Valentine's Day Realization

It was Friday, Valentine's Day. I entered my classroom and saw Yuri-chan seated at her desk.

"Mornin', Yuri-chan."

She jolted in her seat. It appeared that I startled her while she was deep in thought. She fanned her face and cleared her throat before facing me.

"G-Good morning…Ki-Kiyoshi-kun."
She displayed a feeble smile.

I looked at her with perplexed eyes. She broke eye contact rather quickly, and I learned nothing from her enigmatic behavior. A few students walked up to her desk and called out to her.

"Sure! I'll be right there!" she exclaimed.

I sat in my own seat, watching as she grabbed a few boxes from her schoolbag and joined a group of girls.
What was that all about? She seems to be just fine with them. Was she nervous or somethin', I thought she'd be used to this holiday.

Contrary to my expectations, Yuri-chan and I were rather distant that day. It only made sense, she handed out and even received a multitude of chocolates.

During class, she focused on the lecture while I mindlessly scribbled on my pages. For lunch, she tagged along with Natsu-chan to eat with a few of her other friends – I didn't really mind, since I wasn't alone. I hadn't realized my personal disappointment until after school.

As soon as the bell rang, a different group of girls swarmed Yuri-chan's desk. I peeked through thin gaps to see her face, and she had a playful smile, so I figured she was okay. I stood up and packed my things to head to the clubroom to get the watering pail.

She should've finished that project with Natsu-chan by now, right? Even so, I doubt she'll actually show up, I wouldn't be surprised if she had more plans today.

The clubroom was desolate, not even the curtains were opened to let natural light inside. I grabbed one of the pails and filled it with water using the hallway sinks.

I guess everyone has after school plans.

*Jealous?*

Oh, now you show up? No, I'm not––

*You expected today was goin' to be different from the previous years, but it's all the same.*

W-Well, I can't really say it hasn't been a let down…but I'm not blamin' her for it or anythin'!

*Then what is there to be upset about?*

I went to the flower garden, that time with my nose pointed at the ground. With each step on the grass and concrete, I recalled the times where she was by my side, holding her own pail. I had the entire route to myself, which meant all I had with me was a blank feeling.

Upon reaching the garden, it was near barren besides one person who was standing at the still bare sakura trees in the center. With just a single glance at the individual, I shakily parted my lips.

"Yuri…chan," I called, setting down the watering pail.

Instantaneously, she turned her head and saw my face – the rest of her body followed suit. We ambled towards each other until we were face-to-face. She closed the gap by tightly wrapping her arms around me, while I stood with dazed eyes.

Red covered my face, her delicate scent that I had gotten used to in the past several months clouded my nose. She pulled away from me and took a couple steps back. I could tell she was holding back tears, but I had a feeling she'd be happy to let them out.

Choked up, she said, "I-I'm sorry, for neglecting you all day, even week. I-I didn't…I didn't mean to."
Her head sunk to the ground, while mine tilted to the left.

"Y'know, you seemed really happy bein' with Natsu-chan and other people. There's no need to apologize for havin' fun, I'd rather you be smilin' than sulky like right now."

Like her spirits, her head lifted and our eyes connected.
"I did have fun with them, however, nothing we did ever matched the excitement and enjoyment I feel when being…with you.

My pupils dilated.
Wh-What is she sayin'?

She continued, "I've had many friends, but there's only a select few that truly give me bliss, and I only know who they are because you showed me how to differentiate them. It was you who noticed my subconscious cry for help and reached out. I selfishly persisted and burdened you, but you stayed with me and raised me from a sinking wave of stress. That is what I call a true friend."

Hearing her words, all the threats and burdens I ever received from my bullies and loneliness were muted and dissipated. They were drowned out by the voice of a beautiful sound. Her shining outline, assisted by the shining lush of the garden, made it impossible to look away from – I didn't want to anyways.

So this is what they call, "as pretty as a picture"?

"Can I tell you something, Kiyoshi-kun?"

"Hmm?"

"I lied to you about this week."

"What?"
I was puzzled by her mystifying phrasing.

"Remember how I helped Hanamaru-chan work on her class project?"

"Yeah, how'd it go?"

"We…didn't work on it."

My eyebrows lifted then furrowed.

"We weren't together for the class project, but because she was teaching me about a different kind of project."
She reached for her schoolbag at the trunk of the tree and pulled out a clear container filled with different kinds of sweets. Trembling and flustered, she extended her arms.

"I-I always give people store-bought sweets… But just for this…I spent the week…learning how to perfectly make these."
She shuffled her feet, unable to hold herself still and there was no chance of her making eye contact with me.
"Th-They still might not be the best…so I'm sorry if you don't like them…Eeh?"

She lifted her head and saw streams of a broken dam flowing down my face. I looked at her through the tears that rested on my eyes, and saw the perpetual glimmers from the sun glistening around her.

I took a few broken inhales to assemble the words I needed to say to her.
"Th-This is…the first time…anyone has ever…given me somethin' like this. I-I can't believe it…"
I don't know if I did it correctly, but I tried my best to give her a beaming smile that could accurately express my gratitude.

Even through a curtain of tears, I could tell she was tickled pink like a carnation. I let out a faint chuckle.
This girl used to be some random stranger I didn't want any connection with. She saved me without realizin' it, and it was because she's naturally kind-hearted. The way she looks, smells, laughs, and smiles, I'm so lucky to be accustomed to them all. She's grown out of her anxious shell because she has a mission to accomplish, and I want to help her. She's the perfect friend.

The sunrays of the evening-turning sky glimmered behind her, from the mountainside. She made it feel like the winter branches still had their cherry blossoms, and with that, they painted around her with white and pink. A revelation struck me.

She's not just the perfect friend… I'm in love with her.

Never in my life had there been an emotion that had so completely and effortlessly and irrevocably changed my perspective on life before that very moment. I was in love with her.

➼ ➼ ➼

I entered my room and nosedived into my futon. I rolled around from pure ecstasy for several minutes until I was too dizzy to discern my bearings. The entire walk to my apartment was of me repeating the phrase, "I'm in love with her," in my head.

In my schoolbag was the container she had given me. I figured it was the perfect time to taste her emotions. I opened it and saw the varieties of chocolate, then delicately picked a piece up and brought it to my eyes.

I'm goin' to have to return the favor. I'll need Muku's culinary help, but I want to make sure I get it perfect too.
I took my first bite of a chocolate square.
Mmm-hmm, no doubt about it, these are perfect. The girl of butterfly weeds is the love of my life now… What now?