AN: I know I'm a bit late, but here's a Valentine's special! No reason to cut the party short just because the 14th has passed. Let's spread the love a bit longer! I'll be writing one for YukiRu tomorrow if I can find time- my mother has to have a tooth pulled so I'll be driving her home and keeping an eye on her.

It's a Valentine's drabble, so obligatory fluff ahead. Fair warning.

Please read Purposeful Existence or at least have an understanding of the plot before reading this.

"Amejisuto-chan, you got a special delivery!"

I glanced up from the dishes and over my shoulder at my supervisor. Azumi was absolutely beaming about something, her brown eyes gleaming with joy and wonderment. But... What about? Her hands were hidden beneath the counter, so I couldn't steal a look at whatever she was holding.

"Me? It's not my birthday, is it a mistake?"

"Not at all!" She finally held the object high enough I could see it, and I just about dropped the pan back into the dishwater. A large bouquet of red roses with a single white rose in the middle. My photographic memory and years of work in kitchens made counting the flowers unnecessary. I already knew there was 11 red in the bunch... And I knew well this was intentional and the connotation behind the arrangement. Drying my hands on the towel next to me, I didn't even have to turn away from the breathtaking arrangement.

"That's...for me?"

"Hai!"

Shyly taking the roses from Azumi, she smiled warmly and left with a knowing expression after I thanked her. I sought and opened the small card attached by a string to the front flower.

"These roses cannot even begin to compare to the beauty of the recipient, but I hope they are to your liking. Happy Valentine's Day."

It wasn't signed, but I knew Akito's elegant handwriting anywhere, and there was no refusing the skewed smile that made its way along my mouth as a blush warmed my cheeks. I would never have expected this... Especially with Japan's traditions of the girl giving the guy a gift for Valentine's, and that alone told me something that made my heart flutter a little harder. He had researched traditions in America.

Unable to stop grinning like a fool, I ran my fingers over the satin petals of the roses, careful not to ruin their beauty. These were real flowers... He had truly gone all out.

Knocking on Akito's door, I held out the small box towards him as soon as he slid it open with a crooked smirk. "Happy Valentine's Day."

"Oh?" He took the box from me, studying its surface with a genuine interest and curiosity. He was so adorable, he was like a child learning about holidays for the first time with the same amazement and innocence shining in his eyes. "What is it?"

"Chocolate."

"Chocolate..." He repeated quietly, his warm grey eyes meeting mine as he met my smirk with his own. "One of nature's aphrodisiacs. Is it a coincidence, or was it an intentional decision on your part?"

I snickered and stepped inside his room, closing the door with one hand as I wrapped my other arm around his neck, leaning close to his face. "Yes."