*Beep Beep Beep!* *Beep Beep Beep!*

Akira woke up to the sound of his phone alarm beeping, rubbing his sore eyes that was hurting from the bright sunlight that was seeping through the windows. Sitting up from the sofa, Akira stretched his aching neck and massaged his sore shoulders, he had yielded the comfortable bed to the girls and decided to sleep on the old sofa instead. Anything beats the bed back in prison, I guess. Akira mused jokingly as he appreciated his first morning after being released.

Getting off the sofa and lazily shuffling his feet, he went around to the work desk and habitually wore his favourite glasses, even though he didn't really need it. With a tired grunt, Akira lethargically slid open the cranky wooden-framed windows to allow the fresh morning air in. Taking a deep breath to revitalise himself, Akira could smell the aroma of coffee wafting from downstairs.

*Kushu!* A cute sneeze soon came from the direction of the bed.

Akira looked over only to see the girls clumsily sprawling over each other. Futaba had somehow interlocked her limbs with Lavenza's body, resembling a sloth that was hugging a tree trunk. Lavenza was unconsciously rubbing her nose with one of her free hands, while the other was futilely pushing away Futaba who was nibbling onto one of her ears.

Akira chuckled as he picked up the forsaken blanket that had been kicked off the bed, spreading the warm fabric over them and making sure they were covered properly.

After brushing his teeth and freshening up in the washroom, Akira quickly changed into his casual long sleeves and jeans that he usually wore while in LeBlanc and proceeded to the café section where Sojiro was already preparing the store for business. He was surprised when Morgana was already absent from his room when he woke up, but the rascal was already downstairs and digging into his bowl of new cat treats that Sojiro have prepared. For all his complains about not being treated as a cat… Akira wanted to retort that he was one-hundred percent 'cat' at the moment.

"Oh. You're awake. " Sojiro lazily raised his coffee cup while greeting him, presently occupied with a Sudoku puzzle on a magazine. The lights of the café were already all turned on and the kitchen was already prepped and raring to go.

"Yea...*Yawn*" Akira yawned as he replied, taking a seat beside Sojiro by the counter. He poured himself some coffee from the flask that Sojiro had brewed, savouring the delightful warmth that coursed through his body.

"So, what are you planning to do now?" Sojiro asked as he put the puzzle aside for the moment and headed into the kitchen.

"Well… I haven't really thought about it." Akira laughed worriedly as he scratched his head. His unexpected early release hadn't really gave him the time to plan ahead. "How about school?" Akira asked, although just realising that he would be late for school even if he left the house now.

"Nijima already processed your transfer when you were locked up, under the excuse that you were returning home." Sojiro returned to the counter with a plate of nostalgic breakfast curry and handed it to Akira, where he gratefully received it.

"Thanks. Hm, then all that's left is to wait out till the probation transfer ends. Ittadakimasu." Akira thanked Sojiro for the food and started on his breakfast, relishing in the divine taste that outclassed the pitiful breakfast in the Juvie Hall.

"Then why not help out in the store whenever you can? It's not like you have anything better to do." Sojiro asked as he sat back down on his seat and resumed with his puzzle.

"I guess that beats loitering around and doing nothing." Akira casually agreed. It was a more productive way to spend the time, although he had no desperate need of cash, probably even enough for many years to come. The amount he had earned through his Phantom Thief stint had already surpassed a few million Yen and the remaining amount was still nothing to scoff at.

Reminding himself to talk to the rest about the leftover cash, Akira finished up his breakfast and helped to prepare for the café's opening.

"Yahoo!" Futaba finally emerged from upstairs when it passed noon. She was already dressed back in her usual jacket, with one of her usual graphic tees and denims. Lavenza came down dressed in a similar attire, although without the jacket, probably one of Futaba's spares that she had kept in his room.

Akira had long ago resigned himself to the fact that she actually kept HER clothes in HIS room.

Even though he was mentally complaining about Futaba's choice of attire for Lavenza, it was nice seeing the girl out of her usual blue dress. Akira had only offered her his tee-shirts when they were in the cell, but it somehow turned out inappropriately erotic when she wore it, capriciously having its hem hanging over her mid-thigh. Maybe she would not be stared at so much when she's dressed like a normal person. Akira thought, guessing that maybe it was her classy attire that attracted even more attention on top of her good looks.

"Good afternoon Akira, Sojiro-sama." Lavenza shyly bowed as she greeted the two guys, trailing shortly behind Futaba. "My apologies for the late greetings…" She timidly apologised for the fact that she had slept in too much and had woke up late.

Akira smiled warmly at Lavenza as he placed two plates of curry before the girls as they took their seats by the counter. He chuckled to himself when he noticed that Lavenza had visibly cheered up when she saw the plate of curry placed before her.

"Ittadakimasu." The both of them energetically their thanks for the food before heartily tucking in. Sojiro smirked as he saw them eating, bringing out a tray of cleanly washed ceramic cups from the kitchen.

"Feels like I've got another daughter when I look at them." Sojiro casually joked as he used a clean white cloth to wipe the cups dry.

"Well, she will soon be your daughter-in-law." Futaba nonchalantly replied, causing Sojiro to immediately freeze up at her surprising comment.

"W-wait... D-D-aughter-in-law?" Sojiro stammered like a broken robot. "You mean you two are?" Sojiro frantically looked left and right at each girl. Akira wanted to laugh at the panicking Sojiro, who had somehow gotten the wrong idea.

"Not me, him." Futaba deadpanned while she rolled her eyes at the old man. Akira could nearly hear Sojiro's neck creaking as he turned to look at him.

"..." Sojiro stared at Akira for a moment before turning towards Futaba again. "Really?" Sojiro questioned his foster daughter for confirmation, hoping that he hadn't misheard her.

"Really." Futaba didn't even bother looking up from her curry while she replied to his question. Sojiro dumbly stared at Lavenza while trying to internally process the piece of information that he had just heard. She curiously looked up when she noticed that the conversation had come to a standstill and noticed the old man looking straight at her.

"You sure you're alright with a guy like him?" Sojiro curiously asked her the moment he noticed she was looking at him with a curious look on her face. Akira scowled at Sojiro for the unnecessary sarcasm in his question.

"Yes, Sojiro-sama. Instead, I hope that Akira would be the one who's alright with me." Lavenza politely placed her cutlery down as she seriously answered Sojiro's joking question, smiling sweetly at Akira as though trying to relief his worries. Akira looked away as he blushed slightly at the unexpected offensive from the usually meek girl. Sojiro cringed as he witness the entire affair and he mockingly faked a gag as though he was about to puke sugar.

"Geez. She's way too high level for you, Akira." Sojiro shook his head as he turned around, patting Akira on his shoulder as he retreated back into the kitchen and leaving the youngsters on their own.

"So?" Akira cleared his throat as he resumed the conversation. "What're your plans for today?" Akira asked as he watched Lavenza happily resuming her brunch, while Futaba hadn't even stopped for a moment.

"Oh! I promised Lavenza-chan that I will be bringing her out for shopping." Futaba excitedly mentioned, recalling that she had not informed Akira about their plans. "But Haru's coming to pick us up for shopping though." She took out her phone and began searching for the relevant text messages.

Picking up? After School? Akira felt slightly worried about them, but he held back from asking if they would be alright with just the both of them. At least Haru is following them as a chaperone. But before Akira could ask for more details, the doorbell jingled as a familiar customer walked in.

"Oh, hello." Haru waved happily as she entered the shop, she was still dressed in her winter uniform with her usual pink turtleneck cardigan. "I rushed over after school ended, but... Am I late?" Haru tilted her head slightly as she watched the two eating what she assumed was lunch.

"Hey Haru. Sorry for troubling you." Akira casually motioned for Haru to take a seat at the counter, which she obliged. "Nah, you're early, that's breakfast." He laughed while preparing a complimentary cup of coffee for the usual repeat customer.

"Oh no, it wasn't any trouble." Haru smiled as she sat beside the girls. "Futaba texted last night for some shopping help. It was so sudden though…" Haru laughed as she patted Futaba's head, the latter sluggishly trying to struggle away without breaking off from her curry.

"Thanks Haru." Akira smiled in appreciation for her help, as she had always been the helpful and caring senior of the group. "Here you go." Akira passed to her a cup of long black coffee that had been perfectly adjusted to her tastes after so many visits.

"You're welcome. And, thank you." Haru gratefully thanked the young man as she received her favourite cup of coffee with a smile on her face.

Akira had totally forgot that Lavenza only had whatever was on her when she had left the Velvet room, and had gotten used to the habit of just lending her whatever spare clothes that he had while she accompanied him in the cell. Certainly a girl would feel better if she has her own pretty clothes. Akira sighed at the fact that he had completely overlooked that fact even though she hadn't complained even once.

"How much do you think she'll need?" Akira took out his wallet and fiddled with several 10,000 Yen notes, unsure how much women clothing would cost when compared to men's.

"It's okay. I can pay for them first." Haru smiled while stopping Akira from handing her too much cash. Akira held back on being overly-insistent, knowing that the rich ojou-sama was weirdly stubborn even though she look completely meek on the outside.

"Thanks. Then if you could, help her get these, along with other necessities as well." Akira tore off a page from a notepad by the public telephone's side and began writing down a list of things that she may need. "Get Futaba to help you." Akira mentioned while handing over the slip of paper.

"Hmm~" Haru hummed as she glanced through the list. "I see…" Haru muttered while eyeing him suspiciously. Akira could feel the cold sweat on his back as she tried to discern his thoughts from his expression.

"Tell me soon, alright?" Haru grinned as she dropped the subject, waiting till the exact moment the two of them had finished with their food. Akira could only roll his eyes in response to her usual teasing-sadistic side that he had already gotten used to.

"Shall we?" Haru asked as the two bounced off their seats in confirmation. Lavenza offered to bring Futaba's empty plate to the kitchen while the geek excitedly ran back up to the bedroom to grab their valuables.

"Thanks Akira. The coffee's great as always." Haru thanked Akira again for the wonderful coffee, while grinning cheekily at him as she slowly walked out of the café. Futaba appeared back in the café and was soon on her trail shortly after.

"I'm off! Bye Sojiro! Bye Akira!" Futaba cheerfully shouted as she bolted across the café and followed behind Haru as they went outside the café to wait.

"Lavenza." Akira beckoned the girl as she trotted out of the kitchen. "Make sure to be careful, alright? Don't get separated from them." Akira bent down slightly and patted her head as she nodded happily, slightly bouncing as though impatiently waiting to follow after them.

"Alright. Have fun!" Akira watched Lavenza as she skipped out of the café cheerfully as she followed the other two, returning back to his usual work once the café returned back to its usual silence.

Akira turned around from the door and prepared himself to join Sojiro back in the kitchen with the preparations for the incoming lunch crowd. He went back to the counter and picked up the empty cup of coffee that Haru had left behind, before giving the table a quick wipe from any food or drink stains. But before he could even make progress into the kitchen, the doorbell jingled once again, interrupting him from proceeding further.

"Welcome! A table fo-?" Akira enthusiastically turned around to greet his new customer, but was dumbfounded when he noticed that it was Haru who had suddenly came back.

"Haru? Forgot something?" Akira jokingly asked as he went around the counter to put down the cup and cloth that he was holding.

"Yes. In fact I did." Haru smiled coolly as she headed towards where Akira was, standing across him from opposite the counter.

"Haru?" Akira asked, wondering if there was anything she wanted.

"Akira." Haru called out to him suddenly, causing him to tense up unconsciously. While Akira had already been friends with her for some time, there were only a certain number of times that he had felt such pressure emanating from her, and those times were when she was being serious in a conversation or rampaging among shadows back in the Metaverse.

"Y-Yes?" Akira nervously stuttered, unsure about what Haru wanted from him that made her come back even though she had left earlier. But as though noticing his excessive paranoia to her change in attitude, Haru smiled at him mischievously, hiding her hands behind her back the entire time.

"Akira, Happy Valentine's Day!" Haru playfully placed the gift on the table, which was wrapped with a simple pink wrapper secured with a red ribbon that was tied along the opening. Akira dumbly stared at the gift she had just presented, completely confused at the entire flow of events.

"Okay, that's all! Bye bye!" Haru smiled devilishly as she whirled around and proceeded to head out of the café once again, happily bouncing in her steps as she successfully pulled one over on Akira. Luckily, he managed to reboot himself before she had actually walked out.

"T-thanks for the gift!" Akira offered his gratitude gratefully at the unexpected gift, although he was still unsure about how to answer to her feelings, even though their relationship had no significant changes ever since he had turned her down.

"Sure, you're welcome." Haru smiled demurely and waved goodbye to him before opening the door and heading out of the café. But before she closed the doors of the café, Haru turned around with another mischievous grin on her face.

"It's a Honmei-Choco!"

Was the last thing that Akira heard, before the Beauty Thief swiftly closed the door and disappeared back into the streets of Yongenjaya.

Notes : Valentine's Day Chocolates in Japan are usually categorised into 2 main types :

1) Giri chocolate (Obligatory chocolates; for friends, co-workers, no romantic feelings)

2) Honmei chocolates (True-Feelings chocolates; for lovers, bfs, romantic partners). Go google search for more info.

A/N: REJOICE! IT'S A NEW CHAPTER.

Sorry for the lateness (mandatory apology)

I actually didn't feel really motivated to carry on with the story because I felt lost on how to display each characters personality and style and that made me feel like I was constantly OOC-ing. But oh well, might as well try!

Really thankful for all of you that fav-ed, follow-ed and review-ed this story. I hope to be in your care for a while longer.

Please do not hesitate to review if I ever OOC or about something that you feel can be improved.