A/N: I know that this is a few days late, but the scenario was stuck in my head, I had to write it.

❤❤❤

If there's one day that students of Clark High look forward to - that is not a holiday - it is none other than the Valentine's Day. Love fills the air that some may find romantic, while others may find suffocating.

Of course, the student council wouldn't let this day pass without any gimmicks in mind. Two days before the heart's day, the officers convened in their conference room.

Luthor was the least interested among the bunch. He viewed Valentine's Day celebration not as a tradition, but as an unnecessary expenditure in the budget of the council.

"We need ideas for the Valentine's Day celebration," Emeraude started the meeting, writing the term "V-Day" on the white board. "We want it to be as memorable as last year's celebration. Magpapatalo ba tayo?"

Luthor sighed, putting down a piece of paper where the agenda was written. "We cannot afford such extravagance. We did not include any allocation for this event in our annual budget. And mind you, we still have an obligatory promenade to prepare for."

"Don't be such a kill joy, Lu-lu," Emeraude countered. "Only upperclassmen may attend the prom, thus not everyone in the school can enjoy it. And don't worry about the budget. Thanks to our modest spending in previous events, we still have funds for two more activities not included in our yearly plan."

The considerable amount of savings in the student council's budget was all thanks to the vice president. He was always against any form of overspending and unnecessary spending. After all, he argued, their funds came from the pockets of the students so they should use them wisely.

"And students are really excited on what we have to offer on V-Day," Jessica the secretary added, twirling her ponytail. "Our message box was overflowing with requests to put up some booths or hold a small program."

"Thus we cannot ignore the cries of the students," Emeraude finished. "We are their representatives so we must give something that would make our constituents happy. Am I not right?"

This was the first and only time that Luthor wanted to point out that he is the student council and he has the final say in everything. But after being called a "kill joy" and hearing about the opinion of students, he reconsidered his position.

"Vox populi," he muttered in reply, reclining on his chair.

"Are there still any objections? None? Great!" Emeraude continued writing on the white board. "Now the table is open for suggestions."

"This may not be original but marriage booth and jail booth were popular in the previous Valentine's Day celebrations," Jessica shared after raising her hand. "What is V-Day kung walang ikinakasal at walang ikinukulong, 'di ba?"

"At pwede rin tayong makalikom ng dagdag na pondo mula sa mga booth," the treasurer added. "If they wanna kiss the bride in the lips, let's put that at fifty pesos. Kung sa cheeks, pwede na siguro ang twenty pesos. O, 'di ba? Kumikitang kabuhayan pa rin tayo!"

Everyone in the room nodded, except Luthor.

"So that shall address our vice president's concern about the budget," Emeraude smiled, writing "marriage" and "jail" booth on the board. "At kung may sobra pa tayong malikom, pwede nating i-allocate sa prom. That's the more extravagant event, if you ask me. The catering, the sound system, the lights, the bands!"

"Kumukulot na nga buhok ko sa kakaisip kung paano natin mapagkakasya ang budget," the treasurer jested. "Kaya tamang-tama ang V-Day event na 'to. Kung gusto n'yo, pwede rin tayong magbenta ng mga homemade chocolate o mangontra ng mga nagbebenta ng roses para bigyan tayo ng kaunting shares."

"Brilliant idea!" Jessica pointed her pen at the treasurer. "Chocolates and roses will sell like hotcakes! Imbes na sa labas pa sila bumili, diretso na sila sa atin. Dagdag budget din!"

"Okay, okay, that's noted," Emeraude murmured, writing "chocolates" and "roses" on the board. "What else?"

"How about a freedom wall or a message board?" Jessica suggested. "We can charge five pesos per message?"

"That will be ironic, won't it?" Luthor butt in. "How can we call it a freedom wall if leaving a message isn't free?"

The secretary's mouth gaped, realizing what the vice president had pointed out. "Okay, let's make it free then. No charge."

The treasurer raised her hand. "What if we put up a booth where we can say out loud their personalized messages to their loved ones? Kailangan lang nating manghiram ng sound system at mag-set-up diyan sa open area. Five pesos per message. Is that reasonable?"

"Or we can talk to the broadcasting club and ask if they can assist us?" Emeraude played the white board marker in her hand. "Remember the live radio broadcast showdown between Loki and what's-her-face from the Clarion? Kung pwede tayong humingi ng timeslot sa radio station natin, we can use their facilities to broadcast the message in all corners of the campus."

Everyone in the room once again nodded.

"Let's call it Love is On-Air!" Emeraude gestured to the secretary. "But first, we need to seek clearance from the school administration regarding the live broadcast. Ayaw nating magkaproblema."

"Got it."

"A marriage booth, a jail booth, a chocolates and roses booth, a freedom wall and a message booth," Emeraude recapped the suggestions. "I believe those are enough to put up a V-Day festival. Ngayon, kailangan nating i-discuss kung sino-sino ang magiging in-charge sa mga booth. We can ask Maggie and the student executive committee for additional manpower."

"Who exactly are going to man the booths?" Luthor asked.

"Tayo. We have to be visible in the eyes of the public," Emeraude answered. "I, for instance, shall oversee every booth during the event. Speaking of which, why don't you take control of the marriage booth?"

Staring at the president, Luthor's eyes blinked. He was thinking that wasn't a great idea. "You are... asking me to man a booth?"

"Just for fun, Lu-lu! Just for fun!" Emeraude said in defense. "The students would be thrilled to see their vice president officiating a mock marriage."

Luthor leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "As the vice president, I veto that proposal."

Emeraude sighed. "I move to override the vice president's veto through majority vote. All those in favor of overriding Lu-lu's veto, make it known."

Everyone in the room raised their hands, except the man who had no choice but accept the group's decision.

❤❤❤

Now that the Clark High Student Council has come up with plans to celebrate the Valentine's Day, news about the upcoming heart's day events spread far and wide in the campus through the words of their school newspaper Clark Clarion.

And the same news reached the headquarters of the QED Club.

"What in the world are you doing?" Loki stared in horror at the scarlet decorations in their clubroom. He pulled a heart-shaped poster on the door and showed it to his members. Never has he been so disgusted in recent weeks.

"Valentine's Day is coming, so Lorie and I are decorating our clubroom to celebrate the event!" Jamie sang in glee as she glued a cupid figure on the edge of the corkboard. "Almost every club is stepping up their decoration game. Magpapatalo pa ba tayong taga-QED Club?"

Loki slapped the heart-shaped poster back to the door and glared at Lorelei. "You are a part of this madness?"

"This is not madness," Lorelei, busy cutting hearts from crimson art paper, answered without turning to their club president. "Wala namang masama kung ide-decorate natin ang clubroom, 'di ba? Plus the student council launched a Valentine decoration contest."

"What's wrong with celebrating Valentine's Day?" Jamie approached their furious club president. "Wala ka bang memorable na Valentine's Day celebration?"

"I can think of one," Loki answered.

Both Lorelei and Jamie looked at him.

"The student council also had this room decoration contest last year," Loki was compelled to explain by just stares from his members. "The theme is obviously about Valentine's Day so I decided to embellish the room with red, but not with hearts, roses or stupid Cupid."

Jamie's eyebrows furrowed. "What else can you associate with Valentine's Day?"

"Oh, you shouldn't have asked," Lorelei muttered as if she knew what was coming.

"Did you know that on February 14, 1929, seven people were murdered in Chicago? The brutality was known as - surprise - the St. Valentine's Day Massacre," Loki answered, playing a heart with his fingers. "Al Capone and his men led the bloods-"

"Let me guess: You did not win the decoration contest," Lorelei cut him short.

"Of course, the judges preferred the cliche 'love is everywhere' theme in the other clubs," Loki ranted. "I fail to understand why we even celebrate this day!"

"Here we go," Lorelei rolled her eyes. She had been with him for how many months now, so she had an idea on how Loki shares his insights on matters that may seem insignificant to him.

"According to some accounts, Valentine was beaten with clubs and stones then beheaded under the orders of Roman Emperor Claudius," Loki sounded like a professor giving a history lesson to his students. "They said he was a martyr. So why are we associating his martyrdom with a lavish exchange of cards, chocolates and flowers?"

"Maybe I can make your Valentine's Day this year a memorable one," Jamie walked toward Loki. "Kung hindi ka busy bukas ng gabi, baka gusto mong mag-date-OUCH!"

Clad in red clothes, Freya scratched Jamie's leg and hissed at her.

"Kahit kailan, panira ka talaga ng moment!" Jamie tried to kick the cute cat, but restrained herself when she noticed that Loki was in front of her.

Lorelei chuckled at the banter between the human Jamie and the club cat. Since Freya was adopted by their detective group, these Freya-versus-Jamie episodes have become a common sight in the clubroom.

"Look at what you did to Freya!" Loki shook his head, scratching the head of the feline creature. "She got infected by your Valentine's virus. Stray cats might start courting her. Please don't give your 'yes' to any of them."

"Meow!" the cat cried as if it understood her caretaker's request.

"Don't you like how our clubroom looks, Loki?"

Carrying a small box of paper roses, Alistair knocked on the door before going in. He placed it on the long table and gazed on the hearts that were posted on the walls and board.

"Alistair, you are a man like me," Loki said, pulling his favorite seat. "Tell them how disgusted you are and tell them to stop this madness. My words fall on deaf ears."

"On the contrary, I love what they did with the decorations," Alistair's eyes roamed around the room, appreciating the heart's day vibes. "I can feel the spirit of St. Valentine the moment I step in this room. Minsan lang naman ang Valentine's Day. Pabigyan na natin ang gusto nina Lorie at Jamie."

"I feel like the martyr Valentine right now," Loki faked a smile. "I feel like I'm being clubbed by these poorly shaped hearts and stoned by these unsavory roses. Can Cupid shoot me through the heart before I get suffocated by the chilling breeze of romance in this room?"

Slightly offended, Lorelei paused from cutting and looked at the man who mocked her work. "Do you have any problem with my poorly shaped hearts?"

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The QED Four turned to the door, where a long-haired girl was standing and waiting to be acknowledged.

"Before you make any wrong assumption, this is the /kyu-e-di/ Club, not the /kyu-pid/ Club," Loki spoke before any of the three could. "If you have any interesting problem that can wash away the stench of Valentine's Day here, please do so."

The long-haired girl bit her lip, hesitating whether to proceed with her business or not. "Actually, meron akong request sa inyo sa Valentine's Day event ng student council."

"Sorry but-"

"Please take a seat!" Lorelei had to raise her voice to drown out Loki's protest. Alistair, being a gentleman as he always was, pulled a chair and offered it to their client.

"Alam n'yo na namang merong pakulo ang council sa February 14, 'di ba?" the client asked, combing her hair with her fingers. "By the way, my name's Valerie, a Grade 11 student."

"We heard na merong booth sa event," Lorelei confirmed, recalling what she read from the Clark Clarion. "What of it?"

"Meron kasi akong boyfriend," Valerie shared. "The past few days, pakiramdam ko, nanlalamig na siya sa akin. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang isipin na baka may iba na siyang pinopormahan."

Loki sighed, rolling his eyes. He never liked this sort of cases. If only he could, he would have walked out of the room, but Lorelei was keeping a close watch on him.

"Do you want us to find out who's the third party?" Jamie asked curiously.

Valerie shook her head. "Alam ko kung sino ang posibleng 'the other woman' ni Enchong, my boyfriend. Alam mo naman tayong mga babae, daig pa natin ang mga FBI agent kapag nag-iimbestiga at nagseselos."

"So what do you want us to do?" Loki asked, feigning interest. He wanted to close this case as soon as they could. "Do you want us to send her a box of poisoned chocolates or a bouquet of wilted flower?"

"Gusto kong i-confirm ninyo kung may namamagitan na sa kanila," Valerie answered. "Tomorrow is the event, right? I won't be around that time. Magpapanggap akong maysakit."

"And what are we supposed to do?" Alistair asked, squinting his eyes.

"I want you to lead Enchong and the other woman, Christine, to the marriage booth," Valerie replied. "Kahit kasal-kasalan lang 'yon, meron pa ring magaganap na kiss, 'di ba? If my boyfriend likes that other woman, he would no doubt kiss her, right? But if he's loyal to me at kahit wala ako sa paligid niya, hindi niya magagawang halikan ang ibang babae."

"Teka, teka," Jamie creased her forehead, looking confused. "You are willing to let your boyfriend kiss another girl?"

"This is a test and a trap," Valerie said firmly. "Ayaw ko mang gawin 'to, pero kailangan. I am willing to give you anything in exchange for your help. Are you up for it?"

❤❤❤

"Tell me, Lorelei. Since when did we start running a fool's errand?" Loki asked, shaking his head for the nth time. He was strongly against the decision to take on Valerie's request.

However, his members argued that the case presented to them could be a "Valentine's special." Enough with the blood, enough with the gore, they said.

The original partners-in-solving-crimes went to the open campus area where booths were set up. The skies were cloudy, and the sun was hiding behind the gray, floating cottons above.

By request of the student council, classes in the afternoon were postponed to give way to the V-Day event. Almost everyone in the campus square was wearing red, holding either a box of chocolates or a long-stemmed rose. Valentine's Day was indeed in the air.

"Tomorrow, everything will be back to normal," Lorelei answered, walking across the pavement toward marriage booth. "Can you please stop looking so grim today?"

"I never wanted to be here in the first pla-Oh, my God!"

"Do you two want to be married?"

If there was one thing that could surprise Loki, it was none other than his brother Luthor dressed like a priest and holding a black book in his right hand. He was stationed at the makeshift altar decorated with white flowers, white curtains and red hearts.

"Hi-Hindi kami ang magpapakasal." Even Lorelei was taken aback by the unusual sight of the vice president.

"As I recall, priests are supposed to be beacons of light, not servants of darkness." As always, Loki took no time to insult his dearly beloved brother. "I never thought that being a priest is one item in your cosplaying bucket list."

Looking uncomfortable in his white dress, Luthor defended his choice of outfit. "I am stationed here under the strict orders of the student council president. If I had it my way, I would have locked myself in the student council room, sip a cup of tea and wait until this thing is over."

"You are the student council. You could have stopped this madness," Loki pointed out. "Let us just hope that there won't be a repeat of 1929 in this school. You know, the Valentine's Day massacre."

While the brothers were busy with their brotherly chit-chats, Lorelei took out her phone and received a message from Alistair and Jamie, saying that they had found their targets - Enchong and Christine.

"Sorry to interrupt your display of brotherly love," Lorelei butt in Loki's and Luthor's conversation which she was not interested to listen to. "Meron kami sanang request sa 'yo."

"Today, we are acting as the /Kyu-pid/ Club, not /Kyu-e-di/ Club," Loki took the liberty to explain what he considered to be his club's dilemma. "We have a client who wants to test her boyfriend's loyalty."

The two told the vice president about what's going to happen in the next few minutes. What Luthor had to do was officiate a wedding between their two targets and force them to make a kiss. The priest had no complaints about the request, so everything was set.

A slender boy with spiky hair was brought to the makeshift altar by Alistair while a short girl in pigtails was escorted by Jamie. They were surprised to see each other in front of the priest.

Luthor cleared his throat first before officiating the "wedding."

"Mr. Enchong, do you take Ms. Christine as your lawfully wedded wife?"

There was a hint of hesitation in the groom's face. The words "I do" seemed to got stuck in his throat, unable to spit them.

"I... I..." Enchong tried to speak, but no words would come out of his mouth. "I can't do this. Pasensya na. Meron na akong girlfriend kaya hindi ko magagawang sabihin ang I do."

"But this is just a mock wedding! Just for fun!" Jamie said, determined. "Is your girlfriend around? Maiintindihan naman niya kung anuman ang mangyari dito."

"May sakit siya ngayon kaya hindi siya nakapasok," Enchong answered, looking down. "Ayaw kong madungisan ang relasyon namin. Selosa pa naman siya. Sorry, father, but I cannot do this. Sorry, Christine."

Enchong ran away from the marriage booth, leaving his wife-to-be behind. An awkward silence then ensued. Jamie apologized to the would-be bride.

"He could have said 'yes' and be done with this farce," Loki whispered. "Why is that guy taking his relationship with that Vanessa girl too seriously? He won't be actually married to the other woman."

Lorelei sighed. The man beside her may be a good detective, but he still lacked some understanding on the matters of the heart.

"Hindi mo talaga naiintindihan, 'no?"

❤❤❤

And that ended the failed Valentine's case... and the V-Day event by the student council. Valerie was informed of what transpired in the marriage booth. To the surprise of the QED Four, the client seemed to be upset by how things did not go exactly as she had thought.

"Something's wrong with that girl," Lorelei scratched her chin, walking with the three along the hallway going to the clubroom. "She should be happy that her boyfriend is loyal to her, right? Bakit parang dismayado siya?"

"Not to mention, parang ipinain niya pa ang boyfriend niya," Jamie added. "She could have asked him directly kung may duda siya. Instead, she chose to resort to a trap that may not be conclusive at all. What if nag-'I do' ang boyfriend niya kay Christine dahil nakikisakay lang siya sa gimik ng marriage booth, 'di ba?"

"I think there's something that Valerie isn't telling us," Alistair said. "Meron siyang itinatago."

Lorelei and Jamie turned to him, while Loki only shot a sideward glance. "Ano naman 'yon?"

"She wasn't testing her boyfriend," Alistair answered. "She was trying to find an excuse to break up with him."

"Wait, what?"

"Look at it this way," Alistair went on. "Kung natuloy ang pag-'I do' ni Enchong kay Christine sa marraige booth at nag-kiss pa sila sa harap natin, that would give Valerie the perfect excuse to break up with him."

"Hindi ko maintindihan." Jamie knitted her eyebrows. "Pwede naman siyang makipag-break sa kanya kung talagang ayaw na niya, 'di ba? Bakit pa niya kakailanganing maghanap ng excuse para gawin 'yon?"

"Because it offers a more compelling story," Loki chipped in. "If Alistair's theory is correct, why would Valerie want to break up with her boyfriend? The answer is obvious. She likes someone else. If what she had expected happened at the marriage booth, she can say that she was betrayed by her boyfriend, thus getting some sympathy from the person she likes."

"Quite a complicated plan," Lorelei commented.

"Humans are not only creative in plotting murders, but also in creating drama," Loki said.

"Anyway, case closed na 'yan kaya 'di na natin dapat isipin pa!" Jamie tried to change the topic. "Dahil tapos na rin ang event ngayong araw at dahil Valentine's Day ngayon, bakit hindi tayo mag-date na apat? Hindi naman talaga date, pero parang date!"

"Wala naman akong gagawin."

"I'm free this evening so-"

"I'm sorry, I have some engagement today," Loki responded, turning to the three. "I appreciate the gesture, but you can go on a date without me."

He then went inside the clubroom first.

"Don't tell me na meron siyang ka-date?" Jamie started biting her nails. "Who is the lucky girl then?"

Lorelei crossed her arms across her chest. "Come to think of it, kaninang umaga, nagbo-browse siya sa prices ng roses at candles."

"Ano?!" Jamie held Lorelei on the shoulders. "Umamin ka nga sa akin, Lorie! Hindi naman ikaw ang pagbibigyan niya no'n, 'di ba?"

"If you are curious, why don't we investigate about it?" Alistair suggested, the two girls turning to him. "We can ride my car to follow him and see who's the mysterious girl, if there is one."

Instead of going to a date, the QED Four minus Loki chose to tail their very own club president.

Loki hailed a car in front of the school. Meanwhile, riding in a blue Subaru, Alistair, Jamie and Lorelei followed.

As their car drove past lamp posts and trees, only Lorelei could recall where they were headed. The whole place was dark and not many people could be seen walking around the place. When Loki's car stopped meters ahead, Alistair parked his on the roadside and the three stealthily got out of the vehicle.

There they saw Loki kneeling on a grassy area, placing a rose and a candle on top of a stone. Alistair and Jamie were wondering why Loki was in this place, but Lorelei knew what was going on.

Loki visited Rhea's grave on Valentine's Day.

💔💔💔