2 years ago

It was Valentine's Day. I decided to give giri chocolates to my friends and one honmei chocolate to the guy I like.

"What's that thing?" Sougo asked sarcastically after I handed him a pink box with letters imprinted on it saying "Valentine's Choco". "Are you stupid? Can't you see it's a chocolate?" I shouted. "And why are you giving me chocolates on Valentine's Day? Wait a minute. Don't tell me..." Sougo said and smiled menacingly. "No! Umm...it's a giri choco not a honmei! Don't flatter yourself" I quickly said. I said it on a whim. I know he won't accept it if I said it's a honmei chocolate. He'd be disgusted.

"A GIRI huh? I won't accept it. Don't you know I hate sweets? Boys don't eat sweets." Sougo replied insensitively. "That's not true! Ginpachi-sensei eats a lot of sweets. If you don't want to eat it just accept it you idiot! Where's your manner?" I said but he just left without saying anything. It was the worst Valentine's of my life.

I will never give chocolates to anyone.

"Hey! Are you listening? Hey Kagura!" Otae shouted while I was in a state of trance. "You're daydreaming again. Did you hear what I said?" she added. "Sorry. What were you saying again?" I said. My thoughts wander all the time and I know this pisses Otae especially when she's telling me something.

"I was asking if you can go with me later after school. I want to shop for valentine's choco. I'm going to give Sougo a honmei choco." Otae said. "Huh? You're going to give him chocolates? No, no, no. You can't do that. That guy hates sweets. He might not accept it." I said. I remembered that valentine's two years ago. I don't want Otae to feel the same rejection I felt.

"Wait. How did you know Sougo hates sweets?" She asked. Oh no. I can't tell her what happened that Valentine's day two years ago. "Umm...I just heard it from someone. You know...rumors." I said. That afternoon, we didn't shop for chocolates. We went straight home. I wonder if Otae won't give Sougo chocolates anymore. The thought made me a bit happy.

At the rooftop...

The three of us were eating lunch together again. It's awkward eating together with a couple, especially when you got the hots for the girl's guy. I'm so out of place.

"Why is she eating with us again?" Sougo asked sternly while pointing his chopsticks at me.

"I thought you're okay with it. Plus, Kagura is my friend. I want you to get along well." Otae said.

"I know. But it's Valentine's Day. It's a time for couples. Can't we have some time together?" Sougo said while eating his omelette. He's obviously irritated with me being there. He obviously wanted me to get lost.

"For your information, I don't want to eat with you either. I'm just doing this for Otae." I told him.

"Okay, stop it you two. We're eating." Again, Otae stopped us. I glared at Sougo. He glared back.

"Oh right! Before I forget, happy Valentine's Day Sougo!" Otae said while smiling brightly. Then I was shocked when she gave him a box of chocolate. Yes. It was a red heart-shaped box oozing with chocolate scent. "Is this a giri choco or a honmei choco?" Sougo asked. Otae answered "Of course it's a honmei". I was shocked when she gave him a chocolate but I was more shocked with Sougo's reaction.

He took the red box, opened it, and ate every bit of the chocolate. "Thanks! It was delicious. I love it." He replied after eating. "See kagura? He loves it. The rumors are not true" Otae said.

Why? I thought he hates sweets. Why would he accept her honmei chocolate but reject mu giri chocolate? Why would he accept her love but not my friendship? I hate Valentine's Day. I will always hate it.

After class...

Otae was busy with her student council meeting. She told me to go home. She also told Sougo not to wait for her so he could go home early. No one was left but me in the classroom. I assumed Sougo went home already. As for me, i was not yet in the mood to go home. I was very disappointed and I don't know why. Then I stared at Sougo's desk. I moved closer and touched it. It was full of vandals. There was even a sketch of a dead guy named Hijikata on it. I sat on his chair. No one was around so I thought it was okay.

I almost fell asleep when I smelled a familiar scent, sweet and soft scent. It felt nostalgic. Then I heard a voice whispered in my ear. "Hey china. It's not good to sleep in someone else's desk. I quickly opened my eyes. Then, "aaaahh!" I screamed. I was very surprised to see Sougo so close to me. I shrugged him. "What are you doing here?" I immediately asked. "I should be the one asking you that. Why are you sleeping at my desk?" He answered my question with a question. "Umm. Ah-I didn't know this was yours. Anyway, you should go home. Otae still has her student council meeting." I said.

"I know. She told me earlier. So...Let's go?" Sougo replied while preparing to leave the room.

"Huh? Let's go? Go where?" I asked. Then he laughed obviously making fun of me.

"You're so stupid. Let's go home...

...together"

-to be continued-

*giri chocolate- obligatory chocolate, usually given by women to their friends and acquaintances.

*honmei chocolate- more expensive chocolates women give to their romantic partners.