Even Though I Loved You First

~Ichinose Household [11:37 p.m.]

“It’s almost midnight, huh…” (Kei)

In a pitch black room, a young boy muttered in a small whisper as he glanced at his alarm clock which displayed a time of eleven thirty-seven.

As his purple eyes fluttered and as he ruffled his hair a bit, he stood up from his bed and stretched a bit, giving a complete showcase of the tall build the boy possessed.

“groan… Thirsty…” (Kei)

Kei put on his slippers and opened the door to his room which led to the familiar hallway in his house. He proceeded to walk down the hallway with the kitchen as his destination and as he walked down the stairs he noticed a light coming from inside the kitchen.

“The lights are open… Maybe Kotone forgot to turn the lights off…?” (Kei)

Just in case, Kei proceeded to take a peak from a corner of the doorframe, and the one he saw inside the kitchen was—

“Huh? Mom…?” (Kei)

“Kei? Why’re you up so late?” (Kaho)

—His mother Kaho Ichinose.

~♡~

Kei’s POV~

I ended up randomly waking up at almost midnight, and as I walked down the hallway towards the kitchen, I saw a light coming from inside. And as I took a peak, I saw my mother Kaho Ichinose at the dining table with a glass of, what looked like to be milk, on her hands.

“Kei? Why’re you up so late?” (Kaho)

“I woke up randomly. So I thought I would grab a glass of water and head to sleep… and you?” (Kei)

“Looks like we’re the same. Well, now that you’re here, want a glass of milk instead? You can also have a light chat with your mother~” (Kaho)

“It’s so late yet you’re still so energetic…” (Kei)

I chuckled at my energetic mother’s enthusiasm so late in the night.

As I sat on the table, my mother got up from the table and looked through the cabinets. taking out an empty glass and feeling it up with milk and then putting it into the microwave.

“It’s still a bit chilly late at night…” (Kei)

Naturally, it will always feel colder at night. However, in the former half of February it’s when the nights are supposed to be cold rather than chilly.

“That’s true. That’s why a warm glass of milk is usually better than a glass of water! Oh, it’s done.” (Kaho)

My mother took the glass inside the microwave before the counter reached zero due to her not wanting to wake up the others. This place is surprisingly sensitive to sounds, let me tell you…

She placed the glass in front of me and then sat at the other side of the table.

“Anyway, how is everything going, Kei?” (Kaho)

“My studies are going well and I’m taking care of myself. So you mustn’t worry about it too much.” (Kei)

“I have to worry, you know? Some kids these days spend their time on romance rather than their own studies… It’s worrisome.” (Kaho)

“Dad told me you were the same back when you two started going out, and that even he had problems getting you to study…” (Kei)

I suspiciously looked at my mother, which made her try to avert her gaze.

“T-that’s…” (Kaho)

“Bullseye, huh?” (Kei)

“No comment.” (Kaho)

It’s evident, though…. I thought.

My mother was what you called a ‘bad liar’, even though she tried. It was usually more than evident that she was lying, this was probably due to the fact that she was always an honest woman.

“Let’s stop speaking about me. Are you okay, Kei? How’s it going ever since that.” (Kaho)

“‘That’…?” (Kei)

What’s she talking about…? I pondered for a moment. Judging from her expression it must’ve been something really important that went on around me.

I stayed silent for a couple of more seconds, to the point that I remembered just as my mother grew worried.

“I’m doing good now, mom. I’m over it… It’s all thanks to the fact that I have people who care about me. I was pretty hurt back then,” I reclined in my seat. “However, it no longer bothers me. It’s in the past now. The clock’s ticking, if I don’t move ahead I’ll just get left behind.” (Kei)

This, in essence, was the sole truth. In life, no matter how much a person is patient, or how much love they harbor towards you. If you aren’t able to move on from a simple stroke of bad luck or a small tragedy, then you aren’t suited for the real world.

In this timeline, time can’t be stopped. That’s why getting over something is a necessary ability to survive out there.

“I see, I’m glad. Being honest with you, I was kind of worried. You loved that girl and you two have always been together…” (Kaho)

She got up from her seat and then went behind me. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me just as if she was comforting a crying child.

“I’m proud of you, Kei. Even though it didn’t end the way you wanted to, you still acknowledge the fact that it was useless crying over spilled milk. I’m going to be honest with you, I was initially scared when I first knew I was going to be a mother,” she continued speaking, “I was scared I didn’t have the capacities for raising a child. I couldn’t get over the rather strict treatment I went over when I was your age… Well, thankfully it subsided later but… we wanted to raise our children to be the kind of person to get up once they fell. The kinds that don’t stop even if the world turns over them…” (Kaho)

As she whispered all of this to me, I placed my right hand on one of her arms, and gently said,

“Then you did well. Not only are my sisters and I happy everyday, but we’re incredibly grateful for all you two do for us. We live a life with little trouble thanks to you…” (Kei)

Even though I always used the persona that everyone had appointed on their agendas, sometimes I felt that it was okay if it was my family.

Yet we understood it.

We understood that being a parent wasn’t easy. It wasn’t just about providing an education, about providing shelter and consumables. But about showering them with love to make them feel needed, and scolding them to show them how to distinguish right from wrong.

My mother Kaho Ichinose is a wonderful woman. In all honesty, I wouldn’t want anybody but her as my guardian. Along with my dad, both are individuals I look up to, and I swore to myself that once I’m able to stop depending financially on them, I will repay them for everything they’ve done for us.

This isn’t a promise from Kei Ichinose.

This is a promise that comes from Kei, Karane and Kotone Ichinose.

From the bottom of our hearts—

—we love you. Mother, Father.

After chatting for a little while, we both briefly washed the cups and went to our rooms. Once I realized, the date changed, but I didn’t care, since once I dropped on my bed, I slept better than usual.