There is a prevailing image in this country that the war marked a watershed moment, completely overturning the cultural tide. In reality, the changes were not nearly so drastic; many of the so-called "frivolous" customs of the past did not die out, but rather endured.
One of these enduring customs is Valentine's Day—which is tomorrow.
With the event looming, the First High School building had been wrapped in a giddy, restless atmosphere all day. In matters like this, even magicians are just ordinary teenage boys and girls.
"…Mitsui-san, I think you should call it a day."
Inside the Student Council Room after school, an electronic error tone had been beeping repeatedly for some time. Azusa finally spoke up, addressing the source of the noise—Honoka. She didn't sound irritated; rather, she sounded concerned that Honoka might be feeling unwell.
"She's right, Honoka. You really should go home."
The one who seconded the opinion, her bright blue eyes clouded with worry, was Lina, currently serving as a temporary officer. Despite her true identity being kept secret from everyone including Azusa and Isori, she was certainly bold in her interactions.
"No, I'm fine."
Honoka gave a brave reply, though she was clearly out of sorts. She knew exactly what was causing her lack of focus, which made accepting their kindness feel embarrassing. However, to those who knew her usual tendency to take on excessive responsibility and push herself too hard, her refusal only amplified their worry.
"Mitsui-san, I think your strong sense of responsibility is admirable, but taking a break isn't a bad thing, you know," Isori added gently.
Even after Isori's logical persuasion, Honoka still wouldn't say, "Okay, I'll rest." It was Miyuki who finally delivered the finishing blow.
"Honoka, please, you really shouldn't force yourself. No matter how hard you try, you won't get any actual work done today, will you?"
For Honoka, who realized that Miyuki had guessed the reason for her "condition," this was an incredibly uncomfortable remark. The part about "not getting work done today" hit particularly close to home.
"You're… right. Okay then…"
After a moment of hesitation, Honoka stood up abruptly and bowed with equal vigor.
"I am terribly sorry! I will take my leave for the day. But I promise to do my best starting tomorrow!"
"Yes. Let us both do our best tomorrow."
Miyuki answered before the two seniors could. Azusa felt a faint sense of incongruity—Miyuki had said "tomorrow" specifically, rather than "tomorrow as well"—but Honoka was the only one who truly grasped the implication.
"Excuse me!"
Honoka bowed and spun around on her heel to leave. Her cheeks were dyed a deep crimson.
After finishing their Student Council duties, Miyuki was recounting the day's events to Tatsuya as they walked from the school to the station.
"…And due to those circumstances, Honoka went home early."
"Ah… Is she preparing for tomorrow, by any chance?"
"Undoubtedly."
When Miyuki nodded with absolute confidence, Tatsuya made a face as if he were fighting off an itch.
"Honoka is the type to put a lot of effort into these things, isn't she…"
"Are you happy, Onii-sama?"
Miyuki asked not with jealousy, but in a teasing tone. Tatsuya shrugged—not physically, but with his aura.
"I feel more apologetic than happy. I can return a gift with a material item, but I cannot return the one thing that actually matters."
Tatsuya muttered the words with a gravity that went beyond mere posturing. Miyuki grabbed his sleeve, her touch reserved and gentle.
"…Please, I beg you not to concern yourself with that. Both Honoka and I… we simply wish to please you, Onii-sama. That is all."
"…Is that so?"
"It is. You need only accept them without saying a word. That is enough."
"Um, sorry to interrupt while you guys are setting the mood and all… but basically, Honoka was acting weird because she was stressing about the chocolate she's giving Tatsuya tomorrow?"
"You caught on quickly, Lina. Though I thought giving chocolates was a custom unique to Japan."
Miyuki answered Lina's question, and for once, Lina didn't overthink the response.
"No way. 'Chocolate on Valentine's Day' is famous Japanese culture. Plenty of girls in the States copy it, and I've heard about it endlessly from classmates other than you, Miyuki."
"Hmm… Are you going to give some to anyone, Lina?"
"I guess, sort of… I hear there's something called 'Giri-choco'—obligation chocolate."
Lina stole a quick glance at Tatsuya, but fortunately, Miyuki didn't notice the gaze.
"Who are you giving yours to, Miyuki? Is your 'Honmei'—your true love chocolate—for Tatsuya after all?"
"What are you saying, Lina? Onii-sama and I are biological siblings, you know? There is no way I could give him 'Honmei' chocolate."
Lina's jaw dropped. She froze in place, stunned by Miyuki's matter-of-fact answer.
Around the same time Miyuki and the others were walking to the station, young maidens were hard at work making chocolate in the Saegusa family kitchen. Yes, maidens…
"Oh, right, right. You're getting quite good at this."
"It is because Mayumi is a skilled teacher."
One was the daughter of the house, the Japanese native Saegusa Mayumi. The other was Michaela Hongou—or Mia—who was currently under the family's protection (or rather, confinement).
"I wonder who Mia-san is planning to give these to?"
Mia had asked to make chocolates, and since Mayumi couldn't authorize it on her own, she had deferred the decision to Katsuto and Tatsuya. The verdict was that as long as Mayumi was with her, it wouldn't be a problem.
"As a thank you for saving me… to Tatsuya Shiba."
"…I see. As expected of Tatsuya-kun."
If one only listened to the words, it sounded like purely obligatory gratitude chocolate. However, having seen the expression on Mia's face, Mayumi wasn't allowed the luxury of that misunderstanding.
(Honestly. That oblivious, flag-raising man…)
Mayumi was planning to give chocolates to the exact same recipient, though she kept that fact entirely off her face as she instructed Mia. Behind her, her twin sisters were trembling, sensing the aura of pure negativity radiating from their elder sister's back.
"Hey, Izumi-chan… what do you think Onee-sama is thinking about to produce an atmosphere like that?"
"I do not know. However, she certainly does not appear to be having fun."
"But Onee-chan is giving chocolate to someone, right?"
"She is making them, so I suppose so."
Unaware that her sisters were whispering about her, Mayumi continued to guide Mia while crafting her own sweets.
There were two different types of chocolate prepared near Mayumi's hands—but that was a detail that even her sisters failed to notice.
(Will Lina be able to give her chocolate to Tatsuya…?)
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