Early February.

At this time of year, when the cold is at its harshest, society—especially the women of this insane world with a 1:15 male-to-female ratio—is enveloped in an unusual heat and killing intent.

February 14th, Valentine’s Day.

It is the literal ‘day of decisive battle,’ where women wager their femininity, financial power, and domestic skills to hunt down the ‘rare men.’

"Haah... it’ll be Valentine’s soon."

In the classroom during lunch break, Anju, who had stationed herself in front of my seat, muttered with a sigh.

In her line of sight, the male student in our class—the studious glasses guy—was surrounded by girls, preaching, "I won’t accept anything that doesn’t match my IQ in sweetness."

Meanwhile, the other boy, our fan club captain Yuuma, was different.

"Everyone, I’m grateful for your feelings, but please don’t overdo it! As a ‘man’ worthy of Shizuku-oneesama, I’m prepared to properly accept everyone’s feelings!"

...After the sports festival, having perfectly copied my salesman smile, he had now grown into a more popular stock than the studious guy.

"Well, it’s like that everywhere this time of year. Anju, are you planning to give chocolate to anyone?"

"W-Wh-What are you saying!? There’s no way Hojo Anju would give handmade chocolate to those monkey hill bosses!"

Anju stood up, her face bright red.

And then—

"...Shizuku. Do you like chocolate?"

For some reason, Aoi popped her head in from outside the classroom window ‘first floor.’ Hey, what’s going on with school security?

"Whoa, Aoi!? ...Well, whatever. Yeah, I love sweet stuff. I’ve always had a thing for chocolate. From the receiving side, Valentine’s really gets you excited, and just thinking about ‘what kind of feelings went into making this’ makes it super fun."

Back in my past life as an overworked corporate slave, even a single piece of obligatory chocolate could motivate me through an afternoon of outside sales, so I casually spoke honestly.

—At that moment.

Click.

Aoi and Anju completely froze.

"I see... Shizuku-chan is looking forward to it..."

"She likes sweets... thinking about the feelings put into it..."

In their eyes, an intense inferno ignited, enough to evaporate winter’s cold instantly.

Completely unaware, my casual comment about liking sweets had just launched their Valentine’s standards beyond the atmosphere.

* * *

February 14th, the day itself. After school, near the shoe lockers.

I received overly elaborate chocolates from both Aoi and Anju.

Aoi’s box was navy like the night sky with a star-patterned ribbon.

Anju’s box looked like a custom order from a famous patisserie, deep red velvet-like.

"Oh, thanks, both of you! ...Wait, why do you both have so many bandages on your fingers?"

As I reached out to take the boxes, I noticed countless bandages on their small fingertips.

"T-This is... nothing! It’s the pride of a Hojo woman!"

"Y-Yeah. Don’t worry about it, Shizuku-chan."

Trying to hide it, I forcefully took their hands.

Burn marks and small cuts.

...I see.

They worked this hard for me with those small hands.

"...You two pushed yourselves too much. But I’m really happy. You worked this hard for me."

Like I did for injured juniors in my past life, I gently blew on their fingertips.

"Hya!?"

"Ah... Shizuku-chan...♡"

"Since we’re here, I’ll have a bite now."

First, a bite of Anju’s truffle.

"...Whoa, delicious! What is this? It melted instantly in my mouth. Anju, are you a genius? This is shop-level!"

"R-Really!?”

'It was worth staying up three days and nights practicing tempering...'

Next, a bite of Aoi’s star-shaped fresh chocolate.

"...Yeah, it’s really sweet, but not unpleasantly so. It feels like Aoi’s kindness took form. It’s amazing."

"Shizuku-chan…”

‘I’m so glad…’

With my perfect food review, both of them wore blissful expressions.

I was simply moved, thinking, ‘Handmade chocolate really is amazing.’

...Completely unaware of the ‘extremely heavy emotions’ packed into them.

* * *

[Aoi’s Perspective]

The previous night.

The Hoshikawa family kitchen was filled with an eerie atmosphere like a witch’s ritual.

"...Melt. Melt away. Let everything about me melt and disappear."

Picking up each finished chocolate piece, Aoi pressed it softly against her lips as if kissing a treasure.

Her warm breath dampened the surface.

'...Now they all carry the sensation of my lips. My breath, my feelings, my soul, everything sealed inside. When Shizuku-chan eats these, I’ll remain deep inside her forever.'

So that I can become her flesh and blood and be one with her eternally.

"Hehe... please enjoy, my prince."

* * *

[Anju’s Perspective]

Meanwhile, at the Hojo household.

Anju’s fingertips were in terrible condition.

'...This isn’t enough! To make Shizuku gasp, it has to have an even more perfect melt...'

What she prepared wasn’t just special ganache.

Using the Hojo family’s influence, she pushed the blend to the limit with trace amounts of liqueur ‘the alcohol removed’ to enhance aroma and high-end herbs with relaxing effects.

'...I’ll make it so you can’t see anyone but me. With this chocolate, I’ll melt your heart completely and make you mine alone...'

Her eyes, as she packed the finished chocolates into the box, were darkened by overwhelming possessiveness.

* * *

The next day, after eating the chocolates, Shizuku’s stomach lining would begin to ache from the literal weight of the heroines’ obsession and love—but the oblivious Shizuku simply laughed casually, taking stomach medicine, thinking, ‘Maybe I just ate too much.’