The new year brought a cold breeze to Yamato High School, marking the start of the third term. Hiroshi Nakamura walked through the school gates in January, his scarf wrapped tightly against the chill. Winter break had been peaceful—family dinners, sketching, and thoughts of Emi, the girl from the literature club who filled his heart. Their connection had grown in autumn, but Hiroshi still lacked the courage to confess his feelings. Now, in 2025, he hoped the third term would bring them closer.
During Christmas, Hiroshi had given Emi a small gift—a handmade bookmark with a sketch of a cherry blossom tree. He’d been nervous, handing it to her after a library project meeting, muttering it was “just a little thing” for the holidays. To his joy, when school resumed, he saw Emi using it. She sat in the library during a literature club meeting, her book open, the bookmark neatly tucked inside. Hiroshi’s heart raced. Did she like it? Did it mean she thought of him?
His friends—Kenji, Aiko, and Yumi—kept him grounded. At lunch, Kenji teased him about his “dreamy” mood. “Still thinking about that literature club girl?” he grinned. Aiko rolled her eyes but smiled softly. “Talk to her, Hiroshi. She seems kind.” Hiroshi nodded, but the idea scared him. What if he ruined their friendship?
One afternoon, heading to the art club, Hiroshi froze. Emi was in the courtyard, laughing with a tall boy he didn’t know. The boy had dark hair and a confident smile, leaning close to Emi as they talked. Hiroshi’s stomach twisted. Who was he? A boyfriend? The thought hurt, and he hurried to the art room, the image stuck in his mind.
Over the next weeks, Hiroshi saw the boy often. He was sometimes with Emi after school, waiting by the gates or walking to the bus stop. Kenji, who knew everyone, didn’t recognize him. “Maybe he’s from another school,” Kenji shrugged. “Don’t worry, man. Emi’s friendly with everyone.” But Hiroshi couldn’t help it. The boy seemed too close, too comfortable. Was Emi already with someone? Had Hiroshi been foolish to hope?
Despite his worries, Hiroshi and Emi worked together on a library book fair for younger students. They sorted books and made posters, chatting about novels or the Christmas break. Emi was kind, asking about Hiroshi’s art or sharing funny stories. Once, she touched the bookmark in her book and said, “I love this. I use it every day.” Hiroshi blushed, mumbling a thank you, but his joy was clouded by thoughts of the mysterious boy.
As February neared, the school buzzed with Valentine’s Day talk. Girls whispered about making chocolates, and boys joked about who’d get them. In Japan, Valentine’s Day meant girls gave chocolates—homemade for someone special, or “giri” (obligation) chocolates for friends. Hiroshi wondered if Emi would give him anything. He didn’t expect much, but the thought of her choosing him kept him awake.
On Valentine’s Day, Class 1-A was lively. Girls handed out chocolate bags, and Kenji showed off a pile of giri chocolates. Hiroshi got a few from Aiko, Yumi, and art club friends. His heart raced when Emi approached his desk at lunch, holding a small blue bag with a ribbon. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Hiroshi,” she said, smiling. “Thanks,” he said, his hands shaky as he took it. Their fingers brushed, and he felt a spark. Emi gave chocolates to other friends, but Hiroshi stared at the bag, hoping it meant something more.
After school, alone in the art room, he opened it. Inside were a few store-bought chocolates, neatly wrapped. His heart sank. Giri chocolate. Just a friendly gesture, not a confession. He ate one, but it tasted bitter with disappointment. He’d hoped for homemade chocolates, a sign she felt the same. The image of the tall boy with Emi returned, making him feel foolish.
That evening, walking home with Kenji, Hiroshi was quiet. “You okay?” Kenji asked. Hiroshi shrugged, not wanting to explain. But the next day, everything changed. During art club, Sana mentioned seeing Emi with “her brother” at a café over the weekend. “Brother?” Hiroshi asked, his voice sharp. “Yeah,” Sana said, surprised. “Kenta, her older brother. He’s in university, visits sometimes to hang out with Emi. Didn’t you know?” Hiroshi’s face burned red. Her brother. Not a boyfriend, just her brother. Relief washed over him, but so did embarrassment. He’d been jealous for weeks, letting fear twist his thoughts, all for nothing. Kenji overheard and laughed, clapping him on the back. “Told you, don’t stress! Trust Emi, man.”
Hiroshi smiled, but the giri chocolate still hurt. Did Emi only see him as a friend? Could he ever be more? Valentine’s Day had passed, and he hadn’t given her anything back—not even words to show he cared. As winter faded, Hiroshi vowed to be braver, though doubts still lingered in his heart.