It was the fourteenth day of the Month of Wood—Valentine's Day.
Even so, my routine didn't change much. After finishing Bell's daily brushing, I leaned back against his massive frame and gazed up at the sky.
The sound of faint footsteps caught my ear. I looked away from the clouds to find Sieg-san walking toward me.
"Hello, Kaito-san."
"Hello."
"The weather is lovely today, isn't it?"
"It is. There isn't a single cloud in sight."
I smiled naturally as we exchanged idle pleasantries. There was something about her presence—the way we spoke—that always put me at ease. It was one of her greatest charms.
As I was thinking that, Sieg-san sat down beside me with practiced grace and retrieved an item from her Magic Box.
"Kaito-san, since today is Valentine's, I've prepared some chocolate for you. I hope it suits your taste..."
"Thank you. I’m so happy... Wait, is it warm?"
I expressed my heartfelt thanks as she handed me the gift. When I took the small box, I realized it was warm to the touch. I usually associated Valentine's chocolate with something chilled from a refrigerator, but warm chocolate... A thought suddenly occurred to me.
After asking for her permission, I opened the box. Inside, just as I had suspected, was a chocolate treat that resembled a cupcake.
"It's Fondant au Chocolat."
"Whoa, I love these! Thank you!"
To be honest, Sachertorte and Fondant au Chocolat were my absolute favorites when it came to chocolate sweets. I wasn't sure why, but I think I just preferred the cake-like texture. I rarely had the chance to eat Fondant au Chocolat, so I was genuinely thrilled.
"The taste... Well, I think it turned out well."
"I trust your cooking, Sieg-san. May I try some right now?"
"Yes, I thought you might say that. I brought a spoon as well."
"You think of everything. Thank you for the food."
I pressed the spoon into the cake, and a thick stream of molten chocolate spilled out. I let it soak into the sponge before taking a bite. The cake was warm and soft, and the chocolate was at the perfect temperature. A deep, rich sweetness bloomed in my mouth.
As expected of Sieg-san, it was truly, incredibly delicious. I had eaten Fondant au Chocolat several times before, but this was better than any of them. It was likely because she had made it specifically for me.
Savoring the flavor—one that seemed to warm my heart as much as my body—I smiled at her.
"It’s amazing. Honestly, I can’t stop eating."
"Fufu, there's no need to rush. It's not going anywhere."
Sieg-san watched me eat with a gentle smile. Her expression made everything taste even better, and a profound sense of happiness washed over me.
Suddenly, Sieg-san's eyes widened slightly as if she had noticed something.
"Oh? Kaito-san, you're eating too fast. You've got a little chocolate on your face."
"Eh? W-Where?"
"No, not there... Um..."
"Wait, what...?"
"Right... here."
I tried to wipe my mouth, but she told me I had missed the spot. Then, she placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned in close. Whispering in a voice that was meltingly sweet, she leaned in and licked a stray bit of chocolate from the corner of my lip.
I froze. "S-S-Sieg-san? What was that for?"
It was so unlike her. Sieg-san was usually the type to stay quietly by my side, always a supportive presence half a step behind me. For her to be so proactive was so unexpected that I was visibly flustered.
My face grew hotter by the second. In that moment, she looked more beautiful and seductive than ever. Seeing me panic with a bright red face, Sieg-san let out a small, bewitching chuckle and leaned in again.
There was no chocolate left on my lips this time. I realized what was coming.
"Kaito-san..."
"S-Sieg-san?"
"A little... bonus... for your Valentine's present."
"Mmh!?"
Her soft, lustrous lips—the same ones that had just been whispering so gently—pressed firmly against mine. I could feel her warmth radiating through the kiss. She held it there for several seconds before slowly pulling away, her face returning to its usual gentle smile.
"...Fufu. Even I can be proactive once in a while, you know?"
She tilted her head slightly, looking so beautiful that I could have mistaken her for an angel. My head was spinning, and my body moved of its own accord, driven by a sudden, honest desire. Without a word, Sieg-san opened her arms and drew me in.