___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Valentine day, huh?" Aya said during the interval, with her eyes glued on the screen of her smartphone.

Aya now had her whole hair dyed blonde. A fact that horrified her teachers in the first week, but that suddenly died as the cla.s.s accepted Aya was just like that anyway. She had her skirt even shorter than usual and long red nails. If someone walked close to her, they would always feel a strong smell of perfume.

"And you're not giving anyone chocolate again, right?" Sayaka asked Hina, who was in front of her.

Sayaka was still the same as always. Tall, short hair. Some weeks ago, Aya made her go to school wearing the male uniform. After the success that became, especially among the girls, she started to wear it every day. The teachers tried to complain at first, but as her grades were good, they just pretended not to see.

"Of course not. As if I had time to make them or money to spend. Also, I'm taken now, so I'm sorry. Can't do it," Hina said.

Hina was still the short girl with wavy black hair. Cute and energetic. She was wearing the school's winter uniform and black leggings as always. If there was something different about her appearance since the time she started dating Saki was her hair that became a little longer.

"That's a shame," Aya said, smiling. "You always top the list of girls boys want to get chocolate the most in Valentine. You never made any of them happy."

"Well, maybe they should give me chocolate instead. If they want something, go get it! Well, too late now, though."

"You know," Sayaka said, looking across Hina. "Can you two stop doing that?"

"Eh? Is there a problem? It's cold today and it's warmer like this" Hina said, looking behind to Saki.

The fact is that Hina was sitting on Saki's lap. Saki had a blush on her face and was in silence the whole time, probably embarra.s.sed by it.

She was still the same. Long black hair tied in low twin tail and wearing gla.s.ses. She was hugging Hina's body, with her hands over her belly. Her face was slightly turned to the side since the strawberry perfume coming from Hina's hair was too strong close to her.

"I mean, she looks like she's suffering," Aya said, throwing a mocking smile at Saki.

"I don't think so. She likes it. Right?" Hina asked Saki, turning her head back.

"I, huh," Saki pressed her lips, looking at her girlfriend's face smiling at her. "It's a little embarra.s.sing, so…"

"You want me to get off?" Hina asked with a sad face.

"Ah, not, it's fine, it's fine. I like having you there so it's fine...even if we have lots of eyes on us..."

"See? She likes it," Hina said with a bright smile to her two friends.

"Hina, you…" Sayaka said. Aya just let out a loud laugh.

"Yeah Saki, you're totally in her hands," Aya said. "You should work more on your female charms."

"I think she's charming enough," Hina replied.

"Yeah, no, a girl's charm should be a weapon," Aya said, removing her hair from her face with her fingers. "Saki isn't using it properly, while you're a master at it."

"Hina doesn't give chocolate to her friends, either?" Saki asked, trying to change the subject.

"Oh," Aya said, putting a serious face. "Sayaka once gave an idea we should give chocolate to each other. That was all fine, we are friends and always together, after all, but Hina forgot about it completely."

"I mean," Hina said while twirling her hair with her finger. "Why should I put effort to make chocolate others will eat? If I'll put that much effort, I should be the one eating it."

"And yet, you ate our chocolates," Sayaka said.

"Yes, I did. They were great, thanks."

Sayaka let out a sigh while Saki gave out a faint laugh.

"What about you?" Sayaka looked at Saki. "Will you make chocolates to your girlfriend this Valentine?"

"I...Huh…" Saki felt Hina's eyes on her. She turned to Aya instead. "What about you? You look the kind to give chocolate to boys."

"What do you mean by that?" Aya threw a glare at Saki. But her face softened before answering. "Well, I do have someone I want to give chocolate."

"Just one?" Hina asked.

"Hey! This is different. I really like him, so I want to confess to him."

"Oh," Hina clapped her hands. "Save that in your memory, Saki. That's the rare sight of infatuated Aya. You only get to see it once by year."

"Hina!" Aya threw an angry glare at her friend, who screeched and turned her body to the side, hugging her girlfriend.

"Well, she's not wrong," Sayaka said.

Before Aya could complain, a signal rang telling them the interval was over. Hina left Saki's lap and went back to her own cla.s.s, not before giving a kiss on her girlfriend's lips.

When they were going back to their desks, Aya still asked.

"By the way, do you still keep making those notes about your kisses?"

"Oh, that," Hina let out an impish smile. "That's a secret…"

Hina's home - Weekend

"Ok," Aya said, following Hina to the kitchen. "Can you tell me why you invited me over?"

Since it was cold, Aya was wearing black jeans. She left her jacket at the entrance and was wearing a white blouse inside the house. She was used to visiting Hina's home already, but after starting dating Saki, Hina had invited her over less than before.

Hina herself still had her skirt, while her leggings were warmer than the ones she was used to wearing. She was wearing a cute pink blouse inside the home. Playing with her hair, she was leaning her back against the refrigerator, looking timid.

"You know what," she said, then shut her mouth.

"I don't know anything," Aya said back. "You just told me to come. You didn't tell me why. I have more to do at home, so if you can be fast…"

"You're making chocolate for Valentine, right?"

"Yes. Well, what do you think I want to go home to make?"

"That's why I was thinking that maybe," Hina was still playing with her hair and avoiding to look directly at her friend. "We could make it together, so…"

"Is that why? Well, I," Aya stopped, suddenly realizing what Hina was asking. She let out a smile. "Wait a minute. You're making chocolate?"

"Is that a problem?" Hina exclaimed defensive. "I have a girlfriend now, so I want to give it to her, of course!"

"It's not a problem. I think it's natural. In fact, too natural for you."

"Ok, if you won't help, you can go back home!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Aya approached Hina and smiled friendly at her. She ruffled her friend's hair. "I'm just messing with you, okay? I'll help you if you need."

"T-Thanks…" Hina said, timidly avoiding her eyes. Aya found that rare sight amusing. "Mom is busy with work. So I had no one else to call."

"I see. I'll help you, but can I ask? Why you suddenly want to give her chocolate?"

"You promise not to laugh?" Hina had her chin down and her eyes up, looking at Aya. She looked like a puppy.

"Do I need to?"

"Then I won't tell," Hina made a pout.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," Aya said with a smile. "Please, tell me. I won't laugh."

"You know," Hina started, playing with her hair and avoiding her eyes. "After starting dating, we spent Christmas together. A Christmas date. That was so much fun and I kept hoping to spend more special days with her. Unfortunately, she wasn't around on New Year, but that's fine. We have Valentine, after all. That's the perfect day for couples, right?"

"I guess. Although you never seemed to care about it. At least not with your friend..."

"Are you still bringing up that day? Sorry for forgetting, ok!"

"It's not like I care, but Sayaka was really disappointed," Aya sighed. "But fine, keep on."

"Well, so I wanted to do something for Valentine. But here comes the problem. On Valentine, girls give chocolate to the boys they like, right? But we're both girls! Who should be the one giving chocolate?!"

"Is that your problem?" Aya took her hand to her face and shook her head. "Can't you two give each other chocolate?"

"That's just friends.h.i.+p chocolate! Well, if I tell her I'm planning to give her chocolate, it wouldn't be the same. You don't tell to the boy you like what you're doing, right? And, well, I was expecting her to make something. She's good at cooking. But what if she doesn't?"

"Ah…"

Aya stood in silence for some seconds. She was almost sure Saki was planning to make chocolate after their talk at school. But at the same time, in the worst case, she didn't want to give Hina false hope.

"Ok, so, you're making her chocolate. Why am I here?"

"You know," Hina avoided her friend's eyes before finis.h.i.+ng it. "How do I make chocolate?"

Aya let out a smile. Somewhat she saw that coming.

"Ok, so why me? Sayaka is better at things like this, right? She's also not planning to give chocolates to anyone, so she has more time free."

"I tried to call her, but she said she had plans. And I wanted to make something good, because, as I said, Saki is a good cook. If I do a bad job, she might not like it," Hina paused. Aya was thinking her friend looked timider than she ever remembered. "Huh, so, you can use the ingredients I bought too. We can buy more if you want. We can make it together," Hina lowered her head and raised her eyes to her friend. She looked like she was struggling as she said her next words to her friend: "P-Please?"

Aya realized she was thinking about how cute her friend looked. Like a puppy asking for food. Suddenly she understood all those boys falling in love with her since she felt like she wanted to protect that girl's happiness. If Hina cried, it would break her heart.

"Fine," she said finally with a sigh. "I already said I'll help you, so stop making that face."

"Really?!" A bright smile illuminated Hina's face. She jumped to grab Aya's hand. "I love you, Aya! You can ask me anything you want….just once!"

"Just once, huh?" Aya let out a cynic smile. "But well, I'll help you. However, you'll taste test your own chocolate."

"Eh?! Why?!"

"We had home ec cla.s.s together. Remember? I promised never put food made by you in my mouth again."

"Fine," Hina said, clicking her tongue.

Aya smiled and ruffled her friend's hair again.

"Ok, let's not waste time. Let's make the best chocolate you can to your girlfriend. And let's hope that won't put her in a hospital."

Saki's Home - Weekend

"Come inside," Saki said when she opened the door and Sayaka was in front of it.

Sayaka walked inside. She was wearing a jacket since it was cold outside. She followed Saki who guided her to the kitchen with an expression of mistrust on her face.

"My parents aren't home today," Saki said with a serious expression. "So don't worry about greeting them."

"Why did you call me?" Sayaka asked with a dry voice.

"Because you're Hina's friend. And I want to consult something about her. It's, huh," Saki became silent, touching her lips and avoiding her eyes.

"You're making her chocolates, right?" Sayaka said with a sigh. "It's obvious, don't even try to hide."

"Yeah," Saki answered with a slight nod.

"So, what do you want from me? Want my help to make them?"

"No. I can cook fine, so not really."

"Then?" Sayaka looked impatient as she stared at Saki waiting for her answer.

"I was thinking about what Hina would like more," Saki leaned against the balcony, still avoiding to look directly at Sayaka. "I can make chocolate. But giving her just plain chocolate that she could buy anywhere doesn't seem fair. She deserves more."

"What do you want to know? Her favorite filling?"

"Of course I know that already. I'm making three kinds with the kind of flavors she likes the most."

"So," Sayaka stared at Saki, looking even more confused. "I don't get it."

"Even with these flavors, she could still buy something similar at the market. I'm thinking about the presentation. How should I give it to her in a way that will make it special."

"I think being handmade by you will make it special enough in her eyes, but," Sayaka stopped and put a hand under her chin, thinking about it. She rose her eyes to see Saki anxious looking at her, waiting for an answer. "No, I really can't think of anything," she said after all.

"Ok, so let me try a different approach. Pretend you're the chief of the marketing department of a chocolate brand," Sayaka made a confused face with those words but waited until Saki continued. "Hina is a celebrity. Having her liking your product and promoting it is very important because of her influence with the young people, especially during Valentine Day, so you're tasked to make the kind of chocolate she'll take a liking to."

"That makes no sense. Why can't we just pay her to promote it?"

"She's fickle and won't promote anything she doesn't actually like."

"Actually that's a pretty realistic situation for Hina."

Sayaka stopped to think for a moment. Saki waited in silence. After the reflection, Sayaka lifted her eyes to face Saki.

"If I want to make Hina buy chocolate, maybe I should put her face on the box. I'm sure that's the best we can do to grab her attention," Sayaka gave Saki a serious look and let out a faint smile. "Maybe your face should be more effective now."

"My face?" Saki said, touching her lips and looking confused.

"I mean, all that girl seems to talk about these last months is about you. I'm sure she would eat anything with your face on it without a second thought."

"My face, huh? I do have a photo I could use…"

"Saki," Sayaka stopped the other girl, calling her attention. "Don't take it so seriously. Why would you even put your photo on it? You're the one giving it to her already."

"Well, that's true."

"And besides. I'm sure your worries are for nothing. She'll be satisfied with anything you give her if it's made by you. Trust me."

"I know, but I still want to give her something special. Something that'll make an impact or something."

"You do value her a lot," Sayaka said, and there was a strong emotion on her voice. Saki looked at her with a questioning face. "Well, I'll think about something. But shouldn't you at least start already?"

"You're right," Saki said and walked to the refrigerator. "I did buy a little more than I need, so I can make some for you if you want."

"I'm not planning to give chocolates to anyone. If you want me to help you since I'm already here…"

"Oh, no, don't worry. I can do it by myself," Saki said and started to get things from the refrigerator and cupboard and put it on the table.

Sayaka sat on a chair and stared at her friend's girlfriend while she started to wear an ap.r.o.n and put a serious face while examining the ingredients in front of her. She started to unwrap the chocolate bars with dexterous fingers.

"You know," Sayaka asked, facing Saki's focused face. "Why did you invite me here today?"

Saki lifted her face and threw a confusing look at Sayaka. Before she could ask anything, Sayaka realized her expression and added.

"I mean, if it's about Hina, you could ask Aya, right? I'm sure she would be happy to come."

"I know you don't like me," Saki said, lowering her head and focusing on the chocolate again.

"Well, that's not what I…"

"That's why I called you instead. Usually, I don't try to make people who dislike me to change. But you like Hina and Hina cares a lot about you. I know she gets sad whenever we say something that bothers the other. I want to get along with you."

Sayaka stood in silence. With a smile, Saki focused on the chocolates again. Sayaka opened her mouth twice before finally speaking out.

"It's not like I hate you. Well, I don't really like you either. If I have to be honest, you annoy me."

"Is there anything I can do to change that?" Saki asked, while still managing the chocolates. "Because I really don't know what I'm doing wrong."

"Probably not," Sayaka paused a little while looking at the ground. She felt a stab in her heart as she exposed her feelings. "I know you're a good person, and that's why I know I can tell this to you without any fear. Truth is, I am Hina's friend for a long time. Even before Aya. And she was always, for the most time, my best friend. Even after Aya started hanging out with us, she always had a date or other plans so I spent time alone with Hina a lot," a smile showed up on Sayaka's face. "It was really, really fun," then her face turned serious. "Then she started to get involved with you. And after that, you two started dating. Even during the rare times that we can spend together alone, all she does is talk about you."

"You were hostile to me even before we started dating, though."

"Of course I did, right? In that situation, it looked like you were taking advantage of her. Or rather, that's kind of what you were doing. As her friend, of course, I didn't like it. And it was Hina. She was always worried about what others would think of her because of the rumors around her mother after the divorce. That Hina kissing another girl without any worry made me upset."

"I did hear about her mother. I told her that was unfair. Her mother fought a lot to raise her and she should be grateful."

"I see. That's why she changed her att.i.tude about it. I did say the same to her, but," Sayaka let out a bitter smile. "I guess your word matters more to her, after all."

"Why you accepted our relations.h.i.+p, though? At the time, I thought you would never accept it so easily."

"You're right. When I realized she started to fall in love with you, I was ready to put up a fight. I'll be honest, you two being girls is part of the reason why it bothered me. I didn't want Hina to be seen as...you know, a lesbian," Sayaka paused. She lowered her eyes to her hands. "Aya stopped me. She called me out and said that if I didn't change my att.i.tude, I would make Hina start hating me. I was afraid of that, so I gave up."

"Hmm," Saki said, while cutting the chocolate bar, "I don't think she would throw your friends.h.i.+p away that easily."

"You're probably right," Sayaka let out a sad smile. "But that wouldn't make her happy either."

The two girls remained in silence. Only the sound of Saki's knife against the board could be heard in the kitchen.

"But you're right," Sayaka was the one who broke the silence. "Hina probably is sad when we don't get along. She loves us both, after all. And I know how that girl hates when things don't go as she planned," Sayaka turned her eyes, avoiding to look at Saki. "And you're a nice girl, too. So, like, I'm sorry. I want us to get alone. Sorry for being so stubborn this whole time."

"Ok," Saki said and kept cutting chocolate for some seconds until she spoke again: "Can I make a personal question? You might not like it."

"Go ahead."

"Were you in love with Hina?"

Saki stopped cutting the chocolate and faced Sayaka. The girl froze. She looked at her friend's girlfriend and opened her mouth but no word came out. She tried again.

"What?! No!" she almost shouted. "I mean, sure I love her. A lot. But not like that. I mean, I'm not like that…"

"Like that…"

"I mean, like you."

"Or Hina?"

"Yeah," Sayaka waved her hands. "Look, I don't mean it in a bad way. But I'm not into girls at all."

"Are you sure? Hina also thought the same before, right?"

"Yeah, but that's different. Also, why do you think that? Are you worried about us?"

Saki put her hands on the table and looked at Sayaka with a gentle smile.

"I'm not jealous," she said. "But if we're going to be friends, I want to know how you feel about me. If this is about a broken heart…"

"It's not a broken heart, ok!?" Sayaka said it in a tone that tried to close the conversation.

Saki just gave a nod with a smile and started to cut the chocolates again.

While she did it, Sayaka looked like she was lost in thought. She wasn't looking at no one in particular. Her eyes were aiming a specific point of the floor with nothing on it.

"Kissing…" she said in a low voice.

"Excuse me?" Saki said, paying attention to her.

"Hina loves kissing you. I mean, she loves all of you, of course, but she always changes when talking about the times you were kissing. Her eyes are almost sparkling when she tells us about it. So I'm sure your kisses are special for her."

"Kisses, huh?" Saki's eyes turned to the chocolate on the table. "Should I make them lip-shaped?"

"Please, don't. That's cringe and won't amount to anything."

Saki was still focused on the chocolate. Like she was trying to grasp some idea, or some idea was forming inside her mind. After some time she nodded and the look she gave Sayaka was intense.

"Sayaka, did you know? Chocolate makes you happy because it releases endorphin inside your brain."

"Huh," Sayaka said with a confused expression. "Yeah, sure. What does that…"

"And a kiss also releases a c.o.c.ktail of chemicals in the brain. Dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. They are responsible for making us feel good while kissing."

"Still as nerd as ever, huh?"

"Shouldn't it be pleasant to mix both reactions?"

"Maybe," Sayaka stared at Saki who had a serious face. "You mean like doing that? Feeding her chocolate with your mouth?"

"That could work, but, have you tried it? The chocolate can fall and it becomes a mess. Also, after biting the chocolate the lips only brush for a moment. It's hard to kiss with something solid in your mouth. Can work if you plan it with the other part, but that's not very romantic."

"I didn't try, but it seems like you've experienced," Sayaka said, trying to hide her embarra.s.sment. "Just, let's not talk about this around Hina, ok?"

"Of course. So you see," Saki approached Sayaka to tell her the conclusion she reached. She gave a fast explanation. "So, what do you think?"

"I-It's a little weird if you ask me," Sayaka said turning her eyes to the side. "B-But it could work. I can see Hina enjoying it."

"Is that so? So…"

"But...Will you be able to do it?"

The answer had an effect on Saki. Her smile disappeared and she blushed.

"M-Maybe."

"Well, you'll still giver her chocolate, right? So there's no issue in having it ready at least if you find the courage. Can you even make it?"

"I think I saw some on mom's room. I-I'll go get it. Just a minute!"

Saying that Saki got out of the kitchen. Sayaka stared at the chocolates on the table and let out a sigh. She smiled.

"That girl is really dumb when it comes to things like this."

Hina's Home - Weekend Night

"D-Done," Hina said, looking at the chocolates in front of her. "I think?"

"You tried at least," Aya said with a smile. "Does it taste good?"

"I made some for you taste test. Here," Hina gave Aya three pieces of chocolate.

"I said you would test them, didn't I?"

"I-I did, but…," she paused, looking at her chocolates. "They're okay, but…"

Aya sighed and put one of them in her mouth. After several tries, she finally managed to break it with her teeth.

"Well. It tastes normal. Once you manage to eat them, that is."

"It's a failure, then," Hina said, lowering her head. "I guess I shouldn't give it to her."

"It was a failure. But you should give it to her, anyway."

"B-But…"

"You said it yourself. Saki is a good cook. She doesn't need good chocolate since she can do it herself. What she needs is this," saying that, Aya took Hina's wrist in her hand. "Look at all these burns on your fingers. You did these while thinking of her. You gave your all. I'm sure these will make her very happy."

Hina looked at her own fingers and let out a smile.

"Thanks, Aya. You really know how to cheer me up."

Hina tried to pull her hand, but Aya didn't release her grip. She was looking at Hina's fingers with curiosity. Hina looked at her confused.

"Hina…" Aya said after all.

"W-What?"

"You're having sleepovers on her home, right? She sleeps on your home, too."

"Y-Yeah…"

"And you two share a bed?"

"W-We do. But…"

"Are you two having s.e.x already?"

"W-W-What?!" Hina raised her voice, startled. "S-s.e.x? I mean, why do you care? I never asked about your love life like that!"

"You never asked because you don't care. I care," Aya said with a smile.

"W-Well. If we're doing it or not, it's not for you to know!"

"I see," Aya looked again at Hina's fingers that she still had on her hand. "I was just thinking that if you're having s.e.x, it would be hard to do it now with these burns."

"Ah!" Hina threw a startled look at her fingers. "What now…?"

"Gotcha," Aya said, releasing Hina's wrist and smiling at her.

Hina glared at Aya and made a pout.

"d.a.m.n, Aya. I hate you!"

Valentine Day - After School

"T-These are for you," Hina said, giving Saki a heart-shaped box. She had a red face. "H-Happy Valentine!"

They were alone in their private s.p.a.ce. Only the sound of wind getting between them.

"Oh, thanks," Saki said and started to open it.

For Saki's trained eyes, just a look at the chocolate was enough to see its quality. And yet, even though she knew she would have a hard time eating them, she felt a surge of happiness. She also pretended not to see the burns Hina had on her fingers.

"I loved it. Thanks so much," she said.

"T-They're not very good," Hina said, playing with her hair. "And they might be a little hard to eat, but…"

"Hina," Saki pulled Hina closer and kissed her lips. "I loved it. Don't worry."

Hina blushed but didn't say anything. The way Saki was looking at the chocolates was enough to make her see her girlfriend was telling the truth.

"Actually, I have one for you, too," Saki pulled the box she was carrying in a bag and gave Hina. It wasn't heart-shaped, but there was a lot of hearts drawn on it. "Happy Valentine. My girlfriend."

Hina's eyes sparkled when she saw the box in front of her.

"I thought you wouldn't do it," she said. "But I'm so happy. I mean, I love your cooking. And you did this just for me. And, huh…"

Hina hugged Saki and kissed her, almost making her fall to the ground.

"H-Hey. Easy," Saki said, smiling.

"S-Sorry," Hina gave an embarra.s.sed smile. "But that's just perfect."

"Well, now that I think about it," Saki looked at the heart-shaped box she was given. "This is like a treasure on this school. The fabled valentine chocolate gave by the most popular girl. Maybe I shouldn't eat it."

"Please, eat it! And your treasure isn't the chocolate, right? It's me!"

"Can't argue with that. Speaking of which, will you come to my home today?"

"Ah, today, huh," Hina's eyes turned to her burnt fingers. "Today I was planning to stay with mom, so…"

"I see…"

Hidden away in a place she could see the two lovers but not being seen, Sayaka watched over her friend. She was suddenly approached by a figure putting a chocolate box in front of her.

"You can have these," Aya said. She didn't look very happy.

"Aya?" Sayaka said surprised. "These are… For Valentine? Aren't these for the guy you like?"

"I was a little late," Aya gave out a sad smile. "When I found him, another girl was giving him chocolate. And he kinda confessed to her. So they started dating, I guess."

"I see, sorry for that."

"Nice to see things are going fine for those two," Aya said looking at Hina and Saki flirting.

"Yeah, although it seems like she won't do it, after all."

"Do what?" Aya gave a confused look at Sayaka.

"Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry," saying that, Sayaka pulled Aya to the other wat. "But let's let those two alone. Seeing them all lovey-dovey can't be good for you right now."

"You don't need to worry about me."

"But I do, because we're friends," Sayaka gave out a gentle smile. "About the chocolate. I don't have any right now, but I'll pay you back on White Day."

"Hey, Sayaka," Aya let out an impish smile. "Just to make it clear, these are not supposed to be romantic."

"Of course I know that," Sayaka said startled. "W-Why are you saying that suddenly? Did you talk to Saki?"

"What Saki has to do with anything?"

"Nothing!"

Hina and Saki - Walking Home

"Ahh, I want to eat it all, but it's such a waste," Hina said, looking at the chocolate box. "I understand what you meant by wanting to treasure it. I want them to be proof of this day. Proof of how happy you made me!"

"If you don't eat, they'll turn bad and my work will be for nothing," Saki said. She was holding Hina's hand. "Are you sure you don't want to sleep over?"

"Ah, I, yeah," Hina stared at her burnt fingers again.

"It's Valentine."

"Yeah, but, I made a promise. Sorry…"

Saki glared at Hina. She looked somehow upset. The cold air of winter wasn't enough to make her cool her head.

"You know," she said, trying to look indifferent. "I have another Valentine treat for you, actually."

"Oh? Really, really?" Hina almost jumped. "I want it."

Saki took an object that looked like lip gloss to Hina. She opened it and took out the side with the sponge. It was all brown.

"It's molten chocolate," Saki said as if trying to explain to a confused Hina.

Then she started to pa.s.s it over her lips as if applying lip-gloss. She just put a thin base and, pulling the confused Hina closer, kissed her.

Their lips started brus.h.i.+ng together and the chocolate on Saki's lips pa.s.sed to Hina's mouth as well. It mixed with their saliva as Saki used her tongue. When they stopped, there was still a stain of chocolate on Saki's lips. Hina licked it.

The two girls faced each other in silence. Hina's heartbeat was so strong that Saki could hear it even though they weren't hugging anymore.

"That was," Hina said. First with a serious face, then she smiled. "Amazing! That was so good! I want to do it again. Let's do it again."

But Saki closed the tube and put it in her bag.

"No, that's enough."

"W-Why? Is the chocolate over already?"

"No. There's still plenty."

"So why?"

Saki faced Hina with a serious face. She let out a smile.

"If we keep kissing in the middle of the street, you'll get late."

Then she started walking again, leaving a stunned Hina behind.

"I'll sleep over," Hina said, but Saki was too far to listen, so she asked again. "I'll sleepover!" She shouted.

"Are you sure? Your mom…"

"I'm sending mom a message now. She won't mind," Hina said and took her phone to send the message in a hurry. "If I sleep over, we can do it again, right? The whole night?"

"Maybe…"

As the two girls started walking holding hands again, Hina threw a serious look at her girlfriend, who had a smile on her face.

"You know, "Hina said. "Aya was wrong. You're d.a.m.n good in using your weapons as well."