Finally a year was over, and with it, the tormenting times for some people, approaches; for others, there's a nice day to share with that special someone. Indeed, Valentine's was just around the corner; you could practically feel it in the atmosphere.

A particular group of girls could be seen chatting animatedly, planning and preparing themselves for the oncoming activities for February 14th, i.e. planning, as every year how to make the best chocolate ever.

All in all, it had been a great year, Ran and Shinichi were inseparable, even though they fight for the most insignificant things, Ayumi finally moved on from Haru and Makoto and is now happy with a boy from an upper class called Ittou, for her part, Himeko is still very in love with Motoki, so once more she has disclosed what, in her mind is the ideal recipe for the occasion.

This year however, the fourth member of that select group of girls is more vibrant than ever. Hikaru has even said that she can not wait for the big day to come, surprising all of her friends; Ayumi asked for the reason, inquiring if there was someone special who they were not aware, but with a nervous laugh, she denied everything and just say that she simply liked the festivity.

Needless to say they did not believe her a single word.

They let her get away with it... for now. They would find a way to extract that information from Hikaru, and if the day came and they still didn't have anything, they would follow her, to find out the sudden joy for a date that not long ago was even painful for her.

Later, when they were out of high school, and on their way to the park, they met with girls from other schools, thus being a couple of familiar faces that joined the sweets talk. Umi and Fuu were also planning the big day, however, like Hikaru, Fuu seemed happier about it... although on a smaller scale.

The reality is that, almost year ago, on a March 15th, the girls decided to surprise Hikaru with an outing... but the surprised ones were them, at finding an overly cheerful redhead who did nothing but smile and sigh, that had a dreamy look on her face and that that seriously daydreaming and despite being physically with them.

After a little prodding, she told them everything, from the tears behind the wolf shaped chocolate, its disappearance and subsequent knowledge that it had appeared in possession of a certain magic swordsman, their meeting and the promise made by Mokona.

At first there was no response. Everything seemed too... amazing. But after everything that had happened to them in the past, it did not sound exactly impossible.

Hikaru felt a little bad for them, after all her friends hadn't had the same offer as her, but after a couple of minutes considering it, she convinced them that the next Valentine's Day, they make an extra chocolate to put with Lantis' and asking him to deliver them to those who they wished to.

Fuu accepted, not really convinced at first, but then with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Umi however said that she preferred to wait and then decide how to proceed, after all everything could happen in a year span.

And apparently it was a wise decision, because a few months later, she met a platinum haired and brown eyed guy, an exchange student named Iguru, with whom, after several months of give and take, they finally decided give it a chance, an opportunity that they still did not regret, as the aforementioned one loves every dessert Umi can cook.

So they were now at this point, with Hikaru excited about the Lantis' Chocolate, Fuu hopeful that her chocolate could cross dimensions and reach Ferio, and Umi deciding how to decorate Iguru's chocolate.

Last year the meeting was at Himeko's home. This year, they decided it would be at the Hououji residence.

For obvious reasons, Fuu's older sister, Kuu decided to join them in the kitchen. It was an open secret that while she and Satoru were not really in a relationship, it was common knowledge among them that there was something more than friendship between them.

They cooked between laughter funny stories, between silly games and food. Finally the chocolates were ready in their molds, waiting to cool to be decorated.

It was at this time that Himeko, Ayumi and Ran decided to interrogate Hikaru again. Of course they did not count on having Fuu there to help dodge most of the questions thrown at their friend. After all, the secret she hid was practically the same as hers.

They were so engrossed in their talk / discussion that no one that Umi was unusually quiet.

she remembered Hikaru's offer to try and send a chocolate to Cephiro, and while she now was happy with her current partner, something in the back of her mind kept repeating a "what if" that din not left her alone. Some time ago, there was a nice Palu who confessed to have other feelings for her besides friendship, and eventually she also recalled to have felt something more for a certain Guru.

Finally, as determined woman she has always been, Umi decided to make two extra little chocolates for those two important people from her past. She needed to close cycles.

When the girls finally noticed them, she simply said that they are for a couple of friends that she had unfinished business with. Only two of those present understood the message.

The big day was finally here, and to say that Hikaru was nervous was an understatement. While their hopes and dreams were high, she was still worried that ultimately the magic wouldn't work, that their beloveds' chocolates were lost in the way to Cephiro or that the accompanying chocolates did not make the expected Trip.

Still, she tried to stay as calm as possible.

The routine for the day was the same as every year, there were girls everywhere delivering nice sweets prepared for their loved ones, the soccer team captain's fan club kept chasing him and every time they caught the poor guy he didn't know what to do with so many presents.

In the dojo things were quite similar. Masaru and Kakeru even seemed to have gained a few more fans during the year, and even the ever serious Satoru had gained involuntarily a couple of fans himself... those that fled after seeing the battle aura surrounding Kuu who was standing silently beside him. Hikaru tried to hide her laughter, and failing miserably, so she retired to her room.

She was laying on her bed, reflecting a little on how she was unable to remember a Valentine's Day as peculiar and somewhat amusing like this. It is obvious that this thought was somewhat influenced by her good mood at having a new hope; This year she was able to see couples without a sense of longing and sadness, but with the hope that soon she would also share a moment with her beloved one.

And while thinking of her beloved, she fell asleep, again missing the glow that surrounded the small package of chocolates…

Finally!

This is the sequel for Valentine's Chocolate, which, is still in progress.

Dynamics here are the same… almost. There will be at least a Hikaru's POV chapter, a Lantis POV Chapter and a reunion chapter before moving onto the next year.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter :D

On a side note, and as established before, if you stumble on a grammar mistake, feel free to point it out. I'll be glad to acknowledge and change it