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This year was the first year Heizou would not be single during Valentine's Day.
In hindsight, it was a rather minor accomplishment, given that he was still very much in high school and the fact that his relationship was barely a year old. But the truth still stood: Shikanoin Heizou was not single, had not been single since the previous spring, and was overall quite content with the way things were between him and his partner.
In terms of whether anyone else knew, however, well, Heizou was not the type to draw attention to his personal affairs, and his beloved had been more than happy to oblige in maintaining secrecy outside of their immediate friends.
So when Heizou saw a flurry of letters fall out of Kazuha's shoe locker, he had to remind himself that to most of the school, their student council treasurer and the star of the kendo club were merely the best of friends.
"Oh." Kazuha blinked. "It's happened again."
Heizou stared blankly at the letters now scattered at their feet. Ordinarily, he would have offered to help pick them up, but for some reason, seeing their pastel-colored folds and heart-sticker adornments…aggravated him.
There's nothing to worry about, he assured himself. After all, Kazuha was his—he had been his for months. They had dinner and movie plans over the weekend to celebrate their first holiday as a couple. Heck, just last night, Kazuha had opted to cuddle him instead of working on his math homework after Heizou refused to give him the answers. Kazuha is my boyfriend. Everything is fine.
"—Heizou?"
Heizou snapped out of his daze in an instant. Kazuha gazed back at him, a stack of no-longer-on-the-ground letters in hand.
"You alright?"
"Yeah." Heizou shook his head. "I just remembered something Madame President asked me about. Nothing major." He nodded at the envelopes. "So? What'll you do about those?"
"Ah, well…" Kazuha smiled sheepishly as he tucked the letters into his bag. "I suppose these next few days will be rather eventful."
"You're going to respond to them."
"They at least deserve a response." Kazuha slipped into his slippers. "Even if it is a rejection, I would rather give them closure than leave them hanging."
"So you're rejecting all of them."
"It sounds like you're expecting me to accept."
"I'm not."
"Good." Kazuha leaned in, lips curled into a knowing grin. "It would be terribly awkward for my little deer to think in such a way, after all."
"Come now, Kazuha, do you really think so lowly of me?"
"I don't." Kazuha leaned back to shut his locker. "If anything, I find your honesty to be one of your best traits."
"I see."
"Come now, Heizou." Kazuha nudged his boyfriend. "We will be late."
After he and Kazuha parted ways to go to their classrooms, Heizou slumped against his desk and let out a heavy sigh.
Being jealous is not like you, Heizou, he scolded himself. But even as the lectures began, he found himself unable to rid himself of the demon of insecurity gnawing at his heart.
Ordinarily, Kazuha would seek Heizou out during lunch—mainly because Heizou would usually get caught up in a conversation with Sara once morning lessons had concluded. But today, Sara waved him off and he had a feeling that Kazuha hadn't left his classroom yet, so Heizou grabbed his bento and trekked down the hallway.
Kazuha, as his gut had foretold, was still at his desk, his textbook nestled beneath his hands, smiling at a girl chattering happily with him.
"Of course, that sounds lovely," he could see Kazuha's mouth moving to say, followed by other pleasantries.
Considering what tomorrow is, and how I'm sure she's the one that sent that badly perfumed envelope with the cat stickers… Heizou's fingers tensed on the doorframe. I hope she has enough brains to take his rejection to heart.
"Heizou." Kazuha waved at him. "Just a moment, I'll be right with you."
The girl said something that he merely smiled at.
"Seems like you two struck up a chord," Heizou said when Kazuha finally joined him.
"Well, of course. Just because I rejected her does not mean we cannot be cordial."
"I suppose," Heizou hummed before plopping down in their usual spot by the stairwell.
"You remind me of this little one."
Heizou blinked when Kazuha pressed something onto his nose. He swatted at it in an instant, scowling when he saw a grumpy cat sticker gazing back at him.
"Forgive me for not loving the fact that you've received so many confessions the day before Valentine's."
"Frankly, I don't like it either, but you don't need to be such a grumpy kitten." Kazuha took a seat beside Heizou. "You know that you are the only summer wind for me."
"What about fall, winter, and spring?" Heizou grumbled, unwrapping his bento as he did.
"Well, surely the wind cannot blow when it is trapped in my arms."
Heizou stared at Kazuha. Kazuha smiled back.
"Forget being a poet. You're just a block of cheese."
"Your words slice me well, Heizou."
Heizou couldn't help but feel a smile tug at his lips. "I do my best."
But even then, he thought as he dug into his lunch, that doesn't change the fact that you're popular.
"Heizou, here."
Within the blink of an eye, a small portion of his meal vanished, replaced by a block of tamagoyaki.
"Oi, Kazuha, why do you keep stealing my food when you have a literal chef who makes yours?!"
"Your mother makes it with love." And with that, Kazuha's chopsticks darted out once more, only to be stopped by Heizou smacking them away with his own.
"This is my food, dammit! If you want me to feed you, just ask!"
Kazuha covered his mouth to stifle his laugh.
Ordinarily, Heizou would loiter in the student council room after finishing his work, waiting for his boyfriend to finish kendo practice so they could walk home together. Today, however, he blazed through his duties and made his way towards the home economics room.
As expected, a group of students were inside, chattering amongst one another as they mixed ingredients and arranged silicon molds on the countertops.
"Oh!" A girl nodded when she saw him in the doorway. "Shikanoin-kun, this is a surprise. What can we do for you today?"
His eyes landed on a green-haired girl staring down into a bowl. "Shinobu."
The girl lifted her head. "Hm?"
"You have a minute?"
"I always can spare two for you, bud." Shinobu waved him over. "You better help me out while at it though."
"Of course."
The students around them turned back to their tasks as he settled next to Shinobu's side.
"What's up?" she asked, gesturing towards the sink, spurring Heizou to roll up his sleeves and wash his hands. "You don't usually visit me like this. Did the boys do something again?"
"No. Nothing like that."
"Oh?" She handed Heizou a towel to dry his hands. "What's up then?" Violet eyes darted around before she added, softly, "Is this about Kaedehara?"
"…Perhaps."
"Do tell."
Heizou set the towel down. "It's our first Valentine's."
"Yeah? Congrats."
"We have plans."
"As couples usually do." She crossed her arms. "It's not like you to beat around the bush. Come on, out with it."
"…I want to give Kazuha chocolates."
Shinobu blinked once. Twice. Three times. Then she let out a strangled cough.
"That's it?"
Heizou nodded.
"Does he like chocolate?"
"I've seen him eat it."
"Do you like chocolate?"
"Occasionally."
"Is chocolate what you really want to give him?"
Images of pastel stationary and falling flower petals filled his mind.
"…I don't know."
Violet eyes examined him for a moment.
"I see." Shinobu finally nodded and returned her attention to the bowl she had abandoned. "Would you like to join me in making Valentine treats? This batch is actually for you council folk, but I'm sure you won't spoil the surprise."
"Gorou's allergic to chocolate."
"But not strawberries."
Heizou gave Shinobu a dry smile. "Thanks."
She nodded. "Anything to help a friend."
A gaggle of kendo members brushed past Heizou as they made their way out of the practice room.
"Kazuha," Heizou greeted when the boy finally emerged in the doorway.
"Heizou." Kazuha sniffed the air. "Did you visit the cooking club?"
"Shinobu was making something for the council. Well, Sara and a few extras, to be exact." Heizou held up a paper-wrapped strawberry blondie. "Here."
"How considerate of you to sneak me something meant for your coworkers." Kazuha accepted the square regardless. "Shall we?"
Heizou nodded. The two set off for home, as they usually did. Only when they hopped off the train and were alone in the neighborhood streets did Kazuha reach out and take Heizou's hand in his own.
"Heizou, would you be so kind as to help me with tonight's assignment?"
"I'm not doing your math for you, you should know this stuff."
"I assure you, the math will be done by my own hand. I simply need assistance with the concepts."
Heizou sighed. "Sure, but only if you read the chapter for literature to me."
"I thought you enjoyed reading at your own pace."
"Is it a crime for me to want something in exchange for being your math tutor?"
Kazuha's replying smile sent butterflies off in Heizou's stomach.
"No, of course not."
I'm like a moth drawn to the flame that is you, Kaedehara Kazuha. Heizou swallowed as Kazuha squeezed his hand. Whenever you're around, I feel as though all the secrets and thoughts I've locked away are spilling from their chest for the world to see.
"What's your family making for dinner? Father said he'd be home past midnight."
"Hm? Oh, dunno. But you're always welcome to stay and find out."
"I appreciate the generosity."
"Tell that to my mom."
To Heizou's surprise, Kazuha leaned down and rested his head against his shoulder.
"I will."
Heizou turned away, heat crawling up the back of his neck, his pulse racing.
It's alright if you can hear my heartbeat, he thought, mind wandering to the depths of the bag on his shoulder. But please, don't find this one little secret in the chest I've already given you the key to.
Heizou woke up on Valentine's Day to a flurry of text messages from his boyfriend, greeting him with chat stickers that were so cheesy and cartoonish, he felt as though he was living inside of some television drama.
"Was this really necessary?" he asked the smirking boy roughly a half hour later.
"But of course," Kazuha greeted before leaning in to peck Heizou's cheek. "I'm already looking forward to this weekend."
"Same, but really?" Heizou tapped on a particularly horrendous sticker of a ghost taking a heart out of its supposed chest. "Ghosts don't have hearts, they're literally apparitions."
"That which is illustrated could possess merely symbolic meaning."
"Sure, okay, well even if you're telling me that you're a ghost with a heart, that still doesn't work because you're not dead, Kazuha."
"If I was, I'd still do the same."
"Man alive, you're such a brat."
"Rich coming from you."
Heizou had no rebuttal for that, so he opted to let Kazuha hold his hand until they reached the train station instead.
Heizou's Valentine stash had always been meager outside of obligatory gifts. It wasn't until he befriended Shinobu that he consistently got at least one friendship gift a year (which would always earn her a box of sweets in return on White Day).
This year, however, he was greeted with not just friendship candy and a baked treat he assisted in making from Shinobu, but also presents from Kokomi and Sara.
"For being an excellent treasurer," Kokomi justified.
"I do not want sweets on White Day," Sara said.
"Dessert onigiri it is," Heizou noted out loud, earning him a smile from Kokomi, a nervous chuckle from Gorou, and a sigh of defeat from Sara.
"You've become more popular," Kazuha noted when he saw Heizou struggling to fit his books in his bag without crushing the presents.
Heizou thought back to the beginning of lunch period, when he found Kazuha at his desk, being absolutely mobbed with chocolate boxes.
"You're one to talk, mister heartbreaker."
"I still have yours, don't I?"
"Perhaps I'll have to rescind it."
Kazuha chuckled. "Glad to see I have not shattered it yet."
Heizou stopped in his tracks. "Kazuha."
"Hm?"
"Let's go to my place."
Kazuha hummed in approval. "Lead the way."
Kazuha visiting the Shikanoin's home was nothing unordinary now. As usual, they stepped into the house, slipped out of their shoes, and headed for Heizou's bedroom in the corner of the second floor.
"What shall we do today?" Kazuha asked as he plopped in his usual spot next to Heizou's bed. "We left off at a good spot in yesterday's show, should you feel compelled to continue watching."
Heizou closed the door. "I have something else in mind."
"Oh? Do tell."
Scarlet eyes watched as Heizou crossed the room. A drawer was opened and something pulled out of it.
"I…" Heizou bowed his head, his back facing Kazuha, hiding his expression from sight. "I know we said our weekend plans would be enough, but I got you something."
"…Huh?"
"Here." Heizou turned, ears blazing red, with a small box nestled in his hands. "Chocolates. For you."
Kazuha blinked, eyes darting between the box and the blushing boy.
"Is this what you and Shinobu really did the other day?"
"Yeah."
"You did not have to."
"I know."
Kazuha took the box. When he opened it, he saw nearly a dozen small chocolates, clearly homemade, gazing back at him.
"I don't know what to say. Thank you, Heizou, I am very appreciative of—"
"Save me the theatrics and tell me how bad they are."
"You know my philosophy." Kazuha set the box in his lap. "Anything made with heart can never be distasteful."
Heizou watched as Kazuha tapped on each chocolate square, deliberating on which would be the most delectable—the most suitable for a first-time tasting. How Kazuha was holding a box of chocolates that were from him, that were accepted by Kazuha, and actually being opened and tasted by Kazuha himself.
If only those suitors of his could see you now, that sinful demon in the back of his mind purred. Ah, but Kazuha deserves more than just that box of chocolates. He deserves the world, the stars, the celestial heavens themselves. But alas, all you can give him is just this stupid box of chocolates you barely helped make and this measly little heart of yours.
But from the depths of his heart, from the place sealed behind a multitude of chains and locks and keys and broken memories, he could hear something else—a different voice, strained, faint, but present all the same.
But Kazuha has never asked for anything more than that, has he? Warmth curled in his chest as he watched Kazuha pluck a chocolate from the box. Kazuha selflessly gives and gives and only takes whatever I'm willing to give. And that…that's more than what I could ever ask of him.
"Kazuha."
Kazuha hummed as he put the chocolate in his mouth.
You are far too good for me, Kaedehara Kazuha. And that is why…
"I love you."
Those worlds rolled off his tongue with much more ease than he expected—smooth, not clunky. And yet, they held the weight of the world with them, a bundle of insecurities wrapped up tightly around a spool of desire—wishes never spoken aloud, but understood all the same. Three words, they were, that said so much and yet so little about what he felt about the boy in front of him. Three words that, even after years of friendship, months of handholding, and countless kisses stolen in the midst of every season, Heizou had never been able to bring himself to say.
But instead of staring at him, wide-eyed, like he had anticipated him doing, Kazuha choked.
"Oh." Heizou blinked, then frantically began patting Kazuha's back. "Swallow, come on, swallow."
Kazuha put a hand over his chest and coughed as the chocolate finally made its way down his throat. "That was unpleasant."
"Sorry…"
"No, no, it's alright." Kazuha smiled up at Heizou. "I wasn't expecting you to say that."
Heizou stiffened. "Sorry."
"Now, now, why so bashful? Are you ashamed?"
"I'm not."
"It's okay. I like it when you're shy."
"I am not..!" Heizou blinked when Kazuha cupped his cheek and gave him a kiss.
"I love you too, Heizou." Kazuha beamed. "Thank you for the gift."
"I, well, to be honest, Shinobu's the one who made the actual chocolate base…"
"Not that." Kazuha tapped on Heizou's chest. "Everything else."
Heizou felt the corners of his mouth pull into a smile.
Of course.
"I love you."
All of my secrets are yours to keep.
Kazuha patted his cheek. "I love you too."
I will guard them with my life, as you have done mine.