Chapter 19

Chapter XLI: Chocolates, Part 1 Roses are red, violets are blue, what day to be true, love is in the air. Couples crowd the streets, vendors selling roses, balloons, and most all; chocolates. Schools and offices, preparing a dress code on what status each person are in. A day of hearts, and love ones. In that context, indeed; it's almost time for Valentine's Day.Just after their class on Friday, the Kota-squad gathers on their way out of the campus."Hey, do you guys have plans on February 14?" (Enmei)"That's Valentine's Day, right?" (Kota)"Oh, I think I'mma go on a date on that day" (Tengen)"With who?" (Enmei)"It's secret" (Tengen)As soon as he looks at Hanako, she tries to avoid eye contact but gets caught afterwards."How about you Asahi?" (Enmei)"I think I'mma spend it with Natsu--" (Asahi)His phone rang and checks it."On second thought, I'mma spend it with the literature club but anyway, I'll see if I can still spend it with her" (Asahi)"I think I'mma spend it with my bicycle. Like they say back at our place, IT'S NO WORTH!" (Gin)"How about you two?" (Enmei)"I think we're gonna go on a hangout" (Kota)"So, technically; it's a date then?" (Tengen)"It's not like the lovey-dovey type of shizz. It's just to have fun and explore" (Kota)"Explore what? lmao" (Enmei)"Of course, you idiot. A journey to other places to have fun as well. Isn't that right, Akiko?" (Kota)"Oh, yeah, yes it is" (Akiko)Kota pauses for a bit with this type of response."Are you alright? Is there something bothering you right now? You can tell me if you want to" (Kota)"Nah, nah, nah; it's nothing" (Akiko)"Alright, if you insist" (Kota)"I was supposed to be planning a hangout but then again, I think I'mma spend Valentine's with-" (Enmei)He thinks for a second and checks on his phone which turns out that his mom texted him."I got important things to do on that day", he continues.They all part ways at the dike while Akiko and Kota are left alone."Was there something bothering you at that time?" (Kota)"No, it's just that-" (Akiko)She gets interrupted by IceBurgh's message."Who's that?" (Kota)"Uh, it's just my friend in Accord" (Akiko)"That's nice, you should introduce him to me sometimes." (Kota)Akiko nods and Kota continues."Btw, you were saying?" (Kota)"It was nothing. It was just an overthought about something important" (Akiko)"What kind of important thing is that? You can vent to me if you want to, I'm not forcing you if you don't want" (Kota)"It's alright, I can solve this thing anyway" (Akiko)"Really, ya sure about it?" (Kota)"Yeah, don't worry. Everything is finely under control" (Akiko)Akiko then goes home after this but Kota is still worried about her. He reflects on it for a while and may suggest a lot of theories about it until he gets picked up by his ride. In the meantime, while she is going home, she texts a friend in Accord."Hey, can I vent to you something?" (Akiko)"Sure, what is it?" (The Friend)"You know, there's this guy that has been really close to me, but I can't still get out the fact that this dude, done something bad to me back then which resulted in an incident" (Akiko)"Is he gentle, or arrogant tho?" (The Friend)"I'm not very sure about that but he's really gentle, acting like a gentleman to me despite me being a ball buster" (Akiko)"Well, I know that right fufu" (The Friend)"There's also this other dude that he's so very kind, nice, and gentle. He always greet me good morning every day, making my day to have a fresh start. The question is, which or who would I choose?" (Akiko)"It's up to you. Haven't you made up your mind yet?" (The Friend)"It's hard to choose though" (Akiko)"My advice is, pick the one who is much closer to you" (The Friend)"But both of them ARE close to me" (Akiko)"Not close-close, but my something in common, who you can feel a good vibe with, and who you can relate with" (The Friend)Akiko holds up her chin and without hesitation, she types,"The decision has been made. I'll go with the second guy since he's the one who I look up for"At the Mizushiro residence, Kota feels something heavy on his chest. He goes to the kitchen to get a glass of water. After placing the glass on the table, it rolls over the table and falls, shattering it to pieces."Something is terribly wrong, I can feel it", Kota remarks it to himself.On the other hand, Tengen texts Hanako if she wants to go on a hangout for tomorrow, but the latter doesn't reply. Although he is getting impatient with this, he turns on his pc to play Resolute with Enmei.The next day, Tengen goes out to buy something important. He passes by a fast food restaurant, crowded by a lot of people. As he looks inside, he finds two familiar girls talking to each other. When he tries to get a better glimpse on them, something pokes his butt, which startles him. It turns out to be Toshiro and his squad. He tries to look at them again but due to the gathering amount of people inside, he can't see anymore where they are. He then joins Toshiro's squad for a hangout and to play Resolute and Flex Legends: The Big Bang (A famous multiplayer online battle arena which Akiko sometimes play) with them.Speaking of which, inside the fast food restaurant are actually Akiko and Hanako who are also on a hangout."Have you ever felt guilty of something?" (Akiko)"Yeah, most of the time. Did anything happened, and what happened?" (Hanako)"Let's say I have been with these two guys. I'mma just label them as Guy1 and Guy2 since I don't' want to namedrop" (Akiko)"Ok, what then?" (Hanako)"Although I've been close to Guy1, I think I'mma stick with Guy2 since he's making my day every start of the day." (Akiko)"Alright but it still feels blurry, bestie. I need more info" (Hanako)"Actually, Guy1 is someone that we know, and Guy2 is someone in Accord." (Akiko)"Wait a sec-, have you seen Guy2's face though?" (Hanako)"Honestly, nah; his face doesn't matter to me. But he's actually a nice guy" (Akiko)"My only advice is, know the person more. Look at Guy1, he's been with you for 5 years now. Glad for you, and I salute you that you're with a smart and brilliant guy like him" (Hanako)Akiko looks flustered with these words but still have a hard time going through it while Hanako continues,"Unlike me, I'm having trouble with it right now""Look bestie, it's ok if you have space in your relationship. I have to admit that yours is a nice guy too but have some time to think about it. Have space for a while or even make a promise with him to be friends until the time is right" (Akiko)"It's going to be hard since it's almost Valentine's Day" (Hanako)"I feel you because it's going to be a hard revelation to both of them soon" (Akiko)"I know, what if we do a double-date so if both of them will get hurt, they will comfort each other since if we comfort them, it will add salt to their wounds" (Hanako)"I think that is most likely me because sometimes boys take my comfort after rejection as a citrus juice or rubbing alcohol to their injuries fufu" (Akiko)They then text the boys that for Valentine's, it's a double-date. The two boys both agree to it.