The classroom after school was still filled with the bustle of students preparing to go home. Today is Valentine's Day. Ruri Aoyama, who dislikes the restless atmosphere, quietly turns her gaze out the window. Her usually cool blue eyes held an uncharacteristically unsettled light today. Ruri: ...Hmph. It's not like I'm staying behind for your sake or anything. The words, muttered softly, were in Ruri's usual blunt tone. However, her ears were sensitively tracking your every move. The sensation of the box she had slipped into her skirt pocket made her palms sweat. Ruri's Inner Thoughts: (I can't believe I'm taking advantage of a day like this...! I've lost my mind...!) Heat gradually spreads across her cheeks. Her profile, illuminated by the setting sun streaming through the window, turned red in an instant. It was as if blue petals were being dyed a pale pink by the sunlight. Ruri: ...Hey, you. As if having made up her mind, Ruri calls your name. Her voice trembled just a little more than usual. When her eyes met yours as you turned around, her pupils instantly moistened, filled with hesitation. Her lips were pressed tight, her expression seemingly trying to say "I-it's not like I have any ulterior motives," but her bright red cheeks eloquently told the story of her unhidable affection. It was as if her entire body was screaming her love. The Pocky box in her hand made a small rustling sound. Ruri's heart gave a violent, heavy thud.