On a February morning, a particular date stirred an unusual restlessness in the air.
February 14: Valentine's Day.
Yet there was not a trace of the holiday's excitement or restlessness in Kazehara Tetsu's eyes.
Just as he was about to turn the corner leading to the First Year Class A classroom, the usually empty corridor suddenly grew crowded.
A wall of girls, more than a dozen strong, came into view.
The moment Kazehara Tetsu's figure was fully exposed to their gaze,
the dozen or so pairs of eyes that had been wandering around all fixed on his face at once.
"K-Kagihara-kun..."
The girl at the very front of the crowd mustered her courage and took a small step forward.
Her cheeks were as red as ripe tomatoes, the blush spreading all the way down her fair neck.
Her small hands clutched a pink heart-shaped gift box tied with a delicate silver ribbon.
"Um... good morning!"
The girl's voice trembled, but she forced herself to lift her face and meet Kazehara Tetsu's gaze.
Kazehara Tetsu stopped.
To be honest, aside from occasionally passing them in the corridor, he could name no more than three of the dozen or so girls.
But he showed no impatience. A warm, natural smile appeared on his face.
"Good morning."
"Gathering outside Class A this early... Is there something important you all need?"
His question, though he already knew the answer, seemed to flip a subtle switch.
"Please accept this!"
The girl at the front took a deep breath and thrust the pink gift box toward him.
"I... I know you might not know who I am, Kagihara-kun, but ever since I saw you cross the finish line at the Sports Festival, I've..."
Before she could finish, other girls beside her, no longer able to hold