“Eh? A-Arisa…?”
Seeing Arisa’s pale skin faintly flushed a rosy colour, Yuzuru felt his heart pounding violently.
The only thing covering her body was a red ribbon.
She wasn’t wearing anything like underwear.
Of course, the important parts were properly hidden.
The ribbon was wide and tightly wrapped around her body, so compared to that time in a bikini, the exposed skin was actually quite extensive.
Even so, the fact that she was wearing something that wasn’t even clothing—
And the way her wrists were neatly bound with ribbon—
Filled Yuzuru with an overwhelming sense of forbiddenness.
“Um… the chocolate you’re holding… where is it?”
Summoning all his self-control, Yuzuru asked.
Because Arisa wasn’t holding anything that looked like Valentine’s chocolate.
Given the situation…
It almost implied that Arisa herself was the chocolate.
“Eh? Ah… s-sorry! I forgot!”
Arisa turned and hurried back towards the changing room.
Yuzuru couldn’t help but follow the movement of the ribbon pressing into her hips with his eyes.
“I-I brought it… hehe…”
She returned, smiling shyly, holding a small box.
It wasn’t decorated—just a plain container.
She placed it on the floor.
“P-please wait a moment…”
With her bound wrists, she opened the lid.
Inside were heart-shaped chocolates.
She picked one up.
“A-as I said… th-this is my Valentine’s chocolate!”
Then she placed the chocolate in her mouth—
And leaned her face towards him.
“U-um… what exactly is this…?”
“…Mm.”
At Yuzuru’s confusion, Arisa made a small sound, urging him with her eyes.
At this point, even Yuzuru couldn’t miss the meaning.
He gently wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her closer.
“Then… I’ll gladly accept.”
He brought his lips to hers—
And took the chocolate between them.
Arisa skillfully pushed it into his mouth with her tongue.
Sweet, with a slight bitterness.
“How is it?”
“It’s good. …Can I have more?”
She nodded softly and glanced at the box.
“Then I’ll prepare—”
“No need.”
Yuzuru picked up another chocolate with his fingers and held it to her lips.
She took it between her lips.
“…Then once again. I’ll have it.”
He shared the chocolate with her again.
The same sweetness spread in his mouth.
He reached for another—
Then paused.
“Since we’re at it… will you have some too?”
“Eh?”
Without waiting, he held the chocolate between his own lips—
And slowly leaned towards her.
At first, Arisa widened her eyes in surprise—
But soon, she parted her lips willingly.
Yuzuru pressed the chocolate to her lips—
And gently pushed it into her mouth with his tongue.
“How is it?”
“I-it’s delicious… may I have more?”
“Of course.”
They continued feeding each other chocolate mouth-to-mouth.
But there hadn’t been much to begin with—
And soon, it was gone.
“That’s all?”
“No… there’s still a little left.”
“Eh? Where?”
“…Here.”
Arisa leaned forward, offering her lips.
Understanding, Yuzuru met them.
A kiss—
Faintly flavored with chocolate.
“…Now then, shall we properly have dinner?”
Composing herself, Arisa said.
Then she held out her wrists.
“Could you hold this for me?”
“Sure.”
Yuzuru lightly grasped the ribbon around her wrists.
Arisa slipped her hands free.
It looked like she was tied—
But in reality, her hands had just been looped through.
“Now then, let’s prepare.”
“…Like that?”
“I’ll wear an apron while cooking.”
“It’s just cutting ingredients, anyway,” she added.
“…No, I mean… eating in that outfit might be… dangerous.”
“Dangerous? The chocolate won’t splatter like oil, and it won’t be hot enough to burn—”
“No, not that…”
Yuzuru scratched his cheek.
Until now, they’d been close enough that he hadn’t really looked—
But now, it was hard not to notice.
“If the ribbon comes undone, that’d be a problem.”
“Ah, I see.”
Arisa smiled slightly—
And tugged lightly at the ribbon on her chest.
Yuzuru quickly looked away.
“H-hey, what are you doing!?”
“It’s fine. Look.”
Cautiously, he glanced back.
She tugged on it repeatedly—
But it didn’t come undone.
“This is actually a proper outfit. The ribbons aren’t one piece—they’re fixed in place. Like a swimsuit.”
“I-I see…”
Yuzuru felt slightly deceived.
