落とし穴３４掘：あまーい日 (Part2)
"Now, let's make some delicious chocolate treats to make Yuki-san happy."
And then, evening arrived. It was time for Yuki-san and the others to return.
"We're home."
As that voice echoed through the entrance, we headed toward them, carrying the chocolate treats we had prepared.
"Welcome back!!"
"Oh? Is that a sweet smell?"
"It smells wonderful!!"
"Did you make sweets?"
"What’s this? Did something happen?"
The investigation team looked on with curiosity, peering at the treats we were holding.
"Hehehe, today we decided to recreate an event from my brother's homeland," Ratz said happily.
"What kind of event is it, Yuki-san?" Ria asked, tilting her head in wonder.
"Ah, is it already time for Valentine's?"
"Valentine's?" Jessica tilted her head as well.
"It’s, well, a day where you give chocolate to the person you love. To be honest, I think it’s just a strategy by candy sellers, though."
"Hmm, I don't really get the part about the business strategy, but if that's the case, I want Yuki-san to receive chocolate from me, too."
When Riel said that, the rest of the investigation team seemed to want to give chocolate to Yuki-san as well.
"I thought you might say that, so there’s still some dough left. Yuki, wait a moment, okay?"
"Brother, wait for us! We’re going to make something delicious!!"
"Big brother, wait just a second!!"
"...I'm going too."
"Kirue, I'm coming with you! I must fulfill my duties as Yuki-san's wife!!"
With that, everyone dashed toward the kitchen. The group who were pregnant, having already finished their own sweets, followed after them to help.
"Ah, I guess dinner will have to be pushed back a little."
"...It seems so."
The only ones left were myself, Yuki-san, and Jessica.
"Yuki-san, have one."
"Mm, say 'ah'."
I held out a cookie I had made, and he ate it right from my hand.
"How is it?"
"Yeah, it's delicious. Thanks, Eris."
"You're welcome. It is a wife's duty, after all."
I was so happy to hear Yuki-san say it was delicious. Valentine's is such a wonderful tradition.
"...Should I have gone to make some as well?" Jessica muttered, watching the interaction between Yuki-san and me.
"I wonder. As a guard, I think you're qualified. But as a wife, you're a bit lacking."
"That is difficult, isn't it?"
"It's alright. I'm sure there will come a day when you'll be so in love with Yuki-san that you won't be able to help yourself."
"Hmm, I do hold a certain amount of affection for him, though."
"That's probably a different kind of affection, you know."
"I agree with that."
"Is that so?"
Jessica tilted her head, pondering. I think the fact that she has to stop and think about it means it's more of a sense of duty than love.
Since I had baked quite a lot of cookies, I decided to share them with others. I had already given them to the person I wanted to feed the most.
"Yo. Boss, I heard you had some business with me?"
"Ah."
"Oh, perfect timing."
As Steve entered, I handed him a cookie.
"What's this? A cookie? Looks homemade, though."
"That's right. We're mimicking an event called Valentine's, where you give chocolate to the person you love. Yuki-san already had some, so this is a share for you."
"Ah, ah..."
Beside me, Yuki-san covered his eyes with his hand. Was there a problem?
"...Did you call me here just to show this off...? *Crunch, crunch*... It's delicious. It's so delicious it brings tears to my eyes!!"
"I'm glad to hear that."
With that, Steve turned his back and bolted outside.
"Eh?"
"You real-life idiotーーーー!!!"
Why did he shout that as he ran off?
"Ah, well, you know. Just leave him be. He'll be back to normal by tomorrow."
"Huh? If that's the case..."
Afterward, I realized that I had committed an act that would wound a lonely man. Indeed, if one doesn't have a beloved, this event is just a meaningless, lonely affair. In fact, sharing them the way I did only makes it more miserable, doesn't it...
I'm sorry, Steve. Please forgive me, for the sake of the love between Yuki-san and me.
The next day, I heard reports that Steve had been found passed out drunk in the park.
*I didn't get any either, so I'm OK!! Hey, everyone else is the same, right!! Right!!*