A Warm Place

Extra VIII

Valentine

February 14th.

Otherwise known as Valentine's Day. It's the day when maidens in love display their skills and compete against each other.

But in my case, instead of giving a chocolate as a present to my sweetheart, I thought of Valentine's as an excuse for me to make as much chocolate as I want. I made it my goal every year to watch my family and friends eat the chocolates I made and hear them say that it was delicious.

Well, it was... until last year.

Believe it or not, I'm now in a relationship with the amazing 'Kurasaka Hiori'. Since I already have my own valentine, it wouldn't do for me to hand out chocolates to just anyone this year. So, I had decided to prepare gifts only for my family and Hiori.

She has a dainty, maiden-like trait in her after all. She would definitely get in a bad mood if I gave chocolates to others, too. She would say that she doesn't mind, but there's no doubt that she would keep her grouch to herself. She's the type who holds a grudge, so it might stay for a month or so.

And so, I woke up early this morning and gave the chocolates to my parents, Saki, Rumi, Tsubaki, and Hiori. They all received it happily, and I'm really glad to be able to hear the word 'delicious' from them.

That's--how today was supposed to end.

"But, why did it come to this?"

I thought Valentine's would have ended with no problem to note. But, the unexpected thing happened at school.

"W-wow... This is amazing, Hinata-san."
"Weird... We're attending a co-ed school, not a girls' high...... Besides, I don't remember when I have become anyone's Onee-sama... I'm not the school idol, either."

There are chocolates and cookies with beautiful wrappings piling on my desk. It's not to the point that they're spilling from it, but I can confirm that there are over 10 of them in total. At first, I thought they were misplaced for some reason, but they're all attached with cards AND my name written on them in neat characters.

Well, this is not my first time receiving chocolates, though. Valentine's landed on Sunday last year, so my close friends ended up having to hand over their friends chocolates the next day. And even before that, I made it a yearly tradition to exchange chocolates with my friends.

Although, this is the first time I've ever received so many chocolates one-sidedly. How is it even possible for the most handsome guy in class to receive less than me who is a girl?

"Hinata-san has many friends after all, not to mention that you're quite popular. I think it's natural that you would receive at least this much."
"Eh? May I inquire about what you just said, Ms. Tsubaki?"
"Fufu, did you know? My classmates talk about Hinata-san sometimes."

Wait, what? That's terrifying. Who and what kind of rumors are they spreading about me?

"They said that you're smart, and reliable."
"...You must have misheard."

Her classmates must have been talking about someone else with a similar name, yup. Although, Tsubaki shakes her head sideways while giggling to herself.

"They also mentioned that your grades always made it to the top rankings, you have outstanding athletic abilities... And as if those weren't enough to make you stand out, you have a kind personality that you never ignore people in trouble. Above all, they like the way you look so mature sometimes."

People actually have that kind of impression on me?! Aren't they looking through rose-colored glasses or something?!

"All the girls were praising you, you know? They said that you would listen to their worries when you're not even acquainted with each other... You would also help them and come to their rescue when they're in trouble."