CHAPTER 14

(A/n: from now from this chapter until the end would be the third person's p.o.v)

It was around February. We all know that what's the meaning of the month of February, it means that it is a "month of love", where every guys receive a homemade chocolate. Somewhere confessing to their love ones. It seems that most of the girls in Rakuzan were busy looking at the magazine with a lots of chocolate recipe that could be made for the upcoming Valentine's Day. Well except for the only girl, who has no idea what was going on. She looked left and right and all she heard from the girls was "who they will be giving chocolate for the Valentine's day".

A brief flashback was flushed in her mind were she heard that Mibuchi was planning to give some homemade chocolate to Akashi. And after that she was suddenly asked by Mibuchi if she was planning to make some homemade chocolate and she immediately answered no to him. Saying to him that she has no one to give some chocolates and it's only for the one who is inlove with someone.

She sighed, brushed off those thoughts and place her palm on her chin and suddenly talked to herself, where no one could heard her "...but if I had a chance to make, who am I giving to?", she paused a bit, thinking "maybe... Akashi-kun?". Her face turned crimson red as she violently shook her head, realized that she was thinking again about that redhaired guy.

"A~re? Ri-chan, what's wrong? ", Tomo asked to her troubled friend. If you are quite confused with this sudden turned out of events, ever since Akashi and the other regular of the Rakuzan basketball team confronted the students who was gone mad at her, she realized what she did was wrong and reflected her sin. And the next day Tomo apologized at her and Eri immediately forgave her.

"Huh? No... nothing".

"Ne, ne~ let's make some homemade chocolate for the Valentine's Day", Tomo suddenly declared to her bestfriend.

"Huh?!", she raised her brow "But making homemade chocolate for the Valentine's day is for a girl who is inlove with someone".

"Don't worry not all girls who gives some chocolates to the guys were inlove or confessing her feelings to him. There is also called obligatory chocolate it is for your friends whom you are giving your thanks ", she explained enthusiastically.

"Hmmm... is that so?", her friend nodded in response with a big smile etched on her face.

She gaze at her before answering her, making sure if she was telling a truth "I'll think about it".

She jumped and hugged Eri "Yatta! Arigatou, Ri-chan!".

Afternoon classes has ended and it's time for the extracullicular class. Our protagonist in this story, who belongs to the basketball club, quickly went to the gym for her club activities. Eri never once slacked off during club activities well except when she has a problem with team, claiming that she was a traitor.

Carrying a sports drink that was provided for the team, it seems that the dark haired girl was physically present but her mind was not in her duty. She was thinking far away from the club activity.

'Obligatory chocolate... huh? Maybe I should give it to themfor thanking themï when the time that he save me', she thought while putting the sport drinks on the shiny floor. 'It's a shame that I never thank the Rakuzan for saving me. Plus I'm so cruel to show my worst attitude at them in the past. So maybe giving them an obligatory chocolate in the Valentine's Day would be my chance to give my thanks and apology at them'.

"OI TAKASUGI!", someone shouted her name that she snapped out of her thoughts.

But when she find out that voice, a ball was passing through her and if it hit that ball into her face she will probably fell unconscious.

But before she could manage to dodge it, someone already stopped the ball and it's only one inch apart when Akashi caught it and passed it his to his teammate by slapping the ball.

"Oh!? Nice Akashi!", Kotaro cheered him.

After he passed it to Kotaro, Akashi gazed at her "Is there something troubling you?".

"Eh?! No! It's nothing. I'm sorry", as she bowed.

"Well good thing that you're no hurt".

"You're physical appearance is present but your mind is nowhere to be found. That's not like you, Eri", Hayama also commented.

"Well... that's", she suddenly bows and apologize "I'm sorry! Please excuse me", as she ran away from the gym.

The dark haired girl went far away as she could, well in fact her feet just lead her behind the gym, where there lies a faucet so that the players may wash their face or may drink some water. There, a young girl was diving her face in the water from the faucet and it seems that she was planning to do it forever. Not even moving an inch.

When she was done washing her face that it took nearly more than a minute, she suddenly slapped her face with all of her force by the use of both of her hands, leaving red marks on her cheeks.

"This is not me. This is not me. This is all that damned so-called Valentine's Day. I even ran away at them. That's so embarrassing", and after that she quietly shut her eyes and took a deep breathe, trying to be calm "Takasugi Eri you need to calm down. Don't let it bother you, okay?", she just stand there and do nothing for almost a few minutes with her eyes close. It looks like she was meditating "Okay I'm fine now".

She twirled around to go back to the gym and to continue her unfinished work. To her surprise she saw Hayama Kotaro, standing in front of her.

"Who are you talking to?", asking her with a serious face.

"Kyaaa! W-what are you doing here?".

He ignore her question and instead he notice something unusual on Eri "Eh?! Kyaaa?", the blonde guy smirked, teasing her "As I thought! You really have a girly side on you! Well it doesn't look so bad. In fact, I found it cute".

She looked away, embarrassed at what Hayama said to her "Shut up. Anyway I'm going back to work".

"Ah that's right! I almost forgot. Higuchi-san is looking for you. He is kind of mad, though", as he open the faucet with a sly grin on his face "This is your third time to ditch our club activity, huh".

She gasped "Oh no! This is bad", as she ran away without even bothering herself to bid a goodbye at Hayama.

"Heh..."

The day before the Valentine's Day ~

"So... How do you make obligatory chocolate?", Eri asked. They were currently making at her own house, the reason is no one would disturb them.

"Anything's fine as long as it's not a heart shape chocolate. Ne~ Ri-chan can you help me make valentine chocolate?", as she show the ingredients in the magazine they were currently looking for the sweets for the valentine's. Well mostly of it were chocolate flavored cake, cupcake, cookies and such.

"Hmm.. let me see", as she move closer to her so that she can easily see it "I see. Don't worry we can do it perfectly".

"Alright, let's do it!".

And just after that, they start making chocolate. It's just a typical type of chocolate that we usually see as a gift during Valentine's Day. The chocolate they use is dark chocolate so that it may be not too sweet for the guy who will be receiving this chocolate.

After Eri was done helping Tomo, she decided to start making her own. She planned to make brownies. This is just an obligatory chocolate. She will be giving it for the four regulars of the team as a thanks and apology for them.

This is actually her first time making some brownies. She never tried it at once but since it is quite similar with cakes it must be easy for her to do it. But the truth is, this is also her first time making for someone.

After a few hours, everything was finished and perfect. She was actually confident in her cooking not to mention that she is a great cooker. Their works were made perfectly even the box that they were going to use to seal the sweets they have made.

"Finished!", the two girls exclaimed.

"Tomorrow is the big day. I'm looking forward to it",Tomo said excitedly.

"Uh", Eri nodded in response but the truth is she don't even know how to give it to them or what their reaction are when she give these obligatory chocolates to them. Will they make fun of her because they never thought that Takasugi Eri has a girly side? That is the question that are keep flowing in her mind.

The next day~

It's the most awaiting time. The air is like an aroma of chocolate.

It looks like the Rakuzan high school was busy even if it's Valentine's Day they still have their regular classes. February 14 was not declared a holiday, though. So they have no choice but to attend class.

The guys are very delightful to receive such a homemade chocolate were the girls did their best making it especially for the guy who is very popular among the girls. One of the most popular guys are the Rakuzan basketball club, they definitely receive a lot of chocolate for this day.

With the girl who gave their chocolate to the guy she love and took all the courage to give it to him and he gladly accept it, of course, it feel like she won a lottery. With every hardwork they did to make such a delicious chocolate, the guys should be very pleased to accept. They should not reject it. They don't even know how hard to make a valentine chocolate.

And right now, it seems that our heroine is looking for a chance to give it to the starters of the basketball club but she didn't find any chance.

Time has pass and she didn't have a chance to give it to them. And right now, it's almost time to go home. Club activities has almost ended. She don't even know if she will give it to them or just eat it alone since she make it herself and she put her heart's content for making it.

"Oh great... I look like a pathetic here", she mumbled to herself "waiting here like it's impossible coz there are still members left in the clubroom".

"Oi Takasugi", someone called her from behind.

She immediately turned around to look who on earth called her name.

"Senpai".

"What on earth are doing here? Anyway, since you were here, can you bring back these files in the clubroom?", as the manager of the club handed out the files that he was carrying.

"Sure", Eri immediately accept it.

"What are those?", he suddenly ask while pointing out to the paper bag she was carrying. The paper bag was big enough to see by other people.

"Aahh... it nothing.. Really".

"Hmm~ Is that so?", he said but he was kind of suspicious with that bag. Then he shrugged brushing off that thought "Well I think you're not a type of girl who is looking forward on Valentine's day to give chocolate for her special someone, right?".

"Eh? ummm.. Yes. I don't have time for that and I don't have special someone", she answered nervously but didn't lose her composure. Nervous that Higuchi might found out what's inside the bag.

"Hmm~ I see", he said while gazing at her like there was something off with her attitude right now. And with that, Higuchi flee.

As he is gone sight in the woman's eye, she heave a heavy sigh to lessen the pressure around her and she shift her gaze to the files she is carrying. Someone telling her mind that this is the right chance to do what she has to do and she must not fail because this only happens to her once in a lifetime.

It's only a few step to reach the club room's door. When she was in front of the door, she slowly raised her hand and when she was about to knock, the door of the clubroom suddenly opened on its own. That doesn't mean that the door has its own life. There is actually a basketball club member who was about to leave the room together with his peers.

The two students were slightly shocked for the sudden event. They bowed at each other for bidding a goodbye with respect.

Her eyes landed on the remaining student of the clubroom which is Hayama Kotaro, Mibuchi Reo, Nebuya Eikichi and lastly the team captain Akashi Seijuurou. It seems like they were chatting at each other but interuptted by a certain woman who had just entered the room.

"I'm sorry. Did I interrupt you?", she break the silence when the four of them were gazing at her. It makes her feel uneasy "Don't worry I'll leave as soon as I bring these back", she continued "Akashi-kun where should I put these?".

"Ah... Just put it here over the table".

"I'll be leaving so if you'll excuse me", she said as soon as she put the files she was carrying. She inclined her head and planned to leave this room immediately. However,

"Wait, wait, wait, wait up. Hold on, Eri! , Hayama stopped her "What is that thing you're carrying? It looks suspicious".

"This is nothing. It's just a trash of mine", she explained while hiding it from her back "Well then, if you'll excuse me", once again she attempted to leave the room but before her foot reach what lies the door, in a blink of an eye, the paper bag was no longer in her possession.

"Hooo! What is this? What is this? He said to himself excitedly, trying to peek what's inside the bag.

"HAYAMA! GIVE IT BACK! ", she shouted angrily.

"Hey Kotaro, why don't you stop bullying her? That's the reason why she don't like you", Mibuchi said while watching Hayama's childishness "Well", as he place his hand on his cheek "I was also curious what's inside. Eri-chan has been acting strange since yesterday".

"Hahahaha see", and once again he planned to peek what's inside. Eri tried to stop her but it's too late. Hayama already saw what's inside which contains four boxes.

"I don't even care what's inside in it", Nebuya commented.

"Eh?! A box?", Hayama's voice was somewhat disappointed or maybe he was puzzled.

The black haired girl heave a sigh, giving up " I had no choice. I was planning to give it to you guys. And now it was ruined. Thanks to you, Hayama".

"Hah?!".

"I see. So these boxes are filled with chocolates. You are looking forward in today's event, right?", Akashi said with confidence.

Eri's face turns red "What?! No that's not what you think!", she strongly protested "I only made it to give my thanks and apology to all of you".

"What? So it's only an obligatory chocolate. Boring~", Hayama pouted. Looks like he was disappointed on what he learned.

"Well, well at least Eri-chan did her best to make this for us. And I hope Eri-chan would be the last batch for this day. I don't think I could eat all those chocolate", Mibuchi said as if he was comforting the disappointed Hayama.

"Eh?! What do you mean?".

"Look, we don't know what we're going to do with this chocolates. Eikichi has no problem at all because he already eat all the chocolates he receive. It's a waste of we just throw it away", Mibuchi explained.

Eri was stunned on what she saw, her mouth was almost open for discovering that these guys were so popular. Each of them has a lots of chocolates they receive. It's too many to bring it home. For Hayama it's not a problem at all but for Mibuchi and Akashi maybe it will took more than a month to eat it. And for Nebuya, well it's already mentioned that he already ate his chocolates.

"Woah!", she exclaimed but only to herself. And suddenly something came up into her mind "Wait, why do I even bothered myself to make an obligatory chocolate if there are a lot of girls giving chocolates at them?", she muttered.

"Huh?! Did you say something?", Nebuya asked with his deep voice.

"No... Nothing. Why don't you get your chocolates I made for you? I already labeled your name on it so that you will not get confuse on which box is yours".

"By the way Eri, did you receive some valentine chocolate", Mibuchi asked while picking his box of chocolate.

"No. Why you ask?", she quickly answered.

Hayama suddenly laughed out loud "I know the reason! Because the guys are scared at you. Hahahaha".

"SHUT UP!"

The blonde guy ignored the blacked haired girl's violent reaction instead he was stuck to the box that he recently opened it. He is almost drooling "Woah! This looks delicious!".

"This is not enough for me", Eikichi said as he ate all the pieces of brownies into his big mouth.

"What about you, Reo-nee? May I see yours?".

"It's the same just like yours", he said not even bothering himself to let Hayama see his own sweets.

"What about you, Akashi?".

Akashi opened his own box and showed it to them "Here".

"Woah! I can't believe it".

"She done it".

"There's something wrong with that".

The three of them said not taking off their eyes on what's inside the box.

"Hey Eri-chan, why does Akashi's chocolate is different from us?", Hayama can't be helped but to ask.

"Well, because... wait what?!".

"Akashi got a heart shape chocolate", upon hearing that she sprinted near them so that she can clearly look at it.

"No! It can't be! I pick up the wrong box! I- I- I'm sorry Akashi I gave the wrong box for you", she is trying to get back the box that is within Akashi's hand but it seems that the fate doesn't what to take it back from her.

"But it's clearly written here that it is for Akashi", Nebuya said while pointing out Akashi's name that was exactly written in the chocolate.

"No! That's not true!", Eri feels that she is almost crying. It feels like she is humiliated in front of them and in front of Akashi, the student council president and top student in Rakuzan High School.

"Hm~ I smell love confession around here", Hayama teased.

"No!".

"Obligatory chocolate or not, I will still gladly accept this", Akashi said with a smile etched on his face that made Eri's heartbeats fast and her face turned red.

"Well ummm...", before she could manage to talk clearly, well to be honest Eri cannot think of a comeback to that until a short memory that flushed into her mind that made her escape in that embarrassing moment "Sorry I need to go. Excuse me", with that she departed in the room while sprinting as fast as she could.

The four of them look at each other, bewildered at her sudden behavior.

It's her. It's definitely her. She is the only person I'm with yesterday and no one of my classmate knows that I made that Valentine chocolate.

Running as fast as she could while scanning the area, looking for a certain woman.

There she is "TOMOOOOOOO!", Eri shouted on top of her lungs with a deep and scary voice. It doesn't matter to her if the students were looking at her. All that is matter is how in the world change the brownies she made into a heart shape chocolate.

When Tomo saw her rampaging friend, a scared etched on her face. It means that she already found out what she did "Hey, Eri. Why are you running like that? Are taking some warm ups?", she asked but she knew that Eri will ignore her question. And definitely she is mad at her, right now.

As soon as Eri reached Tomo, she swiftly grabbed her collar "DON'T LOOK AT ME WITH THAT HAPPY-GO-LUCKY FACE OF YOURS".

"How rude of you".

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO CHANGE THAT CHOCOLATE, ARE YOU? YOU PRETEND THAT CHOCOLATE IS YOURS AND YOU WANT TO GIVE IT TO SOMEONE BUT YOU PURPOSELY PLACE HIS NAME ON IT SO THAT I CANNOT TAKE IT BACK", she blurted out all the words that she wanted to say in her friend and finally she calmed down a bit and laughed bitterly "It doesn't make sense. Why did you do that to me? Did I do something wrong again?".

She sighed and thought~ And now I look like a villain here.

To think that Eri was gotten mad again with Tomo, she doesn't felt scared right now. Except when she saw her running towards her with a furious look on her. And beside she is gotten used with her behavior.

"I'm sorry. I did that so that you can be honest with your feelings".

"What's wrong with my feelings?", she asked, bewildered.

"Your feelings toward your captain", she said lowly good enough to hear it for just the two of them.

"W-WHAAAATTTT?!".

"Oh come on. I can tell it~", she sung while teasing her.

"HAH?! Ridiculous".

"I'm telling the truth".

"Whatever", she spun around her heels and started leaving "Why do I even come here from the start? It only waste my time", she mumbled.

While looking at Eri's back feature while walking out of the hallway, she can't help herself but to smile "That girl she has everything she got but an idiot when it comes in romance ".

Stomping her feet while getting away from a certain woman, Eri's brows were almost connected as her lips were slightly pouted. Thinking what Tomo said was very ridiculous and hard to believe. Helping me to be honest with my feelings?! Seriously she doesn't helped at all. And what's gotten with her. I already told her that I have no feelings for Akashi. I was totally embarrassed in front of him. If only I doubled check it earlier then it should've turned out like this. I don't want to go back in that clubroom anymore.

Her pace has gotten a little slow that earlier. Remembering what Akashi said when he saw what's inside the box. Instead of getting awkward and returned it to her, he appreciated it and gladly accept it.

But I'm glad that he accept it.

Realizing what she just said in her mind, her face turned crimson red as she slapped her face countless times to get rid of those thoughts "Ih?! What am I saying?".

After she made an instant blush-on on her cheeks, she looked around her surrounding and realized that she was no longer familiar with the area. She was still inside the campus but Rakuzan High is a huge school. And the truth is she is not familiar with the other area of it because she haven't take a tour around the school.

"Looks like I'm lost... huh? ".