Another lonely Valentine's Day, huh?
Yu Narukami sighed as he turned the corner to his uncle's house. Ever since his parents had taken that overseas business trip, he'd been staying with his uncle, Ryotaro Dojima, and his cousin, Nanako, here in Inaba. Not that he minded; he wouldn't have met all his friends and formed their Investigation Team otherwise. He wouldn't have become "big bro" to Nanako. And he wouldn't have stopped the murders that were plaguing the town since he arrived.
Still, it was hard moving from school to school every year as his parents moved for work. Valentine's Day had always been quiet. He'd only been able to hang out with his friends Yosuke, Kanji, and Teddie after school. Though, now that he thought of it, all of his friends got him chocolate today. The girls all asked him if he had time after school too…
They were probably just being nice, he thought.
There was someone he'd wanted to see today but he doubted she would want to see him after what had happened at the hot springs last night. He was still sore from when she'd electrocuted him and the other guys as punishment. He sighed, facing the ground as he inched home.
"You're late."
Marie? His eyes shot up to see her standing in front of him, arms crossed, holding a gift wrapped box in one hand, eyes glaring at him impatiently. He smiled.
"No, you're late."
A spark of confusion crossed her face.
"I don't get it," she said, annoyed. "What, do you know why I'm here?" He said nothing as she blushed bright red. "You really are an oddball."
He unlocked the door and stepped inside, motioning for her to enter. He shut the door behind him and turned around to find a box in his face. She held it out to him, looking away as he took it.
"I have chocolate. You can have it."
He opened the box and took a sniff. It was nothing as bad as Chie and Yukiko's curry but… Did it just move? He felt the box shift in his hands as the chocolate squirmed to get out. She sank slightly as she saw the expression on his face.
"That room doesn't have any eclectic loutwits," she explained. "I did the best I could, but I don't know if it turned out any good." She looked away again sheepishly. "Sorry…"
"Thank you," he said earnestly.
"Oh… yeah. You're too straightforward! I hate you, stupid!" She muttered under her breath, "That's why you're so popular." Yu didn't know how to respond. She gave him a pointed glance. "You can eat it. If you don't hurry it'll melt. If it melts, it'll run away."
What? A feeling of danger permeated Yu's soul. But he'd already accepted Marie's gift. Though it'd happened twice already recently, it's not often that loved ones come back to life. If this was Nanako…
"When you eat it," she stammered. "I want you to tell me whether it was good or not. Now."
It looked like he didn't have a choice. They sat down by the living room table before Yu grabbed hold of one piece, which struggled against his grasp, and placed it in his mouth. Despite the smell, it tasted... normal? No, it was delicious! Marie's mouth dropped to the floor as he shoved piece after piece into his mouth. At last, the box was empty. Yu felt movements in his stomach. He hoped that the chocolate would calm down before he puked.
"My stomach doesn't feel too good," he moaned.
"You ate it all? That's incredible! Are you stupid?" Her face flushed a bright red. "Well, it makes my work worth it." She gave him a slight smile before twisting her face in curiosity. "Valentine's Day isn't an actual ritual, huh?"
"I wouldn't know," he responded.
"I looked it up. I thought it was some big event. You know, a turning point in your life." Yu sensed disappointment in her voice. "I'm so lame. I was fooled. I feel stupid."
She hid her face again.
"But it's not like that! I didn't make that chocolate just because I thought it was something I was supposed to."
She shrank back and quickly shook her head.
"No! That makes it sound like I'm serious!"
"You're not?"
"Well, I am serious but-"
He smiled.
"And you can shut your stupid jerk face!"
"I know."
"I'm telling the truth!" Her face was red as a tomato when she turned back to him. "Look, just close your eyes."
"What?"
"Shut up and close them!"
Yu closed his eyes. He felt her inch closer to him around the table until her breath caressed his face.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Well, I don't really get it, but it looks like I don't just like you." His heart raced faster as she spoke, his ears clinging to every word. "I want to be with you, forever and ever. I love you. I love you so much."
He felt her lips meet his as they wrapped each other in a close embrace. He remembered the last time they'd spoken before the forest. How he'd cried when she told him they would never meet again. How he'd begged her not to go.
He remembered what she had said to him then.
"Now and forever?" he repeated in between kisses.
"Shut up, you jerk!" she shouted, laughing before growing quiet. "Now and forever."
They sat together, eyes closed and foreheads touching, their arms wrapped around each other as if afraid to let go. At last, he broke the silence.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too."
The door flung open as they hurried to break apart.
"Big bro!" a familiar voice shouted. "I'm home!" Nanako hurried into the living room, arms behind her back and eyes shining with excitement. Her eyebrows furrowed as she saw her big bro and… Marie! She loved Marie! She always asked her questions about school and about the house! Oh, and about big bro too! She ran over to her and gave her a big hug. "Yay! I'm so glad you're here Marie! I haven't seen you in so long! I missed you!"
"Uh… thanks, Nanako."
"Don't tell big bro," she whispered. "But I have a big surprise for him!"
"Hmm?" Yu inquired.
"Big bro," she said with a large smile. "Do you know what day it is today?"
He rubbed his chin, apparently in deep thought.
"Is it... your birthday?"
She shook her head.
"Is it… Christmas?"
"No!"
"Is it… 'Give Your Big Bro Chocolate' Day?"
"You jerk!" Marie scoffed.
"How did you know?" Nanako gasped. "I bought it in secret!"
Nanako revealed the masterfully hidden packet of chocolate from behind her back and handed it to Yu, who graciously took it. His stomach groaned but he couldn't make Nanako wait. He tore open the packet and popped a piece into his mouth. She jumped up and down in excitement as she spoke.
"It's sweet and yummy!"
"It sure is," he replied. "I still remember I had these when I was your age."
"Really? That must have been a long time ago!"
"It sure was."
They sat around the table, savoring the sweetness of Nanako's chocolates while watching Mr. Tanaka's sales show on TV. Marie's eyes only left the screen to jump as Yu took her hand under the table. She smiled, leaning on his shoulder.
"Big bro?" Nanako said. Marie let out a scream as Nanako smiled innocently at their display of affection. "Can you get me some tea?"
"Sure, Nanako."
He quietly released Marie's hand as he headed to the kitchen. Nanako waited until he was out of earshot before turning to Marie. A curious smile adorned her face.
"Marie? Are you Big bro's Valentine?"
"Uh… well," Marie started. Was she? Yu was really popular with all the girls at school; she could tell by the amount of chocolates she saw in his bag. If he gets chocolates from every girl at school, then she wouldn't be his Valentine, right? But she loved him.
"I was wondering if that's why you're here today," Nanako explained. "You see, he got really sad after you left a few weeks ago."
"Really?"
"Yeah! Big bro wouldn't admit it but he was crying."
He cried for me?
"I don't want to see Big bro cry. So I'm glad you're back!"
"Yeah," Marie said. Her mind raced as it registered the information. He really did love her, not like anyone else at school. She knew the answer in her heart and smiled. "I'm his girlfriend. And I'm not going anywhere."
"Wow! That's so cool!"
"What is?"
They shot up as Yu gently placed their tea on the table and took his place next to Marie. She blushed as he took her hand again. He is such a playboy.
"Nothing!" Nanako exclaimed with a wink. "Let me tell you about what happened today at school!" She continued as Yu nodded in approval. "Today, my teacher said Valentine's Day isn't just a day to give out chocolate, it's a day to say 'thank you' to the people you care about."
A giggle slipped from Marie's lips as Yu squeezed her hand under the table.
"My teacher gave us all chocolates! Everybody! Even me!"
"That's great, Nanako!"
"And when she gave it to me, she said, 'It's been tough for you, but you've done very well,'" Nanako repeated, beaming. "Everyone tells me I'm strong for pulling through."
"You are, Nanako. You're the strongest girl I know."
Nanako gave Yu a toothy smile before continuing.
"That's why I said 'Thank you' back! And I said that my Big bro and my dad are rooting for me, and that's why I can be happy again."
"I'm proud of you, Nanako," Yu said, as a doting look appeared on his face.
"Really?" Nanako chuckled. "And then my teacher was so happy! And then she said When someone's cheering you on, even when you're in trouble, you feel energized.' Do you feel like that when I cheer you on?"
Not a second passed before Yu answered.
"Of course I do. There isn't anything else that makes me feel better when I'm in trouble."
Nanako beamed.
"Me too! When you root for me, I get so happy! We're the same! Me, my dad, Marie, and all of your friends are all on your side! Right, Marie?"
"Right," she replied as she leaned into Yu's shoulder.
"Even if you go back soon, I hope you're happy."
"Of course. How can I be sad when I have you cheering me on?"
Suddenly, Nanako stood up.
"I had one more chocolate! I made it myself!"
She ran into the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone. Yu turned to Marie, about to kiss her on the cheek, as he noticed her somber expression, as if she had come to a horrible realization.
"Hey," Yu said, raising a hand to her face. "What's wrong?"
"You're leaving soon," she whispered. "I forgot."
Yu understood. For the longest time, he'd dreaded moving here away from home. But Inaba felt more like home now than the city ever was, a place where he could stay and spend time with his friends and family. And Marie.
"Sorry."
"You jerk. First you tell me you love me, then you save my life, and now you're leaving."
"I wish I didn't have to."
Nanako ran back to the table, holding a lid over a large plate and placing it on the table. Slowly, she raised the lid to reveal a horrifying bluish green mass on the plate. Yu's stomach lurched just looking at it. This is more horrifying than any shadow I've ever seen! he thought. He gave it a sniff to no avail; it was completely odorless! How could this be? Marie held back a retch as she looked at the monstrosity on the plate. Nanako clearly didn't notice as she beamed with pride in her creation.
"The big girls taught me how to make homemade chocolate creations! That's why I made one for you!"
No…
"Chie said I should mix in iced coffee to add flavor. Oh, and bacon, since everyone likes bacon. Luckily, there was some iced coffee and bacon in the fridge!"
Oh God…
"Rise-chan said that the chocolate should 'assert itself,' so it needs to be either really sweet or really spicy. You're a grown up, big bro, so I thought you'd appreciate a bitter taste. So I put bell peppers and wheatgrass juice in it! I think that 'sour chocolate' sounds really assertive, so I added vinegar and ponzu juice too!"
What!?
"Yukiko said that my chocolate would have more 'depth' if I added fish so I added some fish sausage and some of Dad's fermented squid!"
This can't be happening!
"And Naoto told me she'd let me borrow a recipe book and when I told her I was already done, she told me that you'd enjoy anything that I made for you!"
Anything!? Yu looked to Marie, whose stern look told him everything she wanted to say: Don't you dare.
"Big bro, thank you," Nanako said with an expectant look. "I love you!"
That was it. There were no other options. He hurriedly grabbed the spoon and tore a chunk out of the Mystery Chocolate X.
"Nanako? Big bro loves you too!"
Two faces, one excited and the other horrified, watched as Yu brought Nanako's creation to his mouth. Time slowed to a crawl as he sealed his lips, and his fate, and pulled the spoon out of his mouth. Another eternity passed as his tongue forced it into his throat against his mouth's objections. And then it was over. He had done it.
But at what cost?
"You moron!"
"Big bro? What's wrong, big bro?"
Yu could barely make out the voices calling to him as he laid on the floor, more dead than alive. It didn't matter. He made Nanako happy. He'd lived a good life. It was as good a time as any to check out.
A bright light flooded Yu's vision as he returned to planet Earth. Was he dead? He pinched himself to check and concluded that he was very much still alive. His stomach groaned from the torture that he had inflicted upon it and he made note to help the girls improve their cooking before he left. He felt a hand in his and turned to see Marie, curled up on the floor next to him. Her dark black hair obscured her face as she slept. Did she carry him all the way up here?
"If I tell, will you show me how to love?" she sang, still asleep. "I'll show you how to live beyond the farthest distance…" He tucked her hair behind her ear, listening to her melody as he gazed at her beautiful face. "Can you set me free with your dazzling smile?"
She smiled as she sang, as if she knew the answer. He caressed her face gently as she slowly began to stir.
"I want to see the skies turn re- huh?"
She moaned in exhaustion as slowly, her eyes began to open. For a moment, her piercing gray eyes looked into his. Surprise turned into rage as she introduced his face to a hard slap. He recoiled and brought his hand to his face, the palm print still visible. He braced for the inevitable yelling as she sat up and opened her mouth.
"Moron! Pervert!" she shouted. "What the hell did you think you were doing? You better not have been planning anything, you sleazebag! I hate you!"
"No, I wasn-!"
"And what the hell were you thinking eating that thing?" she interjected. "Even I could tell it was disgusting!"
"I had to," he explained sheepishly. "For Nanako."
She sighed and collected herself. A sad look appeared in her eyes.
"Not that it matters, anyway. You're leaving soon. And then you'll forget about me."
Forget about her? Yu's eyes furrowed in confusion. How could he ever forget her? He opened his mouth to speak when she interrupted him again.
"You're going to go back to the city and away from me. And you'll get another girl to like you, because that's what you're good at. And then you'll forget about me."
Tears flowed from Marie's eyes as she spoke. She hurried to cover them, turning away as she bawled. She felt his arms wrap around her as she cried.
"I won't," he whispered. "You're not someone I can just forget."
"Don't scare me like that jerk," she sniffled. "I hate that part of you."
She turned as he wiped the tears from her face. Their eyes met again and she saw the parts of him that she loved most in them: his determination, his naivete, and his loving heart. She knew he was telling the truth.
"I love that part of you."
Their lips brushed together, saying all they needed to hear without words, as they climbed together into the futon. They remained there, silently communicating with just their lips and their touch, for a long time.
They held each other in silence, exhausted. He caressed her face again, staring into her eyes as she smiled at his touch.
"So what should we do when you go back?"
"I'd like us to stay together."
"You really are so straightforward," she said, kissing him again. "I'll be waiting."
"I love you, Marie."
"I love you more."
He kissed her again.
"We still have a month. Is there anything you want to do in the meantime?"
"You're buying me steak skewers tomorrow."
"Again?"
"And the day after that."
"Fine," he sighed in feigned annoyance.
"I'm just kidding! I just want to be with you."
"Same here."
They laid there, exhausted, and waiting for sleep to overcome them.
"By the way, Marie," Yu mumbled sleepily.
"Hmm?"
"What was that poem you were reciting in your sleep?"
"It's not a poem, dummy. It's a song. And it's stupid. You wouldn't like it."
"Mind singing the rest for me?"
"Really?" She felt his hand take hers. "Fine."
She sang softly, her words drifting further apart as sleep overtook her.
"I just said/ You show me how to live/ I'll show you how to love/ I won't hold back my emotions/ The flashback of me taking all my memories/ I want to see all my friends..."
The calm of the night settled over them as they fell asleep in each other's arms.
