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Valentine's Day had passed.
The women on the bus gave everyone sweets last month. Rodion gave chocolates, Ryoshu gave candies, Ishmael gave vanilla cookies, and Outis gave muffins. All the male sinners gratefully accepted the sweets. Charon was happy to receive some treats as a bonus.
If there were one thing that stood out, it would be Don Quixote's handmade chocolate. Everyone was sceptical at first, but she surprised them all by being good at pastries. Her chocolate tasted delicious. Don Quixote even gave Sinclair extra treatment. Something along the lines of, “So Young Sinclair knows the joy of getting special chocolate!”
She was not wrong. Receiving special chocolate hit different. Sinclair was the only sinner to receive chocolate in fancy packaging. He closed his mouth, as he had almost screamed out of happiness. The chocolate was heart-shaped inside a green box with a yellow ribbon. His heart beat fast, and his face turned bright red. He could not hide his excitement.
Some sinners teased him about it for days. Sinclair felt stupid because he could not play it cool. Today, however, was his revenge day. Sinclaid had prepared himself. He made her an elaborate chocolate gift and put it in a pretty box. This way, he could return the favour.
Sinclair woke up early and went to the bus. Don Quixote was already there. She was sitting alone, looking out of the window.
"Don Quixote—"
His courage evaporated into thin air.
Sinclair's face turned red. His hands began to sweat. Anxiety rushed through his body. Why was his heart beating so fast? He just had to give her the chocolate. Why was he getting so nervous?
< “Oh, you guys are early!” >
Sinclair put the box back in his coat when Dante appeared. He was too embarrassed to give it to Don Quixote. Sinclair could give it later when circumstances were better.
More people got on the bus. Rodion sat down and yawned. "Morning... Man, I'm beat. I feel so sluggish today."
Gregor chuckled and took a chocolate bar out of his coat. "Maybe this will make you feel better. It's thanks to last month's chocolate."
"Thank you, babe! I think sugar is just what I need."
"Oh, gotta give the rest too. Don Quixote, this one's for you."
"Whoa! Mercy, Sir Greg!"
Gregor gave the other female sinners some chocolates. The other men followed him. Yi Sang, Hong Lu, Heathcliff, and Meursault offered different treats. Yi Sang gave sour candies, Hong Lu gave macaroons, and Heathcliff gave chocolate chip cookies. Charon was lucky enough to receive her share of treats once again. Sinclair did the same, giving Ishmael, Outis, Rodion, and Ryoshu chocolate-covered fruits. It was his chance to hand Don Quixote the present. Unfortunately, his courage deserted him once again when he saw Meursault's return gift.
Rodion was happy. "No way! Is this handmade chocolate, Meursault? Aw, you've even shaped it like a treasure chest!"
Ishmael was stunned. "Huh? Yours is a chest? Mine's a ship!”
"Hoh. Mine's a sword. Truly an art."
"Mine is a horse!"
"Mine is... a watch?”
< "Oh, it looks amazing! Is there any reason why you make homemade chocolate in these shapes?" >
"I just feel like it."
< "... Right. That's pretty brand of you." >
Sinclair shoved the box of chocolates back inside his coat. He felt inferior compared to Meursault. Sinclair's chocolate was nowhere near as good as his. Once again, he failed to give her the sweets. Everyone moved to the mirror dungeon, while the box remained inside his coat.
"Perhaps I asked too much of you, but Sinclair, did you have any more sweets?"
Yi Sang’s question startled Sinclair. "Why did you ask about it?”
Heathcliff was stunned. "Huh? Haven't you noticed? Are you that dense, lad?"
Gregor joined the conversation. "Don Quixote is the only person who didn't get anything from you."
Hong Lu agreed. "She's looking a bit sad because she was looking forward to your gift.”
Meursault, the sharpest observer, pointed it out. "I believe Sinclair has prepared something in return, but hasn't given it yet. My prediction is, he got cold feet."
Heathcliff sneered. "Heh, coward as usual."
Sinclair felt an invisible arrow hit him. Their words jabbed at his consciousness. He touched the box in his pocket. "I have something for her, but... What if she's disappointed with my gift?”
Heathcliff was annoyed. “Tch. She's not the type to do something like that. Although.... I understand your feeling."
Gregor blew smoke into the air. "Come on, kid. We didn't put in that much effort like Meursault. I just bought chocolate bars from the shop."
Hong Lu chuckled. "I asked Xichun for a recommendation."
Yi Sang smiled. “I knew my sour candy was not the best choice, but everyone accepted it with open arms."
Meursault nodded. "Although chocolate has a long shelf life, it will be pointless if you don't give it away now. You only have approximately six more hours before the chocolate returns day is over."
The guys made sense. It was a special day, and he should give out the sweets today. Don Quixote would be happy with whatever she received. Sinclair took their advice and was determined to give her the chocolate.
"You guys are right! I'll give it to her once the Mirror Dungeon is over!"
Only one stage was left. Lord Hongyuan Hong Lu summoned the Heishou to attack the abnormality. Unfortunately, Sinclair received a counterattack. The abnormality retaliated after Sinclair stabbed it.
Crack!
Sinclair's eyes widened. The abnormality hit him in the chest. He was uninjured, but he knew his chocolate was damaged. Sinclair was furious and lashed out at the abnormality.
"DIEEEEEE!"
< "Holy sheet. Where are these two attack power-ups coming from?" >
Sinclair defeated the abnormality and opened the box. As he had expected, the chocolate broke into pieces. "Oh, no..."
While he grieved for the chocolate, Dante rushed to him. < "Sinclair, are you all right?" >
"I'm fine, Dante. Let's wrap up the dungeon..."
Dante finished the final floor of the Mirror Dungeon and returned the sinners to the bus. After Faust announced that the working hour was over, everyone returned to their rooms. Before Don Quixote left, Sinclair called her.
"Don Quixote, can I talk to you for a few minutes?”
“Sure! What is it?”
Don Quixote was surprised when Sinclair pulled out a box of chocolates.
"I'm sorry... I wanted to give this to you earlier, but it's broken now..."
She accepted it and smiled at him. "Mercy, Young Sinclair! Thought you had forgotten about it!"
“Hahaha. Sorry for the late present.”
Two of them sat next to each other on the empty bus. Don Quixote opened the box and rearranged the chocolates inside. She managed to restore it to its original state.
"It is a star!"
"Well, you shaped my chocolate special. I figured I should do the same."
She then took a bite of it. “Oho! It tastes wonderful! Hmmm, there's something inside. Is it orange?
“Yes, I thought eating chocolate on its own would be surfeited, so I put some orange pieces inside. It's a shame I don't get to try it.”
“Would you like to try it?”
"I can? Thank you."
“Say aaaaaaa.”
Sinclair was startled when she reached out to feed him a piece of chocolate. His hands were getting sweaty again. Sinclair's mind was racing, feeling both thrilled and shy. He looked around to make sure nobody was watching.
"Pffft!"
Sinclair heard a snicker. He stared at Don Quixote, who was holding in her laughter. This woman was teasing him. Here he was, feeling embarrassed and confused by her behaviour. Yet she thought it was funny. Sinclair was irritated. He was going to get back at her.
Fine! Two can play the game!
Don Quixote was startled when Sinclair took the chocolate between her fingers, using his mouth. He munched on the chocolate and was delighted. Its taste was better than he expected.
"Oh, you're right. It's pretty good.”
Don Quixote stood up from her seat. "Looks like the night is drawing in. It's time for parting. I shall see you tomorrow!"
“Right. See you tomorrow, Don Quixote.”
Don Quixote ran to her room. The moment she closed the door, she sank to the floor. Her face was bright red with embarrassment. She hugged the box of chocolates and recalled the previous moment. Her heart pounded as she remembered Sinclair's mouth on her finger. She could feel his hot breath and tongue brushing against her skin. The way he looked up at her while eating the chocolate made her face hot.
"Mayhap... I should stop teasing him."