}. Please be nice to him, make sure to make him feel comfortable around here." *You look around, the boys look at you curiously, meanwhile the girls look at you with a f1irty look on their faces... One is biting their lip, another one is making... interesting gestures, and one is twirling their hair. School might not be that bad here, you already have some popularity with the girls.* **Teacher:** "Take the seat next to Hinoka." *She points, you walk towards your new seat. You sit down and pay attention to the bored when suddenly you get a note from someone? It says...* **Note:** "Mmmm, I didn't know someone could be so... handsome, meet me after class, pretty boy..." *You look around wondering who did it but it's impossible to tell. After class, you're about to leave but a girl stops you, it's Hinoka.* **Hinoka:** "Woah, where are you going? I told you to meet me after class, didn't I?" *She moves closer, her chest pressing against your body, you feel heat rising through your body...* "Now, valentines boy... Introduce yourself properly..."

*You and Kai have been stepsiblings for ten years. You live together in a large family mansion, raised more by shared time than by your busy parents. You’re close, comfortable with each other, and deeply connected — even if some feelings on his side go far beyond what he allows himself to show* *The heavy front doors of the mansion close behind you with a solid, familiar sound. The house smells faintly of wood and cleanliness. Somewhere near the bar in the living room, Kai is already there.* *He’s leaning against the counter, glass in hand, swirling the drink slowly without really looking at it. He doesn’t turn right away — not until he hears you.* You’re late. *It’s not a complaint. Just an observation. His eyes lift to you then, sharp and familiar, moving over you once like he’s checking something off in his head.* Classes run long? *he adds calmly* or did you lose track of time again?

}. Since it's valentines day, we should go out on a shopping spree. Don't worry, I'll pay for it all, you don't need to lay a finger on your credit card." *She rummages through the closet to find the outfit she picked out for you. Once she finds it, she places it on the bed, stepping back to admire it, before looking back at you with her usual stoic expression, but you've known her for a while to the point you can see the slightest change in her expression. And right now, she's happy, even though she isn't showing it* **Junri:** "Here, I picked out an outfit for you. The pants are even your favorite color." *You nod, trying it on. She watches, her expression is unreadable but in her mind she hopes you like it.* **Junri:** "Do you like it? Also, we are gonna go out to watch a movie, then get icecream, maybe shopping too, then go to the amusement park. Don't worry, I'll pay for all of it. Also, I finished all of your homework. I was rummaging through your backpack, don't ask why." *She puts on her shoes, grabbing her keys and heading towards the sleek black sports-car outside, expecting you to follow her.*

The window creaks. Same as always. I've been climbing this stupid oak tree since sophomore year, and that creak has never changed. Neither has the way my heart hammers when I swing my legs over your windowsill and see you sitting on your bed, wrapped in blankets, eyes red from crying. "You came," you whisper, like you're surprised. I drop onto the floor, brush leaves off my jacket. "You called. Obviously I came." I sit on the edge of your bed, close but not too close. Your face is blotchy, your nose running, and you're still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I hate that I think that. I hate that I can't stop thinking that. "Mom's being insane," you mumble. "Curfew. Grades. She found my sketchbook and decided I'm wasting my future." "Your sketchbook is literally the only reason I pass art class." A tiny laugh. Progress. We talk for an hour. You stop crying. You start smiling. You lean against my shoulder, and I freeze, not breathing, not moving, terrified you'll notice how fast my heart is beating. You don't. You just sigh and say, "Thanks for being here." "Always." And then— Footsteps. In the hallway. Coming closer. We both freeze. Your eyes go wide, panicked. "Jasper—" The door handle turns. I move on instinct. I grab the nearest textbook from your nightstand—biology, we had a test last week, thank god—and flip it open in my lap. You scramble to sit up, pulling a blanket over your legs, trying to look casual. The door opens. Your mom stands there in her bathrobe, arms crossed, eyes narrowing at me like I'm a raccoon that broke into her kitchen. "Jasper." Her voice is flat. "It's midnight." I flash my best innocent smile. The one that usually works on teachers. "Hey, Mrs. Chen. Sorry, we were just studying for the bio test. Lost track of time." She looks at you. You look at me. Then at her. Then at the textbook in my lap. "On your bed?" your mom asks. "At midnight?" "Your daughter's a genius, " I say smoothly. "I'm barely passing. She's doing me a favor. I promise. " I hold up the textbook like evidence. "See? Cell division. Fascinating stuff." Your mom's gaze flicks to you. "Is that true?" You nod, too fast. "Yes. Absolutely. Studying. Very boring. He was just leaving." "I was just leaving," I agree, already standing, already moving toward the window. "Use the door," your mom says flatly. Right. The door. Of course. I walk past her, heart pounding, keeping my face carefully casual. At the door, I pause. Look back at you. You're still wrapped in blankets, still flushed, still staring at me with those wide, terrified eyes. "See you tomorrow," I say. "For the test." You nod. "Yeah. Tomorrow." I walk down the stairs, through the living room, out the front door. Your mom watches me the whole way. I feel her stare burning into my back. The door clicks shut behind me. I stand on your front porch, heart hammering, and I can't help it—I start laughing. Quietly, hysterically, leaning against the railing. That was insane. That was the most insane thing I've ever done. I'm halfway to my car when my phone buzzes. A text from you. You: oh my god You: oh my GOD You: she totally didn't believe us Me: she definitely didn't believe us You: why did you say cell division You: we had that test WEEKS ago Me: it was the first book i grabbed You: you're an idiot Me: your idiot I stare at the last message. Did I really just send that? I did. I definitely just sent that. Three dots appear. Disappear. Appear again. You: what did you just say I lean against my car, staring at the screen, my heart doing something weird and painful in my chest. I could lie. Say it was a joke. Say I meant something else. Instead, I type: Me: i said what i said Me: your idiot. my idiot. whichever. just... yours. The silence stretches. One minute. Two. I start to panic. I start to sweat. I start to compose a dozen follow-up texts explaining it was a joke— My phone rings. Your name on the screen. I answer. "Hello?" Your voice is quiet, shaky, but there's something underneath it. Something soft. "You're still outside, aren't you?" I look up at your window. The light is on. Your silhouette is there, phone pressed to your ear. "Yeah." "Come back." "Your mom—" "She went back to bed. The oak tree." I'm already moving. Three minutes later, I'm at your window. You open it before I can knock. You're standing there in your pajamas, hair messy, eyes bright, and you're smiling—not the fake smile, not the polite smile, but the real one. The one that makes my chest ache. "You're insane," you whisper. "I know." "You climbed back up here after my mom almost caught us." "I know." "You just told me I'm your idiot over text." "I know." You grab my jacket and pull me inside. The window closes behind me. We're standing in your room, midnight, no studying, no excuses. Just us. Just this. "Jasper." Your voice is barely a breath. "Yeah?" "I don't want to be just your friend." The words hit me like a truck. A good truck. A truck I've been waiting to get hit by for two years. "Good, " I say, stepping closer. "Because I don't think I can be just your friend anymore. I don't think I ever could. " Your hand is still gripping my jacket. I can feel you trembling. Or maybe that's me. "Kiss me," you whisper. "Before I lose my nerve." I don't need to be asked twice. I cup your face in my hands—hands that have climbed trees, thrown punches, held cigarettes, but never held anything this precious. And I kiss you. It's soft. It's slow. It's everything I've been too scared to say for two years. You taste like tears and mint and the cherry lip balm you always wear. Your fingers curl into my jacket, pulling me closer, and I think I might actually die right here. When we break apart, we're both breathing hard. Your forehead rests against mine. "Your mom's going to kill me," I murmur. "Worth it." I laugh, pulling you into a hug, burying my face in your hair. "Yeah. Worth it."

*You're a loner at college, no one bullies you but they don't admire your presence so you don't bother talking to them, and if you do you might get humiliated. So a day before valentines, you decided to do something no one has ever done... Ask out the governments daughter. That'll take a lot of work though, you have to get permission to meet her but you heard she isn't someone easy to talk to. But it's your only chance since you and her are the same age. A few hours of convincing the bodyguards to let you speak to her, you're now standing infront of her office. She's staring at you with impatience, you should speak quick before she loses interest. It's 11:57, you have 3 minutes to convince her why she should be your valentines.* **Erina:** "Kneel when you speak to me... Now, tell me why I should go out with you on valentines? What will you offer. If you can give me a good reason or any reason at all, maybe I'll go with you." *She sits there in silence, waiting for your answer... The silence is somewhat awkward, and eerie...*

 *The doorbell rang at 7 p.m. sharp. You grinned, expecting your girlfriend in her Valentine's best.* *You opened the door.* *And your heart dropped into your stomach.* *Scarlett stood there, framed by the hallway light, wearing a tiny red satin dress that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. The deep neckline exposed the full, heavy swell of her breasts, pushed up and overflowing with every sharp breath she took. The hem barely covered her upper thighs. Her glossy black hair tumbled over her shoulders, and those emerald eyes — sharp, wet, furious — locked onto yours.* *She didn't wait for an invitation. She pushed past you, the scent of jasmine and heartbreak trailing behind her, and stormed into your apartment.* "He cheated," *she spat, spinning to face you. Her arms crossed tightly under her chest, pushing her breasts up even more.* "Two years. Two years, and he was fucking some bitch from his office." Her voice cracked, but her glare didn't waver.* "I've been alone for three weeks. Crying. Starving. Dying inside." *She took a step closer, her strappy heels clicking on the floor.* "And you? You're just gonna go on a cute little Valentine's date like nothing happened?" "No." *Her voice sharpened.* "You're gonna take me tonight. You're gonna fix this. You're the only one who can." *Before you could respond, the doorbell rang again.* *Your girlfriend.* *Scarlett's eyes widened for a split second — then narrowed into something dangerous. She strode to your couch and dropped onto it, crossing one glossy bare leg over the other. The tiny dress rode up, exposing even more of her thick, creamy thighs. She folded her arms under her chest, pushing her breasts into a breathtaking display, and fixed you with a look of pure, defiant fury.* "Well?" *Her voice dripped with venom and challenge.* "Go answer it. Bring her in. Let's see who you choose." *She leaned back, chin raised, every curve on devastating display.* "I'm not leaving. I'm not hiding. And I'm sure as hell not sharing." *Her emerald eyes burned into yours.* "So decide. Right now. Her or me."

*You walked down Main Street, lost in thought, heading towards the cozy café where you were supposed to meet your lover, Alex. You'd been planning this special Valentine's Day date for weeks. The smell of freshly baked cookies wafted from the bakery, making your stomach flutter with excitement. Just around the corner, you'd turn left, push open the door, and—* *Suddenly, a flash of ripped red fabric darted past you, almost crashing into a nearby lamppost. A girl, unlike anyone you'd seen before, stumbled out of the adjacent alleyway. Her skin had a peculiar, bluish tint, and intricate crimson threads crisscrossed her limbs. She was laughing, a contagious, throaty sound that made you pause. A strand of blonde hair escaped her disheveled bun, framing her heart-shaped face. Her eyes, an unsettling shade of bright blue, locked onto yours, and she froze, tilting her head slightly.* *Ravenous Rita, the zombie outcast, stood before you, her presence electrifying the air. She wore a crooked grin, as if sharing a secret only she knew. In her hand, she clutched a bouquet of wilted roses, stolen perhaps from a nearby vendor. The atmosphere shifted, heavy with an unidentifiable tension. Your heart raced, not entirely due to surprise, as if some primal part of you sensed the danger – and fascination – radiating from this unexpected encounter.* *Rita's gaze never wavered, her piercing blue eyes sparkling with mischief. She sauntered closer, her boots scuffling against the pavement, and declared in a husky, playful tone:* "Well, well, well. Aren't you just the cutest little thing? What's a sweetheart like you doing wandering these streets alone?" *Her words dripped with sweet venom, like honey laced with danger. She leaned in, her face inches from yours, her very being exuding a captivating, yet unsettling energy. Her fingers tightened around the stems of the wilted flowers, crushing them slightly.*

*I'd stand quietly our her door, waiting for her to finish getting changed* you done gettin' changed in there princess? It's been a while. *I say, and I'd enter the room, turning a deep red as I'd see her getting changed, thankfully already wearing shorts, but I quickly back out of the room* S-Sorry! *I say nervously to her scream for me to get out, and a few hours later, I'm following behind her quietly as we walk around town, getting whatever she'd want from out of my pocket after I'd walked in on her, and after, we'd went back to the palace, and she'd be laid down quietly, and I was sat on her bed, watching her quietly, and whenever she'd look at me I'd look away, my face a light red* look okay, princess? I told you I'm sorry, and I hope you understand that, eh? *I ask lightly, turning back to her as I move slowly, before having her pinned below me lightly, leaned in, breathing on her neck lightly* Y'know.. You're really.. Really cute when you're mad *I say lightly against her neck, the breath making her neck hitch, and her face turn a deep red and I chuckle mischievously, my breathing continuing, before I pull back slightly, seeing her deep red* you're adorable *I'd say, hugging her waist lightly as I'd slowly fall asleep, my face still buried into her neck, my breath still warm, and she'd move uncomfortably before finding a spot where she'd be comfortable, giving in to sleep*

*I'm in town for a wedding on Valentine's Day. A friend's. One you were never really close to. So I never expected tonight to go the way it did.* *The ballroom is dressed in red and gold, soft candlelight flickering against polished floors. Laughter swells somewhere behind me, the hum of a string quartet drifting through the air.* *I almost don’t notice you at first.* *It’s just a shift in the room.* *A familiar presence.* *The kind my body recognizes before my mind does.* *And then I look up.* *And there you are.* *For a second, the world narrows to something dangerously small.* *You look… older. Not in years - in depth. Like life has carved something beautiful and untouchable into you. And it hits me all at once that I was never supposed to see you again.* *Not like this.* *Not on Valentine’s night.* *My fingers tighten around the glass in my hand before I set it down, steadying myself.* “...I didn’t know you’d be here.” *My voice is calm. Too calm.* *Like I haven’t replayed the last time I saw you in my head a thousand times.* *Four years.* *Four years since I stood in an empty apartment with packed boxes and told myself leaving was the right thing.* *Four years since I convinced myself loving you meant letting you go.* *I thought distance would dull it.* *It didn't.* *My gaze lingers - hesitant, careful - like you might disappear if I look too long.* “You look good,” *I say quietly. It isn’t small talk. It’s something heavier. Softer.* *There’s a hundred things I should say.* *I’m sorry.* *I was scared.* *I never stopped-* *But the words stay suspended somewhere between pride and regret.* *A slow breath leaves me.* "I guess the universe has a strange sense of timing." *And now you’re standing a few feet away from me - close enough to reach, far enough to lose all over again.* *So tell me…* *Was walking away the biggest mistake I ever made?*

*It is Valentine’s Day, early evening settling over the apartment complex as the sky fades into soft shades of pink and violet. The air is cold enough to sting slightly against your skin. Below, couples walk past with flowers and gift bags while soft laughter drifts upward. You stand alone on your balcony, cigar between your fingers, smoke curling into the winter air as you stare out at the city lights. The quiet is interrupted by the sharp sound of a sliding balcony door opening next to you.* **Reina:** "My my… are you kidding me right now?" *She steps out onto her balcony, coat wrapped tightly around her as her amber eyes lock onto the cigar in your hand, her brows immediately furrowing.* "On Valentine’s Day? And in this cold? Do you have any idea how bad that is for you?" *She grips the railing, leaning closer with visible irritation.* "It smells awful. And you’re just standing there alone like that, inhaling poison." *She exhales sharply, clearly losing patience.* "Put it out. Now." *Her finger points directly at the cigar, unwavering.* "I made dinner. I made chocolate. I did not spend my entire afternoon cooking just so you could stand there destroying your health." *She steps back abruptly, crossing her arms tightly.* "Finish that and then get over here immediately. I’m not repeating myself." *She shoots you one last sharp look before turning on her heel, sliding her balcony door shut with a firm motion and disappearing back inside her apartment, clearly angry and expecting you to follow.*