Note: A thank-you short story to the lovely Wing-chan (also known as WingBladeWeaver1357) for the art she made a while back for my birthday; and the first debut of Leonhart Hikari from Dandelion's Glory in the story. You made my day and night, friend. It's about time I return the favor.

Consider this chapter an AU of chapter 1, since Kei and Davy aren't mentioned and Hikari's here instead, since at the time of this writing, it was a thank-you gift to Wing-chan and not a coherent part of a full-length story. The next chapters afterwards smoothly integrates both girls into Tomo's life.

I hate that my birthday had to be overshadowed by real life and politics on the internet side, but oh well. Some things still came through.

Based on a Valentine's Day comic from Wing-chan. The theme for this return gift is Inori no Uta, from Yuki Yuna is a Hero, sung by Tomoko herself. Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Inori no Uta

Before anyone could walk down the stairs and away from the rooftop, a single voice echoed through the wintery air.

"Hikari-chaaaaan! Shinsō-saaaaaaan! Wait for meeeeeeeee!"

Shinsō held back the urge to sigh, rolling his eyes fondly. His breath came out as clouds in the cold winter air anyways, sigh or not. "Is she behind us?"

Hikari snickered into her scarf and nodded to him. "Today's Valentine's Day, Shinsō, so you should know what that means! The Chocolate Fairy's here!" With practiced ease, Hikari turned around and quickly intercepted the incoming hug with her own tight embrace, causing the newest "casualty" to squeal loudly. "Hi, Tomo-chan!"

"H-Hika-chan, heeeeeeey!" Tomoko replied in a high-pitched squeak, apparently not minding her nose being squished in Hikari's blazer before squirming. "H-How did you know I was coming up behind you?"

"Call it instinct, Tomo-chan, instinct," Hikari smiled before letting Tomoko go, patting her head. "What brings you to our company?"

To no one's surprise, Tomoko started to puff out her cheeks, smile turning upside down to match her indignant expression. The extra stomp of her shoe against the pavement merely emphasized her mood swing. "You know why I'm here, Hika-chan! Muuuuuuuu, don't tell me you forgot after all this time! And with the rumor mill!"

Hikari couldn't help but snicker, patting Tomoko's head again. "I know, I know, Tomo-chan. I didn't forget. What do you have this time?"

"It better not be something poisonous," Shinsō muttered under his breath.

Tomoko proceeded to round on him with an equally upset look. "Homemade chocolate is not poisonous in my personal dictionary, Shinsō-san! Sheesh, what can a gift-giver do…" she shrugged her shoulders before pulling out a glittery pink gift bag from behind her back. "Which reminds me." Shinsō took a step back as soon as Tomoko put a hand to her chest, puffing a breath. "Valentine's Day is not just for lovers! Friends deserve wonderful things too! Sooooo…" Tomoko raised the gift bag in the air. "My first gift goes to—"

Before continuing, Tomoko shot Hikari a pleading look.

Without skipping a beat, Hikari proceeded to clap her hands together in the closest imitation of a drumroll.

"Arigatou, Hika-chan," Tomoko said gratefully, turning back to Shinsō before placing a hand in the bag and pulling out a star-shaped package. "The first gift for today goes to Shinsō Hitoshi-san, future Hero and wonderful friend who deserves all the fans in the world!"

It could've been like a piano had dropped from the sky with how fast the atmosphere changed temperature. It didn't even feel cold.

Shinsō proceeded to turn a light pink. "Uhhh," he said intelligently, glancing between the gift and the person giving it. "Thank you…?" With a careful clearing of his throat, Shinsō took the package from Tomoko's hands, turning his head to the side while rubbing the back of his neck through his scarf. "Yeah. Thanks." He tucked the gift into the inside of his school blazer. "Thanks."

Tomoko and Hikari shared a look before giggling. "Aye aye," the Chocolate Fairy said gently, deciding not to mention her friend's pink ears before turning to the other person in the area. "Aaaaand without further ado, my other gift." It doesn't even take a second for Tomoko to brush her hair back and pull out a heart-shaped package to brandish in the Keyblade Wielder's direction. "For one of my besties and a person I love very much platonically, Hika-chan!"

Hikari blushed and smiled too. "Aw shucks, thank you, Tomo-chan." The gift was handled delicately in the exchange, and once both Hero Department students were carrying their respective boxes, Tomoko took a step back. "But uh, Tomo-chan? What are you doing?"

Shinsō blinked too.

Instead of replying, Tomoko smiled and clasped her hands together, closing her eyes.

"I did say that Valentine's Day is for friends too, didn't I? So, for the two friends that make my world…"

Tomoko breathed in and out, deeply.

"One song is good enough, isn't it?"

With one single breath, the air proceeded to be filled with the inflections of a strong singing voice.

"I'm glad that we met
(Deaette yokatta)

In the forest that is bright with the sunlight that falls through the trees.
(Komorebi mabushii mori no naka.)

The wind is always warm.
(Kaze wa itsumo attakakute.)

My heart feels like it is going to come undone.
(Kokoro hogureteku.)

Praying that days like these would continue forever…
(Konna hibi ga zutto tsuzuki masu you ni…)

The wide sky is overflowing with love and hope.
(Hirogaru sora wa ai ya kibou de afurete.)

I will continue to sing till this voice reaches you.
(Kono koe ga todoku made utai tsuzukeru kara.)"

It was the only thing Tomoko could think up on Valentine's Day. There was too much focus on romance and love reserved for special others when there was more than that. There were the people who were single, thinking they were alone. People who just wanted friends. People who didn't want to be alone. This applied to UA High too. The split between General Studies and the Hero Department was vast, but that didn't mean bridges couldn't be made.

This moment could may as well be a symbol of such a bridge.

Tomoko put her hopes and efforts into keeping her voice steady, right then at that moment.

"Since the day I was born into this world,
(Kono sekai ni sou umareta sono hi kara zutto,)

I clutched onto dreams that filled my hands.
(Ryote ni ippai yume wo nigiri shimeteita.)

The future that was drawn would surely come true.
(Egaita mirai itsuka hontou ni naru ne.)

A single person is too small to do anything alone.
(Hitorija chiisana sasayakide shikanaikedo.)

Our wishes would definitely become a prayer.
(Watashitachi nonegainara kitto inori ni naru.)

The wide world is overflowing with love and hope.
(Hirogaru sekai wa ai ya kibou de afurete.)

Until this voice reaches you, I will continue to sing.
(Kono koe ga todoku made utai tsuzukeru kara.)

Always, always, thank you.
(Itsumo itsumo arigatou.)"

The song lasted about 3-4 minutes, but once Tomoko opened her eyes, she met the eyes of her friends and smiled. Hikari and Shinsō smiled back, in their own miniscule ways.

Tomoko giggled and without much else, took a few steps to jump on the two in a hug. "Happy Friendship Day, you two!"