Even Though I Loved You First

“And that’s how I plan to rule the world!”

“…so… What happened this time?”

“That f*cking teacher is giving me a headache! I mean, at this point the rumor that he was aiming for that girl seems to be true… Ain’t that too much favoritism?! She did nothing!”

“Aiku, first of all, could you calm down?” Inside the facilities of a university, Aiku Kamohate was continuously complaining to a small circle of friends he ate with sometimes.

“Listen, Kuromine! I can’t! How am I supposed to calm down with such instructors roaming freely?!” (Aiku)

The woman, who had long black hair and an elegant posture as well as her well-developed body, was second year Kanade Kuromine who was striving for a bachelor in music.

“That’s life, there’s nothing more to it. Life’s unfair.” First year Athena Izumi, who was reading a book silently, interjected.

“Ugh… Well, it’s getting late and I’m done with my classes. I will take a nap at my house and clean myself. Cya~!” As Aiku waved goodbye, the other two saw him off while still seated on the table.

“He really seems excited.” Kanade commented.

“Well, that’s what happens when you get to see the person you love while you work… I think?” (Athena)

↤⨳↦

“Good evening.” (Aiku)

“Oh, Aiku. Evening, your uniform is in the locker as always.”

“Roger.” (Aiku)

“Ah wait!” His manager, who was an elegant woman in all aspects, stopped him. “Be sure to always look your best, well… She always comes during your shifts so of course you’ll look your best.” The woman chuckled.

“I-I. Uhm… Whatever could you mean…?” Aiku nervously went to the back of the place to change into his uniform.

Aiku worked inside a bar, though he was only a year younger than the drinking age, he managed to make some pretty good drinks thanks to the guidance of the manager, who was good friends with his mother, Akina.

After changing into his uniform and going in front to the counter, he started out by making a few drinks for the customers sitting by the counter. He also made some chit-chat with them.

“How’s university going kid? Are you and your sister doing good?” One of them asked.

“We are, thanks for asking, oh crap— Hey now, old man don’t drink too much!” (Aiku)

“Aiku! Another glass over here!”

“Ah1 Mr. Shigemori, right over!” He said as he quickly whipped the alcohol to its respective container. His movement was smooth and precise, as if he was used to it.

“Kamihate, some snacks for table seven!” A colleague of his shouted.

“On it.” (Aiku)

As he went around the establishment performing his duties and as he talked with some of the regulars as if it were natural, an hour passed in a blink of an eye and the clientela soon died down.

The bar in which Aiku worked was meant to be a place for relaxation, even though it got kind of loud during its early hours, the place used to die down over time and became a place where people could spend the time calming down after their work hours.

And when the chairs were almost empty… When only the memory of old clients remained… When the whole bar was dead quiet with only one or two idle chatter could be heard…

That’s when Aiku’s highlights usually walked inside the place.

“Good evening~” As the chime on the door rang, Aiku’s head naturally turned to the sweet and mature voice coming from the now closed door.

“Ah, Ms. Kanna. Good work today!” Aiku greeted her with a smile.

“Oh my, good work today too, Aiku.” The woman answered with a smile as she took a seat by the counter where Aiku was wiping some glasses.

“The usual?” (Aiku)

“Unn, if you will.” (Kanna)

“Alrighty, one glass of Gimlet in the making.” Aiku said as he took out some gin, lime juice and a little bit of sugar and started the process.

“How has your week been, Ms. Kanna?” Aiku asked as he made the drink.

“Hectic… The office has been quite occupied with the preparations of the opening for the new branch… I’ve been going out for sales more often these days…” Kanna said as her shoulders slumped.

“Hm~ You have it rough, huh? Well, things will settle down soon enough. For today, please take some rest and try to forget anything work related. We don’t want you to overwork yourself.” He said as he handed over the glass.

“Awww, you’re so sweet, Aiku! Thanks!” Kanna said with a sweet smile as she took a sip of her Gimlet.

“It’s nothing.” Aiku shook his head, hiding the fact that his heart skipped a beat seeing Kanna’s smile. Manager, could you please stop looking at me like that?! I can feel your eyes on me! He internally screamed.

On the corner of the door frame that led to the staff room, he could feel his manager’s eyes on him. If anything, inside his workplace, it was commonplace that Aiku had feelings for Kanna. Thus, whenever she entered, the only one who usually served her was Aiku.

Kanna Tokimori worked in the sales department of a business focused on the sale of beauty products. She was beautiful with her mature body and long navy blue hair.

She was also four years older than Aiku, who couldn’t help but feel attracted to her sweet personality and beautiful smile.

“Enough about me, how has your week been, Aiku?” Kanna asked.

“It was alright. Though I couldn’t visit my parents this week. Which was a shame since I wanted to have a chance to mess around with my soon-to-be brother-in-law.” (Aiku)

“You did tell me a little bit last time. Your younger sister has a boyfriend now, right?” (Kanna)

Aiku crouched to reach something at the bottom cabinets and standing up, he confirmed Kanna’s statement. “Hmhm. Clever, handsome, a really polite kid. If anything, he’s wasted on my sister.” Aiku chuckled.

On the contrary, Kanna seemed to pout, lightly scolding him, “Geez, don’t say it like that! How would your sister feel if she heard you!” (Kanna)

“Hahaha, sorry sorry. It’s just that, I still can’t believe it. The younger sister whom I’ve seen growing… She’s such a mature and beautiful woman now… It feels lonely. Asahi has been focusing more and more in her career as a doctor… and Arisa, my younger sister, has set her path on teaching.” Aiku said with a lonesome tone.

“But, Aiku. You want to be a lawyer, right? You’re not being left behind if I’m correct.” (Kanna)
“Well… It’s not that I feel left behind… Wait give me a second,” Aiku said as he went over the door frame leading to the staff room as his raised voice could be heard. “Do we have any Campari left this week, manager?” (Aiku)

“…in the storage with the Tequilas…!” A distant voice said.

“Ok!” (Aiku)

“Well, as I was saying. It’s just… Feels lonely you know? The two people I’ve grown along with… The ones who really helped me out… my own family. It feels lonely knowing that we’re in the process of taking our own paths…” (Aiku)

“I get how you feel, when me and my younger brother started spending less time together due to my studies, I also felt a little lonely. But I’ve found solace in those around me. I still talked with him once or twice a week. I realized that we’re family, so even if we’re apart, our bond keeps us connected.” (Kanna)

“You really are someone to admire.” (Aiku)

“I could say the same to you, you know?” (Kanna)

“Oh?” (Aiku)

The dimly lit bar buzzed with the low hum of conversations and clinking glasses. As Aiku went around the counter gathering some ingredients, he came to a halt at Kanna’s words.

“Me?” (Aiku)

“Yes. I still remember the first time I saw you working here, it was kind of cute seeing how nervous you were around others. It’s vividly stuck on my mind how much you were stammering with your words when you first talked to me.” Kanna giggled.

“C-cute…?” He felt his cheeks getting hot. Meanwhile, the manager of his workplace and his other colleagues were silently overhearing the scene as it was their favorite part of the shifts when Aiku worked too.

“Now, you seem to be getting along extremely well with all the regulars. They seem to take a liking to you, it seems they will miss you once the day you quit comes.” (Kanna)

“…” (Aiku)

“Something I also noticed from our interactions is that you really love your family. You act like you don’t care, however, you’re the one who cares the most about them. I like how family oriented you are.” Kanna said with a smile.

“E-eh…? U-uhm… T-thanks…” Aiku looked back a little, simply to compose himself and not make anything awkwards. Less than a few seconds later he turned around and acted as normal.

“By the way… Ms. Kanna. Can I make a request?” (Aiku)

“Oh? A request you say?” (Kanna)

“Well… thing is… I’ve been working on replicating a beverage. I think I got the hang of it already, so I was wondering if you wanted to try a glass… O-of course, it’s fine if you don’t wanna.” (Aiku)

“Sure. I would like to.” (Kanna)

“O-ok.” In fact, Aiku already had the ingredients in hand, so he looked for them as he chatted with Kanna. Preparing them all in their respective order, it took him less than eight minutes to be done with the drink.

“It’s Rosita. Hope you enjoy it.” Aiku said as he placed the glass in front of her. She took a hold of it and brought it to her lips, taking a slight sip. She tasted and enjoyed both the fragrance and the taste itself… She also enjoyed the feelings she felt conveyed.

Placing the glass down, she stayed silent, making Aiku extremely anxious. Maybe she didn’t like it? He thought at the time. Kanna finally looked up…

“How is it…?” (Aiku)

“It’s lovely.” (Kanna)

“Is that so? I’m glad… Here I thought you didn’t like it…” Aiku sighed in relief.

“The rich taste of the first sip… as well as the sweetness that came after… All of it feels so gentle, it feels like a harmonious symphony of flowers.” She said with a giggle.

Rosita, a drink that was named after the rose, a flower that symbolizes love, beauty and… courage. If anything, this was a way for Aiku to make his feelings known without telling them outloud.

To manage this overflowing affection of his. Even if Kanna saw him as a younger brother, he wanted her to at least know what he hid behind that smile of his.

“I feel like it’s a waste, you know? We get along really well and yet all of this is only within a limited space with limited time, in other words only within my shifts…” (Aiku)

“I understand what you’re talking about. It’s the same for me.” (Kanna)

C-could this be?! All of the ones that were listening in to the scene, felt their hearts race as they could imagine what was about to come.

“I feel like we should get more in contact with each other… I mean, I would like your ideas for beverages, I could try and duplicate them as you try them… Same as always, you know?” (Aiku)

No no no no! Be a man!

“No… it’s more than that, I kind of want to know you’re doing good, and at least have the chance to talk to you daily. So I was wondering… Uhm… Sorry if this sounds too direct, but… Could I have your… number… please?” Aiku finally asked.

What a good day to be alive! All the ones overhearing thought in unison.

“That is direct,” Kanna said with her eyes widened, but soon she broke off into a gentle smile. “But I don’t mind. Do you have a pen and paper?” She asked.

“Ah, yes! Over here.” Aiku said as he handed her the notepad and a pen. This was the turning point in their relationship, thanks to the courage that Aiku gathered, the two will eventually close their distance by a lot.

It was only a matter of time until Aiku could comfortably make these types of beverages for Kanna in the comfort of their own space… Where there were only the two of them.

Still… a Rosita, huh? Geez, what should I do with you? Kanna gently thought as she wrote her numbers in the paper handed to her. She, too, wanted to know more about Aiku.