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Today was a day about love.
Little Nagito Komaeda didn’t know much about love. However, he knew that on this day, girls would give chocolates to the guys they liked. Unfortunately, there weren’t any girls in his life who liked him at the moment. Not even his own mother, who had passed away less than a year ago. But, Nagito was a curious child, so he took a quick trip to the store and bought a box for himself.
He was almost afraid to open it. He felt silly for feeling this way. It’s not like this was his first time eating chocolate. However, this was his first time eating chocolate that was meant to be given out of love. Would it taste better? Would it taste different at all?
If he knew what love tasted like, would it let him know what it felt like as a whole?
With that in mind, he opened the box and picked up one of the chocolates. He held it in front of his face, noting how it didn’t look any different, before putting it in his mouth. He let it sit on his tongue for a moment before swallowing. He took another moment to think about the taste, before his expression saddened.
“I… don’t taste anything…”
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Nagito!”
Eriko Mochizuki. Age 13. Average build for a girl her age, if a bit short. Pale skin, but not as pale as her classmate who stood before her. Straight caramel colored hair that went just below her shoulders and dark brown eyes. Her school bag had a little cat charm attached to the strap.
By all means, she was completely average, and Nagito felt complete indifference towards her. But, she had confessed to him a few days ago, and his wishful thinking that this would help him understand love led him to accept the offer. And that’s how he wound up with the girl presenting him with a box of chocolates.
“I baked them myself, but my mom was at work and couldn’t help me, so I think I messed it up. Sorry about that.” Eriko said before letting out a nervous giggle. Nagito looked at the box in his hands before allowing himself to smile at Eriko.
“It’s alright. If it’s from you, I’ll like it regardless.” He said the best thing he could think of. It worked, as Eriko had blushed in response. If he were any other guy, he might’ve found it cute.
“So, um… you wanna do something later?” Eriko asked. Nagito took a moment to think. He didn’t really have anything planned, but was he in the mood to put up his facade around Eriko any longer than what was needed? Then again, he wouldn’t learn anything about love if he just showed her basic kindness while letting her call herself his girlfriend.
“Sure. Let’s go to my house after school.” Nagito said. Eriko nodded before the two went to class.
After school, the two went to Nagito’s house, to which Eriko insisted on watching her favorite romance flick, having the DVD tucked in her bag as though she had planned to make him watch it with her before he even offered to let her come into his home. It was around halfway through the film, as the female lead took a moment to ponder how she felt about the two love interests, that he decided to ask a question.
“…Hey. Is this what love is to you?” Nagito asked.
“Eh? No, I just think this is a good movie. Why? Are you scared you’ll have to fight another guy for me?” Eriko playfully poked Nagito in the ribs a few times.
“What is love to you, then?” Nagito seemingly ignored the last part of her answer, making her pout. But then she thought about his question and shrugged.
“Love is… I don’t know. It’s a warm fuzzy feeling you get when you like someone, I guess.” Eriko said.
“How do you know when you like someone though? How did you know you liked me?” Nagito continued to probe the girl, causing her to avert her eyes as she thought even harder.
“Well… you’re really cute! And we sit next to each other in class, so I guess we just sort of have this connection! I mean, my friends like to make jokes about how you’ll apparently date anyone who asks, but I still think our relationship is special, y’know?” Eriko beamed at him.
“I’m cute? That’s it?” Nagito asked.
“Huh? Didn’t you hear how I said I think we have a-“ Eriko was cut off by Nagito grabbing her by the shoulders and pinning her to the couch, making her shriek as he dug his nails into her skin through her clothes. His eyes were dull and cold as he stared down at her.
“Why? Why did you feel that connection? Why with someone like me? Is it really just because I’m “cute” and sit next to you?” For the most part, Nagito’s voice sounded monotone. However, Eriko couldn’t help but notice some hints of desperation in his tone as he questioned her. Her throat went dry as her eyes frantically looked for a way she could get out of this situation. Nagito just stared at her expectantly, his head tilting to the side a little bit as she forced out her answer.
“I… I don’t know!” Eriko managed to get out. Nagito blinked, unresponsive. After a moment, he let go of her and sat up.
“Alright. See you at school, then.” Nagito said with a smile and wave. Eriko didn’t hesitate to get up and run out of Nagito’s house. She was in such a rush that she left some of her things behind, the movie still playing on the TV. And the box of chocolates was still in front of him on the table.
He picked it up and opened it, popping a piece into his mouth. A few seconds later, he spat it out and threw the box into the trash. She was right. She must’ve messed it up.
“…It’s bitter.” Nagito noted.
After that, he quickly forgot about the girl who sat next to him in class. And Eriko Mochizuki became just another failure in Nagito’s attempts to understand love.
Chiaki Nanami was admittedly a little hesitant to take the chocolates out of the oven. She had never made them before, and to her knowledge, Nagito never had much of a preference for sweet things in the first place. However, Nagito had told her about Valentine’s Day when he remembered she would have no recollection of what that was, and she wanted to do something for him. Apparently it was common to give chocolates to your love on this day, and neither she nor Nagito would be okay with her going outside to buy some. So, it looked like she’d have to make them herself.
With a new surge of confidence, Chiaki took the chocolates out of the oven. She tasted one to see if it would be good to give to Nagito, and determined it was fine. Not the best thing she ever had, but it was good enough. She nodded to herself before putting them in the fridge, deciding to wait until after dinner to give them to him. With that in mind, she started to prepare dinner as well.
“I’m home!”
It was a while after she finished cooking that Nagito came home. Chiaki happily paused her game and went to greet him.
“Hey, Nagito.” Chiaki said, doing her best to hide any signs that she had something special for him, wanting it to be a surprise. Nagito paused, as though he expected more from her. When he realized she had nothing more to say, he awkwardly laughed.
“You remembered what I told you, right?” Nagito asked. Chiaki tapped her chin for a few seconds, before her eyes lit up ever so slightly.
“Ah, I remember now.” Chiaki said. Nagito smiled.
“Great! I was worried that you-“
“I remembered what you said you wanted for dinner tonight. I was a little nervous because it was my first time making it, but I did it.” Chiaki said. Nagito’s smile faltered for a moment, but he kept his composure.
“Good! I… I’ll be right there, then.” Nagito said before going upstairs. Chiaki quietly giggled to herself. Sure, she felt a little bad that Nagito seemed upset at her facade, but she knew he’d cheer up once she surprised him.
Shortly afterwards, as the two ate dinner together, Chiaki couldn’t help but notice that Nagito seemed a little… out of it. Admittedly, he’d always been a little bit of an oddball. Not that it bothered her. If anything, his little quirks just added on to why she loved him so much. However, this felt different. He was absentmindedly picking at his food, while his eyes blankly stared ahead, not really focused on anything.
“Are you okay?” Chiaki asked, snapping Nagito out of his trance.
“Oh! I’m sorry! It’s just… I had high expectations for today, and they weren’t really met. I guess that’s my fault, though.” Nagito sighed.
“I see… don’t worry, then. I know something that will cheer you up.” Chiaki said.
“Huh? What is it?” Nagito asked.
“Eat your dinner first and I’ll give it to you.” Chiaki replied. Nagito nodded, eating his food at a much faster pace. For a second, Chiaki was scared he’d cause himself to choke. However, he noticed the look on her face and slowed down a little bit, allowing her to relax and continue eating as well.
It wasn’t long until they were both finished, Nagito looking slightly more eager as Chiaki told him to close his eyes. He nodded and shut his eyes before Chiaki went to the kitchen to retrieve the chocolates. She told him to open his eyes, and her smile couldn’t help but grow when she saw the look on his face.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” Chiaki said.
“You… you remembered?” Nagito asked.
“Yeah. I’m sorry I made it look like I forgot. I wanted it to be a surprise.” Chiaki replied.
Nagito looked hesitant to eat them, which in turn, made Chiaki nervous. Even more so when he brought himself to pick one up and put it in his mouth. However, the look in his eyes as he appeared to take in the taste turned her nervousness into curiosity.
“…It’s sweet.” Nagito muttered.
“Do you not like it? I know you don’t eat sweet things often, and I’ve never made chocolate before, so-“ Chiaki was cut off by Nagito suddenly getting up from his chair and hugging her, causing her to stumble back and the two to fall to the floor.
“I love it. Almost as much as I love you.” Nagito said before pressing his lips against hers, the taste of chocolate lingering on him.
Chiaki’s eyes widened. For a split second, her brain produced a vision. A vision of her exchanging a kiss with a different boy who told her he loved her. But alas, it was gone as soon as it came, and she immediately forgot about it as she shut her eyes and kissed Nagito back. The two were so engulfed by these feelings of love and bliss, that neither one knew just how long they stayed like that. But when they eventually felt the need to separate, a string of saliva connected them together as they both let out a large exhale.
“…I love you.” Nagito repeated.
“I love you too…” Chiaki said.
And so, as Nagito Komaeda laid there in Chiaki’s embrace, neither of them caring how uncomfortable the floor was, all he could do was smile and sigh in contentment. Because at long last, he finally knew what love tasted like. And it was more delicious than he could’ve hoped.