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It all started during a break, as the 104th-term students, called the Hasu no Shoushihenkei, gathered together and talked, and Ginko was there with them.

“By the way, what are everyone's plans for Valentine’s Day?”

When her classmate, Izumi Katsuragi, asked this, Ginko replied with “Nothing in particular.” However, it seemed that Hime and Kosuzu were planning to spend the day with their respective seniors.

Ginko, of course, knew about the tradition of giving chocolate to close friends or acquaintances as a sign of appreciation. That’s why she had at least thought about giving some convenience-store chocolate to Hinoshita Kaho, her senior in the Cerise Bouquet.

But Kosuzu, Hime, and even Izumi, all seemed to have already decided what they would do for Valentine’s Day.

Ginko thought: This is bad.

By now, Ginko knew Kaho’s personality inside and out. If Kaho found out the other members were spending Valentine’s Day with their unit partners, she’d definitely get jealous.

It would be mentally exhausting to do paperwork while dealing with a senior pouting and muttering, “I’m so jealous, I’m so jealous,” right next to her.

So when Kosuzu peeked innocently and asked, “Ginko-chan, what about you?”

Ginko hid her inner turmoil behind a smile and replied, "Of course, I’ve got something planned."

Even though she hadn't thought of a single thing!

・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

“Here you go, Kaho-senpai.”

Ginko extended the wrapped chocolate into the empty room.

February 14th. Valentine’s Day had arrived in the blink of an eye. Since it was a Saturday, so school is closed. No one was in the clubroom. No one, that is, except Ginko.

Last night, immediately after school, she had rushed back to her family home. With the help of her mother and grandmother, she had finished crafting some handmade chocolates. She wasn't very familiar with making western sweets, but after ruining several trial batches, she felt the final product had turned out well... she hoped.

She wrapped it in a sunlit yellow package, tied it with a pale blue ribbon, and it looked presentable enough… she hoped.

There was just one issue: Ginko hadn't mentioned Valentine’s to Kaho at all! She hadn’t asked her out or made any plans to spend the day together.

It’s not like that! I have my reason!

After all, Kaho-senpai had a hectic schedule this month. She had been busy with the final stage of the “Triple Flower Operation” and solo live practice. She couldn’t even bring herself to suggest a Valentine’s date, seeing how packed Kaho’s schedule was.

Even though she knew Kaho would never actually say it, if Kaho ever shut her down with a cold “Ginko-chan... read the room.”, it would be game over for Ginko.

And so, here she was in the clubroom alone, practicing how to hand over the chocolate.

“Here, Kaho-senpai. There’s no deep meaning behind it, it’s just... a thank-you for everything.”

Adding an unnecessary disclaimer, Ginko fell silent. “I feel like the more I prepare for this, the more embarrassing it gets...”

The smartphone on the desk vibrated. Looking down, she saw a message from Kaho: “I'm heading to the clubroom now.”

Ginko froze.

Why am I getting so nervous now?!! It’s just giving Kaho-senpai some chocolate!

Ginko reflected on her own actions. She had gone out of her way to call Kaho to the clubroom on a day off. If she was going to give it to her, she should have just stopped Kaho yesterday before going to bed and handed it over casually! Making a formal rendezvous out of it was a mistake!

What if she just left the chocolate on the desk with a note? Something like, "Please take this, Kaho-senpai," or "I had extras, so please have some."

While she was busy contemplating such disrespectful ideas, the clubroom door swung open with a bam!

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Ginko-chan!”

As always, a smile bright as sunshine entered the room. It was Hinoshita Kaho.

Ginko flinched slightly but turned around and forced a smile.

“G-Good morning. Um, well…”

“What’s this? You wanted me to come to the club room? Something you want to talk about?”

“It’s not exactly that…”

Ginko took a deep breath and extended the chocolate she had been hiding behind her back.

“Here. Please accept it.”

“A gift!? Eh, that’s rare~”

Avoiding Kaho's gaze, Ginko fought desperately trying to choke back the words that were about to spill out of her mouth.

Just take it!

I had extras, you want 'em? They probably aren't even that good.

She shut down those stubborn, dishonest excuses bubbling up inside her and forced herself to speak, even if her voice was a little shaky.

“It’s a thank-you gift. For everything you’ve done for me this past year, Kaho-senpai.”

She added, “It’s... handmade. I hope you find it to your liking.”

“!!”

Kaho’s eyes lit up.

“Thank you, Ginko-chan! I’m so happy!”

“W-whoa—”

Before she knew it, Kaho had already hug her.

Ginko caught the smaller girl in her embrace. As always, her senior is overly affectionate. It wasn’t unpleasant… though.

“Oh, right, Ginko-chan. Actually, I’ve got a present for you too.”

Only then did Ginko notice that Kaho was holding a small paper gift bag.

“Huh? What is it?”

“Fufufu, here, take this!”

With a proud grin, Kaho held something out. It was wrapped in soft, gentle light-blue paper.

“It’s chocolate from me! It’s not handmade, but I asked some girls in my class for recommendations. It’s really delicious!”

“Ah, thank you very much.”

Kaho smiled brightly.

“A little thank-you for everything.”

“I’m honored.” Replying with words that were, as usual, far from cute, Ginko accepted the chocolate.

Whenever Kaho said "thank you," Ginko’s inner voice would protest, that’s not right, is it?

Ginko felt like she was the one constantly receiving, never truly giving enough back. She felt guilty about it.

Still, she’d finally gotten better at keeping those feelings tucked away. Even if Kaho probably saw right through her.

“Um... Kaho-senpai. I know how busy you’ve been lately, but...”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“If you're free tomorrow... and only if you have the time... would you like to go out somewhere? You know... as a thank you for the chocolate.”

Ginko held up the wrapped gift as she spoke.

Kaho smiled at her.

“White Day’s still a long way off, you know.”

“I’ll prepare something for White Day too. This is just a return for your everyday kindness.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Kaho narrowed her eyes and let out a soft giggle, then gave a big nod.

“Alright then! Let’s go out.”

She had meant to spend the day finishing paperwork for the Bloom Garden Party.

“Kaho-senpai.”

But it didn’t have to be done today.

“Hmm?”

While Kaho hugged the chocolate wrapper to her chest, Ginko clutched the present she had received as well.

“There’s somewhere I’d like to go—”

She had already done the research.

Of course, it was a place Kaho would probably love.