Chapter 27

Chocolates are Trouble!

Otonokizaka is especially lively on Valentine's Day!

Story 1

Rin: Found yooou!! Maki: Waaa!!! Hanayo: Ri-Rin! Rin: Heheh! I'm the tag champion. Maki: Whatever... I don't mind losing to you at tag, Rin. You're so nimble. Hanayo: Rin won, so today's lunch is on me and Maki. Rin: Yay! I want a barbecued-pork bowl. Kotori: Whew... This should be far enough. Honoka: I saw Umi heading for the auditorium just now. So even if she comes this far, it will take her about another five minutes. Kotori: Maybe we should go to the auditorium one more time before Umi gets here. Honoka: Yeah! That way, we can win without being seen by Umi. Umi: ...Oh! Honoka: If Umi doesn't see us, she has to buy us lunch, right? Honoka: I definitely want to beat her and make her buy me lunch. Umi: Hmmm... Kotori: Ah! Honoka: What should I get Umi to buy me? Bread is good, but the question is, what kind? It's a poser and no mistake. Honoka: Today I feel like... a cheese-curry-filled roll, or maybe an apricot Danish... Kotori: Honoka... Honoka: Oh, but a bacon and potato roll would be hard to resist... Kotori: Behind you! Behind you! Honoka: Huh? Is there something behind me? Umi: Me! Honoka: Ghaaa! U-Umi! Umi: Honoka. Kotori, I've got you both. Well, to be honest, I spotted you guys ages ago. Honoka: Whaa?! I had no idea! Kotori: You're good at hiding your presence. Honoka: N-no fair! What about my yaki-soba bread? Umi: *Giggle* Neither of you are any good at tag. Kotori: But I... Honoka: Huh? Kotori? Nico: *Pant*.... *Pant* Eli: Nozomi, I can't compete with you. Nozomi: Heheh! I win! Honoka: You guys were playing tag as well? Maki: Rin beat us hands down. Hanayo: Being quick on your feet sure helps with tag. Rin: Ta-da! Check out the barbecued-pork bowl I got! Maki: We all ended up getting the same... Umi: *Giggle* What's the problem? It looks lovely. Come on, let's have lunch. Honoka: Wait, Umi. Kotori just disappeared. I wonder where she went. Umi: Kotori? Honoka: Kotori, answer if you're there! Umi: She's nowhere to be seen. She was with us just a minute ago. Wherever did she go? Honoka: It doesn't look like there's anyone over here, either. Kotori: Hehehehe! Umi: Huh? Honoka: I wonder where Kotori went. Umi: H-H-Honoka... Honoka: Huh? Waa-waaaaaahhh! A demon! Umi: Honoka, stay back! There's a demon! Kotori: Ahem! I have something for you. Honoka: The demon is giving me... cho-chocolate?! Kotori: Yup! Enjoy! Umi: Wait, you're not a demon, you're Kotori! Honoka: Kotori! Why are you wearing a demon mask? Kotori: I thought it would help me win at tag. Umi: You weren't happy about losing to me at tag, were you? Honoka: Ha ha ha! Kotori doesn't like losing. Why don't we all share the chocolate? Kotori: OK!

Story 2

Eli: ...................... Nico: Eli, what's up? Eli: Um... Well... It-It's nothing. Nico: Huh? What is it? Something's wrong, so spit it out! Maki: Eli, it's not like you to act so nervous. Eli: Well... OK, I'll tell you, but... Nico: Please do! Eli: Have you ever given or received chocolate from someone? Nico: Huh? Maki: Is that all? Boring! Eli: So, you've never done either, Maki? Maki: Errr... Eli: Have you ever given someone chocolate? Or received some? Maki: Tsk! What's with you today, Eli? Nico: Just answer the question already! Maki: Well, if you are so keen to hear what I have to say, what about you, Nico? Nico: It's different. You're not attractive like me. Maki: Huh? what do you mean "not attractive"? Nico: Come off it! I'm Nico, I'm like the school idol Symbol of Love, right? Eli: I guess that's true... Nico: So every Valentine's Day I get, like, 500 crates of chocolates. Maki: 5-500?!? Are you for real? Nico: What? Of-Of course! Eli: Wow! Nico, you really are the Symbol of Love. Nico: Nico equals the Love Star of Attraction, and the Love Star of Attraction equals me! Eli: The Love Star of Attraction?!? Nico: In other words, you, Maki, and you, Eli, are in a different league from me. Maki: M-me? I'm not in a different league. Eli: Huh? Maki, do you mean to say you are a Symbol of Love as well? Maki: Oh please! Nico: Maki is too stubborn and unattractive. Maki: That's not true! Someone as perfect as me gets lots of offers... Really... Maybe... Eli: Is that so?! Nico: No chance for you though, Eli. Eli: Hey! I-I stand at least some chance... I think... Nico: Hmpf! Neither of you are remotely attractive. Maki: That's hardly our fault. It's not like we have any opportunities. Neither do you, for that matter. Nico: I belong to everyone. It would be a sin to attach myself to just one person. Eli: I... don't have any experience in these matters, but I know what kind of person I'm looking for. Maki: Really? What's your type? Eli: I don't know what would be my ideal partner, but I'd like to know the happiness of love. Nico: Well, dur! That's sooo obvious! Eli: It may be obvious, but I think that kind of feeling is easy to lose track of. Maki: I know what Eli is trying to say, but doesn't that have more to do with how you feel, rather than how your partner behaves? Eli: I guess you're right. What about you, Maki? What's your type? Maki: Me? I... I don't really have a particular type. Nico: Really? You don't mean to say that just anyone will do, right? Maki: I dunno, but... someone sincere would be nice. Eli: You mean, someone who doesn't tell lies, right? Maki: The odd little white lie wouldn't be a problem, but I want someone who would never stab me in the back when it's important. Eli: Yeah. You wouldn't be able to trust someone who lied about important stuff. How about you, Nico? What's you type? Nico: I belong to everyone. It would be a sin to attach myself to just one person. Maki: We heard that already. Eli: I'm so happy with my life with µ's right now, it's hard to imagine falling in love. Maki: I know. I'm happy, but I don't really have any free time. Nico: You two! It's better that way. Nico: I mean, we're school idols! Being innocent in the ways of love makes us more attractive. Eli: I guess there's no chance for any of us...

Story 3

Umi: Shall we melt it first? Nozomi: I've put some hot water in this bowl. Put the bowl with the chocolate in it in the water and slowly mix it. Rin: OK! How's this? Umi: Ah! If you mix it that hard, you'll... Rin: Ooops! I think I got some water in the chocolate. Nozomi: Oh dear! Umi: I think you should take a bit more care about what you're doing. Nozomi: Don't worry about it. It's only to be expected from someone who's specialty is instant ramen. Rin: Humpf! But I'm going to try my best today. Umi: Some water got in, so shall we start over? Nozomi: It was only a tiny drop. It'll probably be fine if we carry on. What do you think? Rin: Let's start again! Umi: I reckon that's the best idea was well. You're full of beans today, aren't you, Rin? Rin: Yep! I want everyone to enjoy super yummy chocolate. Umi: You said we'd make chocolates for everyone in µ's, right? Nozomi: *Giggle* We are so lucky to have your devotion, Rin. Rin: Really? Do you think everyone will be pleased. Nozomi: No doubt about it! And we'll help. Umi: OK, let's start over. I'll show you how to do it properly this time. Rin: *Badum* *Badum* Nozomi: Oooh, this looks pretty good. Rin: You think? Umi, is this OK? Umi: ................... Rin: Eh? It... It's no good? Umi: Hehe! It look lovely. Perfect, in fact. Rin: Wahey! Everyone's chocolate is ready. Nozomi: Well done, Rin! Rin: Thanks! Umi: What about some kind of topping? Nozomi: We should do lots of toppings, like nuts, or chocolate sprinkles. I've got an icing pen as well. Rin: Roger! It'll be super fun, like drawing a picture! Nozomi: Rin, you do know what Valentine's Day is, don't you? Rin: Of course I do. It's the day you give chocolate to people who have been kind to you and helped you out. Umi: Err... Well, kind of... Rin: Huh? It isn't? Nozomi: Err, Rin, we do give chocolates to people who have been kind to us on Valentine's Day, but really you are supposed to give them to the person you love. Rin: Really? But everyone is µ's is always looking out for me, and I love everyone, so it's no problem at all, right? Nozomi: I guess. But... you may get a chance one day, Rin. Rin: A chance? Nozomi: Someone you truly love! Umi: Errr... Rin: But isn't that Hanayo and Maki and everyone? Nozomi: Maybe you'll have a chance when you are a bit more grown up. Nozomi: Someone so important that you won't need anyone else as long as they are around. Rin: Huh? Umi, do you have someone like that? Umi: What?!? I do-don't have anyone like that at all! Nozomi: If you put your mind to it, can't you think of someone? Umi: Wh-what the... I don't... Nozomi: When you are with that special someone, you turn into a different person. Rin: Ooh! I don't really know what you're talking about, but it gets my heart racing. Nozomi: If I manage to meet someone like that, I want to make them super-yummy chocolate. Umi: Waaaa! Rin: Umi screamed! Umi: No-Nozomi! Please stop talking about this stuff!!! Rin: Huh? But it's fun... Nozomi: Umi, does that mean you have someone in mind? Umi: NO! Stop being so... indecent! Rin: Oh! Umi's nose is bleeding! Umi: Well, it's your fault for being so crude. Rin: Tissue, tissue! Someone get Umi a tissue. Nozomi: Sorry, Umi. Maybe I went a bit too far.

Story 4

Kotori: La la la! Honoka: Huh? Kotori, you're looking happy. Kotori: Teehee! To tell you the truth... Ta da! Honoka: Oh! What a cute box! Hanayo: Ahhh! Th-that-that chocolate... Honoka: Huh! What's up, Hanayo? Hanayo: Isn't that chocolate from a super-famous store? I think I saw it on TV recently. Kotori: Hehehe! That's riiight! It's made by a prize-winning chocolatier. Honoka: Chocolatier? But now that you mention it, there is a lovely smell of chocolate. Hanayo: But they said on TV that it's really expensive, and you have to wait for aaages. Hanayo: Oh! Kotori, could it be that you are going to give that to someone special? Honoka: Someone special? No... No way! Hanayo: Honoka, do you know who Kotori's special someone is? Honoka: No way! No way! You mean we don't get to eat it? Hanayo: You want to eat it, don't you? Kotori: Hehe! Relax, you two. I bought it so we could eat it together. Honoka: Really! Yay! Hanayo: But, isn't it really expensive? Kotori: I just got a three-piece box, so I could afford it on my allowance. Honoka: Th-three pieces? Chocolate is sold by the piece?! Hanayo: I wonder how much one piece is... Kotori: Honoka, Hanayo, forget about the price and eat your chocolate. Honoka: OK! I've been waiting for this! Hanayo: This is the first time I've had such amazing chocolate. Kotori: Say aah, Honoka! Honoka: Aah! Kotori: Hanayo, say aah! Hanayo: Aah! Honoka: Nom nom nom... This is... Hanayo: So... so good! Kotori: It's got herbs in it, which give it a more grown-up taste. Hanayo: I was nervous, but eating the chocolate seems to have calmed me down a bit. Honoka: Nervous? What, the prospect of eating delicious chocolate made you nervous? Hanayo: No. I was nervous because I thought you were going to give this chocolate to someone special. Kotori: I don't have anyone like that. Hanayo: That's true. It's the same for all of us. Kotori: Yeah! But... even if there was someone, I don't think I'd have the nerve to give them some chocolate. Hanayo: Kotori... Kotori: I always follow what you guys are doing. I've got to learn to do things by myself. Hanayo: I feel the same way, Kotori. Kotori: You do? Hanayo: Yeah. Like, I worry about what would happen if I was rejected, or what I would do if something went wrong with the relationship later. Hanayo: I'm not talking about romance and stuff like that. As soon as something starts, I always think about things too much. It's not good. Honoka: I know what you mean. Kotori: You do? Honoka: I'm definitely not giving anyone anything. Hanayo: Honoka, you don't have the courage to give someone chocolate either? Honoka: Come on! There's no way I could not eat chocolate as tasty as this and give someone else instead. Hanayo: Huh? Honoka: I know I'd have to open the box before I gave it to them, and then I'd definitely eat them all myself. Kotori: Honoka, you really are a greedy-guts. Honoka: Eh? I thought we were talking about how chocolate is too tasty to give to someone else. Hanayo: No, but it's fine you think that way, Honoka. Kotori: Hehe! I agree. Honoka: I don't know why, but now I've had one chocolate, I just want more. Kotori: Right then, I'll make some. Honoka: Eh?! Really? Kotori: Yep! For you, Honoka, I'll make as many chocolates as you want. Hanayo: Shall we go buy the ingredients and get to it? Kotori: Yay! Let's go! Let's go! Honoka: Yippee! Kotori, Hanayo, I love you guys!