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Valentine's Day. An important celebration by lovers all around, a day to give chocolates to those who you care about and have high interests in. For those who are not knowledgeable in the Japanese style of Valentine’s, it is quite simple. The girl will give, or prepare, chocolates for the one whom she truly loves, as well as many friends or family members who she truly cares about. The man will then repay the gift on White day, usually giving back the value tenfold for the girl in question.
And now, we come to the man in question. Akira Kurusu. Sitting on one of the stools of Café LeBlanc, thinking of his only beloved, Okumura Haru. Despite only meeting her about 4 months ago, it was love at first sight. Her beauty, her refinement, the way she smiled even if the world crumbled behind her. She was beautiful.
It had been so long since he had seen her. His time in jail was somewhat odd. When you hear the word “Jail”, you’d typically think of the grimiest, most evil place ever. But his time there was nothing but boring. His time was defined by laying on his bed, reading books and working out. It was quiet most of the time, and he would only really need to leave his cell for food or hygiene. The one thing he missed was his friends, his family, and Haru. But seeing her again, and being able to hug the love of his life again, it revitalized him
Tomorrow was Valentine’s Day, and he was stumped. Not to say he didn’t want to enjoy that day with her. After all that time away, he just wanted to make up for lost time, it’s just… What would they do? They could go to the lake, but it would be a bit too outdoors. They could probably go to an amusement park, but after the whole situation with her father, he’d rather not open a scar with that one. Maybe to a fancy café, but it would probably be too crowded with other lovers. Wait, why not just LeBlanc. Akira could make her the best coffee she’s ever had, as a gift.
As soon as the idea came to mind, he got up from the stool and into the kitchen to practice his coffee making skills. After just a few minutes of shuffling around, he brewed up a cup and drank it. He hadn’t lost his skills. He’d just have to buy a few candles, and that would be all.
Haru Okumura, heir to the Okumura fortune, had just left Shibuya after finally being able to see her boyfriend for the first time after everything that had happened. Tomorrow was Valentine's Day, and she needed to make some chocolates for her only love. One who comforted and protected her during a time of need. Who gave it his all with every step he took, and who was passionately in love with her. Who’d give up anything to help her. She loved him for everything he was. Sure, he could be a bit of a geek and a tad bit unrefined, but she loved him for those same reasons.
She had already collected all the ingredients for the chocolate. Black cocoa powder, Dutch processed cocoa powder, Caribbean cocoa butter, maple syrup, and the ace in the recipe, flaky salt. She went to her kitchen and started up a pan full of water with a plate on top. When it started boiling, she placed the cocoa butter on the plate and stirred lightly. As the butter started to melt, she mixed in the 2 portions of the cocoa powder with the maple syrup until it was homogeneous. When the butter melted, she poured it on the mixture and let the chocolate cool. After that, she waited a bit for the mix to cool and relaxed. After about 30 minutes, she poured the mix into small heart shaped molds and placed a chunk of flaky salt into each. Putting them in the fridge to rest overnight.
“Perfect” Haru softly whispered as she put it on the fridge. And so, she took a bath, changed into her pajamas and went to sleep peacefully. She had been having nightmares ever since Akira had given himself to the police. She had always thought that Akira would never be the same after his time. That Akira wouldn't be able to recognize Haru after all that time stuck in prison. But today, the demons disappeared, and she slept soundly, with nothing on her mind to wake her up in a cold sweat.
— Dawn of Valentine's Day (7:00 AM) —
//
Akira: Good morning, darling.
Haru: Good morning, pumpkin slice.
Akira: Sorry, I couldn’t really talk to you much yesterday, I was pretty much bombarded with information yesterday.
Haru: It’s okay, I understand what you mean, business meetings make me exhausted sometimes.
Akira: Anyway… Meet me at 6:00pm, at LeBlanc.
Haru: Ooh, a surprise, huh?
Akira: Well, today is Valentine’s day, gotta make it right for my one and only.
\\
Akira got out of his bed, put on his school clothes, and went down. Sojiro had heated up his original curry a few moments before Akira woke up.
“Hey kid” Sojiro cleared his throat, “since it’s your first day back from the situation, I prepared you a nice and warm plate of curry for ya” He said as he started serving up a plate.
“Thanks, Sojiro” Akira got a spoonful of curry, then another, and another, shoveling down his plate at a rate faster than most, “I missed this curry soooo much. Jail food was just sooooooo bland” Akira spoke.
“I’m glad you like it” Sojiro spoke, then one single tear welled up, “It’s nice to have you back”
“It’s nice to be back too, as a free man” Akira spoke.
After chatting a bit more, Akira left the Café. He went to school meeting Ann on the way. “Happy Valentine's Day, Ann” Akira spoke up, “From Compadre to Compadre”.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Akira. ” Ann dittoed the vibe, “From Amigo to Amigo”
After a fair bit of cackling, they settled down and spoke while waiting for the train.
“So… How’s Shiho?” Akira asked.
“She’s doing great, we both made chocolates for each other, I got them here” Ann showed off her chocolates, wrapped in aluminum foil, in a clear plastic bag, with a bow closing the package.
“That’s cool.” Akira congratulated them, “I hope you guys enjoy yourselves”.
“It’s so good to have you back” Ann said, “So… How’s Haru?”
“She seems happy” Akira said, “I haven’t actually seen her today, we’ve got a little date going on at 6:00”
“Ooh, sounds fun” Ann said, “Well, I hope you two have fun today. As for me and Shiho, we plan on going to the crêpe shop at Kichijoji”
“I was planing on going there with Haru at first, but I thought something more personal was better” Akira spoke.
“With the coffee you prepare, I’m sure it’s going to be a blast” Ann gushed, “I wish I could have some of your coffee right now, would go amazingly with a crêpe”.
“I’ll make you some if you want, just gotta pass by LeBlanc” Akira invited, “But not today, still got the love of my life to impress more”.
“That would be great-” Ann got cut off by the train intercom, the train had arrived.
“Well, I’m going to find an open seat, if I’m lucky. Bye” Ann said.
They boarded the train, but got separated.
School rolled in for the first time, Kawakami was ecstatic to see him back. Most of the students kept to themselves, though. Haru and Akira met during the hallway between classes, but only exchanged grins and hellos, they’d speak further during the date. He spoke with Ryuji at lunch, as single as always, bragging about getting chocolate from his mom, they laughed in light of the situation and bid adieu. At the end of class, he returned to the Café.
Sojiro had closed the shop early, and Akira got to work. Lowering the brightness of the lightbulbs, getting the table ready, acquiring the ingredients and materials. It was all being prepared with the utmost care and love. Futaba got to see the process unfold inside the Café and decided to show up before his date with Haru.
“I’m liking what you’ve been doing to the shop” Futaba looked around as she entered, “Might tell Sojiro to keep the aesthetic”
“Yeah, it’s looking nice” Akira sighed, “I forget that you just have this place bugged from in’s and out’s”.
“Well, how else am I supposed to make jokes about the mishaps that happen in the store?” Futaba said.
“I suppose you are right” Akira said, “So, What do you want?”
“Why do you ask?” Futaba looked inquisitively at Akira.
“You came all the way to LeBlanc, I know you want something” Akira looked playfully menacingly at Futaba.
“Is it really that obvious?” Futaba sighed, hunching down in defeat, “I want your coffee. Sojiro’s coffee will never be beaten, but you just give it your own flair, it might just be better than his”
“Well, it’s good that you came just in time” Akira summoned his inner Takemi, “Cuz you will be my test subject for this cup of coffee”
“Will this coffee kill me if I drink it?” Futaba was scared.
“Nah, I just want to know if it’s good” Akira spoke sincerely, “Though, if it does kill you, I hope it at least tastes good.”
“Well then, cook it up” Futaba spoke, “I’ll die with a clear consciousness”
And so, Akira took his moments as he prepared a coffee suitable for the love of his life, to give to his subject, Futaba. After five minutes, it was complete. He served two cups of coffee, one for him, and the other to Futaba. As Futaba drank it, she was impressed by the taste, rich and dark, strong and soft. It was the best cup of coffee she had ever had… since… before then. She let a teardrop from her eyes. Then smiled. It was perfect.
“Well, at least you aren’t dead” Akira joked, making Futaba cry even with the tears.
“This was more than just Coffee” Futaba enter a monologue, “This was an experience, different than anything I have ever felt. This coffee is perfect for her. And I wish you luck”
“You pulled that speech from somewhere, I don’t know where, but somewhere” Akira smiled.
“It’s a hodgepodge of different ones really” Futaba smiled, “Well this was… certainly an experience. Thanks for the coffee, I’m going to cry in my room now.”
“I’m sorry” Akira was actually concerned.
“It’s a joke, you dummy” Futaba giggled as she left the Café.
And so, he was ready. As the afternoon turned into evening, an aura of relaxation came to him. As if he was complete, everything was there. It was something he had forgotten, all of the people and bonds he made along the way, they have and will be rooting for him, no matter what. And then, she arrived.
She had dressed like how she’d usually been, pink sweater with the white tights. She was beautiful. On her hand was a pink bag full of the chocolates she spent her night making.
“So…” Haru smiled, “The place looks nice”
“I put a lot of work into it, just for you” Akira smiled.
“Th-thanks” Haru blushed. She sat down at the table, placing the bag on the table and pushing it to Akira. “I… want you to have this. I made these myself”
“These look amazing” Akira smiled as he opened the bag.
He grabbed one of the little wrapped hearts and ate it. The flavor was like a dark chocolate Oreo, with flaky salt on it. It was amazing, and then the sweet maple syrup surprise. It was an experience, salty and sweet, dark and light, with a sense of familiarity.
“This… is the best chocolate I have ever had” Akira said happily.
“Thank goodness” Haru sighed of relief, “I was just so worried I wouldn’t get it right, or if they’d even let you have these in prison if you had to stay there longer” Haru confessed her worries.
“I’m sorry I had you so worried, I would’ve sent mail, but they wouldn’t let me” Akira frowned.
“Oh…” Haru became gloomy.
“But, don’t worry about that, we’ve moved on from that. I’m here now, with you” Akira smiled.
Haru smiled.
“Oh, I got an unofficial call from Okumura foods” Haru shared the good news, “It seems like I’ll be participating with the coffee chain project while I’m in college”
“That is amazing news” Akira cheered.
“They are, but, I’m worried, Am I going to be ok? Will I be able to handle both things?” Haru looked down, twiddling her fingers.
“I promise you, you’ll be fine. I’ll be with you throughout it all” Akira vowed.
Haru blushed, “Just by hearing those words, I feel like I could do anything I put my mind to”.
“Could I sit next to you?” Her face reddened.
“Yes” Akira spoke.
After shuffling to his side, she sat beside him.
“This is so calming” Haru said, but then her worries crept in again, “You’re leaving next month, right?”
“I am.” Akira spoke.
“I’m also starting work at around the same time” She morosely spoke.
“Hey, things won’t change, we’ll just adapt. I’ll be visiting you on my off days, and you can visit me on your off days” Akira said “I don’t care if I have to take a train for 4 hours, I will go to you”
“That’s… delightful” Haru smiled, “I had so many things I wanted to talk to you about, but I forgot about them the second I saw you here”
“I spent all that time waiting for you while you were in prison, having a distance gap doesn’t mean much after that” Haru spoke.
“It’s so peaceful with you.” Haru yawned, “I might just fall asleep in your arms. I love you”
“I love you too” Akira said with a smile. He forgot about all the things he was going to say and do, he just saw her, and all the worries, all the doubts, they all faded. She loved him, and he loved her.