"So how does this Valentine's day thing work exactly," Megumin asked, fiddling with Chomusuke's paws as they both laid on their stomachs on Aqua's bed. After Kazuma had excused himself to go to bed, Megumin and Darkness dragged Aqua to her room, demanding to know as much information as they could about this strange holiday.

"I must admit, Kazuma's explanation was a bit basic. There must be more details that you can give us," Darkness said, hugging Aqua's spare pillow as she sat on the bed, before deciding that it smelled a little too much of booze, setting on gently on her lap.

"I don't wannnnnaaaaa," Aqua groaned as she jumped into her bed, face flat. She turned her head slightly, peeking up at the two girls that were eagerly staring at her, awaiting for the water goddess to speak up. "What's in it for me,"

"Our everloving gratitude," Megumin replied in a monotone voice, rubbing the top of the Chomusuke's head, the cat purring in response.

"Laaaaameeeee,"

"Appreciation from your fellow party members?" Darkness replied, poking at Chomusuke's cheek.

"Even more laaammeee,"

Both girls sighed in defeat. Megumin buried her face into the bed, groaning in frustration. Darkness wordlessly picked up Chomusuke and placed her on the pillow she had set aside, before getting up and leaving the room.

"What do you want, Aqua?" Megumin asked, propping her head up with her hands, her feet kicking the air as she waited for Aqua to respond.

"Aqu-"

Megumin was interrupted by Aqua's loud snoring, causing Megumin to bury her face in the bed once again, groaning even louder than last time. "How am I gonna win against Darkness if I can't afford chocolates…"

Her thoughts were interrupted by Darkness entering the room, a bottle in her arm as she walked over to Aqua's bed.

"Aqua, this is wine that was gifted to me by a very wealthy noble. It's been aged for thirty years and it's worth far more than you could ever imagine,"

"It's no use Darkness. She's already asle-"

Aqua sprung up, her legs crossed, hunched over with her elbows resting on her knees, the bottom of her nose resting gently on her interlaced fingers as she stared at the two with an intense glare.

"Okay, so, on valentine's day right,"

Both girls leaned in closer, anticipating the vital information.

"Kazuma has a simple, foolish understanding of this sacred holiday,"

"Go on," the two replied simultaneously.

"The chocolates are just some marketing trick by the candy companies to sell more product. You don't actually have to get someone chocolates,"

"Interesting…"

"Valentine's day, to simply put it, is an excuse to do something romantic for your partner. Maybe it's chocolates, maybe it's something else,"

"I bet Darkness is thinking of doing something lewd for Kazuma,"

"I am not!" Darkness pouted, shaking her fists up and down in embarrassment as she turned red in the face.

"BUT BE WARNED!" Aqua exclaimed, grabbing the attention of the two girls, both staring in anticipation.

"There are many tales of young maidens giving chocolates to their potential lover, only for it to be interpreted as a platonic, friendly gesture!"

"I see…"

"So like kiss Kazuma when you give it to him or something,"

Both girls' cheeks turned a soft pink at Aqua's suggestion, imagining placing their lips on Kazuma's as they handed him his sweets…

"Anyway thank you for the booze!" Aqua chirped as she sprang up, scooping up the bottle out of Darkness' arms, before shoving them out of her room and slamming the door behind them.

"Darkness, are you okay giving up such an expensive bottle?" Megumin asked, holding Chomusuke in her arms as they walked together towards her room at the end of the hall.

"It's all right, Megumin. I wasn't planning on drinking that wine. It would feel immoral to drink a gift that a potential suitor had given me, who I ultimately turned down," Darkness smiled, bringing a small amount of comfort to the small mage. "And besides, we got some useful information from it, I think it was worth the price," They stopped walking as they reached the door to Megumin's bedroom.

"Why did you let Aqua tell me?" Megumin asked. "Wouldn't it be better for you to know the details without me knowing?"

"Well…" Darkness pondered. "I suppose that even though you're my rival in love, you're still my close friend, Megumin. I want Kazuma to be happy with who he picks, even if it's not me,"

Darkness wore a sad smile on her face as she held her arm with hand. Megumin looked at Darkness, shocked at the sudden selflessness displayed by the crusader. Megumin hesitated a bit, before leaning in and hugging her friend.

"Thanks Darkness," she sheepishly said, her face glowing a soft pink. She enjoyed the warm embrace for a second before letting go.

"That doesn't mean I'm not going to be fighting my absolute hardest to win over his heart," Darkness declared, a more confident look adorning her face.

"Yeah, and I'm not gonna be a pushover either!" Megumin replied with a confident smile. Her eyes glowed a bright red as she pumped her fist. They stared at each other for a minute before giggling.

"Good night, Megumin,"

"Night, Darkness,"

The two hugged one last time before walking their own separate ways to bed, determined to spend the next week planning to win over Kazuma's heart.