My Valentine's Day wasn't as Wrong as I Expected

Valentine's Day was a day full of expectations for the normal high school boy. The chance of getting chocolate from a certain (or any) girl was a bit exciting for most adolescent boys. After all, getting chocolate potentially led to a romantic relationship. Youth at its finest.

Despite the week between today and February 14th, those naive thoughts probably swirled around most of the heads in the class. With headphones in my ears I silently watched my classmates converse with one another. The girls were probably gossiping about boys and young love while the guys were talking about who they wanted chocolate from.

Valentine's Day was just another day to me. I didn't have to do anything special. I might (if I'm lucky) receive a couple of obligation chocolates from the girls I'm acquainted with, but in the long run, almost everything was normal.

Almost. The sight of lovey-dovey couples across the campus would be annoying. It would also be hard to traverse the school unimpeded. Not to mention the gazes of pity guys would give me when I went home empty handed. And the small remarks passed around by everyone.

"He didn't get any chocolate? Maybe I should give him some as obligation."

"Huh? Do you know him?"

"No, but..."

Or...

"He's going home without any chocolate?"

"Yeah. Why, is he your friend?"

"Not really... I was just wondering..."

It was a bit demeaning hearing all those remarks in middle school. My one female friend, if I could even call her that, made it clear that she wanted to remain friends. She didn't even give me obligatory chocolate.

"Ah, Hikigaya. Sorry, I didn't bring chocolate for you."

"That's okay, Orimoto."

She had brought chocolate, however, as I had seen her hand out some after class. I must have been invisible to her. Our relationship, and any other relationship I had with a girl, was destined to be just like that. After all, I was and am a loner.

Valentine's Day was supposedly a day for love to blossom between two people. Even a week before the day, love was in the air, along with misconceptions, expectations, and clichés. Love wasn't always a good thing. Just ask Ryoma Echizen. Or you know, learn a little about tennis. [1]

As Valentine's Day approached in my second year of high school, these thoughts were floating around my head. I decided not to expect anything. That way I wouldn't regret anything.

Little did I know that...

My Valentine's Day wasn't as wrong as I expected.

I awoke on Valentine's Day to what felt like a light slap. There was a large weight on my body. I opened my eyes, but couldn't tell who was on me. After realizing that I had no level of attraction to the person on me, I realized it was my sister. That's how real siblings are. I could kiss my sister and feel absolutely nothing. Because she's my sister, even if she is a phoenix apparition. [2]

"What is it, Komachi?"

"... I need life advice."

My little sister can't be this into anime. [3]

"Just kidding! I just earned a lot of Komachi points with that reference!"

"Negative points, maybe." She pouted at me.

"Hehe. I really do need advice, onii-chan. Like should I give onii-chan a large or small piece of Komachi's homemade chocolate?"

"A large piece of chocolate please. After all, I won't be receiving any from my classmates."

"Huh? What about Yukino-san and Yui-san?"

"Yukinoshita wouldn't observe such a silly holiday like today. Yuigahama can't even make chocolate herself."

"My onii-chan can't be this dense."

"Can we stop with the Oreimo references? I'm getting a little worried, Komachi."

She giggled and stuck her tongue out at me.

"Get up already, onii-chan. You have a big day ahead of you."

"Yeah, yeah."

I arrived in class inconspicuously. Well, I suppose that's normal. After all, I have stealth mode activated, regardless of whether or not I want to be sneaky. Wow, now I know how Kido fell. Not that I use my stealth mode to fight against evil. [4] As I sat down, I saw a small figure approach me.

"Good morning, Hachiman."

"Yo."

I looked up to see the angelic Totsuka standing in front of my desk. His hands were behind his back, making it seem like he was holding something.

"D-did you get me chocolate?"

"W-what?!" He waved some chocolate at me. "Don't say something so embarrassing... Valentine's Day is when girls give out chocolate to boys, you know." He pouted at me.

"R-right..."

Ah, he had recieved chocolate from someone. I'm not that surprised. In fact, there's probably a Totsuka fanclub at this school. I need to join it. Or make it if there isn't one.

"So, who do you want chocolate from?"

"I'm not expecting anything. You?"

"I kinda wanted some from Yui... But I think she has someone else in mind."

Huh, so Totsuka was into Yui? Well, they are pretty close friends. How could I have missed that? It's not like I was forcing expectations on him or anything...

He watched me as if he was waiting for a response. Not knowing what he wanted, I tried to think of one quickly.

"Uh... Well good luck with Yuigahama. You two are pretty good friends, so I think you have a shot. She'd be silly to deny you."

"Did you even hear me, Hachiman?"

"Uh... Yes?"

"Forget it." He sighed and turned from me. Then he looked me in the eyes. So cute. "Today is a pretty big day for you. Try not to mess around too much, okay?"

"A-alright..."

He smiled at me and went to his desk. A big day, huh...

Wait, wasn't that what Komachi said this morning?!

Class ended, so I headed over to the vending machines to get some MAX Coffee. MAX Coffee was so sweet that it could replace chocolate on Valentine's Day. In fact, if someone brought me a can right now, I might fall for them. After all, Valentine's Day was so bitter, that at least the things you receive on the day should be sweet. Huh? Bittersweet chocolate clearly violated that rule. Thus, girls should just give out cans of MAX Coffee! That would make me happy. Wait, I still wouldn't be getting any...

As I neared Hiratsuka-sensei, who was on her way to the teacher's office, I could hear her muttering under her breath.

"I shouldn't have come today after all..."

Then, Hiratsuka-sensei glanced over at a couple who was holding hands. This was a pretty common sight today. Which was one of the reasons why I disliked Valentine's Day. Couples flaunting their relationship to the world were a bit obnoxious. Honestly, these couples should just...

"... Go blow up."

As sensei said the exact words I was thinking, she looked behind her to check if anyone had heard her. It's a good thing stealth mode is one of my passive skills, since if it wasn't—

"Ah, Hikigaya-kun. How are you doing today?"

Crap.

"Fine."

"That's not what I meant. You get any chocolate yet?"

"No." What do you mean by "yet"?

"Ah, I see." She reached into one of her pockets and pulled out something wrapped in foil. She handed it to me.

"S-sensei?" I felt heat on my cheeks. This was so sudden! Aren't relationships like this forbidden? Not that Sensei wasn't attractive. She was quite beautiful. But my heart wasn't prepared at all for this! She looked at me and started blushing as well.

"D-don't misunderstand. This is just to prepare you for the rest of the day."

"I-I see."

Of course the chocolate isn't romantic. What was I thinking? Hiratsuka-sensei was a teacher. She has boundaries. Ah, if only she was ten years younger! Then I could say I had gotten Valentine's Day chocolate from someone other than Komachi! As I turned to walk away, Hiratsuka-sensei grabbed my hand.

"Ah, umm..."

"Hikigaya..." Sensei started blushing again. What is going on? Sensei opened up my hand and took back the chocolate. She then replaced it with a new one.

"That was one of the chocolates with alcohol I was looking forward to eating later. Here's an actual piece of chocolate."

"Is it even allowed to bring that to school? That's kinda sad, Sensei."

Expecting a punch, I steeled myself. However, Hiratsuka-sensei just looked downward and spoke in a low voice.

"Yeah... I know..."

Hiratsuka-sensei walked away looking dejected. I'm so sorry, sensei! Please someone take her already! If not, I'll end up taking her!

After I had gotten my MAX Coffee, I started walking back to class. The amount of couples in the halls was sickening. What was worse were the groups of guys clustered around classroom doors in hopes of getting chocolate. Please follow my example and just accept the fact that you won't receive chocolate today.

Wait, I received chocolate from Hiratsuka-sensei, right? Sure, it wasn't romantic, but I can go home and tell Komachi that someone gave me chocolate! Actually, telling her that it was Sensei's chocolate might be kind of sad.

As I was thinking about this, I saw Ebina come out of the girls bathroom. She sighed loudly.

"Today's such a drag."

I totally agree.

"There's no guys giving chocolates to other guys! This is a perfect day to be homo!"

I take it back. Ebina looked at me and smiled.

"Yahello, Hikitani-kun. Huh? Is that your chocolate to give to Hayama or did someone give that to you?"

"No, stop. Someone gave it to me." Ebina nodded and reached into her bag. She pulled out chocolate and handed it to me. "Ah, obligation chocolate?"

"This isn't obligation chocolate."

"W-what?"

Ebina looked downwards. She was blushing, and I'm sure I was as well. My face felt like it was on fire. Seeing Ebina like this... She was actually pretty cute. Her short brown hair was swaying as she shook slightly. And her glasses really complimented her look. W-what am I thinking right now?

"You see... Umm..."

Her incomplete response made my heart flutter. So this is the power of chocolate on Valentine's day. Is this the start of the big day everyone seemed to be talking about? Am I one of those anime main characters that has a huge harem? Hopefully it doesn't end up like Persona 4. I don't think I could handle that! [5]

"This chocolate is..."

Don't leave me in suspense! I might die from anxiety right now! After all, if this chocolate isn't obligatory, then it must be—

"For you to give to Hayama!"

"No. Never. Please stop."

Stop toying with my heart, woman! Actually, I should have guessed this would happen. This is what I get for getting my hopes up. After all, Ebina was rotten, and she had suggested things like this to me before. Life isn't like a harem anime after all. Even if it was, I wouldn't be the main character. In fact, I'd probably be one of the faces in the background that no one noticed.

"But my dreams of HikiHaya! Please do it for me. If possible, try to go up to him and say, 'Umm... I know Valentine's Day is for girls to give chocolate to boys, but... could you please accept this?' Or better yet, split it between Hayama and Tobe and later have a three-".

As she was saying that, Ebina's nose suddenly erupted. I sighed as she fainted. I guess there was one thing that both life and anime shared. Fujoshi will be fujoshi. [6] The smile she had on her face was truly rotten. Almost immediately after, I saw Miura walking down the hallway. She saw Ebina on the floor and rushed over. She quickly pulled tissues from the inside of her blazer as if she was prepared for the situation. I was not surprised.

"Geez, Hina. Again? Ah, hey Hikio."

"Yo."

That's not my name. Please learn it by the next time you address me. Ah, who am I kidding? You're never gonna learn it. Miura glanced over at me.

"She gave you chocolate?"

"Yeah, but she said it was for me to give to Hayama."

Miura gave me a knowing look and reached into her bag. She pulled out some chocolate and, while looking at Ebina, held it out to me. I started blushing madly again. Seeing Queen Miura with a look of concern on her face, with her hand outstretched towards me made me realize how attractive she was. She really was a queen...

"U-Um... Miura-san?"

"Huh? This is thanks for all the times you've helped us out. I really appreciate it."

Zero for three... The gods of romantic comedies have not been helping me out on this Valentine's Day. Not that I was attracted to Miura, but... Wait! Didn't I plan to have no expectations for today?! Now is not the time to get my hopes up. After all, the Queen of Fire would normally never even associate with a lowly pawn like me.

"So, could you accept this... Hikitani?"

"That's not my name but sure."

After I took the chocolate, Miura helped Ebina up and started walking her to the classroom. As they left I heard Miura mutter a quick sentence.

"So it really is Hikio..."

That's not my name either! Ah, forget it.

I entered our classroom and sat down in my seat. I opened the can of MAX Coffee. Ah, what a wonderful sound to hear. The crisp pop of the can was just another reason why MAX Coffee was the best drink in the world. It may even be the best thing in the world in general.

However, what wasn't amazing was Tobe's constant whining since I had entered the room.

"Why am I not getting chocolate from anyone?"

Because you keep whining about it. In fact, you're worse than the guys who stay around after school ends just in case someone wants to give them chocolate. I saw Yuigahama get up from her seat.

"Tobe, I gave you some!"

Yuigahama gave Tobe some chocolate? Huh? What's this weird feeling I'm having? It kinda makes me feel sick.

"Yeah, but that was obligatory. I want romantic chocolate! Even Hikitani-kun has some chocolate!"

He pointed over at me. Unfortunately for me, I left my bag in the room when I was going to the vending machines. I didn't want the chocolate to melt, so I carried them to class and set them on my desk. I was a fool not to immediately shove them in my bag. Ah, my desire for MAX Coffee was so distracting.

"Hikki... got chocolate?"

Hey everyone. Thanks for reading. As always feedback is welcome and appreciated.

Sorry for leaving you all at a cliffhanger. Will update by next week hopefully. I totally have an essay due in 14 hours and haven't written my thesis. T_T I needed to get this story off my chest. Now I can start this essay.

Anyways, enough of me ranting. I apologize to all the fans of HachiYumi, HachiHina and 8Sensei. I just don't think those ships are likely to occur when this story takes place. Totsuka shippers and incest fans, I don't think that'll ever happen. I will be getting into the more romantic ships in coming chapters. Next chapter will probably still be giving out the rest of the friend/obligation chocolates. I'm trying to incorporate everyone important. Sorry in advance to Ooka and Yamato fans, if you exist. Also, sorry for the cliché title.

Also, I don't know or claim that Totsuka is into Yui. Don't even ship them really. May or may not be for plot.

Thanks everyone,

Bchets

[1]: Love in tennis means you have zero score. Ryoma Echizen = Prince of Tennis

[2]: Nisemonogatari (Tsukihi Phoenix) (A/N: This reference starts at the no attraction sentence.)

[3]: Oreimo (My Little Sister Can't be This Cute)

[4]: Kagerou Project/Mekakucity Actors

[5]: The Persona 4 Valentine's Day scenes. (A/N: T_T Risette's scene)

[6]: Fujoshi = Girl who's into BL (literally "rotten girl")