Even Though I Loved You First

Story Arc 8: As The Moon, So Beautiful

“—that’s the general overview of the second unit. I advise you guys to try and understand the vocabulary, don’t try to memorize it. Here are the parts of the topic that you should focus on.” (Riku)

“A-about the notes…”

“Oh, keep my notebook for now and study on your own. I have a digital copy of my notes on my computer so I’ll be fine~” (Riku)

“Ryouzaki you’re a lifesaver!”

“Haha, I’m flattered. Then, I have to go now, bye~” (Riku)

As he finished talking with two of his classmates, Riku Ryouzaki made his way to the cafeteria as he pulled out his wallet.

There were less than two weeks left for the school year to end, and as the final evaluations were just around the corner, every student started panicking due to wanting to avoid failing and skip the make-up test that took place during summer vacation.

“Right, I should ask Kei to help me with English…” (Riku)

↜※↝

On another edge of the school, Sachi Sadataka was helping an upperclassman carry some stuff up to the student council. As she passed by a hallway, she overheard some girls talking.

“My point is. Doesn’t Ryouzaki seem too good looking lately?” One of the girls in the group said.

“?!” Sachi froze and by instinct, hid behind a wall as she tried to overhear their conversation.

“I know what you mean! Having Kei and Ichirou in our same class seemed like a blessing already, but to think there was such a hidden gem like Ryouzaki!”

Eh? W-wha…? I thought it must’ve been someone with the same surname at first… but this just confirms that it’s Riku they’re talking about!

Sachi couldn’t believe what she was hearing, of course, she herself knew the change that Riku has been going through lately. From her perspective, he has become too good looking that she had problems looking at him sometimes.

However, she forgot that there was bound to be someone else that will eventually notice all of this charms that until recently, was something that only Sachi knew,

“I don’t know him much but, he isn’t dating anyone right now, is he?” One of them asked.

“Huh? Uhm… What about this girl… Sadataka?”

“They indeed seem close, but I doubt that’s the case. If anything, don’t their personalities contrast a little too much?”

Eh?! Kei and Shizu told me I seemed more casual as of late, though! Sachi thought.

She walked away to avoid being caught, as she walked all the way to the student council, she felt somewhat panicked. She felt… as if something precious to her was about to be stolen from her.

↜※↝

Student Council

“Thanks for bringing them over here, Sachi. Let me take this off your hands.” Her best friend Kei said, as he picked up the boxes and placed them on a side of the room.

“Sure… Glad to help.” Said Sachi absentmindedly.

“Areh? Sachi?” (Kei)

“Eh? Yes, what is it?” (Sachi)

“Is everything okay? You look, out of it today,” (Kei)

“Well…” (Sachi)

Just like back then, Sachi had no choice but to confide in the person who took her out of her shell, once again.

↜※↝

“I see… So what you mean to say is, you’re worried because Riku seems to be getting popular as of late…” (Kei)

Just as Sachi thought, Kei seemed to have a grasp of her current situation without much details needed. She felt relieved that she could discuss this with Kei, who already knew about her feelings for Riku.

“Hey, Sachi.” (Kei)

“Yes?” (Sachi)

“Shizuka is waiting for me at the front gate, we’re going shopping to buy a present for her mother Sena. Mind coming with us? We can also ask for her opinion on this matter.” (Kei)

“I don’t mind, but… are you sure that’s okay? I mean—” Sachi knew that going out with two girls wouldn’t be a good idea, granted that Kei had a girlfriend.

“I know where you’re going. Don’t worry, I already told Arisa I had plans, she said she was okay with it. If anything, she trusts me and I’m doing this for Shizuka’s mother, who has taken good care of me.” (Kei)

“Well, if you say so. Then, sure.” (Sachi)

“Alright, I’ll organize my things and we’ll meet up with her, I’ll also contact her now.” (Kei)

↜※↝

“Heh~ So more girls are noticing Riku is what you say~” Shizuka said as she shockingly looked at her friend.

“I-I know many of the qualities that they mention. And I can’t help but agree with them in some regards… Is it just… I wish that they remained things only I knew…” Sachi said in a meek voice.

Both Shizuka and Kei stayed quiet, and after recovering from the shock of Sachi’s unexpected bashful side,

““God, I miss my boyfriend (girlfriend)…”” The pair of childhood friends said in unison.

“Hey! I’m having trouble here!” Sachi pouted.

“Sorry, my bad~ Well, why not confess to him right away and have the problem solved?” Shizuka cluelessly said,

““It’s not that easy!”” (Sachi & Kei)

“Eh?” (Shizuka)

“As the one who confessed, the act itself kept me awake more as the days went by… Shizuka… you probably don’t know this since Hayato was the one to confess but… Thinking about the answer of the other party… is… is…” Kei began to shiver.

“Is?” (Shizuka)

“Hell.” (Kei)

“I-I see…” She said, “Kei, what about this?” (Shizuka)

After quickly recovering, Shizuka showed Kei something on a display as an idea for her mother’s gift.

“Let me see,” (Kei)

“Hey, Kei. Before you confessed, did you ever think about others having their eyes on Arisa?” Sachi asked.

“Huh? I mean, of course. Come on, haven’t you seen her? She’s such a complete bombshell that I feel I’m wasted on her!” (Kei)

“Sachi… I think you turned Kei’s doting switch on…” (Shizuka)

“I think so too…” The two blankly stared at Kei as he had a sugary aura around him.

“But still, that didn’t stop me… After all, I learned from my past mistakes…” Kei said, as he smiled while inspecting another item on the counter.

“Huh? Is that so?” (Sachi)

“I knew that I wasn’t the only one interested in Arisa. Ever since that day last year, I became aware of my surroundings… and well, when I fell in love again. I became even more honest and tried everything to make her look at me.” (Kei)

“H-huh?” (Sachi)

“I know it sounds possessive… but that was my only desire… I knew that other people also knew about her charms… Hell, I’m still jealous because I can’t be in the same class as her due to our one-year gap…” (Kei)

“I wondered how you felt about the gap in years…” (Shizuka)

“Well… my point is… Confessing is hard, yes. However, don’t try and run away or you might regret it… And who knows, maybe the person who you have been searching for has also been searching for you… Just saying.” (Kei)

“Then, what should I do? I won’t run away, I know. But…” (Sachi)

“Right! Why don’t you invite him on a date~” (Shizuka)

“E-eh? On a date?! I mean… I want to… but I don’t know how—” (Sachi)

“Don’t worry~ Your bestie has you covered! Here!” Shizuka handed an envelope to Sachi. “These are tickets I got from Hayato’s sister Honami. We were supposed to go by ourselves, but after talking with Hayato it seemed that we can’t use them since we’ll be busy…” (Shizuka)

“Eh? B-but…” (Sachi)

“Now, now. Is it great? You have a good excuse right there! Tell him you got them from your mother or something,” Kei suggested.

Sachi meekly received the tickets, then in a low voice, she said. “T-thank you…” (Sachi)

“Sure… no problem.” Shizuka smiled, the atmosphere between the two was warm, it was no wonder the two were best friends. Of course, at such a sight Kei—

“Shizuka, I found something nice!” (Kei)

“Way to ruin the mood, don’t you think?!” (Shizuka)

—managed to somehow destroy all that.

“Eh…?” (Shizuka)

“Honestly… for someone who’s considered a ‘mood maker’ you’re pretty dense sometimes…” (Shizuka)

“Hey! You’re one to talk!” (Kei)

Sachi laughed at the exchange between the two childhood friends, taking a deep breath, she proceeded to enjoy their shopping before coming up with a plan for her future actions.

Everything was in motion, what was left…

Was nothing but commitment from the two.