Even Though I Loved You First

“What about this?! No… wait… it doesn’t look weird, does it?!” As Riku went back and forth through the arrangements of clothing, Hayato couldn’t help but sigh as he questioned the reason as to why they were in a clothing store.

“Why are we even here in the first place? You dragged us out of the school grounds all of the sudden…” (Hayato)

“You never even gave an explanation…” At his side, Ichirou remarked with an almost emotionless voice.

“Eh? I never told you, did I?” (Riku)

“Did you realize this until now?” Ichirou snarked.

At the men’s section of a clothing store; Hayato Hayasaka, Riku Ryouzaki and Ichirou Segawa browsed through the grand amount of items the catalog offered. Well, Hayato and Ichirou just stood by… as the one that was currently looking desperately—

“Can you blame me though?! Sachi invited me on a date all of a sudden!” (Riku)

—Riku Ryouzaki.

“So? Care to share the details?” Ichirou asked.

“Ah, right. You see, the conversation went something like this—” (Riku)

↜※↝

A Few Hours Prior

“Movie, you say?” (Riku)

As the two walked over to the science lab, where their next class was located, Sachi talked to Riku about the movie tickets.

Naturally, she didn’t mention that she got them from Shizuka, so she lied about getting them from her mother.

“Unn. My mother said she got them from a co-worker. It felt like good timing since we agreed on going out to see a movie sometime…” Sachi meekly said.

It happened a little after Riku used Sachi as a model for his entree for the national art competition. As a token of his gratitude for Sachi’s assistance, the two agreed to go out for a movie sometime.

The two obviously have hidden motives behind their agreement.

“What’s the movie about? Action? Mystery?” He asked, trying to guess the genre.

“U-uh…” All of the sudden, Sachi grew quiet.

“Sachi?” (Riku)

“Well… Y-you see… Actually…” (Sachi)

↜※↝

Back To Present

“Would you look at that! As many cliches will have it, it’s a romance movie! Sh*t…” (Riku)

The movie itself is based on a novel… a novel which I read… If those two feel shy about watching a romance movie together… then I doubt it’ll be a problem… Ichirou thought.

Not only Ichirou, but also Hayato was familiarized with the title. The movie itself was classified as romance, sure. However, it wasn’t those mushy types of romance that twisted one’s stomach.

“Anyway! Quick, what should I wear?!” (Riku)

“You sound like a girl.” (Ichirou)

“I can’t help it!” Just like that, Riku went through multiple sets of clothes, trying to find the one that suits him the best. Most weren’t bad choices; however, for the first time in a long while, Riku became extremely picky about this stuff.

Just like Ichirou said before, Riku did seem like a highschool girl.

Having someone to keep you company… and to invite you out on a date to boot… I… envy him a little… For a split second, a lonely smile took over Ichirou’s handsome features.

A change that went unnoticed by the two.

Back inside the fitting room, Riku sent a message to a certain someone with a picture attached to it. Naturally, it was asking for opinions.

[Riku: [Image]]

[Riku: How does it look? Does it look weird?]

[Riku: I’m going on a date with the girl I talked to you about… But I don’t know how to dress…]

[Noah: Oh, you look tidy. If anything, you look like a young gentleman.]

[Noah: However, you look way too formal. I know you want to create a good impression. But even on a date, you should wear something you can easily move in, something… more casual.]

[Riku: What even is your definition of casual?!]

Riku wore a pair of black pants along with a gray turtleneck, on top of it, he had a brown coat. It was indeed as Noah said, he looked like an outstanding gentleman.

But even though Riku called it a date, he didn’t know if Sachi considered it as one, so it was better to go with something more casual rather than embarrass himself.

“Oi, Riku. You done, there?” It was Hayato’s voice that seemed to call for him from outside the changing room.

“I’m openin’ the curtain now!” He announced.

“So? How’s thi—” (Riku)

““No-go, to formal.”” (Ichirou & Hayato)

“—You too?!” (Riku)

In the end, it took him another thirty minutes to find an appropriate attire.

↜※↝

“Thanks for helping me… Sorry I took too much of your time.” (Riku)

“It’s okay~ Hey, at least I was treated to a coffee and a donut! I dunno about you, but this seems like a win-win!” (Ichirou)

“Segawa’s way too optimistic…” Hayato wondered.

“I’m getting nervous…” (Riku)

“It’s only a date, you should be fine~” Ichirou said as he took a sip of his coffee, which ended up being a bad move…

“It’s not only a date… I… I’m confessing to her afterwards… I’ve decided…” (Riku)

“Pfft?!” Suddenly, Ichirou spat everything.

“Gross…” Hayato handed him a napkin. “Still, confessing, huh? What gives? I thought you’d wait for the perfect moment.” (Hayato)

“This is the perfect moment!” (Riku)

“It’s not. You know it.” Hayato answered.

Indeed, it wasn’t the perfect moment. This outing, though the two happily agreed, started as a way for Riku to repay Sachi. If anything, if he were to confess it’ll end up putting Sachi in a tight spot.

“…” (Riku)

“Riku?” (Ichirou)

“…but… I can’t stay still anymore…” The change in his voice didn’t go unnoticed, it was… quivering…

“Sachi’s getting more attention by the day… I hate that!” He stood up.

“Call me a jerk, call me possessive, I don’t care! However, I was the one who loved Sachi first! I decided… Even if I’m not worthy of her… even if they criticize me for it… I want to be beside her! I don’t want her to be taken away from me! I couldn’t… I couldn’t bear it… seeing her happy with someone that isn’t me…” (Riku)

“I envy you…” Ichirou said, a little sad.

“Ichirou?” (Hayato)

“Nothing!” He also stood up and patted Riku on the shoulder.

“I wish you the best, I doubt we can change your mind on this matter. I only hope that you’ve thought things through, we wouldn’t want your friendship to be stained.” He smiled.

“I’ll do my best!” The three… all laughed together.

↜※↝

Segawa Household

“…I’m home…” As the door closed, Ichirou’s voice bounced off the empty house and after turning on the lights, he headed to the kitchen as he dropped his bag on the couch.

“I haven’t seen mom and dad in a while… I hope they can make it at least after the closing ceremony…” (Ichirou)

I want to be beside her!

Recalling Riku’s passionate statement, he couldn’t help but chuckle. Just like him, Riku also used to be a lonely person, someone who was always by his own.

However, there was a line to be crossed.

Contrary to Ichirou, who was supposed to be the next one at communicating apart from Kei, Riku could do what he couldn’t…

Voice his true feelings, without the extreme fear of abandonment…

“I wonder… what Kotone’s type of guy is…” He said, as he left the kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand.