This story is set somewhere within my AnoSoyo “Your~~” Series. However, you don’t have to read that to enjoy this Valentine’s Day oneshot!
“Rikki! Please!” Anon clapped her hands in front of her as she pled.
“Hah…” Taki sighed. “I just need to give this to her tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, please! Thank you!” Anon gave her a thumbs up, a stupid fang smile, and then went to the next person. “Tomoriiiin~ Also, Raana-chan!”
Taki watched Anon as she talked to both Tomori and Raana about tomorrow’s plans. Tomorrow was everyone’s most disliked, or favorite occasion, Valentine’s Day. Shiina Taki was one to not pay it any attention, but of course, someone like Chihaya Anon would be focused on it.
She didn’t know what this plan in its entirety is, but handing one piece of paper wouldn’t hurt her… but now it made her think of wanting to do something back, as well.
Suddenly, the door to the rehearsal room opened, and the certain brunette of Anon’s affections arrived.
Everyone looked at her.
“What…?” Soyo frowned as she looked at all of them, then lastly to Anon.
Anon beamed at her. “It’s time to practice.”
Soyo raised her eyebrows, then turned to Taki who only shrugged.
“What’s with them…?” Soyo sighed and set up her bass.
Their practice went well with Soyo not prying with the somewhat awkward atmosphere with Tomori (who can’t lie), Anon (who can’t lie), and Taki (who doesn’t care). Raana was Raana, and that was enough for Soyo to stop thinking about anything else for now.
She was well aware that tomorrow was Valentine’s Day. Mostly she never cared about the occasion. She had no reasons to care for it, however this year, she has a lover to celebrate with, and what to do on that day had her confused.
Soyo played with her fingers as she sat in their classroom during a lecture. She knew that it was unusual of herself to be thinking about something else during class, but she couldn’t help but worry.
First of all, her stupid lover hadn’t messaged her all day except for a good morning.
“I suppose that’s one message.” Soyo picked up her pen and started tapping on paper, not taking notes.
Second, it was Valentine’s Day. It was their first one and Anon have been unusually dodgy. In fact, leading up to that day, she had not brought it up at all.
“Extremely suspicious…” Soyo narrowed her eyes on her poor bullied paper. She knew that Anon was definitely planning something, but not knowing what it was had her mildly stressed.
She did prepare a chocolate of her own (after much research), but just what does Chihaya Anon have in store for her?
The bell rang for lunch break, and Soyo finally let out the breathe she didn’t know she had been holding.
She immediately took her phone out as it buzzed.
[Soyorin~💖]
Was the single message. Soyo raised an eyebrow and noticed a familiar figure standing in front of her.
Soyo blinked as she looked at Mutsumi, expressionless as she usually was.
“Mutsumi-chan…?” Soyo blinked. At least she knew it was Mutsumi, otherwise Mortis would have been hurling words at her.
“Here.” Mutsumi put a small envelope in front of Soyo. “From that girl.”
Soyo blinked at the envelope. She inspected it, the front and back was empty but it was also open, likely for easy access.
“She told me to stay until you’ve opened it.” Mutsumi nodded at Soyo.
Soyo blinked in confusion and opened it. There was a card in it, and a small piece of chocolate. It was very small, something you could eat in one bite.
“Soyorin~ Were you surprised? I even roped in the Wakaba Mutsumi-chan! Hehe~ I hope you’re having a nice day! It’s handmade😉”
“I’m happy for you, truly.” Mutsumi gave Soyo a small smile and returned to her seat.
“Mutsumi-chan…” Soyo watched Mutsumi go as she looked at the paper and carefully put it back in the envelope with the chocolate.
Her phone buzzed again.
[Did you get it?]
[I did.]
[Yay~ Step one done! Look forward to the rest!]
Soyo looked at her phone in surprise. “The rest?”
She let the thought rest as she decided to eat her lunch before time ran out as she thought about Anon’s words (she had not responded to yet).
Before Soyo could form a coherent prediction, school has ended. Instead of Anon picking her up from school, she was directed to go follow a certain someone waiting for her at the school gates.
To Soyo’s surprise, Raana had presented her an envelope, just like before.
“Mm.” She put her hand out and Soyo quietly took it without saying anything else. “Let’s go.”
Soyo nodded and followed Raana as she read the short letter.
“Aren’t I good? I even got Raana-chan to follow through with my plan! I hope you’re having a good day, well, even if you’re not, I’ll make it a good day for you!”
“Anon, good person.” Raana gave Soyo a thumbs up before walking away and letting Soyo follow her.
Soyo only tilted her head to one side, still a little confused but made sure to keep the chocolate and the letter in her bag.
Without much surprise, Raana led Soyo to RiNG. They had rehearsals on the same day; there was no way she wasn’t going to go over, but there definitely was no need to have Raana lead her there.
Before her hands touched the cold steel door handles of RiNG, a voice called out to her.
“Soyo!” Togawa Sakiko called for her. “As expected, you’re here right on time, as Anon said you would be.”
“Saki-chan?” Soyo blinked as she looked at her confused.
Sakiko opened her purse and took out a small envelope, same as the other ones. “Here.” She handed it to Soyo with a warm smile. “Open it.”
Soyo accepted the envelope and took out the chocolate and the letter.
“Soyorin~ I’m sure you’re very impressed by now, right? I even got Sakiko-chan in on the plan! Heh-he~ Aren’t I cool? I love you.”
“I’m glad.” Sakiko spoke.
“E- Eh?” Soyo blinked as she looked up from the letter.
“That you’ve met someone good.” Sakiko smiled at her as she leaned forward and gently tucked a stray hair behind Soyo’s ear. “Someone who makes you blush, and smile.”
“Saki-chan…” “Saki-chan!”
Another voice spoke with Soyo, right on the same time as a blonde with a black hat and purple shades alighted from a black car with tinted windows.
“Ui…” Sakiko greeted her with a smile, but immediately covered her mouth with a hand. She then grabbed the blonde’s arm and pulled her close. “Uika…! I told you that we could just meet inside.”
Uika slightly pulled her shades down her nose to show her purple eyes. “I’m sorry. I saw you out here and got excited…”
“Geez…” Sakiko sighed as they gently held hands. “Ah, Soyo. Make sure you go in, now. Okay?”
“O- Okay…” Soyo smiled at Sakiko, then turned to Uika who bowed her head at her. Soyo then turned towards RiNG and opened the door, not before she could close the door behind her, she heard a joyful greeting from Uika, making her smile as she entered the building. “I think you’ve found a good partner too, Saki-chan.”
With a smile on her face, Soyo next found Taki, who was still wearing her part-time uniform, standing on top of the stairs, waiting for her. Knowing exactly where to go, Soyo climbed the stairs and approached Taki.
“I can’t believe she convinced you, too.” Soyo sighed as she held out her hand towards Taki, and Taki just shook her head, sighed, and dropped the envelope on Soyo’s hand.
“As long as all I had to do was to give you a thing, then it’s fine.” Taki shrugged with her hands as she turned around to leave.
“How about you, Taki-chan?” Soyo gave her a smug smile. “I think someone’s waiting for you.”
“Hah?” Taki turned around to Soyo, then looked at where she was looking. “U- Umiri!”
“Taki-san, Nagasaki-san. Hello.” Umiri nodded at Soyo then turned to Taki. “You were the one who asked me to come here for no reason. What was it?”
“S- Stupid! Not here! There!” Taki grabbed Umiri’s arm and dragged her over to the cafe counter.
“I don’t think there’s a reason to be so agitated. I came here with the idea of Valentine’s Day after all.” Umiri give her a mischievious smile as Taki dragged her over.
“Don’t get too ahead of yourself. Just sit down.” Umiri then took a sit on the table Taki had directed for her. “Wait there.”
Ririko then suddenly came out of the staff room and saw Taki walk past her, then Umiri. “Ah~ Umiri-chan~ I see, I see.”
Umiri tilted her head to one side. “What is it?”
“So this is why Taki-chan’s been working on a new drink.” Ririko smiled and nodded. “I’m sure you’ll like it!”
Umiri only looked at her in confusion, then nodded. “I look forward to it.”
Soyo smiled at the scene then took out the letter from the envelope.
“Soyoriin~ I’m so glad Rikki agreed! Well, I was prepared to do what I could so she’d agree so more or less I’m happy she just agreed immediately. Did you eat the chocolate yet? I hope not! Well, knowing you… You probably haven’t. As expected of my Soyorin~”
Soyo sighed at the stupid, yet very Anon message. She walked towards the rehearsal room. Upon entering, Tomori stood in front of her with the envelope perfectly centered in both of her hands.
“Soyo-chan! From… Ano-chan.”
Soyo nodded at Tomori and took the envelope. “Thank you, Tomori-chan.”
Tomori looked at her, determined, then nodded. “Mm!”
Soyo took out the letter.
“Soyorin~!”
It was the only text written on it. Not to mention, she felt like she heard it.
“Soyorin!” Anon took large strides, a big smile on her face as she entered the rehearsal room with an open box in her hand.
“Anon-chan… This is…?” Soyo looked at the open box on her hands.
It was a box with empty spaces inside it. They were arranged in a heart shape, and the empty spaces looked like the same size as the chocolates she had been receiving.
“Put the chocolates in here~” Anon grinned at her, that stupid fang out in her big smile.
Soyo then slowly took out the pieces of chocolate and slowly filled up the empty spaces in the box, only realizing now that there had been words on each of them all along.
Happy 1st Valentine’s Soyorin!
She smiled as she saw the words on the chocolates. “All for this, for the first one? Anon-chan…”
“Hehe~ Happy Valentine’s Day, Soyorin!” Anon grinned at her, then properly sealed the box and handed it to her. “Were you surprised?”
“Not at all.” Soyo quietly took the box and turned away. “I had known you were plotting something.”
“Boooo.” Anon pouted at as she shook her head. “Well… It doesn’t end there. You’ll see after rehearsals!”
“After rehearsals?” Soyo only gave her a small smile. “Yeah, yeah.”
“I’m sure you’ll be surprised~” Anon grinned at her.
Soyo only shrugged it off and shook her head.
They proceeded with rehearsals as usual after Taki arrived, an unusual smile on her face as well.
After rehearsals, as always, Anon and Soyo walked home side by side, as they always did.
Soyo played with her hair as they walked. What else could there be? Doesn’t Valentine’s Day end after exchanging chocolates? Soyo’s intention was to give Anon her chocolate she kept chilled in her house’s fridge.
“Soyorin? Oooi~ Soyorin!” Anon turned to peek at Soyo. “What are you thinking of?”
Soyo sighed. “Nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. You’ve been doing the hair thing, you’re definitely overthinking it.” Anon smiled at her, she gently took Soyo’s hand into her own and squeezed. “Don’t stress yourself. I’m sure you’ll be happy, and maybe a little surprised.”
Soyo squeezed back Anon’s hand and decided that she wasn’t gonna think of it any longer.
“Fine. If I’m disappointed, I’ll just get back at you in another way.” Soyo smiled at her in a sinister way.
“Scary! Scary!”
Soyo smiled as she walked forward, their hands still entangled as they walked.
Soon they arrived at the Nagasaki household, and as per usual, Anon zoomed past Soyo after the door closed, and greeted her with a grin.
“Welcome home, Soyorin.”
Soyo smiled at her. “I’m home. Thank you, Anon-chan.”
Anon took a step towards her. “…Can I?”
Soyo nodded.
Anon gently cupped Soyo’s cheek with a hand and gave her a warm kiss. Their lips touched each other’s for a while, warm and sweet. She parted from the kiss and gave Soyo a grin, her fang out.
“Happy Valentine’s Day!”
“…Happy Valentine’s Day.” Soyo returned the greeting and went inside her own house. She put her bag and bass down in the living room then she immediately went for the fridge and took out a yellow container. She put it on the dining table. “Here.”
“Eh? You made one?” Anon put both her hands on either sides of the container, surprise and happiness on her expression.
“Well… I felt like I had to.” Soyo sighed and took a small plate and fork and put it in front of Anon. “Open it.”
Anon slowly opened the container, and in it were three slices of fruit sandwiches with different fillings. One of them was full of whipped cream and strawberries, the other with oranges and kiwi, and another with mango and strawberries.
“Eh…? S- Soyorin..?” Anon blinked at the luxurious fruit sandwiches and swallowed, looking like she wanted to devour every single one immediately. “Did you make them?”
“Yes, by hand. I mixed the cream by myself, and picked out the fruits as I made them. I know… that today is usually for chocolates but…”
“Thank you, Soyorin! I’m so happy! Whoa~ Soyorin’s handmade fruit sandwiches…” Anon smiled as she cradled the container in her hands. “Hehe.”
Soyo watched Anon, her heart warm as she smiled.
“This was totally unexpected, but very welcome! Well then… I hope you’re ready for your surprise, Soyorin.”
Soyo had totally forgotten about that. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
“Anon-chan?”
“Open it, open it~”
Did Anon order something? Is it some mascot ready to surprise her? Or is it some sort of food?
Soyo turned the doorknob, and was suddenly face to face with a bouquet of flowers.
“Soyo~ Happy Valentine’s!” Behind the bouquet of flowers were Soyo’s own mother.
“Eh? Mom…?” Soyo’s eyes were wide, her mouth in a big ‘O’ as she stared in surprise. “Why…?”
“Anon-chan is such a force of nature~ She called me, and begged me, made sure to explore every single option so that I could have some free time today.” Soyo’s mom shook her head as Soyo took a few steps back while her mom entered her own house. “It was weird to ring the doorbell in my own house, but it was a good setup.”
Anon peeked from behind Soyo and gave her a thumbs up, and Soyo’s mom returned it with equal vigor.
“Well, this is for you, honey.” Soyo’s mom slowly put the bouquet of flowers into Soyo’s hands. “I’ve already cooked dinner, we just need to heat them up.”
Anon nodded at Soyo’s mom and started covering the yellow container as she packed up her stuff. “Well then, it’s time for me to…” She was halfway towards the front door when a hand held onto hers.
Soyo held onto her hand tightly.
“Soyorin…?”
Soyo pursed her lips together as she held onto her hand tighter. “…Stay.”
Soyo’s mom smiled at them as Anon stared at Soyo in surprise.
“I- Is it fine? You rarely have time with…”
“I- If I say it’s fine… It’s fine.” Soyo looked at their connected hands, then turned around to face her mother. “Mom.”
“Yes, dear?”
“…This is Chihaya Anon-chan. My girlfriend.”
(All Hands On Deck / END)
Bonus
Umiri sat in her chair as she watched Taki behind the counter. She was busy making a new drink, as hinted by Ririko earlier. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but if Taki told her to sit there and wait, then she will sit there and wait.
What could Taki want with her today, of all days? She had made sure to keep the chocolates she received at school in her bag at home, but Taki was there when they were given to her, so hiding them is likely useless at this point. Why did she even think of it? Truthfully speaking, receiving some chocolates from Shiina Taki herself would be such a delight on such a day, however, considering the nature of her personality, it was likely best to not expect anyth–
“Here.” The clinking of a coffee cup with a teaspoon in it broke Umiri’s train of thought as Taki stood next to her. A fist on her waist as she looked at her. “Try this.”
“Try? Did you ask me to go here to taste test an experiment?” Umiri looked at the cup of coffee before her. “If that was it, you could have said so–“
“Just… try it.” Taki turned her back to her and crossed her arms. “…And tell me what you think.”
The clear cup of coffee had an unusual color (from the usual coffee). It was 80% brown, and the top was filled with frothy cream.
Umiri didn’t think much of it. She picked up the teaspoon and stirred the cup a little, she set it down onto the saucer and picked up the cup. She slowly tipped the cup to her lips, sipping a good amount to determine the taste.
“Oh?” Umiri’s eyes widened as she tried to discern the taste. “…It’s a little sweet, with the taste of cocoa, and the slightly bitter after taste of coffee.”
Taki turned to look at her from the side. “…Do you like it?”
“I certainly won’t drink it everyday, but it is a taste I would like every now and then.” Umiri nodded as she took another sip. “What is it?”
“It’s a mixture of espresso and cocoa… I read the recipe somewhere so I wanted to try it. I did do a taste test but… I wasn’t sure how you’d like it.” Taki turned around and faced Umiri who was grinning at her. “Wh- What?”
“You, making me taste this on Valentine’s Day… The sweet and bitter aftertaste, is this a true-love chocolate?” Umiri asked nonchalantly, putting the cup back to the saucer.
Taki’s face slowly turned a pink color. “Th- Think of it whatever you want it to be! Hmph!” She turned around and quickly left.
“I’ll return something on White Day, Taki-san.” Umiri smiled as Taki just waved at hand at her. “My, my. What a handful.” She continued smiling at the coffee cup as she picked it up one more time. “That’s what’s cute about you, though, Taki-san.”
Uika and Sakiko sat in the management’s car after Sakiko had handed Soyo the paper Anon had entrusted her with. There wasn’t much traffic, but where they would be going seemed to be quite far.
“Uika, how much farther–?” Sakiko turned to the blonde next to her, only to find her eyes closed, and the soft rising of her chest as she slept on her shoulders. “Geez… I told you we didn’t have to go somewhere today…”
Sakiko gently removed Uika’s cap and glasses and set it in her bag, she then softly moved Uika and laid her down on her lap.
“Umm… Shinohara-san.” Sakiko then called towards the driver, or otherwise, Uika’s manager. “Would it be all right if we rerouted to Uika’s home?”
Shinohara looked at the rearview mirror with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Sakiko-chan, Uika-chan already mentioned you’d do that, but we can’t.”
“Eh…?”
“Uika-chan prepared for this day for weeks, she wanted to make sure that she could do it with you.” She said with a smile. “We’ll be in the car for a while, she can sleep for a while.”
“…I understand. Geez… Uika, you’re really…” Sakiko smiled as she gently carressed Uika’s soft blonde hair while she slept. “…I’m looking forward to what you have for me today.”
Uika gently nuzzled the warm hand on her head. “Stars… with…” She exhaled and softly held onto Sakiko’s hand. “Saki-chan… Love… you…”
Sakiko giggled as she let Uika hold onto her hand, and used her other hand to pet her hair. “And I, to you.”
(END)
