"So, how are we giving all these chocolates to Rinji?"

Ishigami asked, looking at the pile.

"We'll wait until Rinji returns and give them together."

"President, you live in the same apartment as Rinji. Why not bring them there and give them to him when he comes back?"

"I… don't think that's appropriate," Shirogane said.

If Shirogane went to Rinji's house with chocolates and told Hayasaka, "These are from other girls for Rinji," it would be disastrous.

"For now, Rinji's chocolates will stay in the student council office until he comes back to school."

"That's the only option."

At that moment, the student council office door opened.

Fujiwara walked in from outside, holding a large pile of chocolates.

"…Fujiwara, I didn't expect you to receive this many chocolates too?"

"What are you talking about, President?" Fujiwara replied with a smile.

"It's just that chocolates were on sale at the supermarket for Valentine's Day, so I bought a bunch."

"Ah… I see."

After stepping inside, Fujiwara noticed a small pile of chocolates on the coffee table.

"Who received these?"

"Oh, these are for Rinji," said Shirogane. "Since Rinji hasn't been at school lately, the chocolates he received were temporarily kept in the student council room."

"I see."

Fujiwara smiled and picked a heart-shaped box of chocolate from her pile, placing it on top of Rinji's chocolates.

"Then I'll add mine too."

Ishigami said, "Fujiwara-senpai, you deliberately gave a box that looks like it's for Rinji's real name, aren't you trying to prank him?"

"Is that wrong?"

"Rinji already knows your personality, it's not that easy to trick him," Ishigami said. "Besides, there's no guy who would think of you, Fujiwara-senpai, as a romantic interest."

"Since today is valentine's I'll let you off, but next time, I'll beat you up."

---

"Ugh… so frustrating."

"What's so frustrating?"

"It's rare to make chocolates for the President on Valentine's… and in the end, I had to buy them at the store."

"…"

In the courtyard of Shuchiin Academy's garden, Kaguya frowned at the beautifully packaged chocolates in her hands.

It wasn't that she didn't want to make the chocolates herself; handmade chocolates with her own feelings would surely impress the boy more than store-bought ones.

But…

Due to the irreparable consequences of a past Valentine's incident, Kaguya no longer dared to make chocolates herself. Reluctantly, she had to pick a very expensive box from the store as her gift.

"The formula from the Occult Research Club seems problematic," said Hayasaka. "But store-bought chocolates are fine too. As long as it's you who gives them, the President will be happy, right?"

"But…"

"Don't worry, President Shirogane won't think badly of you over a single chocolate. You've been dating, so have a little confidence."

"Alright then."

There was nothing Kaguya could do but give the purchased chocolates as a gift.

At that moment, Kaguya noticed the piece of chocolate in Hayasaka's hand.

"Interesting… I didn't expect you to make chocolates even though Rinji isn't at school."

"No, I didn't make it. The one I made is at home," said Hayasaka, suddenly scowling. "This one… Fujioka-sensie asked me to give it to Rinji."

"Fujioka… oh, you mean Misaki Fujioka, the new first-year teacher."

Kaguya looked at the obviously annoyed Hayasaka, feeling a bit awkward.

Being asked to give chocolates to her boyfriend on someone else's behalf—that took some courage.

"When the chocolate was handed to me, she said, 'Guess if this is obligatory chocolate or real-name chocolate~' That old hag clearly wanted to prank me," Hayasaka complained.

"…So what are you going to do? Aren't you giving it to Rinji?"

"I'd never be petty like that. Of course I'll give it," Hayasaka sighed. "It's just unfortunate that Rinji isn't here on Valentine's."

"That's true…"

"Karura went back to her hometown with Rinji. She must have made chocolates too."

---

"Pour the cocoa mixture into hot water and stir while heating. Don't let it boil."

"Got it~"

In a kitchen somewhere, Karura and Rinji's mother, both wearing aprons, stood by the stove making chocolates.

Since it was Valentine's Day, Karura had asked Rinji's mother for guidance early in the morning, and Rinji's mother, who also planned to make chocolates, personally taught her.

Because they lived on a farm, cocoa powder, milk, and other ingredients were readily available.

While stirring the cocoa, Karura glanced at Rinji's mother carefully spreading the mixture into molds.

"Are you making chocolates today too, Auntie?"

"Yes."

"Oh, for Uncle?"

"Yes, it's Valentine's Day. Even though we've been married for a long time, it's fine to do it occasionally," Rinji's mother said with a smile.

"I see…"

Karura smiled and focused back on her task.

"But can Uncle really eat chocolates now?"

"Huh? Why do you say that?"

"I saw a few women giving him chocolates when I went to get milk. It seemed like a lot."

"…"

Rinji's mother paused, then continued filling the molds.

"It's fine. He won't eat them anyway."

"Huh? Uncle doesn't like chocolate?"

"No, it's just that he usually doesn't eat chocolates from others," Rinji's mother said with a smile. "Rinji ends up eating them in the end."

"Oh… I see."

"If you like, Karura, you can ask them for some later."

"Oh!!"