Mahiru stood in her kitchen, staring at the ingredients laid out in front of her.
A deep breath.
Alright… let's do this.
She had spent way too much time worrying about whether she should actually make chocolates for Sam.
But now, there was no turning back.
"...It's just chocolates. How hard can it be?"
She opened a tutorial on her phone and followed the steps carefully.
Or at least… she tried to.
Within minutes, the kitchen was a disaster.
Cocoa powder spilled on the counter.
Melted chocolate dripping from the bowl.
Flour… somehow on her face
"Ugh…" she groaned, pushing her hair back. "This is harder than I thought."
Still, she kept going.
She melted the chocolate properly this time, mixed the ingredients, and poured the batter into the molds.
Finally, after some time…
It was done.
Mahiru carefully lifted one of the chocolates and inspected it.
It wasn't perfect, but… it looked good enough!
She bit her lip.
"Will he like it…?"
She had made regular chocolates, but also added a special one—shaped like a small heart.
Is this too much?
Her face burned at the thought.
But after everything Sam had been through, she wanted to do something special for him.
A small smile formed on her lips.
"...I really hope this makes him happy."
---
Meanwhile, Sam was restless.
Lying on his bed, he stared at his ceiling, thoughts a mess.
Valentine's Week had started.
Would Mahiru… do something for him?
Would she… give chocolates?
He covered his face.
Why am I expecting something?!
But still…
He couldn't stop thinking about her.
Their time on the Ferris wheel, the way she had comforted him when he broke down, her smile, her voice…
He let out a deep sigh.
"God, I'm doomed."
Little did he know…
Mahiru was just as nervous as he was.
----