Even Though I Loved You First

~February Ninth

“Happy birthday, Kei.” Another one of my classmates came to me and congratulated me, who was sitting on my desk.

“I’m still amazed as to how popular Kei is…” (Riku)

Then after she left, Riku said as he stood beside me.

“Well… at least, I’m grateful that there ain’t handing out presents…” (Kei)

“Well, Valentine’s in about five days, isn’t it? They will probably use that as an excuse~” (Sachi)

“Haha…” (Kei)

I slightly chuckled at Sachi’s comments. However, I couldn’t refuse what she said. Since my birthday is five days before Valentines, it wasn’t anything new that most people (well… basically girls) used the opportunity to give me a Valentines-slash-birthday present.

“I’m somehow tired… This morning didn’t do me any good…” (Kei)

“Oh?” (Riku)

Riku tilted his head with his blue eyes filled with curiosity. The reason why I somehow felt overwhelmed wasn’t because of my birthday and the amount of greetings, but because of my sisters Karane and Kotone.

“I don’t feel like talking about it…” (Kei)

“Oh! Come on!” (Riku)

“sigh…” (Kei)

Even though I said I didn’t feel like talking about it, I thought that it wouldn’t hurt and in the end, it was quite the story.

~♡~

~Earlier in the Morning

Something feels heavy…

Feeling as if some heavy weight was bestowed upon me, I couldn’t help but groan as my eyelids opened. Not too long after, well… my questions were answered.

“What are they even doing…? sigh…” (Kei)

At both sides of my bed, as the rom-coms will have it, both my sisters were peacefully sleeping, somehow with their uniforms on.

“Hey~ Hey~ Wake up, you two!” (Kei)

I slightly shook both of them and after a few minutes they started waking up.

“Hnng…” (Karane)

“Five… more minutes…” (Kotone)

“For crying out loud! Wake up!” (Kei)

“Unn? Kei…?” (Karane)

“Ah! We fell asleep!” (Kotone)

“What were you two doing?” (Kei)

I looked at my sisters who just woke up with an exasperated expression.

“We were planning on waiting for you to wake up… and wish you happy birthday…” (Karane)

“But it looks like we fell asleep… Anyways, Kei—” (Kotone)

“Hm?” (Kei)

““Happy Birthday!”” (Karane & Kotone)

“Muuhhhgyyyaaa?!” (Kei)

Both of them jumped at me and hugged me, which genuinely transmitted their harmless intentions and genuine affection. However, thinking that it was quite strange that they suddenly went silent, I looked over my shoulder and,

“You must be kidding me…” (Kei)

They somehow manage to fall asleep once again.

“Wake up you idiotic twins!” (Kei) 

On a side note, once I went down to the kitchen after waking them up, there was a hell of a breakfast waiting for me…

~♡~

~Present

“…and that’s what happened.” (Kei)

““…you really are loved, huh?”” (Riku & Sachi)

“Haha…” (Kei)

I didn’t bother to refute their statement as I clearly knew it was true and it was something I wasn’t bothered by. My sisters clearly cherish me, and for that, I’m thankful.

~♡~

~Afterschool

“Happy birthday, Kei!” (Arisa)

As I arrived at the meeting spot, I found Arisa who was waiting for me and as I got closer, she congratulated me.

“Haha, thanks Arisa. Anyway, what’s our agenda?” (Kei)

“Hehe~ No problem! As for our agenda, you’ll see.” (Arisa)

“Then. I’ll leave everything to you.” (Kei)

“Unn!” (Arisa)

~♡~

Arisa’s POV~

I was currently walking beside Kei, as we headed towards one of the places I wanted to take him to celebrate his birthday. My main objective was simple: entertain Kei until at least six in the evening. The reason for this specific objective was due to it being per Karane’s request.

“We want to organize him a little something, so if you don’t mind. Could you entertain him for us?” (Karane)

  Naturally, I left hesitant. But that feeling was rapidly blown off by the clever and cute Kotone.

“Think about it this way: You get to have an afterschool date with Kei. Sisters’ approval included!” (Kotone)

“I’m in.” (Arisa)

“Ain’t that fast?!” (Karane)

So as the reliable best friend I am, I’m here to fulfill my established duty!

“That’s one hell of a smug expression you have there.” (Kei)

“Huh?!” (Arisa)

Noticing my shifting expressions, Kei pointed them out to me.

“You’re just imagining things.” (Arisa)

“Sure sure.” (Kei)

“Anyway, let’s watch a movie!” (Arisa)

Seeing that Kei wasn’t getting convinced of my excuses, I decided to change the topic as we entered our first destination: a movie theater.

~♡~

~At the Movie Theater [Counter]

As we entered the place, we briefly discussed what movie we could watch as we aligned both of our interests together and in the end, we chose a sci-fi-slash-mystery movie.

Most of the screenings were mostly romance, which was understandable due to Valentine’s approaching. But some others were mystery, drama, action, etc. The usual.

“Welcome! What can we do for you?”

“Two tickets for The Thoughts of the Darkness, please.” (Kei)

“Certainly. Due to Valentine’s Day being around the corner, would you prefer a couple discount?”

Couple discount, huh? Well, I shouldn’t say anything, I doubt Kei—

“Sure. We’ll gladly take it. Right Arisa?” (Kei)

“Huh? Eh, ah uh… Sure thing!” (Arisa)

HUH?!

“Glad to hear that, your total will be of 9.12$. Which includes the popcorn and its drinks.”

“Thank you. Now then, let’s go!” (Kei)

As I was confused, Kei snapped me back and led me to the screening room.

~♡~

~At the Movie Theater [Screening Room]

“K-Kei… U-uhm…” (Arisa)

“Hm? What ‘s wrong?” (Kei)

“About the couple discount…” (Arisa)

As we sat in the screening room side by side and as we waited for the movie to start, I decided to ask Kei about earlier.

“Well, if we play as a couple we pay less, don’t we? So I thought I’ll exploit it a bit. Keep this between us two, okay~ Oh but, did you perhaps dislike it?” (Kei)

“That’s not it… I was just surprised, that’s all.” (Arisa)

“Am glad then.” (Kei)

He smiled softly. However, a part of me was sad because it felt like I was the only one getting flustered from this. Still, I made my resolution and tried to make Kei look my way! Showing him love and appreciation, letting him know how grateful I was to him. More importantly, being able to openly express how much fun I have whenever I am with him, these were some of the many feelings that I, Arisa Kamihate, wanted to convey.

“I have to work hard!” (Arisa)

Probably due to the room starting to fill up with people, my small mutter was impossible to hear. So naturally, it wasn’t supposed to reach Kei’s ears. At least, that’s what I thought at the time.