After school.
“Shall we head home, Arisa?”
“Yes.”
Just like always, the two of them started walking home.
Just like always—
“……”
“……”
“Um, Arisa…”
“…Yes?”
Unable to hold back any longer, Yuzuru spoke.
Arisa looked at him curiously.
“…About the chocolate?”
“…Ah, I’m sorry!”
“……”
“Just kidding. I didn’t forget.”
She smiled wryly.
“I left it in my fridge at home so it wouldn’t spoil. So I can’t give it to you right now.”
“I see… so that’s what you meant by after school.”
Yuzuru felt a little embarrassed for misunderstanding.
If she had brought it with her, there’d be no reason to wait until evening.
“Did you want it at school?”
“Well… yeah. The situation would’ve been more exciting.”
He answered honestly.
Getting chocolate from the person you like—at school—
That was a bit of a dream scenario for a guy.
“I see… then maybe next year we should do it that way?”
Arisa said thoughtfully.
Yuzuru quickly shook his head.
“No, I want to eat your chocolate in the best condition possible.”
At that, Arisa looked confused.
“…That’s not really why.”
“Oh, it’s not?”
He’d assumed it was about preserving the quality.
“Anyway, we’re here.”
“Yeah.”
They had reached the station area.
Usually, this was where they parted ways.
“I’ll come over later. I’ll make dinner too, so look forward to it.”
“Got it. Anything I should buy beforehand?”
After a brief pause, she answered:
“I’ll text you.”
“Alright, I’ll wait for it.”
They parted ways.
Shortly after, Yuzuru received her message.
He checked it on the train.
“Baguette, strawberries, bananas, kiwi, marshmallows…? That’s dessert.”
Everything listed felt more like snacks than dinner ingredients.
And nothing required much cooking.
Still, there was no way Arisa would serve plain fruit as dinner.
She must have something planned.
For a moment—
Yuzuru imagined her stir-frying strawberries and bananas in a wok.
“…No. Absolutely not.”
He shook his head.
The message ended with—
You can probably guess what I’m making, right?
But he had no idea.
“Fruit sandwich…? But then why a baguette instead of sliced bread?”
Confused, but trusting her, he bought everything anyway.
A while after putting everything away—
“I’m home.”
Arisa arrived.
She wore casual clothes, carried a small stylish bag—
And a backpack.
“I’ll carry that.”
“Thank you.”
Taking it from her, Yuzuru noticed it was heavier than expected.
Not like food.
More like machinery.
“What’s in this?”
“A chocolate fountain set.”
“Chocolate fountain… oh, like chocolate fondue?”
He’d never had it, but he knew of it.
It made sense.
Perfect for Valentine’s Day.
And definitely not something you could bring to school.
“…What did you think I was making?”
“Something stir-fried.”
“There’s no way. Do you normally eat things like that?”
“Of course not. I just didn’t think of fondue.”
They moved into the living room.
“Where should I put this?”
“Here, let me.”
She took the bag, turned her back, and quickly took out the machine—
As if hiding something else inside.
“Let’s get started with dinner. But first… I’m going to change.”
“Change? Why?”
“We’re doing chocolate fondue. I don’t want to get my clothes dirty.”
“…I see?”
He thought she could’ve just worn something casual to begin with—
But figured she didn’t want to go outside like that.
“You should change too. Something dark.”
“Got it.”
Yuzuru changed into less stain-prone clothes and set up an extension cord.
“…I’m back.”
“Yeah, I just finished—”
He stopped.
Froze.
Eyes wide.
“Th-this is my Valentine’s chocolate… p-please enjoy.”
Arisa stood there—
Wearing nothing but a ribbon.
And said it with a trembling voice.
