Chapter 60: Valentine’s Day

At the end of the week, the housekeeper – Tachibana Kaori – returned to Fuyuka’s house.

And so, Asahi wasn’t able to get himself relieved of his duties.

Fuyuka came to visit him on weekends.

Although they had fewer opportunities to have dinner together, he was more than happy to share their time together again.

It had been a long time since he had eaten dinner alone, it felt lonely. However, thinking about the upcoming weekend made him feel whole again.

Fast forward to February 14th.

There was some kind of sweet fragrance in the classroom.

Not a kind of atmosphere, but a sweet fragrance that actually tickled one’s nostrils.

What it was, without a doubt, was chocolate.

“It sure is Valentine’s Day.”

Chiaki muttered lazily as he looked around.

Today, the entire school was filled with a strange atmosphere.

The boys were waiting for the moment when their name would be called, and the girls were probably trying their best to muster up the courage to call somebody’s name.

After school, more students than usual remained in the classroom, seemingly all fidgety and restless.

“You’re not going home right away this year?”

“I guess so.”

 

Chiaki grinned at Asahi, who, unlike last year, remained in the classroom.

“It seems you got a lot of chocolates. Lemme see what you got there, buddy.”

“There’s really nothing to look at. It’s all obligatory chocolate.”

“Really? I think some are pretty up there, don’t you think?”

Chiaki peeked into the paper bag and saw the chocolates that Asahi had received lined up.

“Among the chocolates there are ones that cost several dollars each, which are instantly recognizable as a gift, but there are a few pieces of packaging here and there that certainly were saying something else.”

“I knew it. You’re surprisingly popular.”

Chiaki smirked yet again.

Asahi turned away and ignored him.

“So, any heartfelt chocolate?

“It’s obvious just by looking at it.”

 

“Hmm. Well, let’s just take it easy. The day is long.”

“It’s already after school, though.”

Another female student arrived into the classroom with a rattle. And another male student, whose name was called.

And so, a somewhat special atmosphere was formed between the two.

A resentful gaze and an envious one landed on them, of course, there were also a mix of both.

Asahi didn’t know what was going to happen to them as they left the classroom in a huff, but from the looks of it, they were probably going to confess or be confessed.

However, just because it was Valentine’s Day didn’t mean that handing over chocolates was necessarily a confession.

There were customs such as “obligatory chocolates” and “friendship chocolates”, and it was quite possible to exchange chocolates among close friends.

In fact, there were a few students who distributed chocolates to all their classmates, and Asahi was one among those who were given.

In the end, you had to put it into words to get your feelings across.

As for the chocolate that Asahi received, he also didn’t know what it meant.

Maybe they liked him, or maybe it was just him being so overly self-conscious.

‘However, I still would like to be a given, regardless.’

The image of a certain girl came to mind, and Asahi held a faint hope in his heart.

Outwardly, he seemed unconcerned, but behind the scenes, he was waiting to be approached.

In this state of mind, the classroom door opened vigorously, making a noisy noise.

Not only his classmates, but also Asahi had a small reaction to the sound.

“Chi-kun!”

He caught sight of an energetic girl coming towards him in a straight line.

“Have you finished handing out your friendship chocolates yet?”

“Yes, it was perfect! Everyone loved it.”

“That’s great. It’s worth the effort.”

“Yep! And then, you see?”

 

Hinami, who naturally sat on one of Chiaki’s knees, took out a carefully wrapped bag from her school bag.

“Here you go, Chi-kun! Here’s your chocolate filled with lots of love!”

“HERE IT COMES! Thanks, I’m so happy!”

“Ehehe, you’re welcome.”

 

When they were being like this, they didn’t come back from their world for a while.

Chiaki took a bite of one of Hinami’s homemade truffles and praised it to the hilt.

Looking at them left him half with a smile, while the other half he was afraid to look directly at it.

Some of the boys were unreservedly vindictive, while some of the girls looked at them with envy.

“Almost forgot, here you go, Asahi! A best friend chocolate!”

“Mhm, thanks.”

 

“Look, look, don’t you think It’s well made?”

“It sure is, it looks as good as the one for sale.”

“Right? Of course I guarantee the taste! After all, we’ve practiced a lot together!”

“…Together?”

 

“Ah… that, uh… Yep! I learned it from my mom!”

 

What was that unnatural pause? He couldn’t shake off the suspicion, but he didn’t think he’d get an answer if he ask, so Asahi quickly opened the bag he received.

Asahi put a piece of cocoa powder-coated truffle in his mouth, which looked just like Chiaki’s – except in appearance, size, and decoration – and immediately felt the elegant sweetness in his mouth.

The melted chocolate used must have been quite good. Of course, this taste was the result of Hinami’s efforts. As a result of her attention towards the ingredients, she was able to create a quality that was several levels above the rest.

“Yeah, it’s good.”

 

“Yay! It’s approved by Chef Asahi!”

Even though it was approved, it was an evaluation by a student with no authority, but it seemed to make Hinami very happy.

Seeing her high-five Chiaki with a big smile on her face, Asahi’s cheeks relaxed.

“Oh yeah, isn’t Himuro-san with you?”

 

“Ah, you see… Fuyu-chan went home right after school.”

Asahi’s ears twitched at Chiaki’s question and answer as he took another bite of Hinami’s chocolate.

“Right away?”

“Yep, she said she got something important to do.”

“I see.”

 

Asahi thought it might be, but if she was already home, he would have to give up his faint hopes.

No matter how close they were compared to others, she had no obligation or duty to give chocolates on Valentine’s Day.

However, Asahi unconsciously let out a big sigh, as he was expecting to receive at least a friendship chocolate.

“It’s alright, Asahi. So don’t be depressed.”

“…Why am I being encouraged?”

“Whatever! Anyway, don’t worry!”

“What in the world was alright?”

He couldn’t read their intentions at all when they cheered him on.

“That’s right, Asahi. It’s absolutely fine, don’t worry.”

“You’re on that side, too?”

Asahi didn’t know what was going on, even if he tapped him gently on the shoulder.

Leaving a sweet chocolate taste in his mouth, Asahi smiled bitterly for no apparent reason.