"That kind of demand feels a bit coercive, doesn't it? It'll cause resentment, right? And to expect Senpai to give an answer, you can't really be that confident you'll win over everyone else, can you? So don't even dream about it."
Kani Nayuta poured cold water on their enthusiasm.
Hearing this, everyone fell silent.
Just as Nayuta said, could they truly guarantee that Izumi Chihiro's affection for them had reached its peak during this time?
Yamada Elf could only joke about such things verbally.
"Ahem, then let's focus on making the chocolate."
Yamada Elf changed the subject, her expression slightly awkward.
"Are you going to make the chocolate yourselves, or order it from a shop?"
"Of course, handmade chocolate! That's the only way to express my true feelings for Senpai~~"
Kani Nayuta clapped her hands cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with romantic intent.
"Exactly."
Senju Muramasa's eyes narrowed, and she said seriously.
Everyone else had the same idea about this.
How could they entrust their feelings to someone else?
Then they searched online for methods to make handmade chocolate.
"Oh, it's easy! Chop… melt… shape, done!"
Yamada Elf rubbed her hands together, eager to try.
"If you don't consider decoration and taste, it is indeed easy."
Senju Muramasa also nodded.
Both of them had some cooking skills, so after reading the steps, they easily understood how to make it.
But for others, that might not be the case.
Just like Sagiri, she had never paid attention to these things and was so anxious she wanted to scratch her ears and cheeks.
"I'm such a good-for-nothing!"
Sagiri tragically realized again that she was useless except for drawing.
Her older brother's existence was indeed irreplaceable!
"Alright, let's meet at 'Yamada Elf's House' on the 13th. As for the molds and such, you'll still have to prepare them yourselves. I'm not responsible for making them for you."
Yamada Elf ended this secret conversation with her final words.
"It's not a holiday…"
On the train, Senju Muramasa glanced at the calendar on her phone, her expression grim.
In that case, she wouldn't be able to deliver the gift herself.
This was intolerable.
"It seems I can only do it earlier."
She made up her mind.
Private Toyogasaki Academy.
"Why does everyone seem so agitated? Did something happen?"
Eriri scanned the other people in the classroom and noticed the change in atmosphere.
"Sawamura Student, don't you know? Next Monday is Valentine's Day. Those foolish guys are probably hoping that girls will give them chocolates, and some girls are probably planning to use this opportunity to confess."
The female student next to her answered the question.
"I see."
Eriri nodded slightly.
"Sawamura Student, is there anyone you want to give a gift to?"
The female student asked curiously again.
"No, not really. I don't have that thought right now. If there's an opportunity, I can try…"
Eriri spoke vaguely.
"That's true. It seems there aren't any boys here that Sawamura Student would find appealing… Perhaps, Izumi-kun is one?"
The female student asked tentatively.
Now, their status as childhood friends was already well-known, because someone noticed that their connection was unusually close, so they had no choice but to reveal this matter.
"This… Chihiro is indeed excellent, but as for now, neither of us has considered that aspect."
After giving a perfunctory answer to the female student, her gaze secretly drifted to the back, her mind pondering something.
Izumi Chihiro noticed her gaze and looked up.
Eriri made a fierce little expression, then quickly returned to normal and turned her head away.
He: "…"
February 13th, Sunday.
According to the plan, everyone gathered together.
"What are you all going to do? You even called Mashiro and Sagiri along."
Izumi Chihiro walked out of the room, looking at Nayuta, the last one to leave, his expression puzzled.
"Senior, this is a girl's secret."
Kani Nayuta raised her finger to her lips, smiling mysteriously.
"I can guess without you telling me."
Izumi Chihiro glanced at her.
The timing was too obvious.
"Hehe… I knew I couldn't hide it from Senior."
Kani Nayuta chuckled foolishly, then waved and left.
In the kitchen of the neighboring villa, it was now like a battlefield.
"Sagiri, Mashiro, stop messing around and be serious! Don't fling chocolate on my face."
Yamada Elf angrily wiped a blob of chocolate paste from her cheek.
"I understand."
Mashiro used her super memory technique to copy the techniques of the others.
"Sorry, Yamada Elf."
Sagiri puffed out her cheeks and threw herself back into it.
If once wasn't enough, then do it a few more times!
"Let me help you instead."
Seeing this, Yamada Elf sighed and reached out to help.
After several hours of practice, everyone completed their works.
"Sorry, I want to deliver the gift myself, so…"
Senju Muramasa sealed the package and looked at the others.
She planned to deliver it today, which seemed out of place.
"Well, I can understand."
Yamada Elf turned her head away.
"Anyway, I can't stop you."
Kani Nayuta shrugged.
In the afternoon, before leaving, Senju Muramasa entered his room.
"Chihiro, um, could I have a moment of your time…?"
Senju Muramasa held the beautifully packaged box with both hands, her face flushed.
"Mm."
Izumi Chihiro left his seat and came to the door.
"This is for you! Please accept it."
Senju Muramasa held out both hands, offering the item, her gaze intense.
"Thank you, Muramasa."
Izumi Chihiro lowered his head to look, a 'just as I thought' expression on his face, then responded with a smile.
He unwrapped the package and found heart-shaped chocolates inside.
"The taste is quite good, very sweet."
He tried a piece and gave his assessment.
The girl was very happy, but she didn't intend to stop there.
Senju Muramasa bit her lip, made up her mind, and stood on her tiptoes.
"Besides this, there's also…"
Afterward, everyone saw a radiant Senju Muramasa emerge from the room, swaying slightly, not even bothering to greet them.
"Hmm? Why is that girl so strange? What exactly happened in the room?"
Kani Nayuta wondered.
After Senju Muramasa gave her gift, the others quickly dispersed; they had plenty of time, so they planned to express their feelings tomorrow.
The setting sun seemed to dye the fields a golden yellow.
Senju Muramasa sat on a bench, looking at the beautiful scenery outside the car window, involuntarily licking her lips, then suddenly chuckled foolishly.
The chocolate was really too sweet!
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter