Munchy's Treat Time

G: An Alternative (Kazume)

Ume

Apparently, critics are coming to evaluate Teruteru tonight, so he's going ham— see what I did there?— in the kitchen while I hang out for moral support. It's just practice, he claims, but I think he's really using it as an excuse to show off for our class. I'm sewing myself a skirt while he works, and I'm taking in all the crazy delicious smells. He's wearing that godforsaken strawberry apron I made him. The idea was just a joke I made in the middle of one of our long strands of innuendos. But hey, I'm a woman of my word.

"Ah, I do love cooking a good steak. So luscious. Utterly dripping with juice."

"You're right. If it's perfectly rare, it should just ooze right out. Want me to beat your meat for you?" I offer jokingly.

"Always, but also no. It's filet mignon. No need for that."

"You're splurging THAT much for practice?"

"Hope's Peak provides for my every desire."

"Every desire?" I ask.

He sighs. "Unfortunately not that kind of desire. Or maybe it's fortunate. Considering Hiyoko's aphrodisiac prank, I think it would be too dangerous."

I try to control my facial expression. That was an awful day. A day I was really wishing I could forget about.

"What are you gonna do about Valentine's Day?" he asks, suddenly looking a lot more serious.

"What are you talking about? The same thing I always do. Don't worry, you're gonna get Tomo Choco."

"I'm not worried about me."

"Then what are you talking about?" I feign ignorance, keeping my face as emotionless as possible.

"Oh, don't even pretend, Honeybuns. I know about your little crush on your best friend."

I groan. "Seriously? I was trying so hard to make it look platonic."

"Fear not. Everyone else seems incredibly unversed in the subtle art of romance, but I am a pro," he winks as he makes a seasoning.

"That's true, I guess. You are the one who successfully predicted what sort of panties Peko wears. As creepy as that is."

"Look, I know everyone thinks of me as nothing but a pervert (and a great chef). And they have a fair point. I'm pretty much just a pervert (and a great chef)..."

"Nah, you're more than that."

He gives me a thumbs-up to let me know he appreciates it, but continues on anywhere. "Even so, I know the difference between lust and actual, genuine affection. I can read the small moments between you two."

"Thanks for not calling it what I know you wanted to call it." I avoid making eye-contact as I stitch the elastic waistband, even though I could do this in my sleep.

"The word love's overused. But what I'm trying to say is... what's your plan? What kind of chocolate are you going to give Kazuichi?"

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I can't give him Honmei Choco. There's just no friggin way."

"Are you that scared of rejection?"

"That's not it!" I snap. I shake my head and take a deep breath. "Sorry. What I mean to say is that all that isn't the only reason I can't. First of all, he's still getting over Sonia. In fact, he's having a really rough go of it. I can't just admit my feelings for him right now. That would be incredibly insensitive. Actually, I don't think I ever will. I'm perfectly content to be exactly what we already are.... Anyways. I don't know if I wanna get him chocolate at all. I know it's the tradition, but all you guys are gonna get chocolate from every girl in the class. I feel like, if I don't do something unique, that would undersell how much he matters to me, y'know? He's the type of guy to need that validation."

"C'mon. You're his best friend. You must know other things that would make him happy."

"Of course I do! In fact, I have like a dozen ideas off the top of my head. But is it really okay to not give him chocolate? God, this is so much easier in America!"

"You're overthinking this. Just give it to him in private and there won't be any fuss. I can't say I know Kazuichi very well, but I'd personally be fine getting an alternative gift. You're the Ultimate Seamstress! Make him something skimpy and he'll be the happiest man alive!"

"Shut the fuck up!" I laugh. He laughs alongside me. My shoulders relax and I breathe easier once we're done cracking up. I sigh. "Thanks. You're really good, Teruteru."

"I do my best." He gives a humble little smile.

...

After some time, the day is upon us. I ring his doorbell about half an hour before school starts. He pops his head out and grins cheekily at me. "Morning, Ume!"

"Lemme in. I got you shit for Valentine's Day, of course."

"Oh, was that today? I totally forgot!"

"You were literally counting down the days, weren't you?" I call him out.

"For a couple weeks!" At this point, he steps aside to let me in.

"Okay, so first I need to explain something real quick." I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "It's not chocolate. I know you love chocolate, so I'm sorry. But I know you're gonna get a lot today and I figured you might like something else... y'know. We can't let things get stale in your bedroom," I wink.

"Thanks. That's really thoughtful of you. I know you always come up with the best ideas," he smiles earnestly. Seriously, fuck my life. Why the hell is he so cute?

"Anyways, I got you a couple things. First of all, that manga I caught you ogling."

"Hell yeah!! That's awesome!" He clutches it in his calloused hands, excitedly skimming it.

"Second, a flex head ratchet. I wasn't exactly sure what tools you have, but I figured that even if you already have one, a spare would come in handy. To help you use your nuts easier," I tease.

"And bolts, I keep telling you!" he shakes his head with joking disapproval. "But anyway, that's super convenient!" He sets down the manga and flips the tool once over.

"Now... I saved the best for last."

"Yeah?" he smirks.

"Yeah." I gently remove it from my bag. It's a lime green beanie. "Made of jersey, so it's thin and you won't swelter in the summer. As for the green... I know you like vibrant colors, and this hue is surprisingly versatile. It goes well with your hair, but you can wear it with a lot of things: most shades of blue, some reds and purples, and of course many neutrals. Honestly, hard to go wrong."

"Wait, 'Shark Boy' is stitched at the bottom. You didn't make this, did you?" he admires.

"Maybe."

"You're crazy."

"I know."

"I love it! I seriously friggin love it!" he beams, putting it on immediately. He pulls me into a really firm hug-- firmer than normal— and my head fits perfectly on his shoulder. Hesitantly, I hug back. Once I do, however, I have to desperately try not to make it seem like it's the first hug I've had in years. I grasp at his coveralls with my hands.

I've been here before. I've been here before. I have been embraced by best guy friends who wind up deeming me unworthy. Who wind up leaving me. And it's usually my fault, in some way or another. Best guy friends are great. Better than best girl friends. I just wish I didn't have to fall in love with this one.

I want to believe that this time will be different. That Kazuichi is different. Even so, I have to admit I'm glad that I didn't have to give him honmei choco. This works. It shows him he's special to me without specifying exactly HOW.

All of these thoughts run through my head in the brief period of time we hug.

"I'm totally gonna make your White Day amazing," he promises.

"That's big. I'll hold that... I mean, hold you to that."

"Ew, that one's kind of gross!"

We laugh, and I take a moment to just remind myself to be happy in the present. The future will come and it may not be perfect. But right now, he and I are just fine.