Valentine's Day-or a Valentine's Day Calamity?

The topic came up too suddenly.

Lina was momentarily stunned, but after a moment's hesitation, she naturally refused.

Even though she was grateful that Mahiro said that, and even though this was the first time she had heard Mahiro say something that showed he cared about her since they started dating, she was still grateful.

Yotsuba Mahiro didn't force the issue.

And as agreed, he didn't do anything to Lina.

Their relationship gradually changed from something incredibly romantic to a more peaceful, platonic one between classmates.

He went to and from school with his old friends every day, chatting and laughing, and playing around.

It was as if Lina had truly become an ordinary high school student, no longer the fearsome strategic-level mage known as "Sirius".

Even though Erika would occasionally bring this up to make fun of it, both openly and subtly.

But every time, Lina complained about Erika, it wasn't about him.

There was nothing he could do; he had leaked Lina's information to everyone early on.

Days passed by like this.

Soon, a particularly important and special day will arrive for these young people.

Valentine's Day...

This word was far too unfamiliar and distant to Yotsuba Mahiro.

Needless to say, there's no experience with this in this life, let alone in past lives.

What exactly should we do?

"Minami, what do you think we should do for Valentine's Day?"

"Huh?"

Upon hearing his question, Minami, who was cleaning in the living room, suddenly stopped what she was doing and blinked her amber eyes.

Seemingly confused, yet also thoughtful, he guessed:

"Isn't it chocolates? That's what everyone's saying."

Well, it seems that Minami, like him, only knows about Valentine's Day by giving chocolates and flowers.

"Is there anything you want from Minami?"

"Me... me?"

The girl was somewhat apprehensive.

She initially wanted to refuse, since she had already obtained the body-strengthening potion from Mahiro, but seeing his direct gaze, she couldn't help but swallow her words.

"Excuse my rudeness! As long as it's a gift from Young Master Mahiro, no matter what it is, Minami will like it!"

A beautiful blush spread across Minami's face, and she spoke in a slightly off-key voice, which could even be described as a wail.

After saying that, she quickly walked away and disappeared from his sight, continuing to clean the house.

Well, it seems that the Minami approach is not viable.

However, he did want to give Minami something, after all, she had taken care of him at home for so long, and even if he didn't have any romantic feelings for her at the moment, Mahiro still considered the girl as family.

But what exactly to send is something he'll have to figure out for himself.

"... Izumi, let me ask you something, what do you think your older sister is doing?"

"I think... they're making chocolate."

"Is that really the case? Why do I feel like my sister is making poison to kill someone?"

Saegusa Family.

Sisters Kasumi Saegusa and Izumi Saegusa peeked around inside the kitchen, then whispered to each other.

"No... right? My sister said it was a gift for Mahiro- nii..."

"But, isn't that a bit wrong?"

Ahead of them, Mayumi was happily heating chocolate in a double boiler.

Although it was a pleasant occasion, that smile was definitely not the kind of smile a girl in love would show on the eve of Valentine's Day.

That smile looked more like the old witch in a fairy tale stirring up a pot of witch's soup, not to mention the thick, dark chocolate in the pot—it looked even more like it.

Adding new chocolate was like sprinkling poison to kill someone, causing the twins to turn and stare at each other with ashen faces.

"Kasumi, what kind of chocolate did your older sister just use...?"

"Ah... it should be 95% sugar-free chocolate..."

Although they once sold products that claimed to be 99% cocoa, they were discontinued due to their excessive bitterness.

Therefore, the material Mayumi is currently using is the most bitter chocolate on the market.

Once melted, it can be called cocoa concentrate.

"What about... that other bag...?"

"It's espresso powder, isn't it..."

"Did Brother Mahiro do something to upset Sister?"

They looked at each other, then shook their heads.

They didn't know.

But one thing is clear: their Mahiro, is in for a lot of trouble.

On Valentine's Day.

Yotsuba Mahiro has decided what gift to give them.

He gave Minami a bracelet inlaid with amber Yotsuba Clan clovers, which he made himself using alchemical techniques, and each Yotsuba Clan gem contained powerful magic.

Whenever danger is encountered, it will automatically release a defensive spell, and its effect is comparable to that of some sacred artifacts.

It must be said that alchemy is indeed a panacea.

Minami reciprocated by giving him a chocolate.

However.

To his surprise, the first chocolate he received besides the one from Minami was from Kyoko Fujibayashi.

"Teacher Fujibayashi, what's wrong...?"

Before he even entered the school gate, he was stopped halfway and pulled into a car. Then he saw Kyoko Fujibayashi take out a beautifully packaged, thin little box from her handbag.

"Of course, it's a gift of chocolate."

She is carefree and straightforward, leaving no room for expectation.

Moreover, the packaging is very stylish. Although it wasn't made by myself, you can tell at a glance that it's a high-end product.

The problem is...

"Human favors?"

He thought she was his lover.

Although he really wanted to say that, he stopped himself.

"Could it be that the chocolate the teacher gave you as a token of appreciation wasn't enough for you, Yotsuba Clan?"

Kyoko Fujibayashi gave a mischievous smile.

They seemed to want to see him blush, but unfortunately, that wasn't enough.

"It's not that I'm dissatisfied, I'm just wondering where I've done something to offend you, Fujibayashi-sensei."

"So you didn't know... Since you didn't know, then let's just consider it a debt from the last 'vampire incident'." Kyoko Fujibayashi with a meaningful smile.

Yotsuba Mahiro: "..."

What he said made a lot of sense, but he still felt something was off, especially since it was chocolate given to him by his teacher.

After thinking about it for a while without reaching a conclusion, he reluctantly accepted it anyway.

"However, Mr. Fujibayashi, I have no return gift in mind."

"Hehe, then remember to make it up to me next time."

Kyoko Fujibayashi smiled sweetly and winked at him playfully.

He really is a strange person.

He and this woman didn't have much interaction, or rather, their relationship was limited to that of teacher and student.

However, the chocolate was quite delicious; it even had nuts inside.

It should be made in Belgium, right?

I'll ask her where she bought it next time we meet, and then I'll bring some for the children of Arcadia, as well as for Seitenshi and Kisara.

From the moment he stepped into the school, Yotsuba Mahiro suspect that he might develop diabetes.

A whole day.

The chocolate in my mouth never stopped.

From the Sayaka suddenly ran into the classroom and gave him a heartfelt chocolate, and he reciprocated with a ring, the girls in the class started to get excited.

She presented him with chocolates of various styles and flavors, all handmade by herself.

It would be impolite not to accept it.

If you accept it, you must try it.

And so, the morning passed, leaving only the rich taste of cocoa in his mouth.

But that wasn't the end of it. Just as he was about to go for lunch, Honoka suddenly called him back.

"Hey, Mahiro! Could I borrow your time for a bit?"

Honoka looked very reserved; even through her clothes, it was easy to see that her whole body was tense.

It's easy to imagine that Honoka also planned to give him chocolates.

Although she was a little full, she nodded and said, "Of course, no problem."

He tried to put on a gentle and kind smile, hoping the girl wouldn't be so nervous.

"Excuse me... come this way with me."

Like a secret agent, Honoka Mahiro made her way to the backyard, as if trying to avoid being seen, with Mahiro following behind.

However, the place they came from was a well-known spot for confessions on campus: under the trees behind the machine tool hangar.

Uh... that's a little awkward.

He knew what was going to happen the moment he stepped inside, but he couldn't recall ever being that close to Honoka.

If I had to say, it would be more accurate to say that he had a better relationship with Kitayama Shizuku.

Just as he was thinking this, Honoka walked up to him and quickly handed him a neatly wrapped little box with both hands.

"Um, Mahiro- kun! Please accept my real... chocolate!"

I bit my tongue.

Even as the pain brought tears to her eyes, she held her hands up, as if frozen in place.

Her long hair, parted in two and tied up to neck height, couldn't hide her dyed red ear tips.

Looking down at her face, even the forehead peeking out from the gap in her center-parted bangs was flushed red.

Unable to move or make a sound, Honoka's hands trembled slightly, and her eyes were tightly closed, as if she were afraid of being rejected.

It's adorably clumsy.

"Thank you, Honoka."