[ It's not her first, no, but for the specific kind of sentiment going behind the chocolate for Akira?
Her cheeks burn a bit.
Then there's still Minato and Kazuya, leaving a mess of confusing emotions that won't settle in her chest. ]
I've given Valentine's chocolates before, but usually obligation chocolate, as we call it. I'm not sure what Valentine's is like in your world, but where I'm from, the girls give chocolate in February and then the boys reciprocate in March on White Day.
If you're going to give them chocolate, I don't mind helping.
[ Whenever they finally get inside and have a seat somewhere, Haru will lay out the container in front of Dolph, with multiple chocolates in front, some decorated and some more plain looking. ]
In Japan, we have a few types of chocolate we give. There's giri chocolate, which is the obligation chocolate you give to friends and coworkers. Then there's honmei, which is a special one you give to the person you like most.
[ he sort of expected that, but it makes him sigh anyway. he'll never understand this tangled skein of feelings people have for akira. for dolph, the experience had been markedly different. no less important, just . . . different. ]
[ Haru fiddles quietly in her spot, unable to fight back the blood creeping into her cheeks. ]
Ah, well...!
[ Three very different boys and three very different chocolates. ]
I should give one boy chocolate as a thank you. At the Christmas party, those drinks had us— [ Well, Dolph probably doesn't want to know. ] And then with the other boy...
[ There's no point in trying to deny it with Dolph. He sees through her.
... and it feels refreshing to be able to say it aloud. ]
... he's wonderful, too. Seeing him smile would be nice.
[ yes, spare him the hetero details. still he's glad. she's moving forward. that's how it should be. living your life as freely as you can.
at the very least, dolph too, managed it in the end. he may not have found his fabled beach or the future he desired, but he made something of his own. ]
[ As if she's been bit by something, Haru jumps and waves her hand frantically. ]
Ah! He's a friend! I-I knew him before any of this!
[ She looks away then, that dusting of red on her cheeks far too evident. ]
Besides, I... maybe it's nothing. He's nice to me, so perhaps I'm confused by it. I didn't know a lot of people back home until I met my friends after all.
[ She's never felt such a confusing mix of emotions before.
So many people here have talked about it, like it's second nature for them, but for Haru who has spent most of her life isolated from others, it's rather overwhelming. ]
It doesn't feel wrong, but it feels... strange. It makes my head spin a little to think about more than one person.
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[ it's not meant to be cruel, it's just facts. and dolph hated the idea of lying there, making people sad with his failing body. ]
It's fine now. Everything is stable.
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I'm glad you're fine now.
[ She can't imagine her body shutting down in that way, against her will. It's frightening to even contend with the idea.
She lifts the container with chocolates inside and puts on a smile. ]
And thank you again for helping. I'm a bit nervous about giving chocolate this year, to be honest...
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[ surely she's done this before? but then again. everyone's a little . . . odd around akira. ]
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Her cheeks burn a bit.
Then there's still Minato and Kazuya, leaving a mess of confusing emotions that won't settle in her chest. ]
I've given Valentine's chocolates before, but usually obligation chocolate, as we call it. I'm not sure what Valentine's is like in your world, but where I'm from, the girls give chocolate in February and then the boys reciprocate in March on White Day.
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It's just a commercial thing. I do something with the people I love here but that's about it.
Sounds like it's the same though.
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[ There's a faint, girlish sigh from her; as nervous as she is, she loves Valentine's. ]
... with Eren, too?
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Yeah. I try to make sure I have time with all of them.
[ . . . he's going to be busy this month. ]
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[ Whenever they finally get inside and have a seat somewhere, Haru will lay out the container in front of Dolph, with multiple chocolates in front, some decorated and some more plain looking. ]
In Japan, we have a few types of chocolate we give. There's giri chocolate, which is the obligation chocolate you give to friends and coworkers. Then there's honmei, which is a special one you give to the person you like most.
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[ he'll pluck one of them, ready to try one. ]
Is the chocolate made in a different way?
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Not different, it just has different sentiments behind it. Actually, this is the one I want to give to Akira-kun.
[ How good it tastes is important to her, as she wants to present the perfect set of chocolate for him on that day. ]
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You think he'll pick up on it?
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I don't know.
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I hope you know what you're doing.
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[ Then keep denying them.
Maybe this time she'll gain more clarity. ]
Besides, I have other chocolates to give this time! I never thought I'd be giving so many boys chocolates...
[ She gestures to one that looks more like plain milk chocolate. ]
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Sounds like you're branching out. I remember a time when you used to worry about stuff like that.
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Ah, well...!
[ Three very different boys and three very different chocolates. ]
I should give one boy chocolate as a thank you. At the Christmas party, those drinks had us— [ Well, Dolph probably doesn't want to know. ] And then with the other boy...
[ There's no point in trying to deny it with Dolph. He sees through her.
... and it feels refreshing to be able to say it aloud. ]
... he's wonderful, too. Seeing him smile would be nice.
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at the very least, dolph too, managed it in the end. he may not have found his fabled beach or the future he desired, but he made something of his own. ]
I'm sure this will coax one out of him.
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[ She's watching a bit expectantly. ]
I hope so. Have you met Minato-kun yet?
[ Come on, Dolph. Come meet more Japanese teens. ]
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[ oh god, which teen is that now. why are they so prolific. ]
Don't think so. Does he come to the club?
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[ She smooths down her skirt, humming to herself thoughtfully. ]
The blue-haired boy who was at the cafe launch. He also works with Akira-kun and I.
[ Is she just crushing on everyone in the cafe? Apparently. ]
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So he's your employee? Bold move.
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Ah! He's a friend! I-I knew him before any of this!
[ She looks away then, that dusting of red on her cheeks far too evident. ]
Besides, I... maybe it's nothing. He's nice to me, so perhaps I'm confused by it. I didn't know a lot of people back home until I met my friends after all.
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But you want it to be, right?
Sounds good enough for Valentine's.
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[ She's never felt such a confusing mix of emotions before.
So many people here have talked about it, like it's second nature for them, but for Haru who has spent most of her life isolated from others, it's rather overwhelming. ]
It doesn't feel wrong, but it feels... strange. It makes my head spin a little to think about more than one person.
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. . . Like you're giving something up for liking two people?
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we can wrap this but jesus christ i'm scared for my life for their farewell thread
wrapped!