Chapter 228 - Entrance Exam and Valentines Day [25] (2/2)

「Y-Yeah. I promised you after all.」

She nodded as though having prepared her resolve. Her cheeks were dyed scarlet.

「H-Here you go…」

While shyly averting her gaze, she offered out the square parcel with a lovely animal design.

「T-Thank you!」

Ria’s handmade chocolate which I dreamed of.

It was in my hands at this moment.

「C-Can I eat it now?」

「Y-Yes, of course! I used plenty of the finest chocolate of Vesteria, so I’m sure it would be ridiculously delicious.」

「Oh, I’m looking forward to it!」

With anticipation swelling in my chest, I carefully peel off the packaging.

And when I slowly opened the lid,

「「Ah…」」

There were three chocolates lined up in a very distorted shape.

(I-Is this… a heart-shaped chocolate?)

Perhaps, it melted due to the heat from〈Fafnir〉in the fight earlier.

Now it was just a black clump.

「S-Sorry…」

Ria said and took away the package panickingly.

「Eh, err…」

What should I say at these times?

And when I was greatly perplexed,

「Ah, man… I… am really stupid.」

She squeezed out her words with a face that seemed to burst out crying at any moment.

「I’m really sorry, Allen… I felt too embarrassed to give it to you directly. And you got a lot of chocolates as well, so I really wanted to make it something special that you can remember. And now it is…」

She was unable to finish her words, and started crying on the spot.

(I see… She tried to make it memorable and special by challenging me to a fight and making her handmade chocolate the prize huh…)

Certainly, if she gave it in that manner, I can’t forget it.

It will be clearly engraved in my memory.

(I am so happy.)

I was so happy that Ria thought of all this for me.

She looked so lovely and adorable that I had the urge to hug her tightly and dearly right there and then.

(But it’s still too early…)

We haven’t advanced to that stage yet.

So I restrained the passion in my heart with pure willpower, and spoke to her in a gentle voice to reassure her.

「Hey, Ria.」

「…What?」

She looked up at me with her moist eyes and tilted her head slightly.

「I am saying this as a man. I want the chocolate that you made. So, if you don’t mind… Will you give me that handmade chocolate?」

「…………Eh?」

I discarded my feelings of shame and directly said,「I want Ria’s chocolate.」