CH#290
#290
Valentine’s Day is not an event originating in Japan but rather an imported event from overseas. It’s an event where couples exchange gifts, such as chocolates and sweets, and it’s a time for those in romantic relationships to enjoy.
In the days leading up to Valentine’s, boys become restless, and on the day itself, they discreetly check their lockers or desks for small boxes or wrapped items. For the majority of them, this cruel event usually means receiving nothing.
In recent times, there seems to be a trend of giving chocolates to same-sex friends, perhaps an evolution of the ‘friendship chocolates.’
As the new year begins and the third-year students have completed most of their exams, with only the graduation ceremony remaining, today marks the last event within the school. Even the third-year students who are usually free to come to school have reportedly come to school to give chocolates to their friends.
By the way, I got this information from the President. It seems even she will be coming to school on that day. With the limited number of days remaining, there must be some value in coming.
Returning to the main topic, changes have occurred within the school as Valentine’s Day approaches.
Firstly, there’s an excessive amount of skinship from boys towards girls, seemingly to appeal to their presence.
The girls are aware of this, and although they reciprocate, there’s a sense of distance. Maybe it’s because I observe from the side of the classroom that I feel this way.
The futile efforts of these boys, with a perfect mismatch in the sense of distance, are undeniably pitiful.
However, it can’t be helped. The number of chocolates a boy receives from girls is seen as a measure of popularity.
Despite thinking it’s rude to the girls who send them, the boys can’t help but care about it.
Teenage boys are generally like this.
Secondly, students are no longer gathering around Yuuto and Shizuku, who would normally be at the center of attention in the class.
This, too, can be attributed to Valentine’s Day.
They are the objects of admiration for everyone, regardless of gender. Naturally, they will be the focus of attention during this Valentine’s Day.
In Yuuto’s case, everyone is curious about how many chocolates he will receive and from whom. For the girls, it’s a major issue to watch how many rivals they have and what kind of chocolates they are sending.
On the other hand, in Shizuku’s case, the question is who she will give chocolates to. Whether it’s one of the boys, or maybe a friend, the boys, while still suspicious, are eagerly anticipating it.
The girls are monitoring each other’s information, including rivalry and containment. They continue to spend their days slightly apart from Yuuto, and Shizuku is receiving intense attention from the boys.
“Impressive… The stares from the boys are quite intense.”
“Endure it. It’s like everyone secretly wishes to receive chocolate from you.”
In the back of the classroom, a place that is already becoming our designated spot, Kirasaka sits next to me, Shizuku is seated in front, both facing backward in their chairs. Yuuto stands behind me, leaning against the window with a wry smile.
“Kirasaka-san, you also receive similar stares from the boys, don’t you?”
“Hmph… If I feel like the statues are looking at me, it’s nothing significant.”
“Statues, huh…”
She said it with such a decisive tone. Well, for her, anyone who only gazes without making any approaches are out of the question.
Shizuku nods in agreement. Well, if they share something in common, that should be fine…
I direct my gaze toward Yuuto, standing behind me, from the front of the class.
“How many are you expecting this year? Or, how many did you get last year?”
“The way you phrase it sounds somewhat sarcastic… I think it was around 36 last year?”
Counting with his fingers, Yuuto reveals a surprising number. This guy… I hope he get diabetes from eating those many chocolates.
Getting that many sweets every year… In my memory, there were times when I didn’t receive some chocolates, so if he accepted all of them, it must be a considerable number.
…This is like opening a chocolate shop. Welcome to the one-day-only Ogiwara Shop. We’ll close as soon as everything is sold out.
So, recently, while there is a laid-back atmosphere, for a certain group of people, it’s a more important and serious battle than their studies.
But you might wonder why I can remain so calm. Well, let me answer that—I receive chocolates every year.
Of course, handmade chocolates filled with sisterly love from my little sister Kaede and our mom.
With this advantage over others, I have immeasurable mental composure. No matter what someone asks, saying, “I received two,” usually silences them.
Though, no one has ever asked about the quantity.
Moreover, it’s not just my family who sends chocolates every year…
“What kind of chocolate do you want this year, Minato-kun?”
“…”
The sunlight streaming in from the window in front illuminates the face of a smiling beauty.
Shizuku has been giving chocolates to Yuuto and me every Valentine’s Day. Until last year, I thought the significance behind giving them to Yuuto and me was different, but this year, due to my misunderstanding, this question has become quite a difficult one.
Simultaneously, I start feeling embarrassed. The meaning behind the chocolates she gave me has become clear now. I find myself contemplating how to accept and react to them.
When Shizuku asks me this question, Kirasaka also seems to remember something and murmurs softly.
“That’s right, Minato, you don’t like bitter things, right? So, do you prefer sweet chocolate, or maybe baked goods?”
“…”
Eyes and faces are directed at me from the side and the front. Kirasaka, with her fair, translucent skin and usually sharp eyes, now gently directs them toward me.
I knows the meaning and reason behind her different gaze compared to other students. Therefore, even the words that I would normally answer promptly and decisively seem to get stuck in my throat.
After glancing between the side and the front, I resort to the final option: looking up at the clear blue sky outside the window and maintaining silence.
“You’re embarrassed… that’s amusing.”
“Shut up. Should I start a campfire with your hair?”
Responding to Yuuto’s muttered words from behind, I retort with words born out of desperation. In response to their reactions, Shizuku and Kirasaka both smile quietly, and I feel relieved that the question has come to a somewhat ambiguous conclusion.
Isn’t this something you should do as a surprise without asking the other person? That’s how it was in my family. In other words, it might be a kind of local rule.
Certainly, from the perspective of the person making it, giving something the other person doesn’t like would be the worst scenario.
As for my favourite chocolate… I don’t know.
Actually, I usually only eat chocolate bars, so I don’t have a list of chocolate preferences.
I’m not familiar with trendy sweets that would be popular on social media either. Even if I knew, the biggest difficulty would be visiting those places, so my interest naturally fades away.
Hence, I can’t honestly answer what kind of chocolate I like. The next time I’m asked, I’ll decide to honestly admit that.
Our somewhat conversation-like conversation ends here. Shizuku uses her smartphone to research recent sweets, Kirasaka resumes reading a paperback book she had started, and Yuuto, as usual, stands behind, expressing his true feelings, “I can’t finish eating them all…”
… Indeed, nearly forty of them. Moreover, chocolates that someone sends usually come in multiples. I wonder how long handmade ones last. But one thing is certain: after eating them all, I won’t want to see chocolate for a while.
After Valentine’s, I’ve decided to buy Yuuto a meal from the school store as a kind gesture. Chocolate bread and chocolate croissants it is. Yeah, that’s settled.
All you guys out there, entrust your hopes to me. Let’s promise to send judgment chocolates to this source of all evil, the handsome guy.
As I revel in the mischievous scheme I’ve harboured in my heart, a slight grin appears on my lips. While observing Shizuku and Kirasaka, a knocking sound reaches us from the classroom door.
… Knocking on the door means a student from another class. Not just me, but most of the class turns their attention to the back door. There stands Miura from the student council.
…Did she say she has close friends in this class? As far as I remember, there was no such statement. While wondering who she might have business with, I find our gazes meeting.
“Minato, a moment.”
“Huh… me?”
Miura directs her eyes towards us and signals for me to come over. Uncomfortable stares from all around gather.
It’s that time of the year. I feel like I can hear the intense, anger-filled gazes from the guys, especially.
I want to get out of this situation quickly. So, standing up from my seat, I make my way to the rear entrance.
When I reach there, Miura seems to notice me and directs her gaze behind me.
“Oh, right. If I’m calling you, I can’t leave out these girls, right? How about it, Kanazaki-san, Kirasaka-san, will you join us?”
“Oh, sure, I’m fine.”
“Do you need something with my Minato?”
Shizuku quickly puts away her smartphone and rushes over to me with the sound of quick steps. Kirasaka also puts her book into her bag, adding an unnecessary remark, and walks over.
I glance back once and, with a gesture, apologize to Yuuto for leaving him alone, and he responds by waving his hand to see us off.
I turn around to face Miura, and she mutters softly.
“I have something to discuss… just a little.”
So, our days leading up to Valentine’s have begun.