Shimaori Game Shop.
Shimaori Yōsuke was busy hauling rows of equipment out of the shop to display them outside.
By coincidence, Manager Chiyama from the store across the street was also directing his staff to move equipment. The two exchanged a glance—sparks practically flying.
Shimaori cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted:
"Hey! Atlus is about to release a new game—on the SEGA platform! It's definitely going to be a huge hit!"
Manager Chiyama snorted. "Look at you being all smug. On the eighteenth, the Famicom will resume distribution. The games launching alongside it will be big hits too!"
He gestured for his staff to put up a poster on the window.
A joint release by Hudson and Nintendo—Love Cottage.
A third voice suddenly cut through their shouting match.
"Love Cottage is nice, but I'm sure Atlus's game won't be bad either."
Kobayashi Tetsu stepped between them, blocking their line of sight. Only then did Manager Chiyama turn away and head back into his store.
Shimaori flashed a triumphant, child-like grin.
"See? That guy's no good."
"Don't underestimate the Famicom. Hudson is pretty famous, you know."
Kobayashi leaned toward the doorway to peek inside. Shimaori immediately understood.
"She's not here. Haven't seen her these past few days."
"That's fine—I wasn't here to find her anyway."
Kobayashi lowered his voice, suddenly mysterious.
"You already know Atlus's next game is launching on SEGA. But privately—through my uncle who works there—I've learned a secret. I'm telling you this off the record."
"This game… will completely shatter your expectations."
Shimaori sucked in a lungful of air, clutching his chest in alarm.
Shatter his expectations?
What on earth!? Even more cryptic than the guy next door!
He pressed a hand over his heart.
Not good.
This is the feeling of excitement!
He had to tell all his regular customers immediately—everyone needed to know what kind of game was coming next!
…
…
And so, time quietly rolled forward to February 14th.
Kobayashi Tetsu gave the entire studio the day off. Only afterward did he realize something important—
He had nowhere to go.
"So that's why you came here?"
"Yes. Because I realized I really don't have anywhere else to go."
Old Dick's Western Restaurant.
Kobayashi was slumped over the table, sounding helpless as he spoke with the manager.
It was Valentine's Day, but since it wasn't a holiday, the place wasn't busy.
The manager chuckled. "Never thought a talented young man like you wouldn't have a girl giving you chocolate."
"Can't be helped. I only just came back, and I don't know many people. I stay home most of the time—of course no one's giving me anything."
Kobayashi lifted both hands in resignation.
"Wait here a moment."
The manager went to the counter, returning with a small bag of chocolates wrapped in clear packaging.
Meeting Kobayashi's puzzled gaze, he explained, "Just think of it as giri-choco. Ning-ning and a few of the girls made these yesterday using the restaurant's equipment. They turned out great. Everyone gets a share."
Kobayashi clicked his tongue.
Honmei-choco is for someone you like.
Giri-choco is for friends or coworkers.
Everyone getting giri-choco… was rather disappointing.
Still, free is free. He accepted the bag and popped one into his mouth.
Made with proper equipment, the texture was smooth—just a little bitter.
The manager gave him a sympathetic look.
"See? On days like this, you should get out and meet more girls, or you'll end up eating alone on Valentine's Day. If you don't mind, we have a Valentine's Day Bachelor's Special! Very cheap!"
Kobayashi refused instantly.
Absolutely not.
He was not a lonely bachelor!
If it came to that, he'd rather go spend Valentine's Day with Naka Yuji.
…
…
Tobano High School, Home Ec Classroom.
Such classrooms were common in Japanese schools—used for simple cooking, sewing, cleaning, and other basic household skills.
It was nearly time to go home, but Kozakawa had stayed behind. She read from her textbook while fiddling with the ingredients on the counter.
Melting store-bought chocolate and reforming it wasn't pointless. Handmade chocolates carried more sincerity than anything purchased ready-made.
However—
Kozakawa slumped in her chair, exhausted.
This was too hard. She simply couldn't get the hang of it!
She had tried so earnestly, but every time she saw the final result, something felt off.
"And time's running out… If it gets too late, I won't even have the chance. Even though—even though I wouldn't have the chance to give it anyway… Ugh, I'm so useless."
Just then, another voice sounded from outside the room.
"What's wrong? Need some help?"
Kozakawa lifted her head. At the door stood a girl with short brown hair—Ezaki Nene.
"N-No, it's fine," Kozakawa murmured. "It's just chocolate. And it's already too late. I don't feel like doing it anymore."
If she couldn't make anything good, she might as well buy something ready-made.
"I see…"
Ezaki Nene smiled gently and walked in.
"But even if time is tight, sincerity is never late. So why not try one more time? Where's the problem? I'll help."
Kozakawa bit her lip, but eventually confessed.
"The flavor… is awful. I added sugar and butter, but it still tastes bad."
"That's because you didn't add salt."
"…Huh?"
Nene explained, "You need salt when making sweets. A little salt enhances the sweetness. Cocoa, butter, sugar—that's enough to make simple chocolate. But without salt, the flavor will always feel wrong. Cocoa, butter, sugar, and salt—those four together make the perfect balance. Salt brings the other ingredients together."
The two worked for a while, pouring the new chocolate mixture into molds—this time with that seemingly insignificant pinch of salt.
"Normally, you should let it set at room temperature. But if you're in a hurry, just put it in the freezer," Nene said. "About thirty minutes, and it'll be ready to eat."
"Thirty minutes…" Kozakawa calculated.
That should be enough.
She finally relaxed and sat quietly.
Nene smiled beside her. "Is it honmei-choco?"
"N-No… it's just giri-choco," Kozakawa insisted—though clearly lying. Then she suddenly countered, "What about you, senpai?"
Nene shook her head, her short hair swaying.
"Me? I don't have a boy I like right now. I do know someone, but it's not anything serious yet. So if anything, I guess mine would also be giri-choco."
Half an hour later, they retrieved the molds from the freezer and unmolded the hardened chocolates.
Kozakawa tasted one herself.
The flavor was different. Much better.
"Right?"
Eyes narrowing with a smile, Nene clasped her hands and encouraged her.
"Go ahead and wrap them up nicely. Whoever receives them will definitely be happy."
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