Deep breath in.

Deep breath out.

They say that during moments of extreme stress and anxiety, you should always take a quick breather. Apparently, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax, allowing you to think more clearly.

Yet for the quiet girl named Yuri Shizuka, it wasn't really working for her.

She felt her heart beating out of her chest, and with a beat red face, she anxiously takes one more good look at her surroundings. Despite not seeing any other students around her, she couldn't help but shake the feeling of being watched. If someone had witnessed what she was going to do, she would probably die from embarrassment. Just the thought of it had made her anxiety skyrocket into a new level!

'Perhaps… perhaps it would be better off not giving it to him after all…' Yuri thought. 'He probably would think it would be a nuisance anyway…'

Yet despite these thoughts, she shook it off. She had come so far already; it would only be right to see through it until the end. Especially since it was for someone whom she deeply cherished.

With sweaty hands, she unzips her school bag and slowly takes out a small box of chocolate, and turned towards crush's, Ryota Shujinkou, shoe locker.

Admittedly, she had fallen for the young man rather quickly. Yuri was a gentle and shy girl, preferring to be around books rather than socializing with her peers. It was hard for the young maiden to interact with others, her introverted personality made it so. That's why she felt at peace whenever it was just her with a novel in hand, allowing the words to take her into a new world.

But when Ryota was brought in by the Vice President of her club, she decided to try and come out of her shell to make a new friend. She had heard many good things about him; hopefully, he would be the perfect candidate for a newly formed friendship.

Now, what would be a good way to start off on the right foot? By giving him a gift of course! Since he was the newest member of the Literature Club, she thought it would be nice to give him a warm and friendly welcome to start it off.

So, she went ahead and got an extra copy of her favorite book. While he did say he didn't read that much, there was a small piece of hope that resonated in her. It didn't hurt to try; perhaps if he did read it, it would give her a chance to discuss with him and become friends. What she didn't expect was that he insisted to read the book together with her. It was a surprise, but she didn't want to come off as rude so she said yes.

Within a few weeks of reading together, he had unknowingly wormed into her gentle heart successfully. Sure, he wasn't the best at poetry or literature in general, but that didn't matter at all. His personality, jokes, and overall kindness had made it possible.

And his looks. Her violet eyes couldn't help but wander towards his alluring features, making it hard to focus on her reading. His warm amber eyes, his soft and kissable lips, his beautiful brown hair…

But as much as she fell for him, she wasn't sure if he had felt the same. Compared to the other girls of the Literature Club that he's also close with, why would he pick her?

Sayori is his cheery and bubbly childhood friend. Natsuki is fierce but contrasted to her personality, anything she does would be considered as cute. Monika is not only the most popular and beautiful girl in the school but also the most athletic and intelligent.

As for Yuri? Shy old Yuri Shizuka? She was just a bookworm with no other redeeming qualities she thought. She stutters a lot. She's painfully shy. She's awkward around others. There was no way that Ryota would be interested in a girl like her.

Sure, she may have attractive physical features that cause jealousy in other girls. With a large bust and a pretty face, undoubtedly it caught the eyes of many boys. But that's about it.

And it pained her.

But even so, this didn't stop her. As much as she doubted herself, she still wanted to experience love with all that she has. She just wanted him to look her way as the shy and introverted girl she was.

Her heartbeat quickened as she nervously gulped. Slowly but surely, her hand moved closer to his shoe lockers handle. All she had to do was open and place it inside. Quick and simple.

Just. Open. The. Damn. Locker-

"Yuri? Is that you?"

She froze.

Her whole world collapsed as she recognized the voice that always made her heart flutter in joy. Only this time it filled her with fear and embarrassment. Slowly, with a red blush on her face, she faced Ryota Shujinkou standing by the entryway.

The young man slowly walks up to her with a smile on his face. The shy maiden quickly hides her chocolate behind her back on instinct. "Good morning Yuri. I never really see you around this time."

"G-g-good morning Ryota!" Yuri stammered as she averted her violet eyes, "Um… how are you?"

"Good. And you?"

"I-I'm fine as well…"

"That's good, anyways what are you doing here?"

Mission abort! MISSION ABORT!

"A-ah! N-no particular reason! I was just passing by..." Slowly, Yuri backed away from his shoe locker, allowing him access. "S-sorry."

He scratches the back of his head. "Well, alright then. I guess I'll see you at the club later."

A downcast expression appeared on her face. "O-oh, well I suppose so. I'll see you later then…" The young girl said sadly as she slowly walks away in shame. She takes a good look at the gift she prepared once more, examining it. A small white box, wrapped around with a red ribbon. It was all for him, yet she couldn't hand it to him.

'Am… am I really that weak?' Yuri thought as a frown appeared on her face. Tears had threatened to fall. Truly this girl was frustrated with herself. Even though her feelings for her crush were true, she didn't have enough courage.

What was the point of going through the trouble of getting these chocolates?

"…"

What was the point of trying so hard?

"..."

What was the point of falling in love if she couldn't even give him a simple Valentine's Day gift?

...

...

...

She stopped dead in her tracks. With a deep breath in, she turns around to face her fears.

She found her resolve.

"A-actually Ryota!"

The young man in question closes his shoe locker after putting on his white school slippers. He faced a stiff Yuri who was currently staring at the floor with her hands behind her back. "Huh? What's up?"

Yuri felt like she was sweating bullets as a deep dark red blush had taken form on her face. "Um!" While still looking down at her feet, she presented her gift as she slightly bowed. "Valentine's Day gift…! F-for you!"

'I… I did it! Oh my, I actually did it! But… I messed up! Uuuuuu…. You've done it now Yuri, he probably-'

Her thoughts were interrupted as she felt the box of chocolate being taken out of her hands. As she looked up, she saw her crush flashing a genuine smile at her.

"You know Yuri, I didn't really expect to get any type of chocolates from anyone besides Sayori." He scratches the back of his head once more, a light blush appearing on his face. "So thanks. I mean it."

Her heartbeat quickened as a smile grew on her face. She felt so happy hearing those words from him; it really did feel like she was being rewarded.

"You're welcome Ryota..." She said softly as she fidgets her hands. It was at this point where her heart couldn't take it anymore. Yuri's face was now red as a tomato as she desperately tried to hide it. It was time for her retreat. "A-anyways! Please excuse me!" The flustered girl said as she bowed right before running off into the halls.

Ryota took a good look at his second gift before looking back where Yuri once was. He felt a blush grow on his face and scratched his red right cheek.

'Was she always this cute…?' He shook his head. 'What am I thinking…'

Meanwhile, Yuri didn't really run that far. One, because she didn't want to break any school rules and two, she didn't want to disappoint her parents. Putting her back against the wall of the nearest corner, she covers her face in embarrassment. "I can't believe I actually did it…" Slowly, her hands descended from her face to her now calm heart. A smile had appeared on her face once more. 'The important part is that I gave it to him… So that's good.'

...

...

...

Unbeknownst to both of them, someone really was watching them the whole time. As soon as the coast was clear, Monika Tachibana came out from her hiding spot behind one of the rows of the shoe lockers. She readjusted her snow white bow which was used to keep her coral brown hair tied into a ponytail.

It was a weird feeling that she felt after watching the whole interaction in secret. She felt proud of her shy friend mustering up the courage to give someone a Valentine's Day gift. It was a huge accomplishment for an introvert like her. But on the other hand… she felt jealous and a bit envious. Who wouldn't be after seeing someone give a Valentine's Day gift to her crush like that?

And as much as she wanted to sabotage and mess up Yuri's chances with him… she just couldn't. Yuri was like a sister to her, and she didn't want to hurt her like that. She wouldn't be able to bear it. And it went for the rest of her club members too. Sayori, Natsuki… they all were friends that she holds dear to her heart.

Even so, she still didn't want to lose to any one of them.

With a determined face, she found her resolve. "I have got to give it to him today… No matter what!"

AN: Whoops, it's been a while since I've last updated. I also need to start working on my main fic too. Anyways, there are only two chapters left and I'm trying to finish it by the 14th of this month (March 14th- White Day!) Anyways, I'm not sure if I will even hit that deadline, since I'll be busy with a few certain things relating to school and sports, but I'll try my best.

Vlada: Hey there. Sorry for the late response, since you don't have an actual account, I couldn't find a way to contact you. Anyways if you can make an account so we can communicate, it would be much appreciated. Thanks for reading!