🎁 Chapter 14 — Chocolate box — Sec. 2

- Original song: 鏡音リン&レン https://youtu.be/u1rLKGHRKGs?si=l2V-mw9Z3zDROsxP - Cover song: Kamui Gakupo Megurine Luka https://youtu.be/5P2rBfZ69Zo?si=RUgA7MWOYBo4axhS 💜💗💜💗💜 Story 💗💜💗💜💗 The stairwell lights flickered on the moment they pushed the door open. A dim, warm glow fell over them— gently pulling the lingering warmth of the rooftop back into reality. Their footsteps echoed in the space. One step. Then another. They walked side by side. Still holding hands. Neither of them brought it up— but neither let go. The silence lasted a few seconds. In the end, Luka was the one who broke it. “You’re acting weird today.” Gakupo glanced at her. “How so?” “Everything,” she replied immediately. No hesitation. There was a faint hint of complaint in her tone. “You suddenly gave me flowers, and that whole atmosphere… it felt like a confession scene.” She paused, then added quietly: “…Even though we’ve already been together.” Gakupo let out a soft chuckle. He didn’t argue. Instead— he slowed his steps slightly. “About the other day,” he said. The air tightened, just a little. Luka’s steps faltered for a moment. “…Yeah.” She didn’t look up. But her voice was steady. Gakupo kept his gaze forward. His tone lowered. “I’m sorry.” Simple. Direct. No extra explanation. Luka blinked in surprise. She looked up at him, clearly not expecting him to say it first. “That day,” he continued, “I overreacted.” He paused briefly, as if choosing his words. Then said it plainly— “Seeing you talking to him for that long…” His gaze shifted slightly away. “…bothered me.” Luka froze. She blinked. “…You were jealous?” Gakupo didn’t deny it. “Yeah.” No excuses. No elaboration. But it carried more weight than anything else. A slow warmth spread across Luka’s face. “Then why were you so harsh with me…” she muttered softly. “Because I wasn’t happy,” he answered bluntly. “What kind of reason is that…” she frowned lightly. She didn’t sound angry. More like… resigned. Gakupo looked at her. His expression softened. “But I was still wrong.” He added quietly. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.” That made the air fall still again. Luka lowered her gaze. Looking at the rose in her hand, her fingers gently brushed its petals. She stayed silent for a moment. Then spoke, softly— “Back then… I was kind of startled.” Her voice was quiet. Gakupo blinked. She didn’t look at him. Just continued slowly, “You suddenly acted like that… I didn’t know how to respond.” She took a small breath. “And he really was just asking me about something…” She paused. “I didn’t think you’d care that much.” There was no defensiveness. No blame. Just honesty. “I’m sorry,” she said. Gakupo looked at her. This time, he didn’t respond right away. He simply nodded. Like he was truly accepting her words. Then— he reached out. Gently hooking his fingers with hers. This time, it wasn’t as effortless as before. There was a hint of hesitation. Luka froze for a moment. Her fingers trembled slightly. But she didn’t pull away. Instead, she slowly curled her fingers back around his. “Are you still upset?” he asked quietly. Luka thought for a moment. Then shook her head. “…No.” Soft. But certain. Gakupo’s expression relaxed noticeably. “That’s good.” His voice returned to its usual calm. They walked a few more steps. The tension was gone now. Replaced by something lighter. Something easier. Luka looked down, mumbling softly: “You’re really sly today…” Gakupo glanced at her. “For our first Valentine’s together,” he said, his tone steady, “I want to take it seriously.” Luka froze. Her fingers lightly brushed the rose petals again. More carefully this time. As if making sure it was real. “…You don’t have to go this far,” she murmured. Her voice softer than before. Gakupo looked at her. “For me,” he said, “this kind of thing should be treated seriously.” The air stilled for a moment. Luka’s heart skipped hard. She lowered her head. Her face slowly flushed. “…You’re such a hassle,” she muttered. It sounded like a complaint. But there was no real rejection in it. Gakupo chuckled. “You’ll get used to it.” He said it naturally. Luka didn’t argue. Instead— she quietly tightened her grip around his hand. They reached the last step. The door opened. Night had already fallen. Lights across the campus flickered on, one by one. A gentle breeze passed through. Carrying away the last traces of unease. They walked side by side. No one brought up the argument again. Because everything that needed to be said— had already been said. Luka held the rose in her hand. As if she were carefully protecting something precious. She didn’t loosen her grip. Didn’t want to. Gakupo, meanwhile, held onto the gift he had prepared. Firmly. Without showiness. But with quiet intention. He glanced at her. Said nothing. Luka noticed, and looked away. “…What are you looking at?” she muttered. “Nothing,” he replied calmly. Then, after a pause— “It just suits you.” Luka froze. Her face flushed again. “…You’re so annoying.” She muttered under her breath. But she held the rose a little more carefully. Gakupo didn’t respond. He just tightened his hold on her hand slightly. They kept walking. The night deepened. The lights were warm. He carried the gift. She held the rose. One prepared to give. One who chose to accept. Their steps didn’t stop. And neither did they drift apart. —This Valentine’s Day was only just beginning.