A Box of Love?

Haruto’s POV

The morning came too quickly. My alarm blared, and I groaned, rolling over to silence it. My eyes burned from the lack of sleep, but the sight of the chocolate box sitting on my desk reminded me why I’d stayed up.

I got ready, moving as quietly as possible to avoid waking my parents. The kitchen was silent as I grabbed my bag and tucked the chocolates carefully inside. I didn’t bother with breakfast, I wasn’t sure I could eat anything anyway.

The walk to school felt longer than usual. My thoughts raced, each one louder than the last. What if she didn’t like them? What if I messed up the delivery somehow? I shook my head, trying to focus. I’d made it this far. I couldn’t back out now.

When I arrived, the school was already buzzing with activity. Students exchanged chocolates in the hallways, some shy, others loud and boastful. Couples laughed, their voices blending into the chaotic symphony of Valentine’s Day.

I spotted Hinata near her locker, chatting with Haruna. My chest tightened at the sight of her. She was holding a small bag of chocolates, smiling as Haruna teased her about something.

I hesitated, my feet rooted to the spot. My heart pounded in my chest as I clutched the strap of my bag.

“Just go,” I muttered to myself.

Taking a deep breath, I forced my legs to move. Each step felt heavier, the distance between us stretching longer than it should.

“Good morning, Haruto!” Hinata’s voice was cheerful as she turned to me. Her smile was brighter than the morning sun, and for a moment, I forgot how to speak.

“Morning,” I managed, my voice cracking slightly.

Haruna smirked, clearly amused by my awkwardness. “I’ll leave you two alone,” she said, walking off with a wave.

I glanced at Hinata, who tilted her head slightly. “What’s up?”

“I, uh…” My hand reached into my bag, fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the chocolate box.

Before I could pull it out, someone called her name.

“Hinata!”

It was Rei, waving enthusiastically from down the hall. Hinata’s attention shifted immediately, her smile widening.

“Sorry, Haruto. Can we talk later? I’ll see you in class!” She turned and hurried toward Rei, leaving me standing there with my hand still in my bag.

The hallway seemed louder now, the cheerful voices grating against my ears. I let my hand fall back to my side, gripping the strap of my bag tightly.

***

Class felt endless. The teacher droned on about something I couldn’t care less about, and my gaze kept drifting to Hinata. She was her usual self, laughing quietly at Rei’s jokes and taking diligent notes.

The chocolate box sat in my bag, taunting me. I couldn’t focus. Every time I tried to muster the courage to speak to her, something got in the way, either the teacher’s voice or another student calling her name.

By lunchtime, I was frustrated. I’d been up all night for this moment, and I couldn’t even find the right time to give her the chocolates.

I found a quiet spot outside, away from the noise of the cafeteria. The cold air bit at my skin, but I didn’t mind. I needed to clear my head.

“Haruto?”

I turned to see Hinata standing a few feet away, holding a small lunchbox. She smiled, walking over to sit beside me on the bench.

“Why are you out here?” she asked, opening her lunch.

“Just needed some air,” I replied, avoiding her gaze.

“Are you okay?” Her voice was soft, filled with concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I hesitated, then added, “I, uh… I wanted to give you something.”

She tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

I reached into my bag, pulling out the chocolate box. My hands trembled slightly as I held it out to her. “Here. I made these for you.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. For a moment, she just stared at the box, as if she couldn’t believe it was real. Then, slowly, she took it from me, her fingers brushing against mine.

“You… made these?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah.” I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling my cheeks heat up.

Hinata smiled, her cheeks turning pink. “Thank you, Haruto. This means a lot.”

She opened the box carefully, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the chocolates inside. “They’re beautiful,” she said, picking one up.

“They’re not perfect,” I admitted. “But I tried.”

She took a bite, her expression softening as she tasted it. “They’re delicious.”

Relief washed over me, and I couldn’t help but smile. “I’m glad you like them.”

We sat there for a while, talking and laughing as she ate the chocolates.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Hinata turned to me with a smile. “Thank you, Haruto. Really.”

Her words stayed with me as we walked back to class together.

***

The final bell rang, signaling the end of class. Students shuffled out of the room, laughter and chatter filling the air as everyone prepared to head home. I gathered my things when I noticed Hinata standing by my desk, clutching her bag tightly.

“Haruto,” she said softly, her voice barely audible over the noise.

I looked up, surprised to see her waiting. “Yeah?”

“Do you… want to walk home together?” she asked, her cheeks tinged with pink.

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Hinata rarely asked for things like this, and the suddenness of her invitation made my heart skip a beat. I nodded, quickly stuffing my books into my bag. “Sure.”

We walked out of the school together, the cool February air brushing against our faces. The streets were quieter now, the remnants of Valentine’s Day celebrations evident in the scattered decorations and candy wrappers along the sidewalks.

As we neared the park, Hinata slowed down, glancing at me nervously. “Can we… stop here for a bit?”

I raised an eyebrow but agreed, following her into the park. The faint glow of the streetlights illuminated the path, and the sound of rustling leaves filled the quiet.

We found a bench near a small fountain, the soft trickle of water creating a peaceful ambiance. Hinata sat down, placing her bag on her lap. She hesitated for a moment before reaching inside and pulling out a small, neatly wrapped box.

“This is for you,” she said, holding it out to me. Her cheeks were a deep shade of red, and she avoided my gaze as she spoke. “I… made it myself.”

I stared at the box, my heart pounding in my chest. Slowly, I reached out and took it, my fingers brushing against hers. The box was warm, as if she had been holding it for a long time.

I opened the box carefully, revealing a dozen neatly arranged chocolates. They were flawless, although some were slightly uneven, but to me, they were perfect.

“They look amazing,” I said sincerely, a small smile forming on my lips.

Hinata finally looked up, her eyes searching my face. “Really? You’re not just saying that?”

“I mean it,” I replied, picking one up. I took a bite, the rich flavor melting on my tongue. “These are incredible, Hinata.”

A soft giggle escaped her lips, and her tense shoulders relaxed. “I’m glad you like them.”

“When did you make these? I mean, we were making some chocolates at the workshop and I don't think this is the box of chocolates we made there,” I asked.

She looked down as she gripped her bag on her lap. “I made this last night, I want to make something special… just for you.”

We sat there for a while, our cheeks were super red as silence took over.

As the evening deepened, the park grew quieter, the world around us seeming to fade away. I glanced at Hinata, her face glowing softly in the moonlight. I felt a warmth in my chest, something I couldn’t quite put into words.

“Thank you,” I said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Hinata tilted her head, puzzled. “For what?”

“For everything,” I replied, my voice steady. “For the chocolates. For always being there. For making me smile.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down at her hands. “You don’t have to thank me, Haruto. I’m happy to do those things.”

We fell into a comfortable silence, the sound of the fountain filling the air. The moon hung high above us, casting a gentle glow over the park.

Finally, Hinata stood, brushing off her skirt. “We should head home. It’s getting late.”

I nodded, standing as well. We walked side by side, the silence between us now filled with a quiet understanding.

When we reached Hinata’s house, she turned to me, her smile soft and genuine. “Goodnight, Haruto. And… thank you for walking with me.”

“Goodnight, Hinata,” I replied, my voice warm.

As she stepped inside, I stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door. My heart felt lighter, the events of the day playing over in my mind.

As I walked back home, the box of chocolates in my hand, I couldn’t help but smile.

To be continued…