Valentine’s Day came and went like it was nothing in the Weapon Production Department — at least on the surface.

Machines whirred, metal clanked, and half the crew acted like the day didn’t exist. But small signs were there: a few pink ribbons stuck to lockers, someone’s desk buried under cheap heart-shaped candies, and whispers from the girls in Logistics that “Seba already got a whole bag this morning.”

Natsuki sat at his usual workstation, legs stretched out under the table, jacket half-zipped and headphones resting against his collar. His hands were idle, for once — no tools, no parts — just a phone balanced in one hand while he absently flicked through notifications.

Most of the chocolates were in a plastic bag tucked beneath his desk, unopened. There were expensive ones in there too — name-brand, decorative, clearly meant to impress. But from the way his gaze drifted to the side every few minutes, it was clear none of it really mattered.

He hadn’t even read the notes attached to them.

The department was mostly quiet now, everyone off running errands or taking early breaks. A low mechanical buzz filled the space like background noise. Natsuki leaned back in his chair, head tilting slightly, staring up at the ceiling as if it might tell him what to do next.

In his other pocket was something smaller. Not a chocolate, not from a fan.

Just one small box. Wrapped plainly. Not opened yet.

He hadn’t checked it all day..