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It was the evening of February 13 when Special Week had busied herself in the dormitory’s kitchen. Humming her favorite tunes, she was thoroughly enjoying the process of making chocolates in preparations for the next day. The area provided a brilliant working condition for the umamusume; not too cramped, but just enough space with all the tools and utensils she’d needed available.
“One for Sei, one for King, one for Grass, one for El… and of course, a special one for Suzuka!” she giggled to herself, preparing the molds ahead of time. She’d planned on giving chocolates to everyone she cared about; most importantly of course, her roommate and partner. She wouldn’t be here without their support, after all.
The umamusume was thinking about her first day upon enrolling in the academy whilst melting the chopped cacao butter over a double boiler. Stirring often, she’d thought about how kind everyone has been and how much they mean to her. “You know, mom, I’m really happy to be in the academy. It’s really something else,” she smiled, removing it from the heat after melted.
She’d gathered cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and milk powder when someone called out to her. “Spe?” said the gentle, kind, and familiar voice. Startled, the girl jumped a bit, making some milk powder land on her nose. “Bwuh- Oh, Suzuka!” she took a breath of relief after the figure revealed itself to be Silence Suzuka herself, with a bag of groceries in her arm.
“Spe, are you okay?” the orange-haired umamusume rushed to check on her, before noticing the melted cacao butter. “Were you making chocolates?” she asked curiously, before setting her bag down at a counter. She’d thought her roommate would’ve been at her room, so it was quite a surprise to find her happily working at the dormitory kitchen.
Wiping her nose, she then chuckled. “I’m okay, Suzuka. And yes! I’m currently making chocolates. I want to give them to everyone who supported me and made me who I am today tomorrow on Valentine’s Day, to show my appreciation. Of course, I’m also making one for you! I hope you’ll like it,” Special Week smiled, before stirring in the cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and milk powder.
The honest comment put a smile on Suzuka’s face. “Oh, Spe… What a coincidence, then. I was about to make something for Valentine’s too. Though, not really chocolate,” she grabbed some fresh, smaller-sized strawberries, sweet and smooth red bean paste, sweet rice flour, and corn starch from the bag. It seemed that the two had the same idea in mind.
“Oh, that’s sweet! Are you going to give them to everyone too, Suzuka?” the dark-haired umamusume asked innocently. Her eyes were filled with nothing but sincerity, as her heart was on display at her sleeve. It’s always been that way with Suzuka. She’s so comfortable to the point where she wasn’t thinking about what to say, as everything that came to mind simply blurted out.
The question made the long-haired girl chuckle. “Not everyone… I thought I’d make something for the one I really care about,” she smiled gently, before giving her a kind glance. With voice just as sincere, she proclaimed her heart confidently; “You, Spe.”
The admission made Spe’s breath hitch, as warmth quickly colored her cheeks. “E-eh!?” her tail jumped, before swishing in happiness. “Suzuka… That’s so sweet of you,” her features slowly calmed down and softened as she took her words in deeply. To be cared about by the person she cared about the most… It made her heart soar. “I’m also making something special for you too,” she then gave a smile so pure, it struck its way into the orange-haired umamusume’s heart as well.
“Spe…” Suzuka smiled softly with a tinge of blush on her cheeks, before giggling to herself. She then cleaned and dried the strawberries. “I’m going to make some strawberry Daifuku. I know it’s not chocolate, but I thought I’d share it with you,” she spoke warmly as she wrapped each strawberry with a red bean paste ball.
“No, no, it’s okay! I can’t wait to taste it tomorrow. Besides, Suzuka is making her favorite treat for me, of all people. I’m really happy!” Special Week shook her head before grinning just as warmly. After whisking until smooth, she carefully poured the mixture into the silicone molds; smaller molds for her friends, and a special carrot-shaped mold for the one she cherished deeply.
Admiring the sight of Spe focused on her work, Silence Suzuka smiled fondly as she whisked the sweet rice flour with sugar and water. Thinking about how much she’d come to treasure the girl just as much, she microwaved the mixture in a microwave-safe bowl. It felt like yesterday that she’d gotten a roommate. She never would’ve thought that her life would lead to this before.
While waiting for the mochi to be done, Spe had put in a clean and fresh carrot into the special mold, coating it with chocolate. Wiping a bead of sweat off her head, she then took a relieved sigh. “Phew! Alright, all nice and done!” she said, looking proud of herself. “Suzuka, there’s space in the fridge, right?” asked the girl.
Taking the mixture out, Suzuka made sure there were no lumps before dividing the mochi into equal portions. “Last I checked, there should be, yes. Are you done, Spe?” she asked before looking back.
“Mhm! With this, now I just need to wait until tomorrow!” the dark-haired umamusume grinned, closing the fridge after putting her molds in. Turning back, she then began watching the orange-haired girl work on her Daifuku. “Ooh, it looks tasty!”
Letting out a small chuckle, Silence Suzuka covered her hands with some corn starch. She then took a bit of mochi before offering it to her. “Would you like to try, Spe?” she smiled kindly.
“Of course!” Special Week nodded vigorously, before taking a bite. “Mm, it’s chewy and soft! I can’t imagine how good the Daifuku would taste,” she giggled lightly.
“Well, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for that,” the long-haired umamusume smiled. She flattened and expanded each mochi into a round, ensuring that she didn’t stretch the mochi dough too thin to prevent tearing. After that, she began shaping the daifuku by placing the red bean paste-covered strawberry on top and in the center of the mochi, with the tip pointing down. Her hands worked with careful precision, focusing on the shape like working on an art. “And… Done.”
Watching the process, Spe couldn’t help but be amazed at how good it looked. “It looks so good… Are you going to put it in the fridge too, Suzuka?” she asked keenly.
Grabbing an airtight container, Suzuka shook her head. “No, that’ll make the mochi hard. I’m just going to keep it in this and store it in our room so we can enjoy it together tomorrow,” she smiled softly, before doing just as she said.
After finishing up their treats, the two then cleaned up the kitchen from their mess, as to keep it clean and pristine.
“You know, Suzuka… I’ve never had a valentine like this before. Sharing the moment with someone special to me, I mean. I had a lot of fun cooking with mom, but knowing that you care about me just as much as I care about you… It makes my heart feel really warm, Suzuka. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt this way,” Special Week smiled fondly.
Carrying the container in her left hand, Suzuka grabbed her hand as the two walked back to their room. “Mm, I’ve never had one like this before either. It feels pleasant, doesn’t it? Knowing you have something to look forward to tomorrow. Just the thought of you making chocolate for me already made me happy, Spe. I can’t wait to taste it tomorrow,” she giggled.
“Well, you better be! Because it’ll be the sweetest and tastiest chocolate you’ll ever taste! Oh, and the healthiest too! I know you’ll love it,” Spe grinned affectionately, squeezing her hand as she swung their intertwined hands back and forth happily.
With one fond giggle, Silence Suzuka took one last gentle gaze at the girl eagerly walking next to her. Letting out a soft breath, she’d muttered under her breath; “Oh, Spe…”