Even Though I Loved You First

Story Arc 7: To You: Who I Love The Most

Monologue [Karane]

“You really have guts, don’t you?”

It’s not like I asked for any of this… I’m not really at fault… right?

“It’s always you! All eyes are always on you! Don’t you get tired of it?!”

Of course I get tired of it…

I can clearly remember the coldness in her voice, even though we have been friends since elementary school… even though we wanted to stick together through middle school.

The tone she talked with that day felt as if I was nothing but a mere stranger, as if all those memories we made together didn’t happen.

“Honestly… You and Kotone really are—”

“DON’T YOU DARE DRAG MY SISTER INTO THIS.” I still get shivers just from remembering the way I raised my voice at her back then.

I had no problem with being the only one being berated. But I won’t allow her to talk bad about my sister.

Her expression after my loss of composure was ingrained in my mind, to this day I still think about the look of absolute disgust and resentment, along with the feeling of cutting ties with someone that had a special place in my heart.

Knowing that if only I had been a little more brave, our friendship could still be saved… Such a feeling,

Still haunts me to this day.

↜♡↝

Kei’s POV~

I never really thought much about an outsider’s reaction once Arisa and I started dating. That’s why when I went to school on Monday, I was honestly surprised at how quickly I got surrounded.

Kei Ichinose Has A Girlfriend

Such news spread like wildfire throughout my year, which was bound to happen since I walked hand in hand with Arisa to school. As I stood in front of the door leading to Class 1-A (my homeroom), I took a deep breath and opened the door, acting as usual.

“Good Morn—”?!”—ING?!” (Kei)

“Who asked who?!”

“How long have you two known each other?!” 

“What made you fall in love with her?!”

“E-everyone?!” (Kei)

Just as I tried to greet my classmates as usual, almost all of the girls, along with some boys, gathered around me asking me questions as fast as they could.

“U-um… well…” (Kei)

The girls’ eyes were sparkling and I could also see some boys eagerly waiting for my answers. Behind the crowd, I saw Sachi and Riku looking at me, with grins on their faces. I spoke with my eyes.

“You two… Help me!” Noticing my plea, they just… turned away…?! Oh, wait… Sachi’s approaching.

“Now, now, everyone. Why don’t we all ask him one by one? Homeroom’s start in ten minutes. So we’ve got enough time.” She smiled.

“Eh…? W-wait…” As I tried to resist, the whole classroom agreed in unison, I was forced to sit down and answer thoroughly during their little ‘interrogation’.

↜♡↝

Arisa’s POV~

“W-well… If anything… He was the one that confessed first. It happened after he invited me on a date… so…” I tried my best to hide my embarrassment, sadly all I could do was cover my face with my hands.

“?!” The next moment, I could hear high-pitched screams coming from the girls of my class, things like ‘how dreamy’, ‘I want a boyfriend, too~’, or even the typical line of ‘I’m jealous’, were most of the opinions I could hear.

Arisa Kamihate Has A Boyfriend

It spread all throughout my class. As far as I was concerned, the rumor that spread through the whole school was that Kei got a girlfriend.

Well… it was to be expected. Contrary to Kei, the few people that know my name are my classmates and those from my first year, along with my clubmates.While Kei’s name is known all throughout the school.

“Then, then! What do you love about him?!” Another girl asked.

“U-uhm…” (Arisa)

“What’s wrong, Arisa? We are also curious, you know?” Karane looked excited, while Kotone was behind her wryly smiling as if apologizing to me.

Kokoro was acting all smug, calling me ‘the junior idiot in love’, Seichiiro just stood beside her smiling. As for Hiyori… well she was just being Hiyori.

“Well… I had to choose a few things, then—” I started speaking, being as honest of my love for him as possible.

↜♡↝

Rooftop

Lunch Break

Kei’s POV~

The sun shone brightly and the gentle breeze caressed my cheeks. The weather seemed nice, it was definitely a great day to eat outside.

“I’m tired…” I promptly sat down on one of the benches as I let out a big sigh. I always wondered why the school’s rooftop was empty, it was a nice place and yet it lacked human presence.

“I’m freed from hell!” Suddenly the door swung open, and a beautiful girl stood there stretching her arms. Once she saw me, a smile that could make any boy fall in love formed on her face.

“Sorry I’m late. I went through a… throughout interrogation.” She awkwardly averted her gaze. She took a seat right next to me and started opening her lunch.

“You too?” I giggled, “Well there’s no helping it. People tend to get excited when they witness the bloom of a new couple.” (Kei)

Arisa seemed to agree with me, giggling beside me. She took a sip from a drink I bought her before coming here, she then leaned over and whispered.

“At least I’m glad everyone knows. Saves me the worry from you being asked out.” She sat correctly again and ate her food as if nothing happened just now.

“You say such things but your face is getting red.” I chuckled and smiled at her. Becoming self aware, her face grew even redder and she averted her gaze.

“Shut up.” She poutingly said.

“Hahaha, sorry, sorry. By the way, Arisa.” (Kei)

“W-what now…?” She glanced at me, still red in the face.

“Do you have club activities today?” I asked, finishing up my food.

“Oh, yeah I do— geh…” Suddenly, Arisa made a displeased expression. Worried, I asked her.

“Is something wrong?” (Kei)

“No… I just remembered something…” (Arisa)

“‘Remembered something’?” I tilted my head.

“I’m going to be questioned again… Way worse this time…” Where’s she looking at? Is she… just accepting her fate like that?

“You see… The president Stella… she’s… well… Let’s just say that she not only has a deep love for astrology but she’s also really fond of love stories… especially when it involves a close one.” (Arisa)

“As fond as Karane?” (Kei)

“Multiply by four.” (Arisa)

“Oh my.” My sister Karane was really fond of romance stories, almost all her novels from her bookshelf were romance novels. Yet, I’ve never really heard her be interested in a boy.

Well… not like I’ll approve of that.

“Enough about that, we have about eight twelve minutes until lunch ends, so let’s enjoy our time together okay?” Before I knew it, she had already finished her food, putting away her lunch box, she once again leaned on me.

She looked really happy, and of course, I was too. I leaned on her too, we grasped each other’s hands firmly and just sat there, motionless. No words needed to be exchanged, we were happy just knowing we were at each other’s side.

Her faint breathing and her sweet scent that tickled my nostrils, it all felt intoxicating but in a good way. Like that, minutes passed and not before long the bell rang, signaling the end of our lunch time.

“Looks like lunch time’s over. We shall get going now, don’t you think?” (Arisa)

“Yeah, I don’t want to be late.” I slowly stood up and extended my hand to Arisa, she took it and stood up herself. We regrouped our things and were about to leave. Then, Arisa turns to me.

“Then, Kei. I’ll see you later.” She smiled.

“Unn. Sounds good to me. I’ll see you—” At that time, I felt a soft touch on my cheek. It felt… somehow nostalgic.

“Then. I’ll be going first. Bye~” As if running away, Arisa quickly fled through the rooftop’s stairs. Where I was left holding my cheek, where Arisa’s lips were just not too long ago, in a daze.

↜♡↝

After School [Class 1-A]

“Thanks for helping me out, Ichirou.” (Kei)

“The more the faster. We can head out to the student council sooner this way.” At the end, I decided to accept the invitation of the student council.

Sure, they may say it was irrational to do so almost two days after we started dating. But I decided it heavily on the days Arisa had club activities too.

Of course, I also accepted it due to the advantages that being in the student council could lead to. As we finished my tasks as representative. We re-organized the used desk and left the classroom.

“Now then. To the student council we go!” Ichirou Segawa said in an excited voice.

Man, I’m getting nervous. I thought as I walked side by side with him. I felt a little relieved knowing that my sister and Seichiiro will be there… but still…