Work Text:
Agnea lay on her bed, looking at the calendar hanging on the wall. She stared on the 14th February, a week from today, well known as Valentine’s Day. She already knows that Valentine's Day is usually the moment where people give chocolate to their boyfriend or girlfriend or their crush or if they don’t have any of that, they could give friendship chocolates to their friends, which Agnea usually does every year.
But this year is different. She already had a crush. She had to decide if she was willing to confess her love or not.
***
It was on the first day she transferred to Solisterra High School as she started as a second year student. The school building was so big, unlike the school in her village, she got lost when she tried to get to the faculty office to meet her homeroom teacher. She kept walking until she bumped into someone, a strikingly handsome male student who then introduced himself as Hikari Ku. In Agnea’s eyes, Hikari’s handsomeness is so unreal like he’s just fresh out from the shoujo manga she read with Pala, sharp dark eyes, slightly pale skin, long silky black hair in a ponytail, his voice was gentle yet regal. She could feel his hands a bit callous but strong and warm. Hikari then accompanied her to the faculty office because he was unsure Agnea could reach the office by herself as she went to the wrong corridor even though he already gave her the direction. She peeked to his face while he walked beside her but she didn’t find any annoyance or burden on his face, instead he started small talks with her. Not only handsome, he’s also really kind.
She was surprised that Hikari is also her classmate after she came into her new class and saw him in the class, and Mr. Cyrus, her homeroom teacher, told her seat was next to Hikari.
Agnea quickly became friends with Hikari and other classmates like Ochette, Tressa, and also befriended Ophilia, Tressa’s friend from another class. Agnea and Hikari often having lunch, study or do homework together with other classmates but she doesn't know why she’s the happiest when it’s just two of them. Agnea noticed she became more and more frequently stealing glances at Hikari when in class or having lunch or studying together, she noticed how long his lashes actually are, how soothing his voice is, or she’s distracted with how handsome his side profile is. One day she dropped her eraser and picked it up but Hikari also attempted to pick it up and she felt such weird sensation when their fingertips touched, it made her heart beat faster and her face warm.
Each day, they grew closer. They become more often studying together, doing homeworks and school projects together, sometimes Hikari offered her to sit with him and have some tea whenever she came to the student council office to escort the dance club documents (it was Primrose, the head of dance club that always asked Agnea to hand the documents to student council after the moment she noticed how Agnea acts different when Hikari is present). He even offered to walk her home if it’s almost late. She enjoys every moment with Hikari and she wants more. She became more admired to him after knowing him a bit after several hangouts and lunches together. He’s calm, really kind, eager to help others and always patient with her clumsiness. She loves how he attentively listens to her when she talks about her dreams or just mundane things while she also loves to listen to Hikari as he bit by bit more open up to her by talking about personal things. She felt fuzzy, nervous but happy when Hikari was with her. Everytime before she went to sleep, she couldn’t take Hikari away from her mind. She kept thinking about his face, his long hair, his voice, his smile, his kindness, when they accidentally brushed their hands or shoulders, even dreaming about him in her sleep.
Recently Agnea felt her heart ache whenever she saw Hikari talk nicely with other female students, even for example, one day when he had friendly banter with Tressa. She knows Hikari is nice to everyone, but why does seeing him smile at other girls hurts her? She felt guilty for having this feeling, she wanted Hikari’s attention, gaze, and smile only for her. One day she asked Primrose about all the feelings she experienced for several months, and her answer was;
“It’s love, Agnea. You’ve fallen in love with him.”
***
Agnea decided to confess her love for Hikari after she gave thought to Primrose’s advice to tell her true feelings by giving Hikari chocolate. Tonight she already bought ingredients from the shops Tressa recommended, to make chocolate with matcha filling, since she knows Hikari really loves tea and he’s not very fond of sweet foods. She will pour all the effort and love to make the most delicious chocolate ever. Ophilia helped her with pointed out tips for making chocolate while Ochette cheered on her and also came out with a wise word ‘You can capture someone’s heart when you can capture their stomach!’. She worked all night to perfect her chocolate, to make Hikari happy with her chocolate.
Finally it was Valentine’s day. Agnea was excited for this but she had to face a problem, there are also many Hikari fans planning to give him Valentine chocolate today! Agnea planned to give him the chocolate on lunch break but there were a dozen Hikari fans making a line so she had to postpone her plan. The queue became wilder as many more Hikari fans swarmed him like bees when school hours over. She waited in the dance club room until the chaotic commotion was over. As she peeked out from the room, she searched the entire school for Hikari, he was nowhere to be found. Maybe he was exhausted from such a racket so he wanted to rest himself, but Agnea had to give the chocolate today, so she had to search him.
Agnea finally found Hikari near the school’s greenhouse but she also found a blond girl with him. She decided to silently move closer and hid behind the tree to see what happened to them. She recognized the girl was from another class but she was one of the popular students, one of the prettiest girls in school and well known from a crazy rich family. Agnea’s heart shattered and the pain mercilessly punched her guts as she saw a flower bouquet peeking out from Hikari’s bag. Agnea’s eyes got blurred with her tears, she ran away from the scene, couldn’t take herself to see the rest of it.
The poor girl found a bench and started crying. Hikari must have wanted to confess to the girl, he even prepared a flower bouquet! Agnea sobbed as she thought how audacious of her for having feelings toward Hikari, and how stupid she was to think that Hikari might also have the same feelings as her. She got her head big, Hikari was just being kind to her after all, he’s being kind to everyone. That was one of the quality that made Agnea fallen in love with him. She realized that the story where an almost perfect handsome boy falls in love with the ordinary girl from humble origin only happened in shoujo manga. Luckily there were no people around the area so she could cry her heart out. She didn’t care her tears wet the heart shaped box with red ribbon that neatly packed the chocolates.
“Agnea?” She recognized the voice that called her and shifted her gaze, it was Hikari. He came at the worst time. His face instantly frowned and concerned as he saw Agnea’s puffy eyes and the streaks of tears on her cheeks.
“C-congratulation, H-Hikari,” her voice was trembling. She tried to pull herself but she couldn’t face Hikari as he sat next to her.
“What do you mean?”
“Y-you just c-confessing to a girl. Right? I saw it.” Guilt painted into Hikari’s face as he heard hiccups between Agnea’s words. He needed to clean up this misunderstanding.
“I was not confessing to the girl,” said Hikari firmly.
“What?” Agnea surprised, she raised her head to see Hikari again.
“To be fact she was the one who confessed to me but I rejected. I don’t have any romantic feelings toward her,” Hikari grabbed his bag and pulled out the flower bouquet Agnea saw before. Hikari’s face became red as he handed the flower bouquet to Agnea. It was a bouquet of red roses, sunflowers and lilacs, a beautiful bouquet.
“I…I was planning to give this to you but the girl caught me and confessed to me, which I rejected because…because…” He took a breath, his face became redder, “I have romantic feelings for you. I love you, Agnea.” Agnea stop sobbed, her eyes sparkled again like she regained the hope for this world.
“You…love me?”
“Yes,” he reached Agnea’s hands and gently squeezed them, “I love you. I love your cheerfulness, your kindness, your positivity. I love your smile, your laugh, I love when you’re dancing and I love every moment with you. You’re so full of hope, and you’re the most beautiful thing that happened in my life.” It was like a dream, Agnea really wanted to pinch herself but her hands were locked by Hikari’s hands. It was not a dream, it was not fantasy, it was reality. Hikari really had the same feeling as her. He actually loves her. He said all of that in one breath. He looked into her with such adoration, he blushed so hard that his face was as red as the roses he gave to her. After Hikari took his hands from her, Agnea picked the chocolate box from her lap and gave it to Hikari.
“Actually I also want to give you this,” she handed over the chocolate, “They’re chocolate with matcha filings. I know you really like tea so I made them. I hope you like it,” she waited for Hikari to put the chocolate aside for now to continue, “I also want to say that I…I love you, Hikari.” Now it was Agnea’s turn to reach Hikari’s hands.
“I love you for being so kind and gentle, I love you for always being helpful and patient with me. I love you for being a hard worker and so humble. I also love every moment I spend with you. I love your smile and laugh too,” Agnea giggled a bit, she could feel tears came out again but time they’re tears of joy. She couldn’t contain her happiness and affection toward Hikari anymore so she hugged him.
“I love everything about you too. Hikari! I love, love you so much!”
He stiffened a bit but he hugged her back tightly, gently patting her head. After they embraced each other quite long, they finally let go of each other but Agnea’s hands were still on Hikari’s chest while Hikari’s hands were still holding Agnea’s arms.
“So…we’re officially dating?” asked Agnea.
“Yes, of course Agnea," Hikari chuckled, "Oh. Let me taste you chocolate. You must put so much effort for those.” Hikari took the chocolate box then opened it. He took one and ate it then his eyes widened as he chewed the chocolate.
“It’s so delicious, Agnea! The filling exploded in my mouth, the chocolate was not too sweet. It’s perfect Agnea, I love it. Thank you so much.” She was so happy that Hikari came out to really love her chocolates. She had a sleepless night for making those chocolates, all the efforts were paid off as she saw delight on Hikari’s face as he ate her chocolates.
“Agnea?”
“Yes?”
“Would you mind staying with me a bit longer and eating these with me? I want to spend more time with you.” Agnea nodded then moved herself to close the gap between her and Hikari. After they finished eating chocolates, Agnea clinged her arms to Hikari’s, their fingers intertwined. She rested her head on Hikari’s shoulder and Hikari rested his on top of hers. They enjoyed each other’s presence and warmth in the midst of cold, gentle wind. This was indeed the sweetest Valentine for both Agnea and Hikari for now, and both hoping in the future they will experience even sweeter Valentine together.