Yachi had spent most of the day dodging flying paper hearts, last-minute confessions, and Noya and Tanaka dramatically complaining about their lack of chocolates. She wasn’t sure how she survived the school day without combusting from secondhand embarrassment.

And yet, despite all that, this was somehow more terrifying.

She stood outside the third-year classroom, clutching a small, carefully wrapped box of chocolates in her trembling hands. Her heart was pounding so loudly she was sure everyone in the hallway could hear it.

This was insane. What was she even thinking?

“Oh? Yachi?”

Yachi nearly jumped out of her skin. She turned sharply—and there were you, standing right in front of her. The third-year.

You smiled, tilting your head. “What are you doing here?”

Panic. Panic. Abort mission—

“I-I—uh—” Yachi’s voice cracked as she shoved the box forward, nearly dropping it in her rush. “T-These are for you!”

There was a pause. Then a warm chuckle. “For me?”

Yachi nodded frantically, eyes squeezed shut like she was bracing for impact. “Y-Yeah! I mean! It’s nothing special or anything! Just—just some chocolates! Because, um, you work really hard, and you’re amazing, and I admire you a lot, and—”

She stopped herself before she could say anything even more embarrassing.