Chocolates

I...I'm shivering...!!

T...The month is February, usually this is the peak of winter. Forecast even declared drastic temperature drop from now until beginning of March.

It makes me feel lazy to go to school. Though, I am already walking.

More importantly....

TODAY IS THE 14th of February, meaning..... IT'S VALENTINE'S DAY!

Last year was a good Valentine's day for me, because one of my girl friend from my class gave me a chocolate box!

It was aesthetically wrapped. I was surprised that time since we're just elementary students and she had that nice present for me.

I wonder what she's up to now....

A...Anyway, I should hurry up.

...

H...Here I am, in front of my shoe box.

I...I'm nervous. What if someone really put one inside?

D...Does this mean someone might have a crush on me?!

I..Impossible! But... there might be a chance....

G...God, why am I even assuming?!

I should open my shoe box with no hesitations. Hng!

My hand touches and pulls the handle of my shoe box without me noticing. Am I excited instead?!

Huh? None?

I....It's a given...! Yes, it is! I am not that charismatic, after all. Hehehe.

Guess I'll go to the classroom, then.

"Morning, Tanaka. What's up?" greeted Suzuki as she also opens her shoe box.

Of course, she'll appear!

"Hmm, looking disappointed, aren't you? Kekeke..." teased Suzuki as she softly laughs.

"I...I am not! I'll go first upstairs. See ya!"

I have to avoid numerous teasing occurrences today!

"Okay, see you." answered Suzuki.

....

It's lunch time again, the best part of the schedule!

I am here in the cafeteria, seeping some warm tea and having ramen as my food. These matches the kind of freezing weather we are having.

Even though the area is jampacked, I am in luck to occupy a vacant table. Yes~

"Is this seat taken?" asked Suzuki.

S....Suzuki!

"W...Why are you here?! You startled me!"

"Was my entrance a shocking one? Or you're just embarrassed because a girl will share a table with you?" questioned Suzuki as she exhibits a teasing grin against me.

"I...I have no problem with you seating with me on a table. Whatever, you can eat here."

I....I have to be strong!

"Brr!! It's so cold. By the way Tanaka, have you brought your History textbook?" asked Suzuki.

"Yeah, what of it?"

"Can I share it with you later? I forgot mine when I was organizing my bag." requested Suzuki.

Is Suzuki a true airhead?

"S...Sure, though you are really an airhead, aren't you? Hahaha!"

S...Success! I teased Suzuki! Yey!

So, what is your comeback line?!

"Hmm, I must be getting forgetful at times." said Suzuki.

Did you just admit your defeat, Suzuki!? Well, I'll take it all day!

"Does this mean I wi-"

"Say Tanaka, what's the event today?" asked Suzuki as she looks confused.

"E..Event?"

"What do they call it again...? Hmm...." said Suzuki.

"V...Valen..."

"Valen? Valen-what?" asked Suzuki as she really is expressing a confused emotion.

"V...Valentine's....."

I can't say it loud...!!

"Oh, the thing that couples are awaiting! Oh right, I remembered it!" said Suzuki.

I...Is she this forgetful?

"Then, what was that act that couples usually do? The one with their lips are pressing with each other as a form of showing love. What do they call it again?" inquired Suzuki.

Was that even a serious question?!

"I...It's a....."

"A.... what, Tanaka? Tell me." insisted Suzuki.

"K...Ki....ss....."

"What? Make it louder, I can't hear you from here. Should I come closer?" asked Suzuki as she prepares to get closer to me.

T....This girl...!!

I just need to utter it to stop this embarrassing fiasco!

"A....kiss....."

"Oh, it's a kiss, huh? Then, what do they call the..." said Suzuki.

There's more?!

"C'mon, Suzuki. Quit messing with me already and finish what you're eating instead."

"Sorry, Tanaka. I am just asking you some essential things since I am an AIRHEAD, right?" asked Suzuki as she confidently smiles at me.

S...She got me! My earlier tease backfired!

"Hahaha! You were blushing so hard when you are about to say the word 'kiss'. It's so hilarious!" mocked Suzuki.

"There's no way I can say it straight! Hngk!"

"Oh, and here I thought you are the toughest guy in our class. Was that a bluff? Hmm~" ridiculed Suzuki.

"S...Such thing like that has some exemptions. Anyway, let's go. I don't wanna be late in the History class."

She got me again this time! Can't I really win?

"In a hurry, huh? Hmm, I can't blame you though, I can tell you are excited that we're actually gonna share the same table since I am going to use your book too." assumed Suzuki.

"W....What are you saying?! I am not excited..! Whatever, let's walk."

We need to take the stairs so we need to haste it. T...That's all.

Hmm? The cafeteria sells branded chocolates? That's rare. They must have been taking advantage of today's situation.

I wonder.... Just a hunch.... Will Suzuki give me a chocolate today?

I mean, we're classmates, right? Y...Yes, an obligatory chocolate!

After all, we're just friends.

Yes, just friends.

........

Good, we're back at the classroom now.

"Tanaka, want a surprise?" asked Suzuki.

S...Surprise?! Meaning, it might be chocolates!!

I...I must calm down, she must be teasing me again!

B...But what if..... it's true?

"S...Surprise? Sure, what do you got?"

"Check it under your desk, the spot where you place your books." instructed Suzuki.

U...Under...!?

T...This...! A red, heart-shaped box! This means.... A CHOCOLATE!!

"I...Is this..."

S...Suzuki will give me a chocolate?! For real?!

"Oh, what is this? A chocolate present?" entered Riko.

S...Saionji-san is here! Her presence makes it more embarrassing.

"I'm sure I placed a ribbon as a seal.... Hmm..." whispered Suzuki as she stares at the box.

A ribbon? But there was neither a ribbon under my desk.

"C'mon, open it already, Kusakabe! I'm thrilled!" said Riko.

S...She's energetic today, huh?

"Open it, Tanaka." said Suzuki.

"O...Okay...:

My God, what could this be???

I...It's not that I'm thrilled or what...

Fine, I'm opening it!

Hnnggggg.... Huh?

W...What the hell is this?

I opened the box and what's inside sure is weird.

It is not a chocolate, rather than a small pile of soil with few small earthworms crawling on it.

"W....What the hell, Suzuki? Your teasing has gone too fa- Huh?"

Suzuki looks.... truly alarmed. This is the first time I've seen her face express such emotion.

"I was sure I placed a chocolate in there. There's no doubt." said Suzuki in shock.

This soil must be from the school garden. It looks rich and loamy.

"I...I'm sure of it, someone stole the box!" revealed Riko.

"When did you place this under my table?" I asked.

"As you left the classroom to go to the cafeteria." answered Suzuki.

Saionji-san must be correct. There's this someone who grabbed this under my desk.

We do not know who will attempt to do that, though. Even though Suzuki always teases me, I never heard of someone who has a grudge against her. I mean, because I'm the only one who gets mocked all the time.

T...That person.... He/She ruined what could have been the only present I will receive today. Huwaah~

"Suzuki, are you okay?" asked Riko with a concerned tone.

If I was in Suzuki's shoes, I'd feel extremely bad.

"It's fine. I'll just give you both this chocolate candy." said Suzuki as she smiles at me.

"T....Thank you."

T...That smile.... is not like usual. I can observe it perfectly.

"Don't worry, I'll ask the security committee for a footage review later." assured Riko.

"Thanks, Riko. But you really don't have to. It's okay." answered Suzuki.

Who might that be.... the person that'll attempt this kind of stuff?

It's either against Suzuki or even me?!

W...Who knows....

" *sigh* Excuse me for a while, I'll throw the soil outside."

I better get rid of this mess.

...........

Dismissal time, 17:00. Suzuki and I are currently walking towards the direction of the fork that separates our way through our respective home.

Since that startling scene, she's not talking that much.

She didn't even tease me during the History class, when we were sharing my book.

I...It's understandable, even I will be bitter about it.

Hmmm...

Ahrmm.....

Arrgh..!!!

The silence is deafening, This is so peculiar, in a sense that it is extremely weird!

Why do I feel so irritated? Arghh!!

This isn't you, Suzuki. C'mon.

I...I don't have a choice, then.

"U..Uhmm, Suzuk-"

"Sorry, Tanaka. For that mess earlier." apologized Suzuki.

"Y...You must not apologize about it. I...It wasn't your fault."

"I made that chocolate last night, and yet everything was foiled today. What a mess." said Suzuki.

Her tone is not the always the soft yet energetic. It is filled with regret or such thing close to that.

I'm not a fan of moments like this.

I really have to do this, even though this will be embarrassing.

"S...Suzuki, here."

"A chocolate bar..... Tanaka, are you giving this to me?" asked Suzuki as she speaks in awe.

S...She sounds shocked, what should I do?!

"Y...Yes."

"B...But why? I should be the one giving you since it's Valentine's today." said Suzuki.

"W...Well, you look so down for a while so I wanted to.... I...It's not what you think, okay?! I...I just did it because I'm not used to you being like that."

"Tanaka...." uttered Suzuki as she looks at me.

"B...Besides, a gender role swap for handing out chocolates can be f..fun at this time, right? A... twist, like that?"

C...C'mon, I am so embarrassed right now!!

"W....When did you buy this? I didn't see you purchase one when we were at the cafeteria." questioned Suzuki.

"I bought one when I went downstairs to throw the soil. I figured that t...this would cheer you up so...."

After I said that, her look became more straight yet now filled with delight, I guess.

I mean, her eyes are now glistening. More like back to the usual character.

"Hahaha...! You're red again, Tanaka." teased Suzuki.

Yeah, she is back! She's teasing me right away!

"Thank you, Tanaka. For giving me this present. I thank you for cheering me up." appreciated Suzuki.

S....Suzuki.... She appears to be really.... happy. Her smile is so authentic, as I can observe a tiny amount of tear in her eye.

P...Plus, I might be assuming but.... she's blushing.

I....It must be because she's happy, i..it's a given.

But because of this, I can't help but to be flustered myself.

Her bright expression gives me a sense of relief, that she is fully okay.

The somewhat heavy feeling inside me is gone upon looking at her.

This is..... satisfying to watch.

"I...I'm going this way, see you on Monday...."

My face is so red, I can feel it!

"Oops, Tanaka. Where is my way home again? Can you go with me?" asked Suzuki in a teasing tone.

"Cut it out already, Suzuki. I'm not gonna fall for that!"

S...She's truly recovered, that's great.

"Then, fall for me instead." answered Suzuki.

H....Huh??!

"Bye!" shouted Suzuki as she sprints to her house's direction.

D...Darn it, she got me again! I...I can't help but be.... too flustered.

Argh, her teasing actions are always formidable.

She's just the unbeatable teaser I can ever mention.

---------------END OF CHAPTER 16-----------------