who knows?” Kotone replied, giving her back to Arisa and walking away as she spoke.

“Then I’ll let you think about it. Send me a message when you decide~ See you later!” (Kotone)

“Eh? Ah… Unn… See you.” She waved back. Then, she turned her attention towards the new name on her contact list.

Ichinose, Kotone

♡

Just like that—

“Everyone, she’s Arisa Kamihate, she’s from the next class.” (Kotone)

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. For the sake of introductions, I’m Arisa Kamihate.” (Arisa)

“Now now~  No need to speak so formally with us~ Nice to meet you, I’m Kotone’s sister Karane!” (Karane)

“Seichiiro Amagi, nice to meet you.” (Sei)

“Hiyori yawn nice to… yawn meet you…” (Hiyori)

“…Kokoro.” (Kokoro)

“?” (Arisa)

—Arisa’s play was in motion.