Chapter 8: Valentine's Day

Doramen paced back and forth restlessly. His mind was racing with thoughts fueled by anxiety.

What do I do, what do I do? The big day's tomorrow! I'm running out of time! I can't do nothing and disappoint Doraemon!

He had never been so stressed about a holiday in his life. Before he got with Doraemon, he hadn't cared less about Valentine's Day. It had seemed like a pointless holiday to him. Recently he realized that it would probably make Doraemon very happy if he got something for him. He didn't know if Doraemon celebrated Valentine's Day, but he decided to participate in it just in case.

What does Doraemon like..? I guess I could get him some yummy buns (dorayaki), but what else? That won't be enough! This is a holiday where you show someone how much you love them! What could I get Doraemon to show him how much I love him..?

His anxiety worsened. Whatever he decided to get Doraemon, he had to make sure he could get it before tomorrow. It would be humiliating to have to temporarily leave school or arrive late so he could pick up a gift. That could also make Doraemon suspicious. If he already had the presents, then Doraemon wouldn't know what to expect.

Sighing loudly, he sat down on the couch. School had already ended, so he had the rest of the day to make his decision. He stared down at the floor and thought hard.

What if I got him flowers? He has to like flowers, right? They're so pretty, and there's so many kinds. He's bound to like some kind of flower. But what if I get him a kind he doesn't like, or one that he's allergic to?

He stood back up.

There's bound to be a store in town that sells flowers. I'll see if I can find any that people aren't usually allergic to.

Feeling a little more confident, he left his house and began his search for some flowers. He decided to try the local supermarket first, since it always changed its products to match an upcoming holiday. It was a bit of a walk, so he used his Anywhere Door (Dokodemo Door) to save time in case he was out of luck.

Upon entering the store, he was greeted with lots and lots of Valentine's Day-themed baskets of candy and stuffed animals. His hopes of finding flowers were raised.

There has to be flowers in here. There's so much Valentine's Day stuff just by the entrance!

He started wandering, hoping that he wouldn't have to search everywhere. Luck ended up being on his side. In just a few minutes, he was able to find a huge section of the supermarket dedicated to sell bouquets of fresh flowers.

As he browsed his options, he started to become nervous again. How was he going to choose from such a large selection? Most of the flowers he saw were foreign to him. He wondered if Doraemon knew about any of them.

Of the unfamiliar flowers, many of them were quite pretty. He tried to ignore them as best he could. He didn't want to buy Doraemon flowers he'd never seen before just because he thought they looked nice.

I need to get him flowers that I think he'll like. This isn't about me!

A particular bouquet suddenly caught his eye. It was a mix of three types of flowers: orange roses, red carnations, and a blue one unfamiliar to him. He gently took it off the shelf and looked for the price tag. His heart leaped when he not only saw that he could afford it with the change he had with him, but also that it was new.

Yes, I can afford it! Thank goodness! I can't believe I forgot my credit card at home though… Someone probably would've bought this if I hadn't come when I did.

Tail wagging, he took the bouquet to the cashier nearby. He immediately asked what the third flower was.

"Oh, that's a violet. It's very popular during this time of year. They say it symbolizes faith and affection," the cashier explained.

Doramen suddenly felt excited to show Doraemon his flowers.

"Thanks! I'd like to buy the bouquet then," he said.

"You got it, little guy," the cashier responded as she rung it up.

Doramen was too happy to get offended at the term "little guy". After paying for his flowers, he left the supermarket. Instead of using his Anywhere Door, he decided to walk so he could stop by the yummy bun shack on his way home. He bought a dozen of the highest quality yummy buns they had.

When he got home, he placed all of Doraemon's gifts on his kitchen table. He stood beside the table and stared at the presents blankly, trying to think of how he'll give them to Doraemon.

It'll be awkward to give him his gifts at school, plus Doralien might see and then I'll never hear the end of it. Before school might be too early… I don't know if Doraemon is a morning person or not, so he might be grumpy if I go to his house that early. I also don't know when he leaves his house to go to school anyways. Maybe I could do it after school?

An idea suddenly popped into his head. With proper timing, it could work out perfectly. All he had to do was make sure Doraemon went to school tomorrow, and that he left his house long before the bell rang.

….

Riiiiiing!

Doramen nearly leaped out of his desk at the sound of the end-of-school-bell. As soon as the teacher dismissed the class, Doramen grabbed his things and rushed out of the classroom. He had to find Doraemon before he went home.

Breaking into a run, he made his way to the main campus area and frantically scanned the crowds of students. He quickly spotted a yellow robot cat. His heart pounding, he approached them as quickly as he could without bumping into someone or tripping.

The yellow robot cat just so happened to be Doraemon. He noticed Doramen coming up to him and smiled.

"Hey Doramen," he greeted.

Doramen had to catch his breath for a moment.

"Doraemon! I'm so glad I found you," he panted.

"Really? Why?"

"I… I want to walk you home."

Doraemon blushed a little.

"That's very kind of you."

Doramen wordlessly held out his paw. Doraemon took it, still blushing. The two robot cats made their way to Doraemon's house in silence.

As they walked, Doramen's nervousness started to creep back. He tried his best to ignore it. Doraemon would get suspicious if he started sweating or something like that.

After several minutes, Doraemon's house came into sight. Doramen's heart started to pound. He could hardly wait. He started walking faster without even noticing. Doraemon did notice, however, and sped up as well to keep up.

They finally arrived. Doraemon turned to walk up to the front door and froze with a gasp. Right in front of the door was a big tray with a stack of yummy buns on top of it. Doraemon turned to Doramen.

"Did you do this?" he asked, his face lighting up.

Doramen simply nodded as he smiled. Doraemon jumped up and down and squealed happily.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" he screamed, his voice echoing down the street.

Doramen's smile grew wider.

"Oh, that's not all," he murmured.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the bouquet. Without a word, he kneeled down and held the bundle of flowers up to his lover.

"For you."

Doraemon's eyes widened.

"For… for me?" he asked, as if to confirm he had heard Doramen correctly.

Doramen nodded.

"Yes, for you."

Doraemon stared at the flowers for the moment, his mind going blank. He shook his head to snap himself out of his trance and gently took the bouquet. He sniffed the flowers, smiling at how good they smelled.

"They're real flowers," Doraemon said.

"Indeed they are. I didn't want to get you those cheap fake ones. They wouldn't make you as happy as those," Doramen remarked.

Doraemon looked into Doramen's eyes for a moment, blushing. He shifted his gaze to the heap of yummy buns.

"You're too nice to me," he mumbled.

Doramen shrugged.

"This holiday is all about showing someone how much you love them," he said casually.

Doraemon suddenly flattened his ears. He looked back at Doramen, his smile gone.

"I'm sorry I didn't get you anything. I don't really celebrate this holiday," he said.

"It's okay," Doramen replied, putting a paw on his lover's shoulder comfortingly. "Now go enjoy those yummy buns. They're the highest quality I could find."

Doraemon's smile returned. He lovingly rubbed the top of Doramen's head and went to his yummy buns. He gingerly lifted the tray and dumped the treats into his pocket. After opening the front door and stepping inside, he turned to face Doramen.

"Thank you so much for the presents. I really appreciate it," he said.

"Anything for you, my dear," Doramen answered with a nod.

Doraemon blushed.

"I love you!" he blurted before slamming the door shut.

Doramen stared at the door for a moment.

"I love you too."