A Day Full of Emotions Ends With a Single Conclusion

Valentine's Day had arrived. Just as expected, the entire school was bustling with excitement even in the early hours of the morning. Amane watched as a stream of girls entered the classroom, one after another, to each hand Yuuta a gift.

Do we even have this many people in our class?

Yuuta came straight to school this morning since he didn't have morning practice. By the time he walked into the classroom, his hands were already full. Amane watched the scene unfold with the detached air of a spectator.

Ah, so it begins, he mused. But it wasn't until a flood of girls, upon hearing of Yuuta's arrival, swarmed in after he sat down that Amane realized the real chaos was only just beginning.

"This is hard to watch. Dude's still gotta survive recess and after school too…"

It didn't look like the crowd of girls handing over their gifts first thing in the morning would be thinning out anytime soon. As he was surrounded, neither Amane nor Itsuki could even approach Yuuta, let alone offer him a helping hand, so all they could do was wish him the best from a distance.

This is way too hectic. Might be best to call security or something at this point.

"Dude, there's literally people betting on how many he's gonna get." "Each time the pile grows, everyone else gets more jealous…or so you'd think, but now everyone just feels sorry for him."

"Yeah, when it's this bad, it goes right past jealousy and straight to… 'Wow, that's gotta be rough.'"

Yuuta handled the endless stream of girls with a smile, remembering all their names and thanking them properly. Seeing this, it became clear that most other guys no longer envied him. The exhaustion of flawlessly handling all the girls approaching him outweighed any jealousy.

"Can he even bring all that home? I'm starting to get worried. I mean, I doubt that's all fitting in his locker. No chance."

"Yuu-chan might end up taking a taxi," Chitose said. "I'm sure he's already planned things out."

Unfazed by her sudden appearance, Amane greeted Chitose with a casual "Good morning." She returned the greeting with a jolly smile.

"Oh, Amane, take this. It's your chocolate. Express thy gratitude!"

Chitose had come over just for this, handing Amane a box wrapped in warm, pastel-toned paper—very much Chitose's style. The packaging was chic and thoughtfully designed, the kind of present anyone would be thrilled to receive. Yet, knowing what lay inside, Amane couldn't muster up any genuine excitement.

"Well, well, you have my thanks…but let me ask this first: how bad is it?" "…Uh, worse than last year?"

"Why'd you go out of your way to make it worse…"

Last year's chocolate had already been a sweet-scented weapon that wreaked havoc on both his taste buds and stomach. Hearing that it was now even "worse" sent a shiver down Amane's spine.

"Oh, you'll be fine. Mahirun tried some just fine, and even Ikkun got some down."

"Their reactions are so different…" Amane muttered.

"It won't give you an upset stomach; I can guarantee that much. I would sorta recommend getting some yogurt or milk down first though, just in case."

"Seriously, it's a bad sign that you even have to warn me… But even so, thanks, I guess."

At least she had the decency to give me a heads-up.

With a sigh, Amane thanked her while trying to remember if he had any yogurt left in the fridge.

A creeping sense of dread struck him. There was no doubt Chitose had packed something potent inside. Still, guessing that Mahiru had stepped in as a safeguard, he held out hope that his taste buds wouldn't face a full-blown assault. Judging by the size of the box, it seemed likely that at least a few of the chocolates were normal. He could only pray that they would balance things out.

"You'll be fine. You've helped me out many times, so I've packed it with plenty of love. Oh, just as a friend, of course. Friendship love."

"I wouldn't mind at all if you packed all that love into Itsuki's instead." "Don't just sell me out like that, man! I've already had more than enough, thanks!"

"I have seconds for you, Ikkun!" "Eek!"

"Hey, watch out," Amane said. "You're gonna make Itsuki despair." "Aren't you guys being a little too harsh?" Chitose retorted.

"Nah, had you made all the chocolates normal, Itsuki would've been jumping for joy."

"There's like no excitement in that, though."

"We don't really find excitement in physical pain, to be honest with you…"

It would've been fine if the novelty lay in their appearance or how they were eaten, but when the sole focus was to overwhelm the victim's taste buds, it was bound to hit some people like a ton of bricks.

Chitose, clearly enjoying the whole bit, beamed at Itsuki and then proclaimed something rather cruel. "Look forward to it!" Feeling a bit sorry for him, Amane silently cheered for Itsuki's body, especially his stomach, as he took the chocolate and stepped away.

Stashing her chocolates in his locker until it was time to head home was the best move. Even though he'd brought a bag, carrying it around and shaking the food inside wasn't ideal. With that in mind, Amane headed toward the lockers at the back of the classroom.

Just as he did, someone called out to him. "Fujimiya-kun!"

When he turned around, he saw one of his female classmates standing there.

Amane remembered that she had spoken to him on Christmas Eve last year, but he couldn't think of any reason for her to approach him now. Letting out a casual "Hmm?" in response, he watched as she smiled brightly and came closer, a bag in her hand.

"This is for you. Happy Valentine's!"

Before Amane could fully process the situation, the girl…Hibiya handed him a small bag of chocolate wafers in a bright red package with a cheerful smile.

"…Sorry, what?"

"Oh, don't worry, this is just regular obligatory chocolate. I'm handing them out to everyone in our class. It's one hundred percent just obligatory. I've got a whole bunch in here."

Given the many huge packets stuffed in her bag, she must have bought several family packs of chocolate for the occasion.

Amane couldn't sense any special feelings coming from her. Even to those around them, it was nothing more than an obligatory gift. To top it off, the package wasn't even Valentine-themed, but one meant for wishing success on exams. Amane believed that she only wanted to give them out to everyone.

Looking around, Amane noticed other male and female classmates holding the same chocolate wafers. She had indeed handed them to the entire class.

"Th-Thanks."

"Now, don't forget to reassure Shiina-san," the classmate said. "She's been staring us down for a while now."

"Mahiru…" Glancing at Mahiru, Amane noticed that while she didn't look upset, she was staring right at him.

"No, it's nothing like that! I'm not trying to steal him or anything." Hibiya waved her hand energetically and laughed lightheartedly, making it evident that she didn't like him romantically. They might be on friendly terms as classmates, but there was absolutely nothing for Mahiru to worry about.

"Yeah, I don't think so either."

Amane stated this seriously, not just because he didn't think anyone had a reason to like him but also to subtly reassure Mahiru not to worry.

Surprised, Hibiya's eyes widened before staring at him intently.

"Fujimiya-kun…" "Yeah?"

"How much do you love Shiina-san?" Amane nearly coughed in surprise.

He hadn't expected such a blunt question from a classmate. He froze for a moment and stared at Hibiya. She, however, met his gaze with curious, almost probing eyes as if trying to confirm something.

"Well that sure came out of nowhere. Why do you ask? Honestly, having to answer that makes me kind of embarrassed."

"Let's be honest, it's pretty obvious you're madly in love with her. Your attitude and the way you act give it away."

"It's that obvious?"

"Yes, that obvious. You even soften your expression."

Amane didn't feel any change in his expression. However, compared to when he used to push people away, his face might have softened a bit. He touched his cheeks, wondering if that was true, but they still felt as thin and firm as ever—nothing like the softness of Mahiru's.

Realizing that even his classmates saw him that way made Amane want to die from cringe, but groaning about it would only draw more attention. He swallowed his thoughts and did his best to keep his cool.

"Aha ha, you're all right for now. Shiina-san's not next to you, so you look all serious," Hibiya said.

"Serious or not, I'm just glad I didn't look sappy. That would've been way too embarrassing."

"You really oughta check how you look like with Shiina-san. Want me to take a pic next time you're together?"

"Yeah, think I'll pass on that one."

"Aww," Hibiya pouted. "Too bad." Or so she said, but there wasn't a trace of actual disappointment in her voice. She wasn't teasing him or being sarcastic, either. Hibiya kept their exchange lighthearted and casual, which made Amane feel at ease.

"Either way, it's clear that you love Shiina-san lots… She's the only one for you, isn't she?"

"Of course." Amane nodded, confident he could say the same to anyone who asked.

Not once had Amane loved Mahiru half-heartedly—there was no way anyone else could take her place. He knew his feelings were heavy, but it had to be Mahiru. He couldn't imagine anyone else being in his life. Because of her, he'd become who he was now, and the thought of turning his gaze toward anyone else was simply impossible.

Hibiya looked slightly taken aback, surprised by his immediate response.

"Whoa, an instant answer. But yeah, I agree too. I really do, but…" "But?"

"Hmm… It's not something I can do anything about…" Hibiya said solemnly.

Before Amane could fully grasp what she meant, Hibiya flashed the same charming smile as before and waved her hand lightly.

"Never mind, it's nothing. I just mean that things must be hard for Shiina-san."

"For Mahiru? What do you mean…?"

"She must be worried that some girls might try hitting on her boyfriend."

"Shouldn't I be worried about that happening to her…?" "Well, who's to say?" Hibiya replied.

Amane tried to grasp what Hibiya's little grin might be hinting at, but he couldn't read anything from her expression. He could only tilt his head in confusion.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧ 

"Fujimiya-kun, here you go!"

When lunchtime arrived, Ayaka showed up with Souji in tow, heading straight for Amane. Since Ayaka was in the same class, though, it was more accurate to say that Souji was the only one visiting. In Ayaka's hands was a long, neatly wrapped box.

As Amane's social circle expanded this year, he received a few chocolates from the girls in his class. Naturally, each came with the assurance that they were purely obligatory. After being approached and handed sweets throughout the day, Amane developed a knack for sensing when another came his way.

And now, Amane was even receiving chocolates from Ayaka, another one of his friends. She placed the box firmly into his hands with a bright, cheerful smile.

"A pro—?"

"It's not a protein bar, don't worry. What do you take me for?" "A lady from the protein bar distribution system."

Ayaka had a habit of constantly recommending or handing out protein products, so much so that whenever she gave out food, Amane's first thought was, Oh, more protein. She had firmly cemented that image in his mind.

Amane had assumed this would be yet another extension of her usual protein habits, but it seemed this time was an exception.

Ayaka pouted. "Is that really what you think of me?" she grumbled. "You reap what you sow, Ayaka…" Souji said. "Just look at what you've given me so far." "Uuuu…"

"All right, that was my bad," Amane apologized. "Yeah, I doubt you'd bring protein with you today, right, Kido?"

"Nope, I've got protein chocolate bars too!" "So you do have some."

Despite her concerns about her image, Ayaka still pulled out some protein bars as proof, which made it hard to take her complaints seriously. Souji, clearly familiar with this routine, gave her a look that seemed to say, "Here we go again." It made Amane wonder if either of them realized they were only reinforcing the idea that Ayaka equals protein.

"I mean, c'mon…they taste nice!" "I know. I have one every so often."

"I see you've finally awakened to the truth, Fujimiya-kun," Ayaka exclaimed with a grin.

"I have not."

"Aw, come on!"

"Why are you pushing them so hard…?"

"See, it'd be great if Sou-chan got a new workout buddy, and Shiina-san would be happy, too. It's a win-win!"

"Kayano, let's save the workout talk for when we're at work," Amane joked.

"Yeah, good call."

"You guys are so cruel! You're just trying to leave me out!" Ayaka protested dramatically.

Mentioning anything about working out around Ayaka would only get her unnecessarily excited, so Amane and Souji wisely chose to save those conversations for private. In response, Ayaka puffed out her cheeks.

"Now that it has come to this, I must recruit Shiina-san… But no need to worry; she has lots of potential…"

"Don't infect others with your weirdness." Souji lightly flicked her forehead with his finger.

"Oof!" Ayaka stepped back, realizing she had gotten too carried away.

Typically, Ayaka was the one looking after Souji, but whenever she got too worked up, Souji stepped in to keep her in check. With a dramatic pout, her shoulders slumped to show how disappointed she was.

"…Muscles aside, thanks," Amane said. "I appreciate it." "No, no, you've helped me out lots, Fujimiya-kun."

"I don't recall doing much, though."

"Well, you know, you've been getting along with Sou-chan and stuff." "Are you my mom or something?" Souji retorted.

"No, I'm your adorable girlfriend!"

"…Even if you are, there are much better ways of going about things."

Ah, he's embarrassed.

Amane and Ayaka realized this immediately. With a smug smile, she responded, "'Kaaay," in a soft, sing-song tone and with a pleased look.

"Thanks for the treat."

Hearing Amane say this, Souji used his stiff facial muscles to give Ayaka a meaningful look. Watching the couple with a warm smile, Amane couldn't help but think Souji was a lucky guy. However, when Souji's sharp gaze shifted toward him, Amane realized he might have been staring just a little too long. He quietly slipped away, leaving the happy couple behind as if nothing had happened.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧ 

In a way, Valentine's Day only truly began after school.

Knowing his presence might create trouble for the rest of the track team, Yuuta's coach had instructed him to sit out today. As expected, students immediately swarmed him as soon as school let out.

The sight of the girls eagerly waiting for classes to end before bombarding him with gifts was nothing short of remarkable. Judging by their indoor shoes, they came from various year groups, and the entire scene looked like a school legend in the making.

Amane watched the scene from a distance. But don't mistake his inaction for heartlessness—if he stepped in now, he'd almost certainly, if not definitely, draw the wrath of those girls and risk complicating his school life. Besides, their feelings were sincere, and he had no right to interfere. All he and his friends could do was wait patiently for the crowd to settle down.

"You've done well today."

After nearly an hour, the wave of people finally subsided, leaving behind a pile—or a mountain—of gifts wrapped with painstaking enthusiasm. With the crowd dispersed, Yuuta no longer needed to keep up appearances, and his exhaustion was plain to see. While it had been slightly less chaotic than the morning frenzy, the sheer number of people coming and going had far exceeded it. His overwhelming popularity even left Itsuki, who had known him for years, blown off his feet.

"…Oh, you guys waited for me."

"Well, not like we had much choice. You were kind of…busy."

"You look like you're running on fumes. Seriously, great job surviving that."

"Thanks, everyone… You didn't even try to approach me at all today, did you?"

Yuuta looked at them with slightly gloomy eyes, to which they simply exchanged glances.

"Well, I mean, yeah…"

"There's no way," Chitose replied. "I didn't wanna get stabbed. Those stares, seriously—if looks could kill…"

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to get in the way of their feelings."

"They say you'll get kicked by a horse if you meddle in someone's love life. Also, I definitely didn't have the courage to push through that wall of people. Sorry."

"Don't apologize for that…"

Everyone shook their heads. Yuuta leaned back against the chair with a tired expression, sighing from exhaustion.

The mountain of gifts from the girls was piled so precariously on his desk that it looked like it might collapse with the slightest of bumps. On top of that, Yuuta's locker was still jam-packed with the fallout of the morning chaos. He had far more than he could carry on his own.

"Will you be able to carry all of this home, Kadowaki-san?" Mahiru asked.

"…Hopefully."

"You do have a plan for how to bring everything, right?"

"Y-Yeah. I've at least brought bags with me. I'm not sure if I'll have enough space on my arms to hold them all, though."

After last year's ordeal, Yuuta had come prepared with gear to haul everything home this time. However, while he had enough bags to hold all the gifts, he didn't have nearly enough arms to carry them. Once again, his planning had been a bit too optimistic—though, realistically, there wasn't much else he could have done.

Incidentally, Chitose and Itsuki had attended the same middle school as Yuuta, and their homes were relatively nearby, so they planned to help him carry everything back. That's why they had waited patiently for the chaos around Yuuta to die down before stepping in.

According to Itsuki, they had left Yuuta to fend for himself last year, which left him in a sulky mood.

"I still can't believe there's this many… Seriously, forgive me, Yuu-chan.

I'm about to add one more to this mountain."

Despite commenting on the overwhelming number of gifts, Chitose had even prepared her own. She placed her Valentine's present in the last bit of free space on Yuuta's desk. Yuuta felt genuinely happy to receive chocolates from a close friend, and a soft smile appeared on his handsome face.

If any of the girls from earlier saw his expression now, they'd probably be head over heels instantly, Amane thought. However, that thought quickly vanished as Amane turned his attention to the box Chitose placed on the desk. The wrapping differed from the one he had received, but what about the inside?

"Whoa. Thanks, Shirakawa-san." "Chitose, don't tell me you…"

"Don't worry! Unlike you guys, Yuu-chan gets regular old chocolate."

"I would've been over the moon if mine were just regular old ones, too!"

The chocolate Yuuta received was a special version of her recipe with all the special ingredients removed. Amane couldn't decide whether to be grateful that his friend's stomach was spared or to lament that he was one of the few getting this strange, unwanted kind of special treatment.

"Aww, getting all embarrassed agaain, are we? Oh, you!"

"No, I'm burning up," Amane blurted out. "Just the thought of it is giving me palpitations."

"Don't worry. It's not that bad, I swear. Think of it as rare loot." "All right, I'll actually take your word for it…"

"Uh, what did she put in these…?"

Since Yuuta hadn't been there when they discussed the ingredients, he was blissfully unaware of how dangerously close Chitose's playful idea had pushed things to the edge.

"Rest assured, Yuu-chan! Yours is fine!"

"Yeah, but Fujimiya doesn't seem like he's going to be fine at all…" "So you're the only one who genuinely cares about me, huh, Kadowaki…"

Chitose charged ahead with a carefree "You'll be fine!" attitude, while Itsuki was like, "If we go down, we go down together." Mahiru, the only person Amane could count on to rein in Chitose, tried her best to keep things from spiraling out of control but respected Chitose's free-spirited nature. She never went as far as to prevent Chitose from making the chocolate entirely.

Despite being utterly oblivious to the situation, Yuuta shot a concerned glance in Amane's direction. Feeling touched, Amane resolved to treat Yuuta to a juice later as a small gesture of gratitude for his support today.

As for Mahiru, now that Yuuta's chaos had settled, she quietly retrieved two neatly wrapped boxes in muted colors from her bag—one for Yuuta and the other for Itsuki.

"I also have something for Kadowaki-san and Akazawa-san. I wanted to wait until the crowd had thinned out as much as possible, so I'm a little late handing them."

"Ahh… Yeah, otherwise, the other guys would get really envious."

Since it was widely known that Mahiru was dating Amane, there was little room for misunderstanding. However, that didn't change the fact that receiving even friendship chocolate from Mahiru was enough to make their schoolmates jealous. In the other boys' minds, Mahiru's chocolates, even if given out of courtesy, were something to be doubly envious of.

"You're even giving one to me?" Yuuta asked, surprised.

"I'm always grateful for your help, so this is my way of saying thank you.

And besides, you always lend Amane-kun a hand too." "…You're like his mom or—"

"Wait, Ikkun, don't say any more. If you do, Amane will get all mad and embarrassed, and even Mahirun will be stunned for a bit."

"Oh, yeah."

"I won't ask what you were about to say, but just don't tease me."

Amane had a vague idea of what was about to come out of Itsuki's mouth, but he could already tell that admitting it would only invite an endless barrage of teasing about how he knew it was true.

"That's just how it looks, though…"

Even as Itsuki said that, the corners of his mouth twitched unmistakably. He was enjoying himself. After heaving a dramatic sigh, Amane grabbed his bag, knowing that provoking Itsuki would only make him say something he shouldn't.

"Huh? Why're you sulking?"

"I'm not. I'm just gonna grab some juice. And a little something to refresh our exhausted Kadowaki while I'm at it."

"Really? Then I'll have orange juice!" said Chitose. "I'll take a cider," added Itsuki.

"You guys can't be serious…" Amane narrowed his eyes at the two of them.

Despite him saying that he was getting something for Yuuta, Itsuki, and Chitose casually tried to rope him into buying their drinks as well. "We'll pay you back, promise!" they pleaded, leaving him with little choice but to agree. Reluctantly accepting, Amane then glanced at the other two.

"What would you like, Kadowaki, Mahiru?" "Huh? You sure?"

"I'm sure, I'm sure. So, what's your pick?" "I'll have a coffee, then. Thanks man."

All their personalities show in their choice of drink.

As Amane thought this, he turned to Mahiru, who hadn't voiced her preference yet. Her expression was slightly troubled.

"What about you, Mahiru?"

"Then, black tea please… Oh, shall I go with you? You'll have a lot of drinks to carry."

"I've got my bag with me, so I'll be fine. Also…" "Also?"

"…It's going to be a hassle stuffing all this into Kadowaki's bags, so it might be better if you stayed to help, too."

"This" referred to the mountain of sweet affections bestowed upon Yuuta. It was far too much—no, way too much—for anyone to handle alone. Considering there was still more in his locker, they might be there until sunset if they didn't start packing up soon.

While they couldn't just start handling someone else's gifts without permission, Yuuta had already come to terms with the fact that he couldn't manage this alone. He gazed off into the distance, trying to escape the harsh reality staring him in the face.

"I am sorry, but any help would be appreciated, yeah. I'm not exactly great at packing this kind of stuff…"

"R-Right, the sheer amount is…amazing, to say the least," Mahiru agreed.

"You know it's serious when even Mahirun's shocked."

Amane chuckled after Mahiru found herself stunned by Yuuta's overwhelming popularity. Without further ado, he quietly left the classroom and headed for the vending machines to gather their orders. Even though classes had ended over an hour ago, quite a few students still lingered behind, likely because it was Valentine's Day. Despite there being no track practice today, other clubs still resumed their activities. The distant sound of students calling out to one another echoed gently in the background.

As Amane passed by a classroom, he caught a glimpse of two unfamiliar students—a boy and a girl—standing close together and moving closer. He quickly looked away and fastened his pace, quietly making his way toward the vending machine.

"Fujimiya-kun."

On his way, someone called out to him.

It was a familiar voice, yet also one he hadn't spoken with much before.

Amane stopped and turned toward the voice. He found one of his classmates, a girl, standing there quietly.

"Ah, Konishi. You're still here?"

Amane had memorized all his classmates' faces, names, and voices.

Although he didn't interact much with the girl, he quickly recognized her as Konishi, someone often seen chatting with Hibiya, the girl who had given him "one hundred percent just obligatory" chocolate this morning. Relaxing his guard a little, he saw Konishi give him the same gentle smile she often wore in class.

Amane had no idea why she had approached him. A question mark practically appeared above his head. After noticing his confusion, Konishi's gentle smile faltered slightly, becoming awkward.

"I'm sorry for stopping you so suddenly. There's just something I have to do."

"For me?"

"Mhm. For you."

Amane was now even more puzzled as to why she had stopped him.

While it was unclear whether she noticed his confusion or not, Konishi held out a small paper bag she'd been carrying on her arm toward him.

"I wanted…to give you this."

The school had been buzzing with Valentine's excitement all day, and with his growing social circle, Amane had received his fair share of obligatory chocolates. So, he wasn't exactly clueless about what the bag in front of him likely contained. The real question was why it was being given to him—and why now?

"Um, thank you. But why me?"

As he politely accepted the bag, Amane still couldn't help but puzzle over it.

As classmates, they had exchanged casual greetings and worked together on group projects, but he'd never shared a personal connection with Konishi. If she wanted to give him a gift in the same impromptu manner as Hibiya, she'd had plenty of chances earlier in the day. She could have even handed it over at the same time as Hibiya since they were friends. Instead, Konishi had gone out of her way to approach him now, leaving Amane baffled by her timing.

Upon hearing Amane's question, Konishi's cheeks reddened slightly, feeling embarrassed.

"You helped me out once in the past, so this is my way of thanking you." "I helped you?"

"Umm, do you still remember that one time way back in cooking class when someone spilled soup everywhere?"

"Ahh. Yeah, I still remember."

Of course, Amane remembered that cooking class from a little under one year ago. It wasn't just because he and his usual group of four friends had planned and prepared a meal together—it was also an unforgettable day because of the commotion caused by a few boys goofing around, which led to a large pot of soup spilling and nearly splattering Mahiru.

"That day, I was the one who got bumped and spilled the soup."

At the time, Amane's mind had been entirely focused on protecting Mahiru, so he hadn't paid attention to the bigger picture around him. As it turned out, Konishi was the girl holding the pot of soup when the accident happened.

"Because you moved to protect Shiina-san, she didn't get burned, and you even got mad at the boys who caused the accident. I couldn't even say anything… I just froze in place, unable to do a single thing. So, thank you for what you did that day."

Konishi wasn't to blame at all—the blame lay entirely with the boys who had been fooling around. Konishi herself had been one of the victims that day, and it seemed she had been worrying about the incident ever since.

Amane believed he hadn't done anything for her and saw no reason for him to be thanked, but clearly, Konishi felt differently.

"No, I really didn't do anything special. In the end, our teacher was the one who straightened them out."

"Even so, I thought it was amazing how you didn't hesitate to step in and say what needed to be said."

"Thanks. But thinking back, I probably should've handled everything more calmly and gently. Scolding them as I did only irritated them even more."

Although Amane had calmly but firmly reprimanded them, he was met with some rather hostile glares from the boys afterward. Even so, he had no regrets about speaking up. In hindsight, he realized that softening his words to avoid creating more tension might have been better, particularly when thinking about how he might interact with them in the future. Still, if the same situation arose again, he knew he wouldn't hesitate to call them out just as strongly.

"You didn't get burned back then, did you?" Amane asked. "No, I didn't."

"Well, that's good. I'd feel terrible if you'd gotten hurt or anything."

Amane felt a little guilty. He realized that, in his concern for Mahiru, he had neglected to check on Konishi at the time. Even so, he was relieved to learn that she hadn't suffered any burns or injuries.

Since Konishi genuinely appreciated what he'd done back then, Amane felt dismissing her gratitude wouldn't be right. He accepted the gift graciously, giving the paper bag a gentle shake as he said, "Thanks again."

Konishi then paused for a few moments, glancing down at the floor. Then, she slowly lifted her head once more.

"Fujimiya-kun…" "Hm?"

"Did you already…love Shiina-san back then?"

Although Amane knew precisely what moment she was referring to through context, he still felt embarrassed to say the answer out loud.

"…Do I really have to say?"

"Hehe, your reaction already gives it away," Konishi giggled.

Amane's cheeks grew warm with Konishi's amused laugh, but it didn't sound like she was trying to tease him. Instead, it seemed more like genuine admiration.

"You really love Shiina-san lots, don't you, Fujimiya-kun?" "Everyone keeps asking me that lately."

That morning, Hibiya had also asked him something similar.

Do other people really find it that fascinating? he thought.

"Of course I do. She's my girlfriend. To me, she is the most important person on earth."

Though it felt a little embarrassing to state it so openly in front of someone else, Amane couldn't deny it just to save face. Lying about his feelings wasn't an option. To him, Mahiru was irreplaceable—the single most important person in his life. She was the woman he wanted to protect, cherish dearly like no other, and above all, the one he intended to walk through life with as his closest companion who understood him better than anyone else.

Their bond wasn't built with just sweet and tender feelings. Amane had a deep, unshakable confidence that no matter what challenges awaited them, they would face them together. Mahiru was someone he trusted entirely, someone who would stand by his side, and someone he envisioned sharing the rest of his life with.

Amane was so madly in love with her that he could say this with absolute certainty: if they ever parted, he would never find someone who could stir the same feelings and passion within him again.

Needless to say, Amane would never let her go.

"I see…"

Konishi replied to Amane's heartfelt yet succinct declaration with a soft, almost wistful smile. It seemed both gentle and a little lonely.

"You know, Fujmiya-kun…"

"Hm?" Amane asked back, glancing at her.

Did I hear that right? Her tone sounded odd…

He noticed her small hands nervously clutching the hem of her skirt. "I…used to like you."

Time froze.

Amane's thoughts came to a sudden stop. Konishi's words, so far removed from anything he could have anticipated, made him feel as though time itself had shattered.

He wondered if he had misheard her for a moment and instinctively locked his gaze on her. However, Konishi met his eyes calmly. Her serene smile betrayed no nervousness, though it conveyed a subtle regret.

Her eyes had no fiery passion, but a faint, fragile emotion seemed to linger just beneath the surface. Amane's confusion only grew. Up until this very moment, he had been entirely oblivious to her feelings.

Although they weren't particularly close, Amane had come to know over the past ten months that Konishi wasn't the type to joke about something like this, which was what left him so puzzled. Their limited interactions left him unable to imagine any reason she might like him—so much so that he almost wanted to laugh at himself. On top of that, she had never shown any signs of harboring such feelings for him.

It would be easy to chalk it up to Amane being oblivious, but the reality was that he had absolutely no idea she felt this way.

"Oh—I know that you love Shiina-san, and I would never consider trying to split you two apart… I knew that if I said anything, it would only make things awkward."

"I'm…sorry."

"No, I should be the one apologizing. I'm being a hindrance, aren't I?" "I wouldn't say that, but… I will never be able to reciprocate your feelings."

As unexpected as the confession was, Amane had only one answer, and it would never change.

Amane had Mahiru, and he couldn't imagine being with anyone else or sharing his life with anyone but her.

For Amane, his one and only was, and always would be, Mahiru.

The only thing Amane could do was gently acknowledge Konishi's feelings and respond with care and respect, all while making it clear he couldn't accept them. Even if it meant causing her pain, his love for Mahiru was something he could never compromise.

"Yeah, I wouldn't know what to do if you returned my feelings. You have Shiina-san, after all."

Overcome with guilt, Amane turned her down as gently as he could.

Konishi responded with nothing more than a nod and a faint smile.

Her quick and easy acceptance didn't relieve Amane; it only deepened his confusion. Questions swirled in his mind, pushing his uncertainty to its peak.

Her expression showed no sign of deception, falsehood, or bravado. She meant every word, which only sent Amane's thoughts spiraling even further.

Thump, thump.

His heart pounded loudly in his chest—not from excitement or joy, but from anxiety and confusion. Yet, even knowing that didn't make it any easier to steady himself.

"I'm sorry. It feels like I used you in order to find closure. I truly am sorry." Noticing that Amane was frozen with a look of apology and confusion, Konishi's expression shifted to one of concern.

Taking a slow, deep breath, Amane tried to regain his composure. He carefully calmed himself as he spoke out with a slightly trembling voice.

"Why…me?"

This was the part he just couldn't wrap his head around.

Amane knew that love could bloom in the most unexpected places, but he still couldn't fathom why she would develop feelings for him. In truth, he had never shared a deep connection with Konishi. Their interactions had been no different from typical exchanges between classmates, and he had done nothing that might have stood out enough to make her like him.

Although Amane appreciated her feelings for him, he was utterly baffled as to how they had developed. The cooking class incident was the only connection he could think of, but he couldn't imagine how that alone could inspire such unmistakable romantic feelings.

Konishi seemed to understand his confusion perfectly and even found it amusing, for she giggled softly.

"…It all started with that cooking class. Fujimiya-kun, you usually…well, you seem pretty cold at first glance, right?"

"Yeah. I'm aware of it myself."

Amane was well aware of the cold, unapproachable vibe he gave off and that his reserved nature often made him seem like someone who kept his thoughts to himself. Although this had begun to change recently, to those who didn't know him well, he likely still came across as a gloomy, standoffish guy at first glance. But Amane didn't mind it—in fact, he was inclined to agree. He took pride in his naturally reserved nature and his reluctance to let others into his personal space. Yet, somehow, Konishi had seen past the surface to something deeper.

"But Fujimiya-kun, I know that you're actually a really kind person. As long as it won't cause you problems, you always help people out whenever they're in trouble, don't you? Be it carrying something heavy, teaching someone struggling in class, or stepping in to protect someone from danger. You never hesitate to lend a hand."

"You're giving me too much credit," Amane replied. "I'm not really that kind."

"But you are, aren't you?" Konishi tilted her head, wholeheartedly confident that she was right.

Amane couldn't bring himself to deny it. Instead, he pressed his lips together and remained silent.

"It feels weird to say this myself, but, um… I've always had trouble speaking up for myself. When people push things on me, I just…go along with it until I don't have to. I'm not a kind person. I just do whatever happens to be convenient. But you're different, Fujimiya-kun. You actively help people without expecting anything in return. You don't even seem bothered by it. You're kind and pay close attention to the people around you."

Before Amane could even think of denying it, Konishi continued with a gentle smile.

"You have a strong mind and never compromise on what truly matters to you. You work tirelessly toward your goals. Without thinking about personal gain, you offer a hand when you believe it's the right thing to do. And…you focus so wholeheartedly on just one girl. That's what makes you so wonderful."

"Konishi…"

"Even so, I've never thought about trying to snatch you from Shiina-san, nor do I think I could… Being by Shiina-san's side has shaped you into who you are now. It wouldn't be right for me to stand in her place."

Konishi's faintly trembling voice carried with it a whisper of sadness, yet her strong resolve held it together. Her hands shook as she clenched them, but no tears fell. Instead, she met Amane's gaze head-on, and her unwavering gaze pierced him straight to his core.

"So, the chocolate I gave wasn't exactly proof of my love, but more a way to sort out my feelings. It was also a thank you for saving me back then. I'm sorry for being selfish and making things awkward…"

"No… Thank you for liking me. I'm really sorry, but I can't reciprocate your feelings, Konishi… I'm so sorry."

Because he understood Konishi's resolve and feelings, Amane responded to her pure and sincere confession with the same straightforward honesty.

Even though it might seem cold of him, Amane turned her down directly.

He believed it was the only way to truly honor the sincerity she showed him. She looked pained for a moment, but then, oddly enough, her lips curved into a smile, almost as if she was relieved.

"Why are you apologizing, Fujimiya-kun? Sheesh. I'm the one causing you trouble here."

"But I really am sorry. I couldn't accept your feelings."

"Don't worry. I fell for you because you're like this. I've always known you would only ever cherish one person."

Konishi had been observing Amane more closely than he'd realized. She had known all along that his loyalty would never waver, and she had been sure of it from the start.

"It's a shame that I couldn't be your special person…but I know you are who you are now because of Shiina-san, and only her. She was the reason you changed, right? So, it's okay."

Ah… She really has been watching me closely, caring for me, and respecting my feelings all along, hasn't she?

This realization hit him hard. Konishi should have been the one on the verge of tears, yet it was Amane who felt a sharp, needle-like pain in his chest as he turned her down.

"Come on, you should get going now. You have people waiting for you, right? So, go on. Don't worry about me."

Even though she must have been hurt—hurt by Amane's rejection and the pain he caused—she still managed to smile bravely and wave goodbye.

Her palms, which had been clenched moments earlier, were now red.

Faint imprints of her nails could be seen on her skin. Amane knew that pointing it out wouldn't do any good. Swallowing all the words he wanted to say, he returned her gesture with a gentle wave, wearing the calm, composed expression Konishi wished to see.

"…Yeah. See you…tomorrow." "Mhm. See you."

Konishi's smile and demeanor didn't falter. As gratitude and guilt collided in his chest, Amane bit his lip and turned away from her. Even as a faint sob reached his ears, he didn't look back. He couldn't—not if he wanted to convince himself he hadn't heard it.

The bitter weight of knowing he had hurt her pressed heavily on his chest. Standing by the vending machine, jaw clenched, Amane struggled to tamp down the guilt gnawing at his heart. Right after, the sound of footsteps approaching from behind broke through his thoughts.

"…Amane-kun."

It was the soft, clear, and gentle voice he heard every day, one that was pleasant and cool to the ear. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Amane caught a faint glimpse of his strained expression reflected in the vending machine's acrylic surface. Knowing he couldn't let Mahiru see him like this, he took a deep breath and turned around, mustering an expression as calm as he could. But the moment his eyes met Mahiru's, he realized it was pointless—there was no way he could keep up the act.

"I'm sorry. You were taking a while, so I came to check on you…" "Yeah. I understand."

She was telling the truth—there was no doubt about that. Going to the vending machine shouldn't have taken so long, so it made sense that the others would wonder about the delay. Naturally, as Amane's girlfriend, Mahiru would be the one to come looking for him, likely just to lend a hand. But in doing so, she had stumbled upon something she hadn't wanted to see. She didn't look hurt; instead, she looked mildly concerned. Her expression was one of apologetic understanding and even guilt. Her downcast eyes reflected that guilt, as if it had settled heavily on her brows.

"…Um, Mahiru…"

"You don't need to tell me all the details. It's a private matter between you and her. It's not something I should step into."

Amane felt the need to share what had been said, knowing that keeping it from Mahiru might make her feel betrayed. Just as he began to speak, however, she gently stopped him.

Mahiru shook her head, her long hair billowing as she softly reminded him, "You mustn't." The conflict in her eyes was unmistakable, yet she held herself back, respecting the privacy of the exchange between Amane and Konishi.

"…Are you sure?"

"I know that you won't ever let me go, Amane-kun. I trust you completely."

"Yeah. I swear, I haven't done anything to be ashamed of." "Yes, I believe you."

Amane didn't know how much Mahiru had heard or from when she was listening, but she had chosen to trust him without asking any questions.

While she must have had her worries and uncertainties, she still stepped back to show her faith in him.

Amane's eyes grew warm at the depth of her trust and respect. Gently, he took Mahiru's delicate, uncertain fingers, which had been fidgeting in midair, hoping to reassure her.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"Honestly, I had thought it was overdue," Mahiru murmured.

After getting all the drinks, Amane and Mahiru parted ways with Itsuki, Chitose, and Yuuta, who were each carrying a great number of bags. They then made their way home.

"Which?"

"…Something like that happening."

Amane could tell that her vague wording—"like that"—was intentional. "…I get that you've been worried all this time, Mahiru, but I didn't realize you thought it might actually happen."

"Of course. My own feelings aside, I sensed that everyone was starting to realize how wonderful you are… Didn't you expect that someone might be attracted to you, especially since they can see how hard you work?"

"Honestly, hardly at all. I mean, I understood what you and Chitose were saying in theory, but…it's hard to see things objectively when it's about yourself."

Amane understood—and even felt—that he'd become more positive and was moving in a better direction than a year ago. However, he couldn't quite fathom how that might make him a subject of others' affection. Now that he'd turned his back on his days of self-doubt and focused solely on the future, he was no longer concerned with others' opinions. With Mahiru as a constant presence in his life, he had unconsciously dismissed the idea that anyone else might be drawn to him.

"You don't think highly of yourself at all, do you? …I think that's part of what draws people to you—your self-discipline."

"You think so?"

"I do… I think it's one of your wonderful traits. Though, being dense doesn't exactly rank among them."

"S-Sorry… I've only ever had eyes for you, Mahiru, so I never really considered it."

"There you go again. That's exactly what I mean."

It was a phrase Mahiru often used to scold Amane, but lately, he had started to notice a shift in her tone. Beneath the familiar disbelief lay admiration and respect. At last, he understood the true meaning behind her words.

Mahiru shyly looked away, giving his arm a few light, playful bonks out of embarrassment. Amane quietly reached out to her, gently enclosing her hand in both of his. Startled by the unexpected gesture, Mahiru looked up at him in surprise, meeting his calm, steady gaze.

"Look… I'm going to cherish you more than anyone else, and I won't ever take my eyes off you. You're the only one I love, and I don't believe that will ever change."

"You aren't going to say that for sure?"

"Of course, in my heart, I'm absolutely certain that will never change, and I'd even swear on it. But the truth is, I made you feel anxious today, and I understand if you have doubts. So, I'll keep doing my best to earn your trust. I'll show it through my actions, so please take this as a promise of my commitment to you."

"…Right."

The fact remained that Amane had unsettled Mahiru's heart. She trusted him deeply, and even when doubts crept in, she pushed them aside, believing in him. He couldn't keep leaning on her unwavering patience. It was up to him to prove his resolve through his actions.

"You're the only one I love, Mahiru." "I know. I know that very well."

Mahiru looked down, shaking her head slowly. Her lips parted slightly. She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. Noticing her hesitation, Amane gently tightened his hold on her hand, silently reassuring her that he was ready to listen. His thumb traced soothing circles over her small, trembling fingers, and, as if his touch gave her the courage she needed, Mahiru finally broke the silence after a brief pause.

"Can I be frank with you?" she asked. "Of course."

Even if she ended up blaming him, Amane wouldn't complain.

As Amane waited patiently, letting her know she could take her time, Mahiru continued hesitantly.

"I have absolute confidence that you'll never be swayed by anyone else, Amane-kun—that your heart will always belong to me. I know, through and through, just how much you love me. You've shown me such overwhelming love and allowed me to feel it with every part of myself. I have no doubts about you—not even a single one."

"Yeah."

"Amane-kun. What truly worried me the most…was the thought of you getting hurt."

"…Me?"

Amane had braced himself to be blamed, but her unexpected reason caught him entirely off guard, leaving him strangely confused.

Mahiru was the one who had been hurt, so why was she the one worrying about him? No matter how he thought about it, she was the one who should have been overwhelmed with unpleasant emotions—not him.

"You're a much kinder person than you realize, after all."

Not entirely understanding what she was getting at, Amane waited for her to continue.

Mahiru let out a soft sigh, her gentle smile tinged with a hint of bitterness."If another girl fell for you wholeheartedly, I knew you would feel guilty turning her down and that you would end up hurting yourself in the process. You're the kind of person who believes that if you hurt someone else, it's only fair that you should feel hurt, too."

He was beginning to understand what she meant. Mahiru must have seen the look on his face at that moment—the expression that revealed the pain he'd felt when he rejected Konishi.

"That's why I didn't want other girls getting close to you. More than the fear of you being snatched away, I couldn't stand the thought of you getting hurt…and even the idea of you thinking about someone else, even for a moment, bothered me."

Mahiru's voice trembled.

"I turned a blind eye to how the other girl might feel and thought only about your pain. I'm a terrible person. I know I'm being overbearing, and it's awful of me to think this way… I just didn't want you to be disappointed in me."

Mahiru's voice faltered as she forced the words out, exposing the emotions she had buried deep in her heart. In response, Amane gently let go of her hand. She flinched, and her eyes followed his hand with a flicker of fear, but she didn't reach out to him.

Without a word, Amane wrapped his arms around her. "Mahiru, I've never seen you as some perfect saint with no selfish thoughts or bad feelings."

Mahiru feared disappointing him, but if she genuinely believed that was enough to diminish his love for her, she severely underestimated the depth of his feelings.

From the very beginning, Amane had never thought of Mahiru as just an innocent and beautiful girl. Her reputation portrayed her as intelligent, compassionate, and gentle—all of which were true. Mahiru did embody those qualities, and Amane fully acknowledged them. But that wasn't the entirety of who she was. It was only one facet of her, and as the person closest to her, Amane knew that with absolute certainty.

"You know, Mahiru, you actually get surprisingly worked up and a bit childish when something gets on your nerves."

"…Huh?"

"And you get surprisingly jealous—which, yeah, I know that's on me—but you can also be sharp-tongued to people lacking basic manners, and you aren't afraid to give them lip. There's also how you put up a wall between you and people you don't like. And whenever someone bad-mouths me, you're quick to dig your claws into them." "Wait, um…"

"And I know how, because you care about me so much, you sometimes push yourself too hard, dig your own grave, and then feel awful about it."

Ultimately, it was because she loved him. Because her concern for him outweighed everything else. It wasn't that she ignored the feelings of others; her love for Amane was stronger. There was no way he could ever be disappointed in Mahiru when she cared for him so deeply.

"What I'm trying to say is, I love everything about you, Mahiru. And if you think you're being 'overbearing,' I want you to know that I'm the kind of guy who finds the weight of your feelings reassuring."

Mahiru might view it as undesirable, but to Amane, it was nothing short of welcome.

"I love that about you too, Mahiru… Even if it's something you don't like about yourself, I still love you."

"So please, don't look like you're about to cry," Amane whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. Mahiru's face crumpled, yet even that expression was achingly endearing to him.

How could she ever think I might be disappointed in her?

"Really, why doubt yourself like that?"

"You're the last person I want to hear that from, Amane-kun. And surely, you understand what it feels like not to want to disappoint the person you love most."

"I do… But if there's ever a time that I'd feel disappointed, well…it'd probably be if you broke up with me. I'd be disappointed in myself and my shortcomings."

If there ever came a time when his earnest, serious, and devoted Mahiru chose someone else—if she pushed him away, saying she no longer wanted to be with him—Amane knew he would quietly accept it. For Mahiru to reach that point, he was confident the fault would lie entirely with him and his shortcomings, driving her to give up on him.

Any doubt or disappointment would be aimed solely at himself. It would never, under any circumstances, be aimed at Mahiru.

"…Then, it seems that will never happen," Mahiru said. "Great, we're all good then."

Amane was fully aware of how deeply Mahiru loved him—so much so that the thought of her choosing anyone else never even crossed his mind. He had sworn never to do anything that might harm her, either physically or emotionally, and he believed such a future would never come. Above all, he was determined to make every effort to ensure it didn't.

He knew that taking her love for granted could easily shatter the trust they had built.

Making an effort not just to be loved, but to love in return, is so important.

Amane had no intention of being so foolish, and the thought of losing Mahiru was something he couldn't bear.

She shifted slightly within his embrace as he held his beloved's soft, delicate body tightly in his arms.

"…Amane-kun."

"Hm?"

"…Um, would it be all right if dinner and my Valentine's chocolates…waited just a little longer?"

Mahiru timidly whispered a modest, almost shy request from within his arms, and Amane responded with a gentle, three-letter reply. Wanting to coax an even more selfish wish from those endearing lips that had uttered such a dear plea, he leaned in, capturing them with a sweet kiss.