A/N: This oneshot is my contribution for Valentine's Day, and takes place before "Kiki and Shuichi's First Investigation!" Please read, review, and enjoy!

The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: First Valentine's Day at Hope's Peak Academy!

"And…that's the last of them." Kiki sighed as she put the last tray of chocolates on top of the stove. "Thanks for helping me with my friend chocolates, Mom."

Kyoko smiled at her daughter and assured her "Of course, it's no trouble at all, sweetie." She smirked teasingly and reminded her "Just remember, these chocolates are for your friends at school, not your tummy."

"Mooommm…" Kiki groaned, blushing from embarrassment. "You know I wouldn't do that!" Even if sneaking a bite is tempting…

Kyoko giggled. "I know, I'm just teasing." She then glanced up at the clock and told her "Alright, I'd say it's past your bedtime. You go to sleep, I'll wrap these chocolates for you."

"Thanks, Mom." Kiki nodded before she eyed one of the chocolates. "Can I just have one-"

"Go!" Kyoko giggled as she shooed her daughter out of the kitchen.

She shook her head in amusement as Kiki walked to her room.

"Alright…let's get wrapping!"

Shuichi slung his backpack over his shoulders before he pulled out his cell phone. His thumb slid over to his photos app before he scrolled through the contents. His lips tugged into a melancholy frown as he tapped on one, enlarging a photo of him and his ex-girlfriend Kaede smiling at each other.

"I can't believe it…it's our first Valentine's Day…since we broke up." The amateur detective sighed. "At least we're still friends and we still text from time to time."

As if on cue, a text alert dinged on his phone. With a curious eye, Shuichi tapped on it, loading the message to appear.

"Voici un ami chocolat venant tout droit de Paris! J'espere que tu auras beaucoup de chocolats des filles d'Hope's Peak Academy! Passe une bonne journée, Shuichi! Bonne Saint-Valentin, mon ami!

Sincèrement,

Kaede

P.S. Passe le bonjour à Kiki pour moi!"

Shuichi's lips tugged into a smile as he shook his head. "Kaede, you know I can't read French…" He pocketed his phone as he thought But sure, I will…and thanks, Kaede…

With a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out of the room, heading to his first class of the day.

"Alright, here we are." Makoto announced as they drove into the parking lot.

"Thanks for the ride, Dad." Kiki told her father as she and Kyoko got out of the car.

"No problem, pumpkin. You got your friend chocolates?"

Kiki help up a small bag and nodded. "Yep, got 'em right here. Alright, I gotta get to class. Bye!"

Makoto and Kyoko waved as she ran off. "I guess we should get to work too."

"Indeed." Kyoko nodded in agreement with her husband. "Well, shall we go?"

"Hey, Gonta!" Kiki approached her one-time date and dug out a piece of wrapped chocolate. "Happy Valentine's Day!" I just hope this isn't awkward after we dated…

"Oh, thank you." Gonta's cheeks flushed pink as he gratefully accepted the chocolate. "Gonta's glad you're still willing to give him friend chocolates."

…He probably still hasn't completely gotten over his crush on me… Kiki realized as she took note of his blush. Still, he's been respectful about my feelings, so maybe he just needs to meet the right girl before he can completely move on. Keeping her musings to herself, Kiki nodded and assured him "Of course, it is tradition, after all."

She closed her pouch and glanced around the room. She took note of the other boys who were just sitting down, waiting for the teacher to arrive. "Alright, I'd better give out the rest of my chocolates. I'll see you later, Gonta."

"Yeah, Gonta will see you later."

As Gonta took his seat, Kiki's eyes settled on one of her classmates. She then walked over to him, smiling and waving as she approached.

Alright, that's almost all of them…hey, looks like Mom packed an extra! Kiki realized as she looked into her pouch. I just have to give one to…

"Hey, Kiki!"

Kiki turned and smiled at the aspiring cosplayer. "Hey, Tsumugi. You handed out all your Valentine's Day chocolates?"

Tsumugi nodded. "Yep, I designed mine like my favorite anime characters so everyone here would get some cultural exposure."

"That doesn't surprise me somehow, Tsumugi." Kiki giggled. "My mom and I just made some regular friend chocolates. I just have one to give to Shuichi, then I can eat this extra one my mom packed for me."

"Oh, that was nice of her. Better do it quick, class is set to start any minute!"

"Alight, I'll get seated soon, Tsumugi."

Tsumugi nodded and walked over to her seat as Kiki walked over to the seated detective. "Good Morning, Shuichi!"

"Oh, good morning, Kiki. Kaede says hi, by the way." Shuichi waved with a slight smile, though Kiki frowned when it didn't quite reach his eyes.

Oh right, this must be his first Valentine's Day since his breakup…I should do something to cheer him up, but what…? As her eyes widened in realization, she reached into her pouch and handed him two pieces of chocolate. "Happy Valentine's Day, Shuichi!"

"Ah, thank you, Kiki." Shuichi's brow furrowed in confusion as he realized "Wait, you gave me two."

"Exactly." Kiki smiled as she pointed at the pieces in his palm. "One cause you're my classmate, and one cause you're my detective partner!"

I don't think that's remotely how this works… Shuichi deadpanned before he smiled gratefully at his friend. "Thank you, I'm…really lucky…"

Shuichi averted his gaze to hide his flushed cheeks as Kiki giggled. "Alright, I'm gonna head to my seat now. See you later, Shuichi!"

"Yeah, see you later, Kiki…"

Once Kiki took her seat, a feminine giggle echoed in her ears. She turned to see Tsumugi smiling teasingly at her as the cosplayer teased "I think he was very happy to get those chocolates from you."

Kiki's brow furrowed curiously as she commented "Well, everyone likes to get chocolate on Valentine's Day."

Tsumugi shook her head and giggled "Oh, Kiki, you're just like one of those anime protagonists…so dense…"

Kiki sweatdropped and sighed before the teacher came in and began to take roll call. As she confirmed her presence, she glanced at Shuichi, who had just popped her extra chocolate into his mouth with a more joyful smile.

Well, I may have had to give up my chocolate for the day, but it was worth it to make Shuichi smile again.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Makoto." Kyoko grinned as she placed a heart-shaped container of chocolates on his desk.

Makoto chuckled "No matter how many Valentine's Days we celebrate together, I never tire of your chocolates. I'm surprised you had time to make these and Kiki's friend chocolates."

"Well, I'm used to a lack of sleep from my detective days. Still, I wouldn't mind going to bed early tonight…and maybe have a little bit of fun once we get there."

Makoto's cheeks turned as red as cherries as he smiled bashfully and nodded. "I think I can look forward to that…"

Kyoko smirked. "In the meantime, enjoy your chocolates, Headmaster. I'll be in my office if you need me."

With that, Kyoko left Makoto alone with his chocolates and thoughts.