Omake: Valentine's Day Special (Part 1)

Around Valentine's Day, the February before Ema and Mai enter Meiji University . . .

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"Kaasan, I don't have time for Valentine's Day chocolates this year."

I'd been on my way home from school when my mother decided to call me. I've been updating them on my university preparations, so I figured this was just another check-in to make sure that everything was going fine. 

That's why I was shocked to hear my mother ask me about February the 14th of all dates.

"Ehhh?" my mother drones. "A high schooler in the prime of her life isn't going to give out Valentine's chocolates this year? Aren't all the kids doing that these days?"

"I've been sticking to the budget like you said, and it's not like I have a full kitchen."

Translation: homemade chocolate is out of the question.

"But there must be something you want to give to your friends?"

"It's fine, Kaasan. They're fine with me making them cards this year."

"Cards? CARDS?!" 

I distance the phone from my ear. 

Too loud! 

"It's not that big a deal, you know," I sya. "Even if I were to give out chocolates they'd only be tomo-choco, friendship chocolate. I don't have time for crushes, let alone dating."

"I know, I know, but it still makes me sad that my favourite daughter isn't able to enjoy her Valentine's Day this year."

"Aren't I your only daughter?"

"Even me and your otousan are doing something special this year," Kaasan hums. 

"Wait? Really?" 

Usually my dad doesn't pay much attention to the smaller holidays other than New Year's. Has she convinced him to take a vacation somewhere?

"Wait, what about Shin?" 

Shin is only in his first year of high school. Yes, he's old enough to be left on his own, but giving him free range of the house unsupervised is a bit...

"What do you mean? Shin isn't going anywhere."

"Wait, does that mean you're not going anywhere?"

"Ehhh?"

"Ehhh?"

Communication over the phone can be so tough sometimes.

I clear my throat and switch the phone to my other ear. 

"So what are you and Tousan doing for Valentine's Day?"

There's a crackle as Kaasan giggles. 

I grimace. My mother is actually giggling. 

"We're having a romantic dinner at a restaurant! It's that fancy place we've always talked about going to."

"I—I see... That sounds fun. I'm glad you two are having some time to yourselves." And I mean that. I feel bad that my parents forget that they're entitled to free time as well. Part of me hoped that when I moved out they would be able to focus more on themselves. Instead, Kaasan has been worrying about me more.

"Thank you, Mai," my mother says. "Even if you aren't doing anything special with your friends or a koibito—"

"I don't even want a boyfriend."

"—Even so," Kaasan's tone firms, "I hope that you'll treat yourself this Valentine's Day. If you can't show love to a koibito then at least show yourself a little love."

I grip the phone, processing what she's just said. 

"Kaasan?"

My mother's tone softens. "You've been working so hard that I can't help but worry. Stress isn't good for the skin or your studies, you know. You should have at least one day off during exam season to rest. No point in taking exams when you're not at full attack power. Increase your hitto pointo!"

Attack power? "Hiito pointo"?

Maybe my mother pays more attention to Shin than I thought. 

"Buy yourself some chocolate this year. From us," she suggests. "It won't overstep your budget if you buy yourself a little something this once. Go to a café or a bakery, or one of those fancy places. Valentines Day only comes thrice for high schoolers, so make it count!"

As much as her vocabulary is worrying me, my mother has a point. 

I look up at the sky. The pale clouds hang over the skyscrapers, casting a subtle gloom on the city below. People walk with faces glued to phones like me, or hurrying toward their next destination. 

There are other high school students out and about as well, a couple of them from my school. Like me, a number of them will be graduating soon. 

I recall the anxious expressions of my classmates during last study hall. We're all so busy this year increasing and maintaining our grades. That's why my small circle of friends and I agreed to only give cards this year. 

"Printed cards are fine, too. We don't need to go all out when we've got so many other things to do," one of them said. 

Given that all of us are aiming for universities with difficult entrance exams, the feeling was mutual. 

I exhale and watch my breath mist out before me. 

"Are you sure that's okay, Kaasan?"

My mother nods. "Mn. If we can enjoy our Valentine's Day, so should you."

I press my lips together. "Arigatou. I miss you and Tousan. I'll send you a message on Valentine's Day, ne?"

Kaasan beams. "Sounds wonderful! Will you send one to Shin as well?"

I shake my head. "You really think he'd want a Valentine's Day message from his older sister?"

"... Good point. Hah... Boys. It's not a bad thing to show a little love for your sibling, though."

"Tell that to Shin." I look ahead, having almost reached the station. "Okay, Kaasan, I have to go."

"Ara, so soon? You should call us more often."

"During break I'll have more time. I'll talk to you again soon. Jaa."

"Talk to you soon!" Kaasan pauses. "Otousan, you say 'goodbye' as well."

There's another pause and the sound of someone grabbing the phone. I hear my father's voice sound on the other end. 

"Goodbye, Mai. Keep studying hard."

"Got it, Tousan."

He ends the call. I chuckle to myself.

It's always interesting when I get a call from my mother. 

She's full of surprises. One of the reasons I love my family after all.

But treating myself? That's not something I thought she would say. 

So far I've been doing my best to stick to the budget and not splurging on anything until after exams. Hearing my mother give her consent for me to buy extra sweets this once makes me a little excited. There are so many stores in Tokyo that I'm not even sure where to start. 

I reach the station and read the schedules on the board. The trains come so often around here that it wouldn't be the end of the world if I took a detour on my way back. 

I think for a moment, then step back outside of the station. There should be a place around here somewhere . . .

I look around. 

"Ah!"