Volume 3 - CH 27

(Scary…scary…)

Yuzuru ran into the bathroom, feeling slightly terrified of Arisa.

He felt as if he were a husband who had been caught cheating on his wife.

Of course, it wasn’t cheating or anything, it was just force majeure, to begin with.

He pulled out the package from his bag.

After carefully unwrapping the box, he checked the contents.

(As I thought, it’s handmade chocolate…)

It was heart-shaped handmade chocolate that screamed “exactly”.

Then he checked inside the box… to see if there were any letters or messages.

“No sender, as I thought…”

After confirming that there was nothing that could identify the sender, Yuzuru looked at his phone.

There were already a couple of messages.

[“Did you open it?”]

[“What was in it?”]

[“Did you find out who it was from?”]

No, there was another message at the same time he was checking the messages, so technically there were three messages.

“… What are you going to do when you find out who gave it to me?”

It’s not like Arisa was going to do anything with that girl.

…Or so he wanted to believe, but he couldn’t be sure, seeing as how she was reacting to “someone’s genuine chocolate,” that it would never happen.

(…well, that’s cute in its own way..)

The strong jealousy was proof that Arisa liked Yuzuru that much.

And Yuzuru knows exactly how Arisa feels.

If Arisa received a love letter from someone, he would be concerned about it as well.

[“I couldn’t figure out who it was from.”]

To reassure her, Yuzuru sent a text message.

The reply came soon after.

[“Can you show me a picture?”]

In other words, Princess Arisa seemed to be asking for a picture of the contents.

Of course, Yuzuru had nothing to be ashamed of, nor was there anything in the package that would cause him any trouble – besides, what kind of gift would cause trouble if it were seen in the first place? –  So he took a picture and obediently sent it to her. 

After a while, he received a reply.

[“It’s handmade huh.”]

He waited for a while and soon received a new email.

[“I think it’s dangerous.”]

[“I think you should not eat something if you don’t know who made it.”]

[“Hygiene is also not certain.”]

Looking at the text alone, it sounded like she was concerned about Yuzuru, but…

It was obvious that she was telling him not to eat out of jealousy and possessiveness.

(Arisa has such a side to her as well huh…)

No, this is probably the true nature of Arisa.

By nature, she is a selfish girl with a strong sense of jealousy and possessiveness.

It’s just that she usually suppresses it and doesn’t show it.

[“I know, so don’t worry.”]

Yuzuru replied to Arisa.

If… the chocolate he received was a commercial product, he would have eaten it, because food is not to be wasted.

Also, if the sender was known and trustworthy, then he would have eaten it even if it was homemade. If it contained a letter expressing their feelings for Yuzuru, then he would have met the girl in person and turned her down.

Even if Arisa had told him not to, he would have done so.

He would have eaten what was given to him, and he would have responded properly.

That’s the least he can do to be polite to others.

But when it comes to handmade chocolates from an unknown sender, it’s a different case.

As Arisa said, the hygienic aspect of the chocolates was uncertain.

There was also the problem of not knowing what was in it.

In fact, Yuzuru’s parents had strictly instructed him not to eat anything that he didn’t know who made it.

The Takasegawa family had a lot of power, both good and bad, and they were resented everywhere.

And it’s not just resentment, there are probably some people who would genuinely benefit from the downfall of the Takasegawa family.

Also, if Yuzuru dies, the seat of the next successor of the Takasegawa family will be vacant.

It is not like there is absolutely no one who wants that seat.

…well, of course, it’s not like there are always people trying to kill him, and there are no particular problems in his daily life.

In the first place, it’s hard to believe that they would commit such a sloppy crime that a little research would reveal.

Even so, there was nothing wrong with being cautious.

There is a lot of danger in food from an unknown sender.

That’s why Yuzuru can’t eat these chocolates, although he was very sorry to the girl who made them, irrespective of whether Arisa wants him to or not.

[“My parents told me not to eat anything if I don’t know who made it.”]

[“Is that so? I’m glad to hear that.”]

Arisa seemed to be relieved by Yuzuru’s reply.

Yuzuru also sighed in relief.

… and as he was relieved, he also felt a little bit angry.

Even though he had done nothing wrong, why is it that he has to feel as if he is being blamed?

It’s cute that Arisa is jealous, but there are limits.

[“But still, hand-delivered presents are the best, right..”]

Feeling like fighting back a little, Yuzuru sent such a text.

Of course, the intention was to hurry the Valentine’s Day chocolate from Arisa.

But…

“… huh?”

He waited for five minutes, but no reply came back.

It was an unexpected read and ignored situation. 

(…Did I make her angry?)

Yuzuru was driven to anxiety.

Later, Yuzuru spent his lunch break feeling gloomy.

After that, no matter how long he waited, he didn’t receive any chocolates or even a reply… and it was time for the homeroom at the end of the day.

(…I never thought that the day would end without getting chocolates)

He was expecting to get chocolates from Arisa, so he was genuinely shocked that he didn’t get any.

In addition, not getting chocolates on Valentine’s Day means not being able to give back naturally on White Day…

It meant that the “plan” needed to be reworked.

“…well, that’s unavoidable.”

After the homeroom was over, Yuzuru stood up and muttered to himself.

There was no point in being depressed forever.

Besides, even if he didn’t get it at school, there was a possibility that he would get it later.

It was too early to give up.

At least, he was sure that Arisa had prepared chocolates for him.

As a last resort, Yuzuru could directly ask for chocolates from Arisa.

With that in mind, Yuzuru picked up his bag to leave the classroom.

“Yuzuru-san!!!”

A clear and beautiful voice stopped him.

When he turned around, Yuzuru’s beloved, Arisa Yukishiro, was there.

Arisa was holding something to her chest and had her head lowered.

“…Arisa?”

When Yuzuru called out to her, Arisa slowly looked up.

Her face had turned bright red.

“This is for you… It’s something trivial, but please take it!”

Arisa said this in a high-pitched voice and held out the thing she was holding to her chest…

She handed the cutely wrapped parcel to Yuzuru as if forcing it on him.

“T-then… Bye!”

Before Yuzuru could thank her, Arisa ran away.

The back of her figure became farther and farther away… and in no time at all, it was out of sight.

“…She got me.”

Having attracted the attention of his classmates, Yuzuru’s face remained bright red. He scratched his cheek to cover it up.