Valentine's Bustle

　On Valentine's Day, as expected, the whole school was noisy and everyone felt restless.

　Many of the boys are fidgety, looking forward to something, but pretending to be uninterested.

　There are many men who think that a man's status is determined by whether or not he receives chocolate today, so there must be a lot of boys with this kind of attitude.

"Everyone is so excited."

　Zhou, who doesn't care about the rating, thinks it's a problem for someone else, but slips his gaze to Itsuki, who seems uninterested for a different reason than Zhou.

　Itsuki was leisurely watching the hustle and bustle of the class, and responded to Shuu's words with a heartfelt, "I see."

``Mr. Itsuki, who seems to have the luxury of having a girlfriend, please give us your thoughts on Valentine's Day this year.''

``After all, in my boyish state of mind, my future depends on whether or not I get chocolates today, so I'm desperate.Also, there are probably 60% of the guys who are nervous about getting chocolates from Shiina-san.''

"It seems they don't even give out chocolates to boys. It'll get out of hand."

"I guess so. By the way, Shuu-kun, what are your plans to get it from him?"

"I don't know. At least I haven't seen it happen."

　Mahiru seems to give it to girls but not boys, so I can't expect him to give it to Shu. I don't really care if I don't get it.

　Of course, I would be grateful if I received it, but it doesn't matter whether I get it or not.

　To be honest, for Zhou, Valentine's Day was like a sales promotion for a confectionery company, and it wasn't that important an event.

　Itsuki smiled wryly at Zhou, who could clearly see that she wasn't interested in him, saying, "It's light-hearted, isn't it?"

"... well, that's amazing."

　What Itsuki pointed at was probably a popular person who sucked up most of the girls in the class.

　In the center of the group was a prince with a sweet smile who seemed to like people.

　Even though it had not yet started, the handbags that the students had apparently prepared were already packed full of gifts, showing how popular they were.

"As expected of a prince."

"The bite of the surrounding teeth is amazing"

　Perhaps the boy who hasn't received one from anyone yet looks at Kadowaki with a distant look or jealousy.

　Since the difference in rank was shown in the first place even before it was rated, there was nothing I could do about it.

　From Zhou's point of view, it seems like it would be difficult to receive so many chocolates and take them home, and he was just curious about how they would handle it.

"It's hard for popular men. I bet they have a hard time taking that stuff home and eating it."

"That's right. But you still don't look fat."

"It's a story that has nothing to do with me."

"Chii was well prepared. Be prepared."

"What the hell are you prepared?"

"Russian"

"Stop, what did you mix up?"

　I could tell from our conversation the other day that she wasn't trying to make regular sweets, but it seems like she mixed in some extra ingredients.

"Well, one chocolate wasabi habanero trinity, one chocolate with concentrated umeboshi extract jelly, and the rest is normal chocolate."

"What is he making?"

"It seems that you want people around you to be surprised."

　In a sense, it may surprise you, but in the sense that it almost faints in agony.

"... I'm scared to eat"

"Give up.

"You ate it for fun, didn't you?"

"Well, I'll eat whatever Chi makes."

"Bacouple."

　If it were Itsuki, he would eat anything Chitose offered.

　In the first place, it's not that Chitose is bad at cooking, it's just that she's full of a challenging spirit. He seems to make it when he makes it normally, but when he comes up with something, he seems to make some troublesome arrangements.

　The basic sacrifice is a tree, but I never thought that a bowl would come to me as well.

　Well, judging from Itsuki's reaction, it seems like it's within the inedible range, so there's no need to be too afraid, but depressing things are depressing.

　Shu was a little depressed, and Itsuki gave him a warm look typical of someone who has overcome something, telling him to give up.

"Yes Shu, go ahead!"

"Hello"

　When Chitose came to pick up Itsuki after school and gave Shu some chocolate, Shu responded with a bit of reluctance.

　Of course I am grateful to have it.

　I'm grateful, but the truth is that I can't be happy because there's a drama in the contents.

　Since I plan on eating every last bit, I'm sure to run into the super spicy or super sour chocolate at some point, so I'll probably have to eat it with great fear for the next few days.

"I think you've heard it from Ikkun, but please look forward to what's inside!"

"I don't like spicy food that much..."

"Is it within the range you can eat? I ate it too, but that was delicious!"

"That's because you like spicy food... damn it."

　Zhou doesn't really like spicy food, so he's reluctant. Since he doesn't like sour foods, he pinpoints Zhou's weak taste.

　I think the others are probably delicious, so that's the only salvation.

"Ah, it has super sweet and super bitter flavors in it."

"Thank you for the advance notice."

　I felt like I wanted to hold my head against Chitose, who had increased the number of bombs so quickly.

　The extremely sweet version uses a lot of sugar, and the extremely bitter version probably uses around 99% cacao chocolate.

　However, if that's all it takes, it's still manageable. I don't hate bitter things.

　Itsuki also seemed to have heard that for the first time, and said, "Hey... you're the one...", her cheeks twitching slightly, but Chitose was still smiling.

"It's okay, I'll have to rephrase."

"Cleanse your palate?"

"Then we'll go. Bye-bye."

　Without answering Zhou's question, he took Itsuki's hand and started walking. It seems that today is Valentine's Day.

　While receiving words of consolation and encouragement from Itsuki, ``I wish you good luck,'' Shuu sighed tiredly and waved him off.

　After seeing them disappear, Zhou puts on his coat and picks up his rucksack from the hook next to the desk.

　I don't mind the fact that you're alone, but if you stay too long, you'll only be able to enjoy the company of men and women, so I was planning on leaving early.

　As I was about to put on my backpack and decide to go home, I suddenly looked at the guy who was in my grade and seemed to be having a great time.

　Kadowaki, who seemed to have finally calmed down from attacking presents, stared at the men's coveted items piled up on the desk with a slightly distant look. The bag hanging next to the desk is filled with treasures.

　Zhou immediately knew what he was thinking, so she approached him sympathetically.

"Kadowaki"

"Hmm, ah, Fujimiya. What do you need?"

　Having been classmates for almost a year, even Shuu, who doesn't have much of a presence, remembers his name.

　Kadowaki also seemed surprised by this unexpected person, as he rarely talked to her other than for business matters.

　Shuu smiles slightly at this attitude and opens the zipper of the small pocket on the front of the backpack.

"It's not like it's for business, but look."

　I take out a few compact triangular items from folded supermarket bags and throw them by the gate.

　Mahiru said, ``If you put some in just in case, it will be convenient later.'' Although it is not Zhou who uses it.

　Kadowaki unfolds the triangular mass while being puzzled as to what it is, and a relatively large supermarket shopping bag comes out.

　As expected, the plastic bag isn't that thick, so it might tear, but I can't take care of that, so let's ask the person in question to do something about it.

"Wrong?"

"N-no...it was a good fit though."

"I see. Well, it's going to be tough, but do your best."

　Kadowaki will probably be witnessed in the school with a bag that has become full.

　I waved my hand and left the classroom with the impression that it's hard to be a popular man.