It was Valentine s Day. It was surprising for a romance novelist, but she hated Valentine s Day.
Even those who had no boyfriend had friends to make chocolates for,
to spend their day with, but not her. Not Fukawa. She was alone, as always. She would be lucky to end the day without a fake love confession, let alone to receive Valentine s gifts.

She pretended not to notice when everyone gathered between classes, as if she did not want to be a part of whatever shenanigans her fellows were getting into. She heard something about a Valentine's Day game. Something about a date with whoever drew the same color ballot. It sounded stupid to her, until she noticed something. Togami was in the group! Her beloved Togami! How could he even consider playing along with such stupid activities? She wondered if there was someone he was hoping to get. Surely it wasn't her.

"Fukawa!" a voice called, "Don't you want to play?"

Touko grumbled incoherently. Of course she didn't want to play, but it seemed Togami was going to make her. She couldn't stand by while he agreed to see another woman!

"Fine, I'll go along with your game… but if someone stands me up…" her voice trailed off into another illegible mumble.

With that, the students all drew their lots, and as Fukawa drew a purple-tipped paper she glanced around wildly for Togami. He didn't seem to be there. She sidled over to Naegi, the least threatening person she could find.

"Err… Naegi… Have you seen Byakuya around?"

"No, I haven't."

"I was hoping…"

"You wanted to be matched with him, huh?" Naegi asked thoughtfully, looking around for Togami. "I don't think he was playing…"

"B-but! I saw him just now! He was standing with the group! Don't tell me…!"

"Fukawa, let me see your lot."

Touko shook nervously as she drew her lot from behind her, holding it up to Naegi.

"Hey, we got the same color!" Naegi smiled innocently, pressing his lot against hers. "I guess we'll be hanging out tonight."

"No! No! I wanted…" she looked at Naegi's face. His eyes were concerned, but his mouth still curved into a smile. "Oh… all right… I suppose it could be worse…"

"That's the spirit." Naegi laughed.

"D-don't laugh at me, idiot!" she choked, "I-I'm only doing this because I feel bad for you!"

"I'm sorry. I'll pick you up at 6, okay?"

"O-okay…" she murmured.

All day, Fukawa's nerves were wracked. She worried about everything that there could possibly be to worry about. She didn't have any nice clothes to wear. She didn't own any makeup. She would go out, smelly and ugly, to some unfamiliar place where all eyes were on her, judging her, criticizing her every clumsy movement. Everyone would think Naegi was with her out of pity, and she would agree. She knew Naegi wouldn't stand her up, because he was too honest, and he wouldn't be able to deny anyone. She passed him on her way out of the school, and he shot her one of those adorable smiles that he could always muster. But it wasn't adorable to her. It was sickening. How dare he be so kind to her? She was disgusting. Not worth his time.

When she got home, she took a well-deserved shower, half for relaxation and half to make herself look presentable. She remembered suddenly that she had a dress she had received as a gift. She had never worn it. She wasn't pretty enough for such a flashy thing. It was baby yellow and pink, covered with lace. It looked like it belonged on a magical girl more than a meager literary genius like herself. She put it on, along with long black socks and her usual shoes. She rolled her eyes at her reflection in the mirror. Who was she trying to fool? She was hideous no matter what she wore. She was about to take the dress off and find something else to wear when she heard the doorbell and, rushing down the stairs, dashed to get the door.

Naegi hadn't dressed up at all. He was wearing his usual hoodie, the same old thing he wore to school every day. Fukawa was furiously embarrassed. Her face became red as a beet, and she looked cartoonishly angry.

"What are you doing? What are you wearing? I thought-"

"Fukawa, you look great!" he thrusted a bundle of flowers into her arms. "I didn't think you were going to dress up…"

"W… why?" Fukawa was overcome by emotion. Nobody ever bought her flowers. Nobody ever said she looked great. She felt like she might cry.

"I thought you didn't want to go with me."

"W-well, I don't! But I am, so lets g-get this over with!"

"All right, lets go." Naegi did it again. He smiled.

The two of them started to walk, Fukawa following by Naegi's side. She didn't want to ask where they were going. She thought it must be a surprise. Apparently Naegi was trying to be romantic for her. Was he trying to impress her? She couldn't understand why he would need to. She didn't have anything to offer him. She wasn't rich, and her talent wouldn't be of any use to him, unless maybe he wanted her to write him a poem for another girl. The thought made her jealous. She glanced over at him, examining his face. He smiled blankly. His expression didn't give away any ulterior motive. All it did was give her the slightest butterflies… wait, no! She loved Togami! She didn't care about Naegi, this stupid idiot who insisted on treating her so well regardless of everything she said about him… She didn't have time to think about it any more before Naegi turned a corner into the forest.

"Hey, where are we going?" she asked.

"You'll see," he called, racing ahead of her.

Of course, she was right. It was a surprise. After she chased him through the dark of the woods for a time, they came upon a run-down looking tree house with three walls supporting its roof, leaving one side open to look out of. Naegi promptly climbed into the tree house, scrambling up the ladder like a spider monkey.

"We're going up there?" she exclaimed.

"Yeah." Naegi sat on the ledge looking out into the forest. "I found it awhile ago. Just come up!"

Fukawa reluctantly climbed up after him, taking a seat beside him. He didn't say a word. He just looked out into the forest before him. Fukawa followed his gaze to a clearing in the trees where the light shone through, illuminating the trees in yellows and oranges. He was trying to impress her! He knew that the beautiful sight of the sun-drenched forest would move her. He wanted to get on her good side. He had probably set this entire thing up. He had tricked her.

"W… what do you want from me?" she stammered, trying to hide tears welling up in her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Why did you bring me here?" she sobbed, "What do you expect to gain?"

"I just thought you'd enjoy it. I couldn't afford to take you to a restaurant or anything…"

"That's bullshit!" she cried, "You don't care about me! Nobody does."

"Fukawa…" Naegi looked concerned. Touko was taken aback again. What was wrong with this boy? Why did she matter to him? He was such a busybody. Touko put her face in her hands.

"Fukawa… Can I ask you something?"

"You might as well… You've already hurt me enough!"

"If you want someone to care about you, why do you like Togami so much?"

"Byakuya does care about me! He… he gives me advice. He lets me hang around him…"

"I would do that for you, too. Anyone would. You're better than you give yourself credit for."

"No! No! You won't sway me, idiot…"

"Fukawa, look up. You'll miss the sunset if you don't look up."

Touko continued to sob into her hands for a time, but eventually she stopped crying and looked up. The sunset truly was beautiful, she thought, and as she admired the way the light shone through the trees she felt something warm wrap around her shoulder. She glanced Naegi's way. His arm was around her. He smiled. He seemed so pure. He was perfect. She was starting to see him the way she saw Togami. But he was better than Togami. He had feelings. He was concerned for her. She nervously scooted over closer to him, allowing his arm to rest more comfortably. Then she decided to do something crazy. She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. The sun had set. Now the moon shone through the trees, and the light they were cast in was white as snow.

"Fukawa, I think I should get you home. Your family will worry about you."

"No they won't." Fukawa smiled dully. "I want to stay here, with you."

Naegi sighed exasperatedly, "All right. A little while longer."