Chapter 196: Beloved Chocolate
"Shizuka, don't put that one in. If that's mixed with the chocolate, it'll turn bitter... that one won't work either, just follow the steps... right, like that. Don't worry about the hot water underneath, just watch for the steam to rise... Honestly, I think this chocolate is already good enough, there's no need to... ow, ow, don't hit me, don't hit me! Watch the chocolate, watch the chocolate, it's falling into the water..."
On this beautiful Valentine's Day, while others were snuggled under blankets with their partners being lovey-dovey, or happily eating Honmei chocolate—and even the singles were curled up at home playing games—Akishin's first Valentine's Day was spent in the kitchen, helping his girlfriend make chocolate for himself.
After the chaos ensued, it was hard to tell if Shizuka was too tense or too embarrassed, but she kept making mistakes with the chocolate. She also insisted on adding her own creative touches, using colorful sugar sprinkles to decorate the outside... but in the end, she succeeded.
Shizuka's face was flushed as she handed over the chocolate, saying bashfully: "Aki... Akishin, this is my Honmei. Please... please accept it." Dammit! Why was it that even with Akishin watching over her, she still made so many mistakes? This was so embarrassing. In the future, she really had to learn how to make desserts properly.
Akishin stared at the heart-shaped chocolate in front of him, which had just been taken out of the mold and still carried a chill from the refrigerator, resting on a piece of colored paper. On its surface were three-colored sugar sprinkles and fresh cream that formed the figure of a girl; the girl had large eyes in a cartoonish style. Shizuka said it was a portrait of herself—a bit crude, but somehow it felt incredibly cute.
He then looked behind Shizuka; the whisk and metal bowl in the sink, the pot of hot chocolate water, the kitchen counter and floor covered in water stains... it wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe it as a total mess.
Finally, he looked at Shizuka's face, which was smudged with chocolate syrup and cream like she was wearing camouflage paint. Under the lamplight, her gaze flickered, her eyes not daring to meet his as she stared at the floor, yet her hand holding the chocolate remained steady, waiting for him to take it.
Akishin took a deep breath, fearing he might lose his breath entirely. He could feel his heart beating incredibly fast, as if it were about to leap out of his chest. He relaxed his grip, then clenched his fists again, repeating the motion several times. His face turned red—the kind of flush caused by blood flowing much too fast.
He didn't understand at all why he was having this kind of reaction, as if he were coming down with something. He felt bewildered, yet on the surface, he pretended to be calm: this was all so sudden, especially since an hour ago he was still struggling to teach Shizuka how to make the chocolate.
But... it didn't seem bad at all!
"Shizuka, I think I'm getting a bit too excited." Akishin quickly accepted the chocolate.
Shizuka looked up in confusion, and Akishin leaned down to kiss her.
Shizuka: "?"
It was very light, very soft—just a shallow kiss on the lips with no excessive heat, a sharp contrast to the hurried state of his heart.
Shizuka struggled slightly, feeling Akishin's unstable breathing, and her eyes softened into shallow crescents. She reached out and hugged him gently.
Two minutes later, Akishin broke the hug. Shizuka's eyes looked dreamy, and a captivating smile played on her lips as she asked: "What's wrong? Were you moved by me? Want to surrender yourself completely?"
Akishin nodded and said: "It feels... like a dream. I am moved by you, Shizuka. I... I think I'm a bit too excited."
"Excited because I gave you chocolate?"
"Right."
"...I'm glad you like it."
Shizuka hugged Akishin, leaning against his chest. Listening to that still-unsteady heartbeat, she felt incredibly happy.
"I'll make it for you every year from now on. You have to eat it all," she said softly. Her cheeks were red and felt hot; she seemed to be catching his excitement.
Akishin smiled: "Of course. Even if it tastes bad, I'll finish it."
A split second later, his chest was struck with a firm punch.
While holding Shizuka, he looked at the chocolate in his hand, then glanced around. Inside the small kitchen, their shadows were entwined as they hugged.
Outside the kitchen, the chairs had been tucked under the tables. On the walls hung the food supplies that were supposed to be sold today, yet he had irresponsibly closed the shop anyway. The colorful neon lights of the shop flickered, and the bustling noise of the crowds could be heard, a stark contrast to the quiet atmosphere inside the small store.
*Snap!*
Akishin took a small bite out of the chocolate.
"It's a bit sweet. Too much sugar was put in."
"You're eating it right now!"
Shizuka pulled back from the hug, watching Akishin and then looking at the chocolate in his hand, which was now missing a corner. She was stunned for a moment and asked: "Is it good?" She felt a bit anxious.
"It's good." Akishin nodded with certainty, then took another bite: "It's just a bit too sweet, but it's still good."
"Shizuka, do you want some?"
Akishin smiled as he offered the chocolate.
"Is it really too sweet? I don't remember putting in that much sugar." Shizuka opened her small mouth and took a tiny bite. She savored it for a moment, then nodded and said: "You're right, it is a bit too sweet. Oh, I remember now, the chocolate I bought was the very sweet kind. I should have tasted it earlier."
"I see." Akishin smiled, then took another bite. The cold chocolate was crisp, and as he chewed, it melted against his body heat, the sweetness spreading through his mouth.
He held the chocolate up to Shizuka's eyes again.
Shizuka took another bite, then said hesitantly: "Well, next time I'll use less sugar."
Akishin took another bite and said with great expectation: "I'm really looking forward to it. But, next year, I also want to eat chocolate like this, and it has to be this sweet."
Shizuka took another bite, asking in confusion: "Why? Isn't it too sweet?"
Akishin took one more bite, then explained with a smile: "Because today is Valentine's Day. If it's not a little sweet, it just wouldn't be right."
Shizuka took another bite and laughed heartily: "Alright. Next year you have to watch me make it, and the year after that you have to watch, and the year after that, and the year after that... haha, you have to be with me while I make chocolate every year. If you aren't, I won't give you any."
Akishin ate the final bite and whispered softly: "Of course. I'll be right there with you every year."
It was only then that Shizuka realized—the Honmei she had given him had been half-eaten by herself! What kind of situation was this? Before she could speak, Akishin reached out his hand: "Shizuka, I want more chocolate."
"More? I only made that one piece, you saw it yourself." Shizuka turned to grab the leftover chocolate: "But there's still some store-bought chocolate left. Did you suddenly develop a sweet tooth?"
She smiled as she held up a colorful box containing neat square pieces of chocolate, which had originally been bought as raw materials.
"No." Akishin shook his head, leaned in close, and blew softly on Shizuka's ear while whispering: "What I want is that piece of chocolate Shizuka made last night~"
Shizuka denied it immediately: "No, n-n... there wasn't any. Where would there be chocolate from yesterday? You're imagining things." How did he find out?
"Really~?"
"Of course it's true!" Shizuka's expression was one of absolute confidence.
"That's strange. All afternoon, I've been smelling a faint, sweet aroma." Akishin's tone was incredibly certain.
"...You must have smelled wrong. Yes, you definitely smelled wrong." Shizuka nodded her head earnestly.
Five minutes later...
Shizuka pulled a uniquely shaped piece of chocolate out of her document bag. Looking at Akishin with a mix of embarrassment and anger, she handed it over with a trembling hand. Akishin had to use a bit of force just to take it from her small grip.
Looking at the poorly shaped chocolate in his hand—the surface of which still used sugar sprinkles and cream to draw a girl—Akishin's gaze became even softer, his lips curving into a warm smile.
"Shizuka, thank you."
Akishin ignored Shizuka's protests, opened the wrapper, and immediately took a large bite.
"Ha~ this one is even sweeter~"
(｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡
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