Miyuki doesn't really like sweets. He even dreaded Valentine's day because of how crazy people used to become just to hand him their chocolates. This year, he didn't get as much and rejected a lot of honmei choco. Some that he had now were those mercilessly shoved inside his locker so he had no choice but to take them. He didn't expect much from Izumiko too, after all, she was raised traditionally though he is aware of her interests in Western festivities.

So, when he saw her this morning distributing chocolates to her classmates, he thought, maybe it's only for the girls. He also saw her with a lot of chocolates he suspected were from her admirers but thought nothing of it. After all, he couldn't refuse all the chocolates too. However, the last straw was when he learned she gave some special looking ones to Manatsu and the rest of the student council members, including the boys. He ran out of reasons to rationalize her actions.

"Is it too much of a bother to wrap one more for me?" he grumbled while changing into his casual clothes.

Studying usually helped Miyuki relax but the scent of chocolates and the silence of his phone irritated him. So, she's really not explaining? Just right on the dot, he heard his phone ring, his mood got a bit better but decided he was still upset.

"Miyuki-kun? Are you there? Why aren't you answering?" She gently and carefully said.

"What is it?"

"Uhm, I'm outside your dorm, would you come out for a while please?"

He looked at his watch, it's already 9 pm. He remembered he hadn't had dinner, she might be inviting him, though he wasn't really up for it. Still he obliged.

Izumiko waited at the boy's dorm lounge area and was feeling uncomfortable with the gazes. She wanted to run away but knew she had to wait for the upset Miyuki so she endured and lowered her head. A little later, she noticed that people were paying her less attention. Relieved, she looked up and found Miyuki.

"Miyuki-kun!" she jumped a bit. "If you're there, why didn't you say anything?!"

He just shrugged. She sighed and carried on. "Umm, it's past dinner time and I hadn't seen you at the cafeteria. Should we eat? I brought our portions." guessing Miyuki wouldn't eat with her earlier, she wrapped some food from the cafeteria and brought it to him. "We just need a place to eat …" she said looking around.

Suddenly, Miyuki started walking so she followed him thinking he was leaving. She was relieved when she saw him sitting on one of those benches they had their lunch previously. Luckily, as it was already late, nobody was around them, otherwise they would have seen the tension and started another rumor.

"Here, they are serving curry tonight." he accepted and started eating. "Aren't you gonna say anything?" Again he just shrugged and carried on eating.

Minutes passed while they ate silently. Unable to stand the atmosphere, Izumiko stopped eating and rummaged in her bag.

"Uhm, if you're done. Would you like to have this for dessert?"

This time, Miyuki looked in Izumiko's direction and saw the cupcake looking, dark colored dessert.

"I couldn't give it to you earlier because it needs to be eaten warm. I thought I could give it to you after dinner instead.

"Can I have it?" Happy that he finally spoke, Izumiko smiled widely and took a small spoon out.

"Sure! But, don't expect too much, okay? I had Sawa teach me but of course, there's only so much you can do with instructions over the phone. But now that I can use the internet -"

"- good."

"Really?! I'm so happy!" All this time, Izumiko had been holding her breath wondering if Miyuki would like it. Now, she can relax a bit.

"When," she started shyly, looking down on her lap, "I thought of what to make for you, I remembered how you hated the sweetness of that hot chocolate I gave you on the summit. I thought, something with coffee sounds good. I hadn't tasted it so-"

"Would you like to try?"

"No, that's yours! I'm g-"

Izumiko was stopped by the bitterness of coffee and sweetness of chocolate but something else seems sweeter when tasting it from Miyuki's lips.

"Miyuki-kun! People!"

"No? Look around."

She confirmed to see no one around though she was sure there were some just a little while ago.

"So, do you like it?"

Blushing, she touched her lips. "Yeah, coffee and chocolate go well together, huh?"

Grinning, Miyuki continued, "Do you want more?"

"Bu- but, here is a little …"

"What? Here."

He lifted the tiny spoon with cake. When she realized he was feeding her normally, Izumiko took her basket and hid behind it. Miyuki's laughter echoed in the mostly empty room. Despite the initial embarrassment, Izumiko was relieved to see him back to his usual self again, happier, even.

"You're teasing me ~~~"

"Izumiko, let's leave." The abruptness and sudden change in Miyuki made her anxious. She's been too relaxed lately.

"- stop pushing!"

"-tsu, go down!"

"Shhh! Just move slowly."

"See! They're leaving."

"Mi- mi- Sagara-kun. Why -"

"Tsk! I don't know but they just appeared suddenly."

Izumiko was so focused on the task at hand that she didn't sense the arrival of some of the student council members. Actually, everyone except the two older girls- Honoka and Rena. They were closely huddled behind the big flower bin.

"I told you there's no need to hide! See, they are okay. Good evening you two! Late dinner?" Manatsu casually said while heading in their direction. The others, including Mayura, were hesitantly following him.

"Izumiko, come on."

"Sorry." Mayura said, preventing Izumiko from leaving. "I led us here. I was kinda tasked to check on you two and mend your relationship in case you … you know, to keep the harmony and all."

"Who-"

"President Kisaragi." Manatsu answered, licking his fingers.

Izumiko traced the line of licking boys to the bench where they were at and was shocked to see that they had devoured the barely half-eaten cake she made for Miyuki.

"When did you-!"

She prevented whatever he was about to say by holding his hand. Gently, she laced her fingers to his and shook her head lightly.

"Manatsu! Why did you eat that?!"

"Huh? They gave it to me. Whose is this, by the way?"

In despair, Mayura charged at Izumiko and hugged her tightly. "Izumiko! Forgive me! I feel like I'm cursed! Everywhere I go I have a bunch of monkeys to take care of!" Noticing how Miyuki was not leaving Izumiko's side even after the hug, "Go away! You already had your time with her!"

"Well, I'm the boyfriend." Snickering.

"Don't take advantage of your privileges! Izumiko, let's go back to OUR room!"

"You-"

"Shhh, it's okay Mayura. I know you were just worried. We're okay now. I'm glad Manatsu and the rest enjoyed the cake … mmm, I'll follow you back to the dorm okay?" with a knowing look, Mayura nodded and dragged the boys with her.

"You have to tell me everything, okay?!" she shouted from afar.

Izumiko's giggles were interrupted by Miyuki. "Do you really tell each other everything?"

"Well, it depends. Usually, just the gist of it."

"Let's go back."