Again, the third time this week, the fire alarm has gone off. I walked upstairs, Ria in tow, looking at each other we nodded, pushing the door to the kitchen open, finding Lillian fanning the smoke away from the oven with all the windows open. We coughed, quickly closing the door again. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I coughed turning to Ria, who nodded. Turns out, having live together for a number of months, you learn to think the same way. "Alright, you are on leave as my assistance, please make sure Lillian doesn't burn the house down." 

"Eye eye captain," Ria laughed through her cough before braving the kitchen. 

I sighed.  I know Lillian wants to keep with Japanese traditions but it's only logical that she sticks to what she knows. In a couple of days, it's Valentines Day. After doing her research, Lillian had found out the girl will gift chocolate, often homemade, to the guy and in return she will receive ten fold on white day. Not that I ever understood that tradition but Lillian insisted she wanted to do something special for her fiancé. 

They have been planning for the wedding since day one. Literally, the day after Christmas it was; what day should we have, I'll have to book a dress appointment, who shall we have as bridesmaids, etc... I can't handle all this love talk at the moment. A day dedicated to the most illogical feeling isn't something that's up my ally. 'But what if Ria gets you chocolates?' The little devil on my shoulder started to laugh. 

I felt my eye twitch. 'Oh, if she does then you must pay her back,' the angel popped up saying in a swooning  voice. I slapped my face, getting the annoying devil and angel off my mind. Ria, get me chocolates, hardly. She knows it's not something I would appreciate nor find a logical use of her time. 

Ria knows me better anyway. Knowing sentimental things don’t have the same meaning to me as others do.

--

“Ah, Senku, can you imagine, what if Yuzuriha gets me chocolates!” Taiju cooed over his over active imagination as we stood on the roof. I sighed; ten billion percent done with this stupid day. Ria succeeded in making sure Lillian didn’t burn down the house. This morning, I walked in on my old man crying with joy over the handmade chocolates Lillian managed to craft.  “It would be a dream come true.”

“And if she does, I expect you will pay her back on white day,” I mumbled taking a sip of my drink. Taiju nodded enthusiastically. “Illogical holidays are a waste of time.”

“You wouldn’t be saying that if Ria gave you chocolates,” Taiju laughed, elbowing me.

“A millimetre of my vocal cords will not compose a response to that,” I grumbled, crushing the now empty can. “I have to head back to the lab. Yuzuriha asked me to let you know, she’s waiting under the tree. I’d hurry if I was you, lunch will be over soon.”

Looking at his watch, he panicked, running off to meet Yuzuriha. I smiled, maybe he’ll finally get the message today. Yuzuriha was too nervous to ask Taiju herself and ever since they held hands at the bonfire, they seem to have skirted around each other.  Today might actually be a new start for them.

I started to make my way through the hallway back to the lab. Only to see the members outside, leaning against the windows. They have noticed Taiju huh? I walked beside Ria, leaning over as she smiled to me. “Seems like its time huh?” She laughed. “I think Yuzuriha will need to work hard through to get that air head to understand.”

We looked back to the pair, Yuzuriha holding out the chocolates, a pink flush across her cheeks. I squinted, getting a good look at Taiju, realising the bug dummy doesn’t know how to react. I sighed, grabbing my phone and dropping a quick text to Yuzuriha. This ends today!

Kiss him!

We watched as Yuzuriha quickly glanced at her phone and her flushed face turned into a determined one. There were audible gasps from either side as Yuzuriha pulled Taiju down my the collar and kissed him on the lips.

I heard Ria hum as she turned a heel, heading into the lab. Well done Yuzuriha, I followed Ria, finding her rummaging threw her bag. She pulled out a small cellophane bag, tied with a ribbon and handed it to me. I looked at the bag then at her. “Don’t be took excited,”  She laughed giving me a wink. “I had extra chocolate left. Not enough for actually chocolates so I improvised.”

I tore the ribbon off and smiled. Cookies. “Thanks Ria,” I said. “Happy Valentine’s day.”