AN: Here's a special chapter that I wanted to add as an omake to the next official chapter, but since I'm still working on that, I decided to release this as a standalone. Sorry for not updating consistently recently or responding to messages but I've been pretty overwhelmed with work recently. I'll try to get my chapters done as soon as I can, but until then, please enjoy this little special episode. Thank you to all of you who have stuck with me and was patient with me until now.

Love is in the air as the day for giving chocolate to your loved one nears. If Valentine's Day this year is anything like last year's I'm going to be expecting my room to be filled with a year's supply of chocolate.

A girl receiving chocolate from other girls is pretty customary in an all girl's schools. Every since I built up a positive reputation here, a sizable fan club has formed with new members joining pretty frequently. The same can be said for Rias, Akeno, Yumi, Koneko, and Kaichou.

Anyways, I overheard Rias and Asia talking about making chocolate for me at home so that kind of ruined my plans. I wanted to make some chocolate for everyone in the club, but now with my kitchen being taken over I'll need to find somewhere else to go.

And that's how I ended up at the Cooking Club's room.

"Excuse me!" I called out as I entered the room.

"Ah!" A girl with long, straight black hair turned to me as she noticed me and called out cheerfully. "Saya! Long time no see!"

Oh. Looks like she's trying to make some chocolate too.

"Hey, Yuki," I waved to the girl. "How have you been? Sorry I haven't been able to visit lately."

She's actually a pretty shy girl, but I managed to befriend her after I helped her out with some love advice. No doubt she's still trying her best to win over her crush's heart.

Yuki shook her head and put down the knife she was holding. "It's fine. I know you've probably been busy. You joined the Occult Research Club, right?"

"That's right. Do you mind if I use the kitchen for a bit?"

"Of course. You're always welcome here."

"Thanks, Yuki!"

Walking past her busy self, I set down the bag of stuff I prepared beforehand on the countertop. First, to check if I have everything.

Let's see… molds, yep, chocolate bars, yep, additional flavoring, yep, and packaging, yep. Good. Looks like I didn't forget anything. Now to actually start making it.

I started boiling some water in a pot over the stove as I unwrapped the chocolate bars from their wrappings. Once the water started boiling, I placed the bars of chocolate in a bowl on top of the pot. It's a lot easier melting store-bought chocolate than making the chocolate from cocoa powder. It also tastes better in my opinion. At the same time, I took the different flavoring oils and began heating them up in the same way.

After the chocolate had completely melted, I poured it into six other, smaller bowls. Once the oils reached an acceptable temperature, I added a different one to each of the bowls and mixed it. That's done. Now all I need to do is pour the melted chocolate into the molds.

Good thing I had prepared the molds beforehand. It had taken some time to craft the molds by hand, but I think it'll be worth it.

Alright. That's done. While walking over to the freezer I passed by Yuki who was hard at work at making a batch of chocolate from scratch. She was so focused on her work that she didn't even notice me. I'd better not bother her.

Carefully placing the finished pieces into the freezer, I decided to go for a walk around the school. Since it was getting pretty late, there wasn't anybody around school grounds save for a couple of students or teachers walking around to finish whatever jobs they need to do.

That girl, Yuki. There's something about her that makes her seem she's more than what she actually lets on. The same can be said for a few other people of interest in this school. More specifically, a teacher, and two other girls whom I've all had contact with. They're definitely not Devils or anything, but there are times where they'd be all absent at the same time for a couple of weeks.

Oh well. No use thinking about it.

As I was walking, it seems like I got lost in my thoughts and ended up in front of the legendary tree of this school. Yep. The so-called tree where if you confess your love to your crush under it you'll be guaranteed a successful relationship. The tree that exists in nearly every school.

Ugh. Just thinking about it is giving me a headache. Last year I had to constantly run and hide all over the school to avoid being kidnapped and dragged to this tree. It was a hard time back then. I hope it doesn't turn out that way this year too.

Rubbing my hand on the bark of the old tree, I reminisced about my first love. An innocent, and cheerful girl, Dosey. Unfortunately, it couldn't last. But even though she turned into a monster, I still loved her all the same. In the end, though, I never really found a way to change her back even though I spent that entire life looking for one.

Jeez. Look at me. I shouldn't be lingering so much on the past. Right now, I have to focus on the people in front of me.

Checking my watch, I saw an hour had already passed. Guess I'll go check on the chocolate to see if it's ready yet.

"Saya! Please, accept this!"

"Mine too, mine too!"

"Um… H-here!"

"Me as well!"

I knew it would turn out this way. Ever since the day started, I've been constantly swamped by girls trying to give me chocolate. It's gotten even worse now that the day was finished.

All around me I could feel the envious eyes of the boys boring holes in my back. More specifically, I could feel the eyes of a certain pair of perverts burning exceptionally hot.

"Kuh! Look at her… Even though she's a girl…"

"That smug smile is… is…"

Next to me, Asia was also getting some chocolates herself. Except, she looks like she's about to overload with the amount of attention she was getting. Guess it's up to me to get us out of this, huh?

Grabbing Asia's hand and tucking the boxes of chocolates under my other arm, I quickly dragged her out of the mass of swarming girls.

"Aaahhh! Look, over there!"

Crap. The hallways are too dangerous to stay in. We have to get somewhere safe and private.

"Asia, hold on tight, okay?"

"R-Right!" She nodded and gripped my hand tightly.

Running through the hallways being chased by fangirls, we occasionally ducked into adjacent classrooms and mingled with crowds in order to lose them until finally, we reached behind the old school building.

Asia was panting heavily by the time we lost our pursuers.

"Asia, are you okay?" I asked while rubbing her head.

"Y-Yes… Um… I just need… some rest…" She said in between breaths.

As I waited for her to recover, I placed all the chocolates I received into my Vault. It sure is convenient to have a storage space whenever I need to.

"Thank you for helping me. This Valentine's Day is kind of scary…" Asia commented.

"Ahaha… Well, not all places are as hectic as this. It's mostly just because you've gotten so popular after you entered the school."

The former nun tilted her head in question. "Eh? I'm popular?"

Wow. She hasn't noticed at all, huh?

"That's right. It's because you're so cute."

"Awawawa!" Asia's entire face turned red at my compliment.

She really is adorable like this.

She also began fidgeting and pulling at the hem of her skirt.

"Um… S-saya..?" She said in a meek voice.

"Hm? Yes? What is it?"

"I… Well… I-I have something to give you…"

Ah, here it is. I've been looking forward to this ever since I overheard her and Rias talking about it.

Of course, I feigned ignorance. "Oh? What is it?"

"Um… H-Here!" She squeaked while holding out a heart-shaped box. "I-I made this for you!"

I took the box with a smile and pat her head. "Thank you, Asia! I also have something for you, too."

"Eh? You do?"

"Yep, here."

I took out a green box wrapped up with a blue ribbon from my bag and handed it to her. "It's chocolate. I made it myself."

A happy smile spread across her face and she took the box excitedly and hugged it to her chest.

"Thank you so much!" She said as she beamed up to me.

Ah, that smile of hers is so beautiful.

Feeling a presence near us, I quickly glanced behind me to see a head of white disappear around the corner. Ah… Looks like I'll need to cut my time short with Asia.

Clearing my throat, I quickly pecked Asia's forehead. "Sorry, but I need to do some things so can you go to the club room first?"

"Alright!" Nodding happily, she ran off into the old school building.

After making sure that she was out of earshot, I called out to my stalker. "Koneko, you don't have to hide, you know."

The young girl walked out from behind the corner and stared at me with a slight pout.

Sighing, I took out a white box wrapped with a pink ribbon and waved her over. Once she saw the box, her eyes immediately lit up and she slowly made her way over to me.

"Here," I said while holding out the box. "It's for you."

"Senpai… Th-thank you…" She said shyly as she took the box.

I could tell she was trying her best not to smile. Maybe I should break her out of her shell a bit.

"You don't have to hide it when you're happy, you know. But, well, that part of you is adorable as well," I said while patting her head.

Koneko's body stiffened up and she quickly turned her head away.

"I-Idiot…" she muttered before she sprinted away.

Well, at least she's happy. I'm sure she'll enjoy the little twist I added to the chocolate. Now, taking out the four remaining boxes, I began searching for the others.

I found Xenovia being swamped by a group of girls all trying to shove boxes into her hands. Wow. She's certainly gotten popular pretty fast. I squeezed through the crowd and grabbed her hand and did the same as I did for Asia.

"Sorry for troubling you, Saya," Xenovia said while bowing her head once we had made it to safety.

"Don't worry about it, Xenovia. We're friends, after all," I replied with a smile.

"To think that Japanese culture can be so terrifying… It seems I still have much to learn."

Oh dear… Looks like she's got the wrong idea about Valentines' Day.

"Well, um… don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll get used to it next year."

"Yes. I hope so. This entire day has been a challenge to get through."

Ugh. Jeez. I don't really know how to approach her. Should I just give her the chocolate without any pretense?

"Ahem…" I cleared my throat and held out the blue box with a yellow ribbon for her. "Well… This is for you, Xenovia."

"A present?" She asked as she tilted her head. "It isn't my birthday, and it definitely isn't Christmas. What's this for?"

Man. She's pretty dense, isn't she?

"It's for Valentine's Day. Valentine's. You know. It's chocolate."

"Hm? But isn't Valentine's chocolate usually reserved for one's loved one?"

This is getting kind of tough. The longer I stay here, the more uncomfortable I feel under her intense gaze. Not once has she broken eye contact with me, and she's kept a constant expression throughout our whole conversation. What is this feeling?

"Um… W-well… Yes, it is."

I couldn't think of anything to say. More and more, I'm feeling like a young maiden confessing to her first love.

"I see… So that means you hold feelings for me. Thank you."

She took the box from me and smiled. Ugh… These confident alpha types always get to me.

"A-Anyways! Um… I'll see you later at the club room!" I said before quickly running away.

Once I was a safe distance away, I took a deep breath and calmed myself.

"Saya~."

"Eek!"

I shrieked out loud as I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist and pull into somebody's chest.

"A-Akeno? Is that you?"

"Ufufufu. I'm happy that you recognized me just from my voice and my body."

I tried struggling out of grasp, but she just pulled me in closer to her.

"Now, now. Be a good girl and stay like this okay? I want to keep you to myself for a little bit."

Where did she even come from? I should've sensed her approaching me from behind.

After some time passed, I was beginning to get a bit uncomfortable.

"Um… Akeno… Can you let go now?" I asked.

"Aw… But I wanted to keep holding you for a bit longer. You let Buchou do it to you, don't you?"

Ugh. I can't argue with that…

"Well… Yeah…"

"Ufufu. Alright, I'll let you go. I've had my share of fun. Besides, you have some more packages to deliver, don't you?"

Akeno withdrew her arms and stepped back before taking out a small, plain box and holding it out for me.

"Huh? Is this for me?" I asked while taking the box.

"Of course. I made it especially for you. I hope you enjoy it," Akeno replied with a kind smile.

I see. So it wasn't just Rias and Asia.

"Thank you, Akeno!" I said while holding out my own gift for her. "Here. I made this for you as well."

"Ara, thank you, Saya. I'll be sure to have it later," she said before walking away and shooting me a wink. "I'll be waiting for you in the club room."

Alright. Two more left to go. Wandering around school grounds again, I found Yumi hiding out in a storage shed.

"Saya? I guess you and I had the same idea," she said once she saw me.

"Yep, and wow. That is a lot of chocolate," I commented after seeing the huge pile of boxes beside her.

"Ahah… Yeah, this?" She gestured to the boxes with a tired smile. "It was like this last year as well."

Nodding, I sat down beside her. "Mhm. I know how that feels."

We basked in the silence for a while.

"Hey, Saya. This kind of reminds me of the time we hid in the shed during the Rating Game," Yumi said suddenly.

That's right. We did do that, didn't we?

"Yeah, and we fooled around acting like a knight and a princess in there."

"Mhm."

That was a nice reprieve from the stress of fighting. Just like how this is a nice reprieve from the stress of running from fangirls.

"You know. I think I understand now why Buchou and Asia likes you so much, now," Yumi commented.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Yumi turned to me and stared directly into my eyes. "You're kind, you're strong, you're brave, and you care for your comrades. After the holy sword incident, I finally realized those traits of yours. Before, I had to act to seem like I was having fun, but you were the one that actually made me laugh and smile the most. So, for that, thank you."

With each compliment she gave me I could feel my face getting warmer and warmer. Just like Xenovia, Yumi's eyes held a certain intenseness that made my heart skip a beat.

"Um… Thanks, I guess…"

I didn't know what to say back to that. As my mind was racing to try to find a proper response, I felt a pair of lips press into mine.

Y-Yumi?!

It was a soft, and gentle kiss, filled with the feelings Yumi held.

After pulling away, she grinned and stood up while brushing the dust from her pants.

"I'll be taking this," she said while holding the box of chocolates that I made for her before leaving the storage shed.

Feeling a small object in my hand, I looked down and saw a small heart-shaped box.

Well, isn't she the smooth one?

Standing up and fixing my skirt, I left the shed with the feeling of Yumi's lips still lingering on mine.

Rias is the only one left, now.

I found Rias waiting for me in the club room. Looks like the others aren't here yet. Well, that works out for me.

"Hm? Saya? You're the only one here? I thought the others would be with you," she asked as I entered the club room.

"I thought they'd all be here already. I met them all outside." I replied while looking at the closed door behind me.

"Well, whatever. This is perfect. I won't have to wait to give you your chocolate," she said while beckoning me. "Why don't you come over?"

I walked over to her and stood in front of her. The setting sun streamed through the windows and created a somewhat romantic mood.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Saya."

She smiled as she held out a red box.

Taking the box and holding it to my heart, I gave her my gift.

"Yes. Happy Valentine's Day, Rias."

I breathed contentedly as she embraced me in her arms. We stayed like that for a while. I don't know how long, but it didn't matter. At that moment, it was just the two of us.

"Muu…"

Huh? What's that sound, turning my head, I noticed Asia poking her head through the door with an adorable pout. Under her was Koneko who was pouting as well, and on top of them were the other three, all with varying expressions. Akeno had that teasing smile, Yumi had a look of determination, while Xenovia had a… is that jealousy?

"Uh… Rias?" I muttered.

"Hm? What is it?"

"The others are watching."

"I know."

Wait, she knows?

"Then does that mean..?"

"Mhm. Just for today, it's the two of us."

Ah… I see. She planned this out. Well, I guess this is fine.

And so, Rias and I spent the rest of Valentine's Day together as a couple.

Extra Episode

The day after Valentine's I was left with about another year's supply of chocolates.

"Well… I guess I'll start getting through it now," I said to myself while taking the chocolates Asia had made for me. Each of them was in the shape of a small heart while the taste was nothing too special. Except, I could feel the amount of love she poured into each individual piece. All-in-all it was an enjoyable experience.

Next, Yumi's chocolate. It was a single piece of what looked like extremely expensive dark chocolate made by some expert craftsmen. Jeez. It looks so good that I almost don't want to eat it, but… That would be rude to Yumi.

"Hah~…"

I let out a delighted moan as the rich flavor assaulted my taste buds. How amazing. I can't believe that Yumi made this herself.

Taking a sip of water to clear my palette, I pulled out Akeno's box. Well, this one looks really good too. It was a small piece, similar to Yumi's but slightly bigger. It was also in a heart shape. Considering how good Akeno is at just making tea, this must be amazing, right?

I popped the entire piece into my mouth and chewed. Yep. It's amazing-

Oh god.

My mouth, throat and nose were suddenly engulfed by an intense burning feeling.

Water! I need water!

I downed the glass of water next to me, but the burning persisted.

What the hell?! Why was the inside of the chocolate filled with wasabi?!

I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die!

"Hey, Saya, are you alright?"

Rias stepped into my room at that moment and saw me in my panicked state.

Tears were streaming down my face and my mouth was hanging open with my tongue sticking out.

"Riaaaas!" I cried while running into her arms. "Help me!"

"S-Saya?! What's wrong?!"

"Burning! I'm burning up!"

She didn't seem to understand me at first, as shown by her thinking face.

"Aha!" She suddenly snapped her fingers and picked me up before placing me on the bed. "My, my, Saya. I didn't think you'd be so desperate for my embrace. How lewd."

Eh? Wait, no! That's not it! It's water! I need water!

I desperately shook my head and tried to say something, but my entire mouth felt numb by now.

Stop, no, Rias! Don't kiss me or you'll-

It was too late. Rias' eyes shot open in shock before she hastily pulled away.

"Wh-what is this?! Why are my nose and throat burning?!"

Rias… I'm sorry, but I tried to warn you.

For some reason. I can see an image of Akeno giggling into her hand at our misfortune.

In the end, we had to get Asia to heal us in order to recover.