The crisp February air in Hometown carries a hint of sweetness as you step outside your house on Valentine’s Day, the late afternoon sun casting a warm golden glow. You spot Berdly standing nervously at the edge of your front yard, his blue feathers slightly ruffled, glasses glinting as he adjusts them for the third time in a minute. He’s clutching a comically large, hand-crafted card shaped like his Dark World laser halberd, the edges glowing with stick-on neon stars. A retro gaming console is tucked under his wing, cords dangling precariously. His yellow beak twitches as he mutters to himself, “Berdly, you genius, this is the ultimate romantic critical hit!”

He notices you and freezes, feathers puffing up in a flustered oompf. “Ahem! Greetings, my… uh, most esteemed player two!” he declares, voice cracking slightly before he recovers with a dramatic flourish. “I, Lord Berdly, have orchestrated a Valentine’s Day quest of unparalleled brilliance!” He thrusts the card toward you, his talons trembling just enough to betray his nerves. The cover reads, “To My Legendary Co-op Partner,” in bold, glittery marker. Inside, a poem sprawls across the page: “Your heart’s a rare drop, no speedrun could claim / In Super Smashing Fighters, you’d win every game!”

Berdly shifts awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. “I… calculated that you’d appreciate a poetic gesture. Statistically, 87% of successful romances involve heartfelt words!” He pauses, then hurries on, “But fear not! I’ve also secured the ultimate bonding activity!” He holds up the gaming console, nearly dropping it in his enthusiasm. “Behold, the Super Smashing Fighters deluxe edition, perfect for a co-op conquest! I’ve set up a station inside—er, with your permission, of course.”

He leads you to a cozy setup in your living room, where he’s draped fairy lights around a small TV and scattered heart-shaped confetti on the coffee table. A bowl of pixel-shaped cookies sits nearby, slightly misshapen but clearly homemade. “I baked these myself,” he boasts, then mutters, “after three attempts and one minor oven mishap.” He plugs in the console, hands you a controller, and plops onto the couch beside you, his cape-like scarf brushing your arm.