Vows to You
05: Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Celebrated on the 14th of February,
The season of love,
The day where girls would go about and give chocolates to the people who are special to them,
The day where the flowers of love blooms in all corners of the world,
"Now that's just sick" young, fourteen-year-old, Kei Takishima muttered under his breath as he looked away from the car's window. Everywhere he could see couples, flowers, couples, chocolates, couples, hearts, couples, cupids, couples, love birds, couples, did I already mention couples? And more couples!
'I despise this holiday' he thought for the nth time before the chauffer stopped the car and opened the door for him.
Kei Takishima, in all flawless perfection, stepped out of his car and his eye twitched at the sign beside the school's name.
'HAPPY ST. VALENTINES DAY!
Let your feelings be conveyed to the person you LOVE!'
Upon reading the sign his pathway was immediately blocked with numerous girls with a rather familiar package in their hands. It's bad enough that they would swoon around him every day but since today is a very peculiar holiday, their numbers would double, triple in fact. He sighed as he searched in his brain an escape route before a tsunami of red, heart shaped boxes would hit him.
~0~
'I finally made it'
Kei sighed in relief as he took a seat in the comforts of his own classroom. Fortunately, the homeroom teacher arrived just as he entered the classroom, meaning that he wouldn't have to worry about the girls in his classroom.
Knowing who and how he was capable of, Kei didn't even care to listen to his teacher. He doesn't want to listen to the things he taught himself already, therefore, he rested his chin on his left palm and stared the empty desk sitting lonely at his right.
Aside from the girls who would fawn around him and the sickening sight of couples going lovey-dovey around him; all the more reason he hates this holiday is because a certain Hikari Hanazono is always absent on Valentine's Day.
"You okay Kei? You look… uhmm… how should I say this?" Tsuji Ryuu was at a loss for words after looking at his friend who was giving a rather very dark vibe.
'This is a learning institution, not a place where students can show a public display of affection!' Kei's dark aura grew bigger as he saw another couple pass by.
"He's grouchier than before, that's what you should be saying" said Jun
"Come on Kei, it's a holiday, besides this is the day you could get free desserts!" Tadashi said while he kept stuffing his cheeks with food Akira made.
"Stop hogging it all up you pig!"
"I think we all know the reason why Kei is like this every year" Megumi sketched,
"Hoho~ of course, of course we know the reason." Akira laughed evilly as she inched a bit closer to Kei "Ahhh~ the season of love! Valentine's Day! The day where beautiful and cute girls would go around and give away chocolates they worked hard to make to the boys they love most. Oh how romantic! But lo! A certain someone detests this beautiful holiday all because the person he loves is not around in this time of year! Oh how unfortunate!" Akira mockingly cries in despair before delivering the finishing blow "And he really wants to receive chocolates from her too"
All hell broke loose
"You know Akira…" Kei turned his head slowly, in a very menacing way towards the short haired girl, freezing every living being inside a twelve mile radius, "Don't think that I'm the only one in the edge today, after all, since she's not here, you won't get to see your precious little angel around and you'll be missing a day without her cute little smile."
"But that's-! b-but…. But… wahhhhhhhh!" Akira started crying hard at that realization and immediately went to Megumi who tried to comfort her.
"He made Akira cry again" Jun said in the sidelines
"Serves her right, she just had to go and piss Kei off. She is after all, a devil woman- ARK!"
"What did you just call me?!" Akira shouted as she threw a pot from who knows where and hit Tadashi squarely on the face.
Ryuu just sweat dropped and chuckled at the sight.
RING
DING
DONG
"Lunch time's over. I'll be going on ahead" Kei said and without further ado, he went on his way back to class.
"Okay, see you later Kei" Jun and Ryuu said
"He looks really pissed" said Jun
"You can't blame him" Ryuu sighed "After all, it's in Hikari's family tradition to hold a reunion every Valentine's Day."
"But why choose this day anyway?" Ryuu just shrugged.
~0~
Time went agonizingly slow for him.
It's not like he literally hates this holiday, it's just that seeing other people act so love-dovey around each other… makes him envious. He has loved Hikari ever since he was only six years old and it brings him great disappointment that the person he loves for eight years is not around to celebrate the season of love with him.
Classes has finally ended but instead of going straight home, he stopped by and locked himself at the gym's storage room.
A place where he could think;
a place where he could have at least a moment of peace.
He sighed as he lied down on the blue cushions. He took out his phone, clicked a few buttons and clicked on the newest stolen photo he shot of her. It was during class and he smiled as she smiled on what she was writing on while she listens to the teacher.
But his smile faded and he closed his phone.
Is this how it is going to be every year for him?
He hasn't even confessed to her so he has no right to expect anything from her, right?
But he would at least want a piece of chocolate coming from her, even if it wasn't handmade, even if her cooking wasn't that great to others.
"Oh woe is me" he sighed and chuckled to himself.
Hikari…
His eyes shot open when he heard the door creak open behind him.
"I knew you were here"
That voice… could it be? But being who he is, he kept his cool as he sat up and looked behind him. There, in all her pride and beauty, and somewhat wet hair, was the girl he was just thinking and dreaming about a moment ago.
"This is my thinking place; did you think I was going to share my turf with you? Ms. Rank No. 2?"
"Wha- why you! Don't call me Rank No. 2!" she pointed an accusing finger at him and he smiled.
"I think a thirty minute nap is enough. What are you doing here anyway? I thought you were on your family reunion"
"Yeah well, they changed their mind and decided to hold it tonight instead since my cousins won't arrive till later. So I came here and managed to attend at least from art class to gym class. We were having a swimming exam today anyway."
'That explains your wet hair'
"Also…"
"Also?"
"I wanted to give you something" she rummaged through her bag and handed out not one, but two, ribbon-wrapped rectangular boxes to him. "It's Valentine's Day, and girls are supposed to give chocolates to the boys they like, right? Besides, I've been missing a lot on this holiday for the last few years huh?"
Kei just stood there, frozen in place. Whoa whoa, back up back up, is this for real? He's dreaming, isn't he? Is his wish really coming true?
"-ma! Hey Takishima! Are you okay?" his thoughts snapped and his eyes went wide when he saw her face inches away from him, with her hand on his forehead. "Are you sick or something?" she asked in concern
"N-no! don't worry, I'm fine" he said as he carefully removed Hikari's hand from his forehead while looking away, trying to hide his blushing face.
"Then here" she said and Kei took the chocolates from her hand. He looked at them before looking at her smiling face "Before you ask, I actually wanted to make handmade chocolates but… hehehe I guess I could only make a few. So I decided to buy you more instead. Sorry if mine aren't that much, it's the most I could afford" she chuckled. "I bet that the ones you received from other girls are way more expensive and delicious than mine though"
What? She made these yet she still thinks it's not worth much?
Does she really believe that hers are worth nothing?
"Hika-"
RING RING RING!
Hikari looked at her watch
"Oh no! It's already six thirty! I have to get going! You should get home too Takishima. See you later! Happy Valentine's Day!" with a wave and a smile, she was gone. Kei could only stand there and stared at the chocolates resting on his hands.
Later that evening, Kei opened first the one Hikari bought at the store. After all, save the best for last, right? He at them nonchalantly and threw the wrapper away, leaving only the ribbon that was used. Next is the one Hikari made, unlike the other one, he opened the wrapper gently, trying not to break the material. He also didn't throw it away. The chocolate wasn't neatly shaped though but the moment he took a bite at the sweet dessert, his whole world froze.
It tasted unlike anything he tasted before.
It was bad? No, it was nothing like the ones Hikari made that ended up in a disaster.
These chocolates she made were absolutely delicious.
Although it was smaller than her than the one she bought, he treasured every last piece until he realized he ate it all did he let out a big sigh.
If only she could see the smile on his face.
'I think I fell in love with her all over again'
12:51 am
You received a new text message:
Hey Hikari, thanks for the chocolates you gave. They were delicious.
And by the way, just so you know, the chocolates the other girls gave me were nothing compared to the one you made for me. Yours were the most delicious ones I have ever tasted. Thank You, Happy Valentine's Day.
Ms. Rank No. 2
OMAKE
5:00 am
You received a new text message:
Ohoho! I forgot to tell you idiot Kei that Hikari came and gave the gang chocolates too!
She's so sweet!
So don't get so high and mighty that you're the only one she gets to give chocolates to this time.
Ohohoho! Ciao Kei!
"I'm gonna kill her Ryuu"
"Don't do it Kei" Ryuu sweat dropped as Kei showed the text message Akira sent so early in the morning, which is exactly the reason why Kei's so pissed off early in the morning.
"Ehhhh? Why is Takishima so grouchy?"
"Ohohoho~ Don't mind him my angel Hikari, now come! Let's have some lunch together!"
