Today was Valentine's Day. The single-most romantic day of the year. Yet somehow, the former Phantom Thief leader found himself all alone today. One might think that such a charming guy would constantly be surrounded by dozens of different girls, but Akirajust wasn'tinterested in any of them. Every single girl who showed any interest in him, he turned down. This may or may not be because of hisnotcrush on his loudmouthed friend. No, it definitely wasn't a crush...

Akira sat at the counter finishing his breakfast when he was suddenly overcome with the urge to invite Ryuji over. Would that seem too forward? Wouldthe blonde realize his intentions? Not that he had any...

He wrote and rewrote the message several times before finally deciding on a simple, yet straightforward approach.

Akira: Want to come over later?

Akira hesitated, thumb hovering over the 'send' button.

"Just send it already, will you!" Akira jumped. He almost forgot that Morgana had been sitting beside him, peering over his shoulder at his phone screen the entire time. After a long period of silence, his phone beeped. Morgana let out an amused snort.

Akira nearly choked on a mouthful of curry as he noticed that he had accidentally sent it.

"Fuck." Akira cursed himself while his mind raced with different ways to play it off. 'Maybe I can just pretend it was a prank... Ha ha, no homo bro.'Before he even had time to think over his possible actions, his phone chimed, alerting him of a new response.

Ryuji: Hell yeah! See ya later.

What had he gotten himself into?

*

Akira spent most of the day helping out Sojiro downstairs in the cafe. As the day began winding down, and fewer customers came in and out, Akira finished up the dishes whileSojiro saw the elderly couple out. After a long pause, Sojiro sighed and looked up from the counter.

"Oh right, today's Valentine's Day. No wonder there were so many guys bringing girls in here." He turned to the messy-haired barista with a sly smirk.

"Don't you have anything exciting happening? I mean, you've been here nearly a whole year. Y'know, when I was young,hoo boy..." Just then, the bell chimed as someone entered the cafe. Sojiro and Akira turned to see Ryuji standing by the door, hands in his pockets.

"Yo. Not too late, am I?"

Sojiro blinked back and forth between the two teens for a brief moment before turning to the door, waving a hand dismissively.

"Nah, I was just about to head out for the night," he turned back to Akira once more, flashing him a knowing smile, "I'll leave the place to you.Have fun." Then he was gone, Morgana quickly following suit, muttering under his breath something about not wanting to stick around for this 'loser meeting'.

Akira sighed in relief and pulled off his apron, draping it over the counter.

"Wanna head up?"

*

Ryuji and Akira spent the next half-hourplaying Star Forneus on Akira's small CRT television.

"Hell yeah, dude! We totally crushed that boss!" Ryuji leaned over and slapped a hand to Akira's back, nearly sending the teen out of his chair. Once the mood calmed down, the two settled on the sofa. Ryuji sighed.

"Honestly dude, I'm kinda glad you asked me over tonight. I didn't have anywhere else to be." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Oh, get this! I called Yusuke before headin' over here, and evenhegot chocolates! The dude's a freak!" Ryuji slumped forward, resting his head on his lap for dramatic effect.

"Well, to be fair, he does have good looks. Are you jealous of him?" Akira slightly leaned towards the blonde.

"Wha-? Hell no! Besides," Ryuji crossed him arms over his chest, "why isn't Mishima here too?"

A long pause.

"Wait, don't tell me... Did he betray us?" His eyes went wide in comical realization. After a long moment, when things finally began to settle down, Ryuji turned to the black-haired teen.

"Dude, what're you thinkin'?" Akira thought for a moment.

"Ah, nothing really..." The blonde stared at his friend for a moment before giving out a resigned sigh and pulling something from his jacket pocket.

"Here. I was buyin' somethin' at the convenience store, and the shopkeeper lady gave me this." He thrust his hand out and dropped a small chocolate into Akira's lap, his face flushing ever so slightly. Akira stared at the candy for what seemed like years, heart thumping at the unintentionally romantic gesture. A smile graced Akira's lips.

"Is this a confession?" Akira asked playfully, a smirk playing on his face, hoping to will his heart to slow it's frantic rhythm.

Ryuji froze, whatever words he planned on saying now forgotten, mouth dangling wide open. Then, a fine red began to color his face.

"Wh-wha... So what if it is?" He all but squeaked the words out, his words twisting his tongue in his mouth. Akira smiled again, heart soaring in his chest. He leaned forward, placing his palm on the blonde's cheek.

"Happy Valentine's Day to you too, Ryuji." They sealed the unspoken confession with a sloppy, inexperienced kiss.