Chapter 6: Happiness on Valentine’s Day

In this world, there are two types of people: those who look forward to Valentine’s Day, and those who are just trying to survive it. Without a doubt, I belong to the second group.

The bus that morning was packed. Not because of rush hour. Not because of a traffic jam. It was because of the scent of chocolate saturating the air. Sweet. Thick. Suffocating. The smell hung like a sugar fog, slowly strangling my lungs.

Beside me, two schoolgirls giggled. "What if he rejects me?" "No way! He’ll definitely be happy!"

Behind me— "I made this myself!" "Serious? That’s so romantic!"

I stared out the window. Clear sky. Fresh air. The atmosphere was far too happy. Why did it feel like a social apocalypse to me?

When the bus arrived downtown, the view only worsened. People were smiling everywhere. Couples exchanged boxes of chocolate. Some were even hugging, as if the entire world had agreed that today had to feel sweet. This wasn't a city; it was a minefield for anyone unprepared for love.

I walked fast. Don’t get involved. Don’t make eye contact. Don’t be a background NPC.

However, the campus was no better. Touma stood in front of the building with a bag that looked significantly heavier than usual. "Yo, Kengo-kun! Good morning!" "Morning... looks like you had a good harvest."

He smirked with satisfaction. "Valentine’s Day is peak season for love consultants. Did you get anything?" "No." And hopefully, I never would. But before that thought could finish—

The sound of footsteps. My neck muscles tensed instantly. Please. Not again.

"There he is!" The fanatics had arrived. And their target remained the same.

Takeda. "Takeda-sama! Please accept my chocolate!" "Take mine!" "Even if you’ve changed, you’re still number one!"

Takeda—with his messy black hair and thick glasses—looked like a lost rabbit at a lion festival. "I beg of you... let me live!" he cried.

He bolted. The corridor transformed into a survival arena. In the chaos, someone was pushed. A box of chocolate went flying. Someone lost their balance near the stairs.

Kurumi.

Without thinking, I lunged forward and grabbed her arm. Time stopped. She was right in front of me. I could feel her breath. Her face was so close I could count her eyelashes. Her eyes widened.

"U-um... Kengo-kun..." Her voice was barely audible. "How long are you going to hold my arm like this? I’m... embarrassed."

I snapped out of it. "Oh—s-sorry!" I let go of her slowly.

She offered a small, shy smile. "Thank you... I really might have fallen just now." Then her eyes landed on the box on the floor. The chocolate inside was crushed. Stepped on. "Oh..." Her voice wavered. "I spent all night making this..."

I went silent. "That chocolate... was for you, Kengo-kun."

My chest felt tight. All night? Without hesitation, I picked up a piece that was still wrapped in plastic and ate it. "E-eh?! That was just stepped on!" "It's fine."

I chewed. Sweet. Warm. And then—Spicy. Why is it spicy?!

Kurumi turned her face away, her cheeks burning bright red. "I know... I shouldn't have tried to make 'friendship chocolate' on a day like this..." She sounded truly disappointed.

"It’s good," I said. She looked at me suspiciously, searching for sarcasm. "I’m serious. Unique. But good."

She stared at me for a long time. Then she whispered, "In that case... I’ll be waiting for your return gift."

I froze. Oh. So this is how the system of reciprocity works.

That night, my kitchen turned into a war zone. Burnt chocolate. Failed shapes. Textures resembling ancient artifacts recently unearthed from ruins. My sister walked into the kitchen. "Brother. Why don't you just buy some?"

I stayed silent for two seconds. Then—I ran out of the house.

The next day, I brought a box. "Kurumi. This is my return gift." She froze. "Seriously?" "Just open it in the clubroom."

We entered the room. Touma was busy receiving chocolate from a professor. "Popularity is a heavy burden," he sighed dramatically.

Kurumi opened the box. Then she went still. "Kengo..."

I looked inside. My heart nearly stopped. A heart shape. The chocolate was shaped like a heart. Curse that bakery!

Touma patted my shoulder. "Heart-shaped cakes are usually synonymous with love confessions." "Don't make it worse!" I snapped.

I looked at Kurumi. She held the box tightly. Her cheeks were flushed. Silence. One second. Two seconds. "Kengo-kun..."

This was it. My life was over. However—she smiled. A soft, warm smile. Not a shy smile. Not a formal smile. An honest smile. "I really, really like your gift."

The room immediately exploded. Touma cheered. Takeda smiled with relief. Kurumi looked at me again. "Let's eat it together."

As she smiled like that, I realized something. If happiness had a shape... perhaps it looked like this. She tilted her head. "Kengo-kun? Is something wrong?" "No." I gave a thin smile. "Let's eat."

The door didn't open again. No interruptions. No extra drama. Only the sound of laughter filled the small room. Touma held his chocolate high. "Alright! Since it’s Valentine’s, let's celebrate everything!" Takeda nodded. "For the first time... I can enjoy this day without being chased."

Everyone laughed. Kurumi cut the heart cake slowly. "Come on, Kengo-kun. Let’s split it evenly." "I never agreed to this division of assets." "Be quiet. This is your punishment for making my heart race earlier."

She held out a small piece. Her hand trembled slightly. I accepted it. For a moment—no fanatics. No chasing. No chaos. Just a small room. A simple table. Chocolate that was a bit too sweet. And Kurumi’s smile, which felt warmer than anything I had ever known.

"Is it good?" she asked. "Yeah." I swallowed. "At least this time it isn't spicy."

She giggled. Lightly. Freely. And I realized something. I was starting to like this. Not because of Valentine’s Day. Not because of the chocolate. But because of the person sitting across from me.

Kurumi looked at me again. "What?" "Nothing," I answered shortly. "Just eat."

But in my heart, I thought—if a day like this could happen again... I wouldn't mind at all.

Outside, the evening sun began to set. Valentine’s Day was almost over. And for the first time in my life... I didn't feel alone in the middle of it.