《All For My Valentine》


 All For My Valentine

    02/14 - Afterschool


    Miki was waiting on a street after school. It was Valentine Day, and she was holding in her hands a bag with the chocolate she was planning to give. She was more nervous than she ever was in her life. After all, the boy she was going to give those was someone she loved since middle school. Now, in the second year of high school, she knew that soon they might not see each other anymore, so she gathered courage enough to confess and give him chocolate.


    Soon she saw him coming. He had a smile on his face, looking pleased with something. That helped to make her less nervous as she stopped in front of him and pushed the heart-shaped chocolate box in his direction.


    ¡°I-I always loved you. Please, accept these¡±, she said, looking at the ground and her hands shaking so much that she thought the box would fall.


    ¡°Hasekawa¡­¡± She listened to his voice and raised her head. ¡°I don¡¯t want those.¡±


    She froze. He looked uncomfortable as he said it to her, avoiding to look at her eyes. She felt a bad sensation building from her stomach.


    ¡°I-It¡¯s fine¡­¡± She said, her voice shaking. ¡°Y-You can just take these, you don¡¯t need to give me an answer, so¡­¡±


    ¡°Please, Hasekawa.¡± His face was serious and he didn¡¯t make any mention to take the chocolate from her hands. ¡°I really can¡¯t accept it, so don¡¯t get in my way.¡± And saying that, he passed by her, without giving her any attention.


    Miki froze in that place for some five minutes, until she finally started to walk. There was a bus stop close, without much movement, and she sat on it.


    ¡°What the hell?¡±, she thought. ¡°Who even rejects a Valentine¡¯s present?¡±


    The main reason why most girls would find the courage to give chocolate on Valentine¡¯s Day was the thought that no boy would ever refuse it, even if they were not interested in them. In fact, getting a lot of chocolates from different girls would make any of them happy.


    Miki looked at her reflection in a water puddle left by the rain that poured that afternoon. She didn¡¯t think she was an ugly girl. Her face was kinda childish, and she was short, but everyone said she was cute. Her straight black hair was on her shoulder height and her bangs covering her forehead. She couldn¡¯t think of a reason to be rejected that bad.


    She loved him since middle school. He wasn¡¯t good at sports or smart, so he wasn¡¯t really popular, but Miki always thought he was kind and the way he would act all flustered talking with her was cute. Since he wasn¡¯t particularly popular, Miki thought he maybe wouldn¡¯t get any other chocolate that day.


    ¡°So why?¡±


    She held the chocolate box against her chest, knowing the tears would start to fall soon. She didn¡¯t want to go home and cry in front of her family, so she just had to endure it. It would probably be over fast.


    But she felt a body sat on the other side of the bus stop, and the surprise cut her tears. She looked to her side to see a tall girl with long black hair and a beautiful face facing her. She was wearing the same uniform as Miki, and of course, she knew her.


    Natsuki Hikawa, one year above her and probably one of the most popular girl in her whole school. She even worked as a model on her free days. Her eyes faced Miki and there was some glint of sadness in them.


    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Miki thought. ¡°No, it couldn¡¯t be, right? No with Hikawa.¡±


    ¡°Hasekawa...¡±, she said. Her voice was soft like an angel, and Miki was surprised she even knew her name. ¡°Am I bothering you, perhaps? Do you want to be alone?¡±


    ¡°N-No way!¡±, Miki answered fast. ¡°Also, Hasekawa is kinda...you know...you can call me Miki, please.¡±


    ¡°Miki, then. So you can call my name as well.¡±


    ¡°O-Ok¡­¡±


    The whole situation made Miki even forget what had happened for a moment, and her desire to cry had disappeared. But it was Natsuki who brought it again.


    ¡°By the way, about that box. Did you¡­?¡±


    Miki realized she still had the heart-shaped box against her chest. She let it fall into her lap and gave a bitter smile.


    ¡°Yeah...Hum...I tried to give it to a boy I like, but he rejected it.¡±


    ¡°He rejected you?¡±, Natsuki asked, inclining her head, curious.


    ¡°Me¡­ and the chocolate, I guess. He said he didn¡¯t want it.¡±


    ¡°He refused the chocolate itself? On Valentine? Who even does that?¡±


    Miki gave another sad smile, but then a thought came to her, and she inclined in Natsuki¡¯s direction.


    ¡°Natsuki, actually¡­ You knew my name, so I was thinking, you know a lot of different people at school, right?¡±, Natsuki nodded. ¡°I wonder, is there any kind of weird rumor about me going around? Like, something would make people avoid me?¡±


    ¡°Weird rumor? Never heard anything of the sort. The reason I know your name is because I know a girl in your class, and one day we were talking about how cute you are.¡± Miki felt a blush run through her face. ¡°But yeah, no weird rumor at all. And you¡¯re cute, I can tell, so I don¡¯t think the problem is about you. Don¡¯t worry about that.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°You really liked him, huh? If it makes you feel better, I¡¯m the same as you right now.¡±


    ¡°Eh? You being rejected?!¡±, Miki exclaimed shocked, as it wasn¡¯t something she could imagine. Natsuki just nodded. ¡°Who would even reject you? That¡¯s not possible!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so surprised, please. Well, it happens. You don¡¯t think all people in the world are in love with me, right? Although I do agree most boys at school would be delighted with it. It¡¯s kinda ironic that I would fall for the one person who doesn¡¯t care, though.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    ¡°Who is he?¡±


    Natsuki only looked at Miki, without answering. Flustered, Miki moved her arms fast.


    ¡°Y-You don¡¯t need to say anything, sorry. I just can¡¯t believe yet¡­¡±


    ¡°So you see, it¡¯s not a problem with you. Unrequited love is just a thing that can happen to anyone. He did take my chocolates, though.¡± Natsuki held her chin on both her hands, with her arms supported by her lap: ¡°Ahhh, I feel like crying, but I can¡¯t just do that in front of my cute junior.¡±


    Miki reminded how moments before she was the one on verge of tears. Somehow, talking with Natsuki was so incredible that she even forgot about it. Natsuki Hikawa was like a star in her school, after all, and they were talking as if they were friends.


    ¡°I wish he had rejected my chocolate, too, actually. I¡¯m craving for some, right now.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? Then, here!¡± Miki said at that same moment, pushing the heart-shaped box in Natsuki¡¯s direction.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please. I don¡¯t even like chocolate, so I didn¡¯t know what to do with it. It would be too sad to bring it back home.¡±


    ¡°So, thanks,¡± Natsuki said, taking the box from Miki¡¯s hands and opening it. She took one of the chocolates inside and put it in her mouth. ¡°Hmm...Are these handmade?¡±


    ¡°Y-Yeah...I¡¯m not good at that kind of thing, but valentine¡¯s chocolate should be handmade, right? Mom helped made the box.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t like chocolate, though.¡±


    ¡°Well, dad tasted it. I said it was for a friend, though.¡±


    ¡°These are pretty good¡±, Natsuki put another one in her mouth. The side of her lips was brown with the sweet. ¡°I guess I need to give you a white day present, now.¡±


    ¡°Y-You don¡¯t need to...Those are friendship chocolate, so¡­¡±


    Natsuki raised and ruffled Miki¡¯s hair. Miki thought about how she smelled nice as she got close.


    ¡°I want to do it. After all, that¡¯s what that boy would do, right? So, if you¡¯re okay with a present from me, instead¡­¡±, Miki just nodded. ¡°So it¡¯s settled. Well, see you tomorrow at school.¡± and as she said that, she walked away. Miki followed her with her eyes until she disappeared.


    Somehow, Miki didn¡¯t feel like crying anymore and went home with a smile on her face.


    03/14 - After School


    On the time between Valentine and white day, Miki and Natsuki became really close. Miki forgot completely about her rejection and Natsuki would go after her every day, making all boys and girls around them jealous. Miki wasn¡¯t used to that kind of attention, but being close to Natsuki was worth it.


    And like that, white day came. That day, Natsuki asked Miki to wait in the same place they had talked in the past. For some reason, Miki took really good care of her appearance that day. She didn¡¯t know what she was going to get, but for some reason, she felt like she wanted to be cute for Natsuki. Maybe because Natsuki herself was gorgeous.


    She sat on the same bench and remembered the past. How, at that same place, she almost cried because of that boy one month ago. Thinking about it now, it seemed stupid that she would cry for such a reason. She hadn¡¯t seen Natsuki all day, as the other girl suggested that their first meeting would be there.


    She felt warm hands, even on that winter day, cover her eyes.


    ¡°Natsuki, please¡±, she said, taking Natsuki¡¯s hand off her and turning to face her friend, but was taken by a shock. She was sure Natsuki was prettier than she ever saw her before. Maybe as pretty as in the photo shots on those magazines, thanks to the make-up and her hair that now made curls on her head. She was using a top that exposed her stomach and jeans. Miki understood why she didn¡¯t saw Natsuki all day because she wasn¡¯t on the school.


    But Natsuki, too, fixed her eyes on Miki.


    ¡°Are you that cute today for me?¡±


    Miki didn¡¯t say anything. Natsuki just jumped over the bench and sat beside her.


    ¡°So, before we start, I want to give your white day present.¡±, she said.


    ¡°Eh? I thought the date was the present.¡±


    ¡°Did I ever say it was a date? So that was what you were thinking, huh?¡±


    Natsuki smiled, and Miki felt her face burn. She tried to open her mouth to explain, but Natsuki put her fingers on Miki¡¯s lips, closing it.


    ¡°Okay, so first, close your eyes.¡±


    Miki obeyed. She thought Natsuki would put something in front of her, but instead felt her perfume getting close, then something soft touched her lips. She opened her eyes to see Natsuki kissing her. Her heart suddenly gave a jump.


    Natsuki retreated her face and looked Miki in the eyes. There was a glint of nervousness on her face, as she asked:


    ¡°Did you hate it?¡±


    She looked frailer than she ever did before. Miki only shook her head, her voice still hard to come out because of how strong her heart was beating.


    ¡°So, can I do it again?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes¡­¡±, she said in a weak voice. ¡°Please¡­¡±


    So Natsuki gave her another kiss, this time longer and more passionate.


    02/14 - Morning


    Natsuki was in love with Miki since she first met her. But she wasn¡¯t good at talking with new people, so she never managed to start a conversation. She was popular, sure, but most people would naturally get away from her, thanks to her strong presence. Most of the time they would admire her from afar, with just small talks between them. So she never had the courage to approach Miki. She needed something that would make them create a connection, make their relationship last.


    By talking with a friend who was in Miki¡¯s class, she also knew Miki was in love with a boy since middle-school. Since Natsuki herself was a girl, she felt like she was at a real disadvantage there. Of course, that didn¡¯t mean she would give up, and as soon as the lunch break came, she took the thing she brought from inside her bag.


    03/14 - After School


    Miki was feeling happier than she could even remember. She was walking that street with Natsuki. The same street that almost made her cry one month ago. She still didn¡¯t get what their relationship was supposed to be, but she still could feel Natsuki soft lips on hers. Also Natsuki¡¯s sweet perfume around her. Natsuki warm hand holding hers.


    ¡°Natsuki¡­¡± she murmured and realized she was giggling alone. Natsuki choked a laugh herself.


    ¡°I love seeing you in high spirits.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the cause of that.¡±


    Miki smiled and leaned her head on Natsuki¡¯s shoulders. But soon she realized her senpai¡¯s body getting stiffened. Natsuki released her hand and grabbed her waist, instead, pulling her body close.


    ¡°Natsuki?¡±


    She looked in front of them and realized there was someone waiting for them. She soon realized it was the image of the boy who broke her heart last month.


    02/14 - Lunch Break


    ¡°Here¡±, Natsuki gave the boy the chocolate.


    Of course, it wasn¡¯t handmade, not even expensive. The boy in front of her, she knew, was the one Miki was in love with. The chocolate wasn¡¯t important. Her presence was all that mattered.


    ¡°T-To me?¡±, he asked, clearly perplexed.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want it?¡±


    ¡°I-I do, of course! Thanks! But...why?¡±


    ¡°Why? What do you think? It¡¯s Valentine, right?¡±, she said and turned around, but as if remembering something, turned back to him: ¡°Oh, yeah. I¡¯m not giving anyone else anything, so please, keep it a secret. I¡¯ll be waiting for white day.¡±


    ¡°O-Of course!¡±, he said, with way too much energy.


    ¡°And, I don¡¯t really like sharing things. If you think I¡¯m enough, please, don¡¯t accept chocolate from anyone else. If you do, you can forget it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even think anyone else is going to give me anything, but of course! I won¡¯t accept any more chocolate. Please, I¡¯ll make it worth for you on white day!¡±


    After that exchange, Natsuki just left, leaving a boy with a big smile behind.


    03/14 - Afterschool


    Natsuki held Miki¡¯s body against her. That was the only part of her setup she didn¡¯t plan well. Somehow, it was stupid for their meeting to be at that place, now she thought. As the boy looked at their direction, Natsuki held Miki¡¯s body strongly. She didn¡¯t want to look at the other girl¡¯s face, so she just glared at him.


    His face was clearly confused as he saw the two girls together. He made mention to walk, but stopped, probably because the expression on her face wasn¡¯t inviting.


    She wondered if it would be better walking away, but as she pondered it, the boy himself turned and disappeared. Without thinking about it, she let a sigh escape her lips.


    ¡°Natsuki?¡± Miki said, looking at her face.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry¡±, Natsuki said, releasing the grip on Miki¡¯s body. ¡°I just...you know¡­¡±


    ¡°Natsuki!¡±, Miki grabbed Natsuki¡¯s hands and squeezed it strongly. ¡°You thought I would go with him? It¡¯s our date, no way I would throw it away for a boy who did something that awful to me!¡±


    ¡°I-I see¡­¡±, looking at Miki¡¯s face, Natsuki could tell she was serious about it. ¡°But, just tell me, Miki, what would you do if he had accepted your chocolate back then? Do you think you would be happy with him? Do you regret what happened? Would you ever choose me instead of him?¡±


    Miki looked at Natsuki¡¯s face in silence for a minute. Natsuki felt Miki¡¯s cold hands on hers, but it still felt nice.


    ¡°What¡¯s the point of a lot of ¡®maybes¡¯?¡±, Miki said. ¡°Truth is, I don¡¯t know what would happen if he accepted my chocolates. I don¡¯t know if I would choose you instead of him. There¡¯s no way I could know, right? The one thing I know, Natsuki¡­¡±, she turned away, hiding the embarrassment on her face. ¡°The one thing I can tell you for sure now is that I love you more than I ever loved him. So I don¡¯t know how the past me would feel about it, but the me from now is really happy that things turned out this way. The me from now wouldn¡¯t wish it to be any different. The me from now is really satisfied that her heart was broken in the past when the result is this.¡±


    Natsuki felt tears rise in her eyes but made effort to not cry. She was just happy. She thought Miki trying to hide her embarrassment was cute, so she hugged her from behind.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I made you say all that,¡± she said, and Miki turned to her, her face bright red. Natsuki couldn¡¯t hold it and gave out a laugh.


    ¡°S-Shut up! It¡¯s your fault, you know!¡±


    ¡°I know, I know, I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said, between her laughing. ¡°Let¡¯s go, we have a date to continue.¡±


    Miki nodded and grabbed Natsuki¡¯s hand. The two girls got back to walking.


    ¡°I did something awful to her¡±, Natsuki thought to herself. ¡°And someday I¡¯ll have to tell the truth. But that day is not today. I just hope she won¡¯t hate me, then.¡±


    Natsuki looked at Miki, who had the brightest smile on her face.