"So many people to give chocolates to." Emiko muttered as she tempered chocolate in a pot.
"Smells good!" Eito said as we walked in the kitchen to check what is daughter was doing late in the evening. "Wow! That's a lot of chocolate! Who is that for?"
"It's for Valentines!"
"Whoa! Who's the lucky guy hm?" He asks.
"Several guys, dad." She chuckled.
"WHAT! You're giving chocolate to several guys?"
"They're friends! Don't be silly!" Emiko laughed.
"Why? Friends? Do you have a romantic interest in all of them?"
"Wow, dad! It's like you were never given chocolate in high school."
"In fact, I never was. I was too busy studying to make friends with girls." He leaned on the counter "So, help me understand Valentines. You give chocolate to your male friends? What about if you have a crush on someone? It has to be extra special?"
"Something like that. Many of my girl friends say that you should add love letters to really emphasise your point."
"You giving a love letter to anyone?" Eito asked with a raised brow. He didn't want hinder Emiko from any relationship she might want to pursue but whoever it is ought to be pretty damn special because his daughter was an angel.
"No. These are all friendship chocolates."
"Hm. I see." Her father said pretty relieved. "Well, shouldn't you be giving your old man some?"
"Of course I will! Yours is the most special!"
"It better be!" He chuckled. "So do boys give you chocolate too?"
"No. I don't think so. Boys give girls chocolate on White Day!"
"There's a separate occasion?"
"It's like you've been living under a rock, Dad!" Emiko laughed.
"Maybe because I was! How did all of this start anyway? It's not a Japanese custom."
"You're lucky I know the answer to that. Apparently all around the world, men are the ones who give chocolates and flowers to women on Valentines. In the 19650's, some American company wanted to market Valentines to us. They said giving chocolate is a way for men to express their love for a woman, but there was a translational error so it became the reverse, hence Japanese women now give chocolate to men on Valentines! Isn't that funny?"
"That is funny and also pretty stupid." Eito chuckled.
"I think so too, but what can you do? I find it cute anyway."
"Well, I'm going to head to bed soon. How much longer will you take?"
"I'm not really sure. Goodnight, Dad! Love you." Emiko said as her dad exited the kitchen.
"I love you too, Kitsune."
Emiko smiled at the nickname only her dad called her. She continued to stir.
"This better be good." She mumbled to herself.
The next day, Emiko texted Saiki that she'll run a bit late because of the chocolates so she won't walk with him going to school. Reita was bummed out to learn of the fact, as he was hoping to see the pink haired beauty (and perhaps receive chocolates from her).
"Did she say who she was making chocolates for?" He queried the rather annoyed psychic.
'No.'
"Do you think she'll make me some?" Reita asked excitedly.
'Knowing her personality, I'm sure she'll make chocolates for everyone.' Saiki said.
"Oh, so like, I won't be special?" He asks sadly.
'I'd question her taste if she fell for you.'
"That hurt!" Reita said as he clutched his heart dramatically. "Are you saying a cool guy like me has no chance to be with to be with a beautiful, perfect, powerful and wonderful girl like her?"
'You emphasised my point by saying that out loud.' Saiki narrowed his eyes 'What do you mean by powerful?'
"Besides her obvious influence over the school, she saved a cafe from closing, she saved a dude from getting punched and... I might know something." He said mysteriously. Unknown to Emiko, word of her deeds circulated through PK as her friends have seen her picture hanging on the wall of Kohi to Kashi.
'Know what?'
Reita looks around to see if there are other people near by. Seeing there were none, he leans in and whispers to Saiki "That she has powers."
Saiki's eyes widened. Controlling himself to try and sound none threatening, he asked quietly in a strained manner 'How did you know?'
"Ghosts of course! Have you forgotten how useful they can be in getting information?"
'You use ghosts to spy on Hiro?' Saiki said trying not to sound angry.
Reita waved his arms defensively "No! Spy on her? I'd never do that!"
'Then what?' Saiki said threateningly.
"Geez. It's like you've become her boyfriend or something."
'It's not like that.'
"Yeah, yeah! You're best friends." Saiki's silence spoke for him "Yeah. I know that too! I know that NOT because I was spying, okay?"
'You have the face of a guilty man.'
Reita sighed. "I don't ask ghosts to spy on her. Trust me, I've never asked them once to check the colour of her underwear or what she looks like underneath the clothing... I am curious though. You have X-Ray vision, have you seen the goods she hides below?" He asks with a perverted blush on his face.
'I might just blast you off the face of this earth.' Saiki threatened.
He scratches his head "Okay! I don't ask them to do creepy things! I just ask them to check on her, sometimes, okay?"
'Why?'
"Nothing! I just, I care about her! Make sure she's all right. Wouldn't go far as saying I love her, but heck, if she liked me I'd jump the chance! But nah. I guess I'm beneath her so I'll settle for her friendship."
Saiki was quiet.
"Silent, I see!" He put his arm around his pink haired friend "Well waddaya know! I can be a gentleman too!"
'That term is a stretch from the truth.'
"Eh, I suppose you're right. But, I'm pretty sure Hiro isn't the only one giving me chocolates! Several girls have been putting some in my locker panicking because I might arrive at any moment!" He says. "I've been really nice and attentive to girls! Helping them carry their stuff, giving them gifts, complimenting them! All girls have started to take notice of me!"
'No, they haven't.'
"Saiki! Please use your powers and check if I have chocolates."
Saiki raised his hands and formed an O.
"THANK YOU!" Reita said as he sprinted to school "Yahoo!"
'He must have misunderstood me.' Thought Saiki. 'This wasn't a yes. It was a zero.'
Saiki soon arrived at PK and as he soon as he was going to enter the classroom, he saw dozens of girls give Hairo chocolates. He couldn't help but notice that all were obligatory. Although he had to say, Hairo was popular and his efforts to help people around him were extremely impressive. Come on, the guy saved a girl from being attacked by bear and tiger simultaneously. Kusuo couldn't fathom why she wasn't in love with him.
Carrying three bags of chocolate, Hairo turned and noticed Saiki standing there. "Good morning, Saiki! Oh, were you watching?" He chuckled. "I know. How in the world and I going to eat all of this? I'm not bragging though, these were all given to return a favour, they don't have any romantic attachments-"
"Please accept my chocolates!" A blue haired boy giddily as he handed Hairo a heart shaped box of chocolates.
"Another friendship chocolate!" Says Hairo happily watching the boy sprint away.
"Wow Hairo, I think not giving you chocolates is more humane." Says Emiko as she approaches the boys. "How will you maintain your gym body after eating all of that!"
"Haha! Not to worry! I will have to exercise twice as hard!"
'That's Hairo for you, I guess.' Emiko thought. She handed Hairo a small bag. "I didn't make you chocolates but, Here's a chocolate protein shake for you instead! You work out so much you might need a little more protein. Happy Valentines!"
'Wow. That's really thoughtful! I'd probably fall in love with her if I wasn't in so in love with Nendou's way of life!' Hairo thought. "I thank you for the best chocolates I've received today!" He declared.
"Hahaha! You're very welcome." She looks at Kusuo cheekily "Good morning, Saiki!" And walks past him. As she entered the classroom, she was bombarded by a ton of her admirers asking if they could help with her bag,
Saiki wondered why Hiro didn't give him chocolates, I mean, they were best friends, right? But seeing the huge crowd that gathered around her, he decided that maybe he didn't want chocolates after all. It would draw too much attention but he couldn't help but notice that she had a few chocolate boxes and wondered just how many people she would give to. He'd just hope that at least one of those boxes were for him. He loves sweets after all.
Emiko went around giving chocolates to her guy friends that she liked especially. She handpicked the few guy friends who liked her not because they had a crush or worshipped her (What the hell, right?), but she chose those who made an effort to really get to know her and aren't just nice to her (like setting her apart) but also to her friends. So yeah, basically genuine guys who are kind and nice to everyone.
To name the few guys she gave chocolates to (after Hairo), they were
2. Kaido (Who claimed he won't let the Dark Reunion lay his hands on the precious treat.)
3. Nendou (Who ate it right away and was very thankful for the only chocolates he'd received that day)
4. Reita (Who took it gratefully because, surprise [not really]! It was the first box he received in his life. None of the girls he had given attention to actually gave him anything.)
5. Takahashi (Okay, so she actually made some obligatory chocolates for him because of his Christmas gift, but she ended up not giving it because he was being an asshole to someone and he certainly didn't deserve chocolates.)
6. Mera (Not a guy, but, Mera was always hungry. So she made her a box and gave Takahashi's as an extra)
7. Mr Matsuzaki (Because truly, he was a wonderful person who deserved appreciation)
8. Unnamed Boy Number 1 (Probably won't mention him later on in the story.)
9. Unnamed Boy Number 2 (Won't name him either to save the reader the trouble of memorising names)
10. Unnamed Boy Number 3 (To illustrate that there were people who were great outside the main characters' core group)
11. The kind old man in the cafeteria (Who always saved her one Salmon onigiri every time she stayed over in school on Tuesdays because of clubs and was hungry after)
Saiki waited for Hiro outside the school building like he usually did before going home.
"I'm here!" He heard a cheerful voice behind him. "Ooooo! Looks like Ku-chan got some chocolates!"
'Hm.'
"Well, aren't you going to tell me who gave it to you?"
'Teruhashi.'
Emiko made a surprised face. "So she actually did bring chocolate! I thought it was just a rumour! How did she give it to you?" She said making a teasing face.
'She didn't.'
"Oh no no no! Don't tell me you stole it! I thought you were a good man, Saiki!" She said in a dramatic fashion.
'You done?' Saiki said looking unamused.
"Yes! I know you're not the type to steal and being the must interesting person there is, there should be an equally interesting story!"
'She got me some obligatory chocolates for New Year's. But someone spread rumours about it and so she couldn't give it to me in fear that it would start the Third World War. So she threw it out the window and I caught it.'
"Hahaha! No way! Now you're being dramatic." Emiko laughed.
'No. That's really what she said.'
"What! No way that's true! Kokomi notself centred. Don't be mean.'
'I'm really not joking. She's fully aware that she's beautiful and keeps up the image of the perfect girl.'
"Seriously?"
'Yes. It gets amusing after a time. She's almost a mind-reader because she knows exactly just how much guys worship her. She uses her beauty to manipulate. You'd be surprised because it's almost like she has a superpower.'
"Huh. I did not know that. I learn something new everyday!" She smiled. "Anyway, I saved you best for last. Didn't think you'd like the attention if I gave you chocolates in school. So here they are. They're extra special since you're my best friend."
'Here I thought you forgot about me, but all along you were waiting for my convenience.'
She faked being offended. "How dare you think that I'd forget you. Your chocolates were particularly hard to make. Actually I was actually nervous to give it to you because they didn't come out the way I wanted it to. See, I cut up pieces of jelly and then tried to coat it in chocolate but it didn't seem to get the effect I wanted. It didn't want to cling to the jelly. So instead, I cut up the jelly a little more and mixed it with a coffee creme that is the filling of the chocolate!"
Saiki couldn't help but smile a bit at how much thought she gave his chocolates. 'Regular chocolates would have made me happy already. I suppose I'm happier knowing how much effort you put in these. Thank you.'
Emiko resisted a blush and refrained from teasing him knowing how annoying he gets when she does. "Well, actually, I need your help with something."
At this point, Saiki was so happy he would have done anything for her. 'What is it?'
"I have extra Coffee Jelly at home because I was trying to use my powers to cook and I might have poured too much gelatin so I compensated by adding more coffee and water to get the perfect consistency. It's a lot and I need your help to finish most of it."
'Say no more and I shall gladly help you with your dilemma.' Saiki said. 'You're walking too slow.' He said as he was speeding up.
"No. You're walking too fast! Why don't you just teleport us or something-"
And then they were at Emiko's house. "Someone could have seen us!"
'No one did.'
"You're crazy about this."
'What gave that away?' He answered sarcastically.
"Wow, you have a strange way of showing your appreciation." Emiko joked. "All right, I'll bring you to the dining room and I'll get your Jelly." She disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later, she came out with four bowls of the said dessert.
'Glorious.' Saiki said looking the woman and what she was holding.
"Me, or the dessert?" She said jokingly. Before Saiki could reply, she said "I'm joking! I know you mean the coffee jelly. Hahaha!"
'I meant both, actually.' Saiki thought.
"Oh you know what will make this day even better? The Healthy Warrior specialiser is going to play in..." She checks the clock "...Eight minutes! Oh my gosh. Dessert and a show!"
'Huh.' Saiki forgot that he made a plan with himself to watch the show after school. He got distracted with coffee jelly and, well, Emiko. 'Sounds like a plan.'
They walked to the living room where Saiki sat on the couch and Emiko opted to sit on the floor so she could use the coffee table.
'There's plenty of space on the couch.'
"Yeah, I know. I just like sitting on the floor. Easier to eat this way." Emiko looked at the TV and saw it was off. She removed her canceller and turned on the TV using her power. She smiled as she did that.
'You mastering control over your powers?'
"Yes. It's been a year since I've used them. When I saw your mastery over your powers, I realised that I couldn't forget it just in case something happened."
'You seem like you mastered it though.'
"No. I was sloppy. I should have been better given that I trained in combat." She said carelessly as she took a bite of the coffee jelly.
Saiki narrowed his eyes. He promised not to ask about her past so he didn't. But still, he had a bad feeling about it.
'You're trained in the Martial Arts?' He asks instead.
"Yeah." She said with her mouth full. She realised what she was doing and she covered her mouth embarrassed as she swallowed. "Sorry. Yeah. I'm good at hand to hand combat even without my powers, but using my powers with it really enhances it." She gave a toothy grin with creme at the outer edges of her lips. At this moment, Saiki thought she looked quite endearing. He decided to stop asking questions about her abilities because regardless of what she can do and of her past, she made for one heck of a friend.
He took a bite of his coffee jelly and melted into the wonderful feeling.
"OH!" Emiko nudged Saiki strongly that he was pushed out of the couch. "Oh! I'm sorry." She rushes and pulls him up and returns quickly to her spot. "It's starting! SHHHHH!"
Saiki smiled. She was hushing no one but herself. He placed his bowl of coffee jelly on the coffee table and sat beside Emiko on the floor. She looked at him and smiled excitedly at him as the show's theme song played. "This is so fun. Maybe this time Himeda will actually do something about the people who bought out his technology." She said as her eyes were glued to screen.
'Yeah.' Saiki agreed looking at the screen. 'Thanks for this. The coffee jelly, the chocolates and reminding me of the show.'
"Of course! What are friends for?" She smiled. Saiki gave a small smile and took another bite of his coffee jelly. Emiko refrained from thinking how cute she thought Saiki was at the moment.
'I didn't know Valentines could be this nice.' Thought both of the pink haired best friends.
Author's Note:
It's been 6 days since I've posted my very first story here and whenever I see that I have a review or someone favourites of follows this story, I get really, really excited and happy that I'm motivated to post a chapter every day. So for the wonderful people who followed or reviewed saying how much they loved the story or how curious you are about Emiko, I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'm elated. Stay safe, everyone!
