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“Everyone, please remember to bring in your math workbooks tomorrow for grading. And don’t forget about your kanji test tomorrow, so be sure to study tonight!”
“Yes ma’am!!!”, the class of first graders half-heartedly replied. They were all too busy staring at the clock hanging over their teacher’s head, seconds away from the bell signaling their freedom.
“Oh! And I know that because Valentine’s Day is Saturday, some of you will be gifting your chocolates tomorrow. But trading and eating food is not allowed before or after school, so save them for the end of the day.”
The teacher couldn’t have timed her final statement more perfectly. With the school bell ringing right as she finished, no one could hear the loud complaints and whining coming from a large portion of the class.
“That’s not fair!!”
“Why can’t we eat our chocolate at lunch?!”
“Do cards count?”
“Then how do I give out my secret one?”
Some students barreled to the front of the classroom to intercept their teacher, begging for more leeway. The majority however stuffed their backpacks with their papers and supplies to leave as quickly as possible.
Futaba was in the latter group, struggling to shove her history book into her cramped backpack. Once she succeeded, she was surprised as she looked up to see Kaoruko towering over her. She wasn’t surprised with Kaoruko being there, that was a given everyday. What was surprising was the annoyed glare on her face, and her hands on her hips.
“What is this that I am hearing about chocolate, and why didn’t I know anything about it? What is this Valentime’s Day?!”, Kaoruko interrogated, bringing her face closer with each question towards Futaba’s.
“Back up a bit, jeez!” Futaba said, taking her pointer finger and pushing Kaoruko back upright. “It’s just another Western holiday”, she stated plainly as she got up from her desk. She took Kaoruko’s hand in her own and the duo started their route back to Kaoruko’s home for dance practice.
Kaoruko huffed. “Oh, so I guess it’s something like Halloween, right? More tricks and treats or something else dumb?”
“Not really. It’s some kind of romantic holiday.”
A switch flipped in Kaoruko’s head from annoyed disappointment to pure excitement. “Romantic?!” the young girl gasped aloud with her eyes wide in wonder. Futaba’s heart warmed at the sight.
“Yeah!”, she happily explained. “It’s all about love! It’s a day where girls make chocolates for the boys they like and then confess their love to them or something. There’s other stuff you can give too, like flowers and cards or-“,
Futaba cut herself off as she saw that Kaoruko’s excitement switch had flipped off the second she heard the word ‘boys’. Her nose was crinkled in disgust, and she had let go of Futaba’s hand to bring both of her own close to her chest, gripping her top.
“For boys?! That has to be a joke! A sick, cruel joke! Who would want to do that, and not even get anything in return?! Boys are the worst! They’re all so gross and vulgar and-“
“Okay, okay, I get it, you hate boys.” Futaba interrupted while rolling her eyes. “But that’s just what most people do. You can still give chocolate to your a girl or friends if you want.”
“Really?”, questioned Kaoruko. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”
“It’s true, really!”, Futaba reassured while taking both of Kaoruko’s hands into her own. “That’s probably what most of the girls in class are doing anyway.”
Kaoruko breathed a sigh of relief and her bright smile returned. “Well what a relief! That would have been a waste of a holiday. So, what are you getting me?”
“Oh, uh,”, Futaba sputtered in surprise. “I wasn’t planning on anything.”
“Oh…”, Kaoruko breathed, her grip on Futaba’s hand going slack as she continued walking alongside her. She pitifully stared at the ground, pouting. “I guess you don’t love me like I thought you did”, she solemnly spoke.
“Oh no,” Futaba thought. “If I don’t get her something, she’s gonna hate me forever. Man, why did I even tell her about this stuff when I knew she would love so much about it!!”
“W-Wait! I didn’t mean it like that!!” Futaba cried out. “They, the uh, the candy store! They didn’t have your favorite chocolates so I couldn’t get any! But that was a few days ago, so they should have more now!!”
“I hope so, that would be nice.” Kaoruko nodded approvingly at Futaba’s save. “And what about our date?” She posed cutely and blinked several times, no doubt her attempt at trying to flutter her eyelashes.
The attempt failed, and Futaba raised an eyebrow at the question. “A date? Kaoruko, I don’t have money for that. We’re kids!”
“Excuse you! I’m not a kid, I’m a lady”, Kaoruko scoffed, and putting great emphasis on ‘lady’.
“Uh-huh, whatever. You’re still just 6 years old”, Futaba smirked and used her free hand to poke one of Kaoruko’s adorably chubby cheeks.
Kaoruko’s face turned bright red, with both anger and embarrassment. “I—I’m almost 7!!” she shrieked. “We’ll be the same exact age!!”
“Yep, for a month. And then I’ll be 8. And you’ll have to wait almost a whole year to catch up-ow! Ow, hey, cut it-Kaoruko!! Stop hitting me!!”
———
The large wooden door rattled loudly, as Futaba pushed it aside. She didn’t understand why Kaoruko wished why her house had a doorbell, when the door did the job all on its own. “Hello! I’m here to pick up Kaoruko!!”, Futaba called out to the household. She fiddled with the clasps on her daruma bag as she heard the sound of Kaoruko’s mother shuffling over to greet her, as usual.
“Ara~, Futaba-han! Good to see you! Kaoruko will be along in a moment, she’s finished her practice just now”, her cheery expression quickly morphing into one of annoyance. “That girl, I swear! I always tell her that she can get her practice done with sooner if she woke up earlier, but I would have to drag her out of bed and dress her myself. I don’t know where she gets this laziness from…” she trailed off as Kaoruko’s excited footsteps drew closer. Futaba could already foresee Kaoruko’s face lit up with excitement, but she felt heat rising to her cheeks as the shoji screen slid open and Kaoruko made her appearance
It was a new outfit. A beautiful white dress adorned with a pink rose pattern, paired with white tights and a light pink cardigan to protect herself from the February chill. And to top it off, an adorable pink bow barrette pinning her bangs to the side.
Kaoruko had been called a living doll often from the people she was closest with, to even random tourists from around the world. But she truly looked like one today, in the best way. Futaba now felt incredibly underdressed. Jeans and her purple hoodie, under which she was wearing one of her favorites; a traditionally painted tiger print on a long sleeve black T. She shook herself out of her thoughts when she realized Kaoruko and her mother were bickering over Kaoruko’s outfit.
“I told you, that outfit is for our dinner tomorrow with the Fujima family. I don’t want you getting it dirty-“
“I’m not gonna get it dirty! Futaba-han and I are just…” Kaoruko’s retort turned into a mumble, as she didn’t really know what she was doing with Futaba for the day.
Futaba stepped in. “We’re just going for a walk Auntie, honest.” Which wasn’t really a lie. “I won’t let Kaoruko get into trouble and ruin her dress, I promise!”, even throwing in a quick little salute pose to ease the tension.
“See Mother? You trust Futaba-han, right? Right?”
The elder Hanayagi sighed. “Fine. But don’t wear the shoes. And if there is so much as a rip on those tights or a grass stain, just know that your grandmother will not be happy with you.”
Futaba was already helping Kaoruko into a selected pair of shoes before the mother could finish her sentence. “What on earth has you two in such a hurry?”
“NOOOOOTHINNNNNG~”, the 6 year old singsonged as she haphazardly dragged Futaba and herself out the door, slamming it shut. The two could hear the mother’s concerned call, but knew she wouldn’t follow as they ran off hand in hand, Kaoruko giggling in excitement and Futaba from Kaoruko’s giddiness rubbing off on her.
——
“Annnd there. Now you can sit”, Futaba said as she smoothed out the final corner of the picnic blanket. They had ended up at their usual spot, right next to the Kamogawa River. It wasn’t secluded or quiet, but the view of the river and the city was excellent for people watching. Kaoruko loved that. Munching on forbidden snacks and making up dramatic stories about the groups of people they would see was one of her favorite activities.
Kaoruko knelt down to sit and beamed when she noticed Futaba starting to rummage through her bag. “So, what kind of chocolates did you get me?”
Futaba felt a lurch of guilt in her stomach once she saw Kaoruko’s face. Her eyes were practically sparkling, and her smile was so cute…
“Oh, well… you see, I kinda-“
“You didn’t get me anything? You lied?” Kaoruko’s face started to fall.
“No, no! It’s just that, chocolate’s expensive, y’know?”, Futaba explained, worried about Kaoruko’s reaction. “I tried asking for my allowance early, but mom said no, so I had to ge you something else. But it’s Valentine’s themed, and it’s candy! I swear!” That seemed to perk Kaoruko back up a bit, thankfully.
“Okay, now close your eyes.”
Kaoruko quickly covered her eyes.
“…Kaoruko, I know you try to peek like that.”
“No I don’t!!”
“Just close your eyes like normal and hold out your hands!”
Kaoruko huffed in annoyance, but obeyed. She did start beaming again as she heard the sound of a candy wrapper rustling and something being played in her hand.
“‘Kay, open!”
Kaoruko looked down to her hands, and gasped in surprised. “A heart-shaped lollipop?! They make those?!”, she exclaimed.
Futaba grinned, pleased that Kaoruko was satisfied. “Uh-huh! It’s cherry-flavor too”, she replied as Kaoruko eagerly ripped off the wrapper and shoved the lollipop into her mouth.
“MmmMMMMM!!! So sweeeeet!”, Kaoruko squealed in delight. “Thank you, thank you Futaba-han!”, she said as she lurched over to hug Futaba.
Futaba’s chest felt so warm. It always made her happy to share sweets with Kaoruko, but this occasion was special, in a way. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Kaoruko”, she said, reciprocating the hug.
The two stayed like that for a moment, until Futaba broke her side of the hug to grab her bag again. “Oh, wait! I forgot I have something else for you too!”, she said, beaming confidently. The lollipop was a massive success, so she knew that this next part would only make Kaoruko even happier.
Kaoruko hummed in surprise, not daring to take the sweet out of her mouth. But she was practically wiggling in anticipation for more presents.
Futaba turned back around, a spread of cards in her hand. “Ta-daaaah! I saved you some Pokémon cards I knew you’d like!”
Kaoruko gasped in surprise, nearly losing her lollipop. She snatched the cards out of Futaba’s hand, eagerly flipping through them.
Futaba was the real Pokémon fan, not Kaoruko. She didn’t have any game systems to play the games on. Her family had a television, but she rarely if ever had control of what was on. It it wasn’t a drama or the news, her family’s television was usually off. But what she did like was looking at the various cards that Futaba would get whenever she bought herself a new pack. Kaoruko didn’t care if a card was powerful or popular; she just cared if the Pokémon or the art was cute. So now, whenever Futaba got new packs, Kaoruko would get whatever cute ones she liked.
She ooh’d and aah’d over each individual card. That is, until she remembered what Futaba had said.
“I saved you some Pokémon cards I knew you’d like!”
“Saved you”
Kaoruko glanced at the cards in her hand. She took the lollipop out of her mouth and stared at it.
Futaba started to notice the look of concern on her friend’s face. “Uh… Kaoruko? Are you okay? Do you like the ca-“
“Futaba-han?”
“Y-Yeah?”
“…You used most of your allowance on Pokémon cards again instead of me, didn’t you?”
Futaba gasped in shock. “What?! No! I’d never do that!”
Kaoruko frowned.
“I’m serious, Kaoruko!”
Kaoruko raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, I bought A pack. One! But you know those are cheap! I still wouldn’t have been able to get you chocolate!”
Kaoruko glared.
“I wanted to be you some, honest!”
Kaoruko leaned forward until she was almost nose to nose with Futaba.
“Futaba-han…”
“OKAY OKAY I ADMIT IT! I BOUGHT TOO MANY PACKS AND FORGOT!”
Kaoruko closed her eyes and smiled, nodding sagely. “Good, good. I’m glad you told me the truth, Futaba-han.”
“Y-You are? You’re not mad?”, Futaba timidly asked.
“Oh, I am”, Kaoruko said. She laid down the cards gently on the blanket, and Futabaheard a loud crunch as Kaoruko bit off the very last bit of the lollipop and placing down the stick as well.
And before Futaba knew it, she was being pummeled by tiny angry fists.
“FUTABA-HAN YOU BIG BIG BIG BIG DUMMYYYYYYY!!!!!”
“AAAAA-STOP-OW-GEEZ-OKAY-I KNOW-OW!!!”
Eventually the onslaught of hitting stopped. It didn’t really hurt; Kaoruko refused to ever pick up anything heavier than chopsticks. But Futaba still knew she deserved.
“I’m sorry Kaoruko, I really, really am”, Futaba muttered.
“You should be”, Kaoruko stated. “You ruined my very first Valentine’s Day. Ever!!” She was facing away from Futaba at this point, refusing to look at her.
“I know, I know, I’m sorry… can I do anything for you to forgive me?”, Futaba pleaded, on her knees.
“Anything?”
“Anything.”
Kaoruko paced and hummed in mock concentration, like this was the most difficult choice in the world. Futaba was about to ask her again when she finally tired around, beaming.
“First off, you need to buy me chocolate as soon as you have the money for it. And not cheap chocolate, EXPENSIVE chocolate! And you have to get it for me every year forever and ever!”
Futaba’s eyes widened in surprise. She was expecting much worse. “That’s it? I-I mean, yeah, I will!”
Kaoruko tutted. “Oh, Futaba-han. That’s only one part.”
Futaba’s face paled. “Uh… how many parts are there?”
“As many as I see fit. I think I’ll keep adding on until I’m statisfied.”
“What? You can’t do that!”
“Oh, I can’t? Oh, well, I guess I’ll never forgive you, then. You’ll never see me dance again, you’ll never get to see me in full bloom, you’ll never-“
“Alright get it, I’ll do whatever you want!”, Futaba sighed in exasperation.
“That’s what I thought”, Kaoruko smiled sweetly. “Now, in regards to school…”
——
“There you two are!”, Kaoruko’s mother sighed in relief as she watched the pair walk up to the Hanayagi residence. “I was starting to get worried. What kept you two?”
“Ah, sorry Auntie”, Futaba sheepishly replied. “We were, uh…”
“I helped some tourists with directions.”, piped up Kaoruko. “And they wouldn’t stop telling us how cute we were, so we got distracted.”
“Ah, well that’s nice dear. Now come in, dinner will be ready in a few minutes. You have a good night, Futaba-han. We’ll see you tomorrow”, Kaoruko’s mother said before slipping back inside.
“Nice save, thanks”, Futaba whispered before the two broke out into giggles.
“You’re welcome. Not that you’ve really earned it yet, so you’re lucky I’m so nice”, Kaoruko said smugly.
Futaba smiled. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
The two stared at each other, feeling somehow awkward in the moment.
“I guess I should go in now, before my mother gets mad.”
“Yeah, I should go too…”
“…Happy Valentine’s Day, Futaba-han.”
“Happy Val-“
Futaba couldn’t finished her sentence. Because in a split second, Kaoruko had given her her gift. Futaba couldn’t even react in time, as Kaoruko immediately bolted inside of her house the moment she broke the kiss.
Futaba didn’t know how long she stood there outside of Kaoruko’s home, frozen in shock, trying to process what had just happened. But the next thing she knew, she ran home so quickly that she felt like she was flying.
Futaba would forever be making up for her first Valentine’s Day gifting mistake. But unfortunately for her, she could never top what Kaoruko gave her on thheir first Valentine’s Day.