Valentine's Day in Trinia was defined, quite simply, as an event imported from another world. Though the overwhelming majority of people remained ignorant of its precise origins—it having been introduced by a former Hero-role—it was widely recognized as an otherworld custom where one gifted chocolate to a romantic interest.
Naturally, there were many who took to imitating the practice. In a world like Trinia, where Hero Summonings occurred with some regularity, it had become a fairly established staple.
Within the Pope's Chamber of the Central Cathedral in Friendly City Hikari, Olivia sat staring at the item before her with a troubled expression. She, too, was well aware of the Valentine's custom. In a sense, it was only natural for her to consider giving chocolate to the person she cherished most—her deeply revered Kaito.
Kaito had mentioned his fondness for chocolate during their previous date with Kaori, making it impossible for the devoutly faithful Olivia to overlook an occasion centered around the treat.
Furthermore, Olivia possessed a character of absolute earnestness. When it came to a gift for Kaito, whom she revered and believed in with all her heart, she was utterly incapable of compromise.
Just as she had done with her sculptures in the past, she had spent an exhaustive amount of time honing her skills within a special space where the flow of time was manipulated. By now, Olivia’s chocolate-making techniques had reached a first-class patissier level.
Of course, this was a skill she had acquired solely because she deemed it necessary. Since she had no intention of using it for anything other than a gift for Kaito, it was destined to remain a hidden talent, unknown to almost everyone.
Blessed with a naturally keen sense of taste, she had conducted rigorous research and selection to procure the finest ingredients available through her vast connections. The chocolates she produced with her refined techniques were, in every sense, works of art.
Why, then, was Olivia currently wearing such a pained expression? The answer lay in the chocolates themselves. Sitting before her was an exquisitely crafted chocolate work shaped exactly like Kaito. To Olivia's own eyes, it was a masterpiece, but...
...I made this in a burst of enthusiasm, but wouldn’t Miyama Kaito-sama simply be bewildered if I handed him a chocolate version of himself? Moreover, I can’t imagine it would be a pleasant experience to eat food shaped like one’s own body.
Indeed, while Olivia’s faith reached extreme heights, her fundamental sensibilities remained grounded in common sense. She had successfully sculpted a chocolate replica of Kaito, just as she had with her statues, but the moment she considered the actual act of gifting it, she was forced to conclude it was entirely inappropriate.
Olivia lightly waved her hand over the chocolate, rewinding time until the sculpture reverted to its raw ingredients, and began to think anew.
If the ultimate goal is for him to eat it, then being overly elaborate with the form might actually be a mistake. It should be easy to consume, yet shaped in a way that conveys my reverence for Miyama Kaito-sama... perhaps there are clues in the reference materials?
With that thought, Olivia picked up the books and magazines she had gathered. Until now, she had focused primarily on professional cookbooks, but in search of broader inspiration, she leafed through magazines featuring Valentine’s specials. Her eyes locked onto a headline that read: "Give heart-shaped chocolates to convey your love to that special someone!" She froze.
Love for a special someone... I see. However, this shape is... No, it would be foolish to judge based on assumptions without first attempting it. Perhaps I should try making one as a test...
Though she felt the shape was far too blatant, she could not ignore the phrase "special someone." Olivia decided to try her hand at heart-shaped chocolates.
Starting with the presentation, she chose a heart-shaped box and filled it with an assortment of bite-sized hearts.
She included basic milk chocolate, white chocolate, strawberry chocolate, and even chocolates filled with the citrus-flavored gelee Kaito enjoyed. She arranged the various heart shapes within the box and stepped back to inspect her work.
No matter how one looked at it, it was a 100% Sincere Valentine's Chocolate.
...I-Is this not far too shameful? Giving such an overtly romantic item... would it not be the act of an indecent woman?
For Olivia, who was refined to the point of being flustered by the slightest exposure of skin, these chocolates—practically bursting with visible affection—were difficult to accept.
Logically, she should have rewound time once more and started over. And yet... Olivia’s face flushed a deep crimson, her expression shifting into one of even more profound agony than before.
To be blunt, these chocolates were mortifying. She didn't feel she could possibly hand them to Kaito directly. She was certain that if she tried to present them to him face-to-face, she would lose consciousness from sheer embarrassment.
However, looking at the finished product, she felt that if she were to express her feelings for Kaito, there simply was no better answer than this.
To give up on the heart-shaped chocolates would be to compromise on her gift for Kaito—an option that simply did not exist in Olivia's world.
A-Am I really going to give this to him? This? That is... no, but... My worldly thoughts... I must calm my heart...
After placing the beautifully wrapped heart-shaped box into a special space under strict status preservation, Olivia transitioned into prayer to purge her distracting thoughts.
It was an ascetic training session so rigorous it defied imagination. A priest who happened to visit on business was utterly horrified by the sight of her performing a ritual that would have killed a normal human every second. He left with a newfound sense of awe, thinking, "As expected, our Pope exists at a far-off height we can never hope to reach." Olivia, of course, remained blissfully unaware.
The day of the decisive battle arrived. Knowing Kaito would likely be busy with various plans on Valentine's Day itself, she had asked him to come to the cathedral a day early so as not to trouble him.
Upon entering the Pope's Chamber, the first thing Kaito saw was Olivia performing a full dogeza, her forehead pressed firmly against the floor.
"Um... Olivia-san?"
"I cannot express my gratitude enough for your willingness to respond to my lèse-majesté—forcing Miyama Kaito-sama to travel here today for my own convenience. Miyama Kaito-sama's mercy is such that it should be hailed as the Sun that Illuminates the Three Worlds. Your appearance here today is the very definition of supreme beauty. Anyone with a shred of true sensibility would find it only natural to bow before such overwhelming divinity..."
"Let's... just calm down for a second. I don't quite get what's going on, but I can tell you're panicking more than I've ever seen before. Please, stand up."
"To be granted the honor of standing in your presence... I feel a level of emotion that makes my very soul tremble. For my lowly self to stand before you is surely a profanity against beauty itself, but I shall presume upon your kindness..."
"Olivia-san? Err, let's really take a moment to settle down. Try a deep breath..."
Kaito didn't fully grasp the situation, but he could see that Olivia was at a record-breaking level of distress. He did his best to soothe her.
Thanks to his efforts, after a short while, Olivia managed to pull herself together, though a fair amount of stiffness remained.
"Er, so, you mentioned you had some business with me today?"
"Y-Yes! I-I-I wished to convey my deepest reverence to Miyama Kaito-sama! I, too, used the otherworld's events as a guide... and pr-prepared this! I realize it is an eyesore, but p-please... accept it..."
Kaito stared blankly for a moment at the heart-shaped package she held out with trembling hands, her face a bright, burning red. Then, comprehension dawned.
"Oh, is this Valentine's chocolate? Thank you so much, I'm really happy."
"Ah... I am relieved to see that I have not caused you offense."
"Not at all. I'm actually really glad you made this for me."
"Ah... Oh... If it has brought you joy... then I, too... am fortunate."
Watching Kaito accept the chocolate with a bright smile, Olivia let out a faint, bashful laugh, her expression a mix of relief and pure bliss.
To any observer, she no longer looked like a devout believer. She looked like a maiden in love.
Serious-senpai: "What—gaaaah!? I-It's impossible! I let my guard down because nothing happened yesterday! Is a Valentine Extra Chapter after February 14th not a violation of the rules!? What about the teachings! Where are the teachings?!"