Episode 21 - Valentine’s Day — The Curse of the Chocolate Special

Before Valentine’s Day — The Forbidden Chocolate Ban

February 7

One week before Valentine’s Day, Ryoko and Shota were getting ready for work as usual in the apartment they shared.

"Shota-kun ♡"

Ryoko glanced back while making toast in the kitchen.

"Hm? What is it?"

"Look forward to Valentine’s Day, okay? ♡"

"Eh, really!? Yay! Chocolate, chocolate!!"

"Ufufu..."

Ryoko smiled sweetly—but behind that smile, a secret project was underway.

(*Note: In Japan, it’s tradition for girls to give chocolate to boys they like on Valentine’s Day.)

[Project Name: The Curse of the Chocolate Special]

This was a super sweet romantic curse Ryoko had been planning since her college days—crafted over the course of a full year just for Shota. The trigger condition was simple:

"Shota must be craving chocolate to the absolute limit."

"And so, Shota-kun ♡ Starting today, chocolate is off-limits.♪"

"...Huh?"

"No chocolate ♡"

"Wait, wha—EHHHH!?!"

And thus began Shota’s Chocolate Withdrawal Hell.

[Day 1–3: A Life Without Sweets]

Shota’s typical routine:

Morning: Coffee and chocolate Afternoon: Chocolate during breaks Evening: Chocolate as a snack and after his bath

Losing his "choco-centered" lifestyle was tougher than expected.

"Ryoko-senpai, just one piece of Snickers..."

"Nope ♡"

"Then... at least a choco biscuit..."

"Here, have some non-chocolate sweets instead.♪"

To make things worse, Ryoko gave Shota a light dose of hormone manipulation to amplify his cravings.

(Why... why can’t I stop thinking about chocolate...!?)

[Day 4–6: Shota Turns into a Choco-Hunter]

Shota began ransacking the apartment. Under the bed, behind the sofa, even the back of the freezer.

"It’s gone... All of it...?!"

"Of course ♡ I collected and hid all the chocolate."

He rushed to the office convenience store—

"Sorry, we’re sold out of chocolate..."

"Wh-What!? Why...?"

"Ms. Takahashi bought all of it this morning."

(Don’t tell me that was... Ryoko-senpai!)

[Day 7: Valentine’s Eve]

"Shota-kun, look ♡"

Ryoko elegantly raised her fingers—causing a Godiva chocolate to float mid-air via telekinesis. It glided smoothly just below the ceiling—completely out of reach.

"S-Stop... If you keep showing me that, I won’t be able to hold back...!!"

"Fufu... You’ve officially reached 100% Choco Craving Level ♡"

Shota had become a full-blown chocolate junkie.

"Tomorrow, work hard, okay? Because your reward will be..."

Ryoko whispered seductively:

"The most incredible Valentine’s Day of your life ♡"

Shota shivered.

(Something dangerous is coming... I can feel it...)

And thus—

February 14, the day of destiny, began.

February 14: Valentine’s Day

It was Shota’s first Valentine’s Day since moving in with Ryoko. And he had turned into a complete choco-zombie.

"Ahhh... chocolate... I need... chocolate..."

Before work, he lay on the sofa, blankly staring at the ceiling.

"That Godiva yesterday... just floating there... I stared at it for three hours..."

The sweet scent alone had melted his brain. And it all began with one sentence—

"Look forward to Valentine’s Day, okay? ♡"

"Ryoko-senpai... I... I..."

9:00 AM — Office

As soon as he arrived, female coworkers swarmed him.

"Here, Shota-kun ♡ It’s just obligation chocolate, but still!"

"I splurged a bit on this—hope you like it~ ♡"

"This one’s a secret crush... just kidding~"

(Ughhhh... the sweet scent... it’s everywhere...)

Gleaming wrappers lined up in front of him. Luxury brands, handmade goodies, even cheap chocolates looked like priceless jewels to Shota now.

(But... but still...!)

"Look forward to Valentine’s Day, okay? ♡"

Ryoko’s words echoed in his head.

With trembling hands, Shota politely turned them all down with, “I’ll take them home later, thank you,” and locked them away in his desk drawer.

(I won’t eat them! For Ryoko-senpai...!)

From the desk beside him, white chocolate scented like perfume. In the meeting room, chocolate samples were passed around.

It was hell.

Nana Sakurai’s Sweet Temptation

"Shota-kun, um... will you accept this?"

It was Ms. Sakurai, blushing slightly as she handed him handmade chocolate.

"Ah, thank you... (Another one!?)"

"A-and, um... if you’re free after work... maybe we could grab tea or something...?"

(This is totally a date invitation...!)

Even dense Shota picked up on her intent and started to panic.

(If Ryoko catches us here... No—she’s definitely watching!)

"Sorry, Sakurai-san, I already have plans choco... I mean, plans... today... choco..."

(Note: Due to chocolate addiction, Shota couldn’t help but add “choco” as a suffix to his words starting around Valentine’s Day.)

"Oh... I see... that’s a shame..." (Why is Shota-kun’s speech so weird...?)

Just as Ms. Sakurai walked away, looking disappointed—

"——Shota-kun ♡"

A spine-chillingly sweet voice came from directly behind him.

(I knew it—CHOCOOOO!!)

He turned around to find Ryoko smiling ear to ear.

But her eyes weren’t smiling at all.

"G-Good morning, Ryoko-senpai choco..."

"Good morning, ♡"

Still smiling, she glanced at the drawer packed with chocolates.

"...Shota-kun, looks like you’re super popular this year, huh?"

"N-No, it’s just obligatory choco...!"

"Hmm? But what’s this fancy one without any 'obligation' label doing here?"

She casually picked up a box with an expensive ribbon.

"T-That’s, um..."

"Also, I saw you talking to Ms. Sakurai just now, didn’t I?"

"N-No no no choco! She invited me but I refused choco!!"

"Hmmm...?"

Ryoko leaned in slowly and peered into Shota’s eyes.

"...Well, fine ♡ Then, can I give you your real Valentine’s chocolate now?"

"Huh?"

With that, she grabbed his necktie and pulled his face close.

"My real chocolate... will be delivered mouth-to-mouth... just kidding ♡"

"Ch-Chocolate!?"

Shota’s face turned bright red at her sultry whisper.

"Geez, I’m joking~ We’re still at work, remember?"

"Y-Yeah choco... right (sweats)"

"But after work... I’ll give you plenty more ♡"

Winking, she walked away.

Shota, still dazed, failed to notice—

That Ms. Sakurai, passing behind Ryoko, was trembling uncontrollably.

(I can never win against Ryoko-senpai...)

—Winner: Ryoko

6:00 PM — Home

"...I’m home... (chocolate...)"

Utterly drained, Shota opened the door.

"Welcome back, Shota-kun ♡"

The dining room glowed softly with candles.

There stood Ryoko, clad in a crimson apron, her silky black hair cascading over her shoulders. On the table: a silver plate holding a single, exquisite piece of chocolate.

"...Huh?"

"This is your Chocolate Special, Shota-kun—crafted over a whole year just for you ♡"

"A whole year...!?"

Ryoko took his hand with a smile.

"I made it while dreaming of the day I’d meet you—back when I was working in the university’s medical lab. Of course, I also added a tiny bit of a curse ♡"

"Wait, it’s a curse!?"

"Ufufu, don’t worry. The only side effect is... you’ll want to devour Ryoko instead ♡"

"Isn’t that, like, super illegal!? That’s insanely dangerous!!"

Then—

Ryoko gently touched his lips with her finger.

"Do you want the chocolate?"

"...Y-Yes... I want it...!"

"Then... go ahead ♡"

She picked up the chocolate—

And placed it gently between her lips.

"...Come get it, Shota-kun."

(Nope. Nope nope nope. This is way too much!!!!)

Shota’s self-control exploded.

"WAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

He leapt into Ryoko’s arms and kissed her, taking the chocolate.

"Mmm... ♡"

The sweetness of the chocolate and the warmth of Ryoko melted together.

And then—

"Fufu... I won’t stop now, you know?"

"That’s it. To hell with the law!!"

Shota drowned in chocolate and love in Ryoko’s embrace.

Epilogue: A Night Too Sweet

Late at night—

"...Huh? I feel like I just had the craziest dream..."

Shota woke in bed, still holding an empty chocolate wrapper.

Written on it was a single line:

"The Curse of the Chocolate Special: Activated ♡"

(...Yeah, I’m never winning this one...)

He sighed at the ceiling.

Beside him, Ryoko slept soundly, a blissful smile on her face.