A/N: So, one of my readers on AO3 asked me to write a Gaiden-canon fic focused on Hajime and Komaru's romantic/family relationship, so I figured, what better time to start than Valentine's Day?! This first chapter takes place on the first Valentine's Day after "Hajimaru's First Date!" Please read, review, and enjoy!

The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: The Hajimaru Chronicles!

Chapter One: A New Valentine From a New Player Two!

Komaru hummed, mixing the batter in the bowl in front of her. Standing next to her was her mother, who smiled and nodded approvingly at her daughter's kitchen work. Once the brown batter was appropriately blended, Hana handed her youngest child a baking sheet. Komaru bit her lip, slowly tilting the bowl over the baking sheet until a small glob of chocolate pooled onto its metallic surface.

After repeatedly moving and tilting the bowl until none remained, Hana smiled at her daughter's handiwork. Though not all were symmetrical, a nice, relatively even array of goopy chocolates rested on the baking pan.

"Here, let me put this in the oven, dear."

Komaru nodded gratefully as her mother, donning a pair of oven mitts, took the baking sheet and brought it to the oven. Once she opened the door, the matriarch slid it inside and closed it, leaving the soon-to-be pastries to the oven's inferno.

"And now…we wait." She declared with an almost giddy smile.

"Thanks for helping me out with this, Mom." I don't think I've had to bring anyone Valentine's Day chocolates since middle school…

Hana giggled, assuring her, "It was no trouble, dear. This is the first Valentine's Day with a special someone of your own, isn't it?"

"Yeah, Hajime's my first boyfriend…" And I'm his first girlfriend since…Chiaki…

Hana grew worried at the sight of Komaru's unintended frown. "Komaru, dear, why so glum?"

"Huh? I was glum?" Komaru quickly asked in surprise. Seeing her mother nod, she sighed and apologized, "Sorry…I was just…"

"Just…?" Hana gently prodded, urging her daughter to talk.

"…Well…this is Hajime's first Valentine's Day in a relationship with someone who isn't his ex…"

Hana frowned in understanding. "Oh, I see. Was it a bad breakup, or…?"

Komaru shook her head. "…Junko killed her. Her execution was what caused his classmates to turn to despair and spread the Tragedy to the entire world."

Hana's eyes widened in horror before she brought her daughter in for a hug. "I'm so sorry…I had no idea…"

Komaru nodded against her mother's breast. "Hajime…doesn't really like talking about it. He finally started moving on from her death after we started getting to know each other and dating…but it's still a sensitive subject for him. I know you guys are excited about getting to meet him properly, but can you please-?"

"Say no more." Hana interjected. "I'll make sure your father doesn't ask about his past, and I won't either." Komaru sighed gratefully. "That being said…is something about Chiaki and Hajime weighing on you?"

"…I just…this is his first Valentine's Day with a girl who's not the Ultimate Gamer. I knew he was so happy with her…and he's spent so many years alone, mourning her…I just wonder if…if I'm really going to measure up. If I'm gonna make him feel happy with what I give him for Valentine's Day."

"Oh, I understand now…" Hana smiled encouragingly, rubbing her daughter's back. "Komaru, dear, I don't think Hajime would want you to try and measure up against his former lover. I might not have met the boy properly yet, but I believe that he's dating you because he cares for you, not to replace Chiaki. Chiaki will always hold a special place in his heart…but that doesn't mean you have to compete with her for space in it. Just be yourself and I'm sure he'll love the chocolates you made for him."

Komaru couldn't help but smile. "Well, he did eat all the weird foods I enjoy without complaining."

Hana grinned. "See? If he liked the tuna eyeballs, I'm sure he'll love the chocolate balls we're making for him! Never be afraid to share the parts of you that make you unique."

At last, the mother and daughter separated. "Thanks, Mom, I needed that…okay, I'm gonna make sure Hajime loves these Valentine's Day chocolates!"

"I'm sure he will, dear. Why don't we go to the living room until the oven beeps? I recorded my favorite soap opera, and it seems like the perfect way to pass the time."

Komaru pouted as she followed her mother out of the kitchen. "Aww, c'mon, can't we watch an anime, Mom?"


Hajime stood in front of the fountain, watching the water flow from its spout. The young man stared up at the setting sun as a wave of nostalgia washed over him.

"Hey Hey, are you still moping over me, Hajime?"

Cracking a smile, the former Reserve Course student shook his head. No, nothing like that. Just feeling…nostalgic.

"Well it's fine to feel nostalgic, but don't be like this for too long. It's Valentine's Day, and I'm sure your girlfriend wants to give you chocolates…I think."

Komaru's face briefly flashed before his eyes. As much as he missed Chiaki, part of him couldn't deny that he was a little excited about his first Valentine's Day with Komaru.

Yeah…I bet she does…

"Then what are you waiting for? Stop being so indecisive and have fun with your Player Two!"

Alright, alright…

Turning around, his eyebrows raised at the sight of his girlfriend walking over to him, a small red box adorned with a crimson ribbon in hand. Komaru hesitantly strutted over to him before her eyes drifted to the fountain behind him, the sunset reflected along with the two of them in its aquatic surface.

"…Makoto told me I might be able to find you here…he said this was where you and Chiaki first met…"

Hajime nodded. "Sorry, I've had a habit of coming here and…remembering the…good old days? I just…didn't want to forget her, you know?"

Komaru nodded in understanding and sat down on the fountain's edge. Patting the surface next to her, she allowed Hajime to walk over and sit down next to her. To his surprise, she gently rested her hand atop his knuckles, squeezing his hand.

"You know…when I was trying to survive Towa City…I briefly met a boy named Yuta…"

Hajime's eyes flashed in realization. "Hina's little brother?"

Komaru gave a wistful, melancholy smile. "Yeah…he was also executed during that Killing Game we were in. He tried to swim to shore to get help for us…which triggered his bracelet and caused it to explode."

Hajime frowned in guilt, though it paled in comparison to the hidden anguish in Komaru's eyes. "I still blame myself for it. If I had just listened to Toko more, if I had stopped him…maybe he'd still be here, and Hina would still have her brother…"

"Komaru…"

"I know it's not the same…I barely even got to know Yuta, let alone have a chance to fall in love with him like you did with Chiaki. But…I don't want to forget him either. Because…if I forget him…then it diminishes the meaning of his death…at least that's how I see it."

Hajime nodded in understanding, gaining a new appreciation for his girlfriend. She gaped when he used his free hand to cup her cheek and turn her face towards him. She squeaked, blushing when Hajime brought his lips to hers in a gentle, reassuring kiss. Happy tears streamed down her cheeks just before they broke apart. Both of them smiled as the girl wiped her face dry before she held the box in front of him.

"Here, happy Valentine's Day, Hajime. I hope I did a good enough job…I…I had my Mom help me with the baking so I didn't screw things up."

Hajime chucked, accepting the present gratefully. "Honestly, it's been so long since I got anything for Valentine's Day that even if everything was burnt, I'd still love it…because someone cared enough to make me chocolates in the first place."

Komaru pouted at the first sentence, then relaxed at Hajime's clarification. She watched as he removed the lid and placed it beside him before taking out the first sphere of chocolate.

"Wow, these look delicious. Thank you, Komaru."

A light bulb turned on in his head before he popped one half way into his mouth. Komaru sweatdropped at the obvious invitation.

Are we really gonna play pocky with your chocolates?

Nevertheless, she giggled and met his lips before they both bit down. Their teeth cracked the chocolate, the gooey center melding with their tongues as they shyly danced for the briefest of moments. Once they separated, they grinned, and Komaru reached into Hajime's box and held it up to his lips. With a slight eagerness, he planted his lips around half of the sphere before she covered the rest with her own lips.

And so their spontaneous not-pocky game continued, sharing in the chocolates and kisses as the box slowly, but surely depleted. And when the sweets were no more, they continued with their gentle kisses long after the sun set, happy to spend their first Valentine's Day together.