Honmei Choco

Mamori heaved the heavily laden shopping bags onto the kitchen counter, letting out a sigh of relief. Shopping was finally done with, and it had turned out to be more stressful than she had expected, no thanks to her hyper, happy skater friend.

Said friend named Suzuna had asked Mamori to go Valentine's Day shopping with her tugging on Mamori's heartstrings with her insistence that she needed help. Mamori, unable to deny a friend in need, readily agreed, happy to lend assistance to the girl who had finally begun dating her childhood friend, Sena.

And so they had done just that today – shopping for cooking materials to make chocolates for everyone. But to Mamori's surprise, Suzuna wanted to make something beyond just the usual chocolates.

"I want to make honmei choco," the petite girl announced as she flitted between aisles of various cooking chocolates available.

Mamori, well aware of what honmei choco was, just nodded in absent-minded agreement already going through recipes in her head to help the younger girl out until Suzuna turned on her heel and made another alarming announcement. "You should make one, too, Mamo-nee."

Mamori sighed once more, thinking back on the day's events. Then she began to unpack the contents of the shopping bag, and pulled out the high grade chocolate Suzuna had insisted she buy.

Honmei choco… huh?

Of course, Mamori was well aware who Suzuna was referring to that Mamori should present her honmei choco to. The girl had been badgering Mamori for years, especially since she joined that person in Saikyoudai.

"Isn't that proof enough that the two of you are inseparable? You two should be more honest with your feelings!"

And thus the best way of being honest was through honmei choco? Mamori bit her lip, still staring at the pack of high grade chocolate. Honmei choco was meant to deliver the creator's true feelings to the recipient, but in all honesty… even Mamori wasn't sure about her own feelings.

Yes, she cared about him and would go to great lengths to support him. But was that love? Or was that just plain loyalty? Is that even worth a honmei choco?

Mamori shook her head, telling herself that she was over thinking things. Mamori had made chocolates for this guy many times before, even for the last Valentine's Day. They were of the giri choco variety that she gave out to everyone. And each year, no matter how much he protested and threatened to throw the chocolate away, she would shove it into his hands or into his locker, ensuring that he took it.

She was never sure if he ate it or if he threw it away, but the chocolates would definitely be gone by the next day.

Mamori put the high grade chocolate aside and pulled out the other ingredients preparing to make giri choco. There's no use thinking about him now… she might as well focus on making chocolate for those she was sure would accept it gladly.

It didn't take long for Mamori to complete her task even though she was making enough chocolates for practically 3 football teams. But with her skills as a cook and foresight to plan ahead, she finished and set the giri chocos to cool and settle in less than 2 hours. There was still plenty of time today.

She decided she'd earned a well-deserved break and made herself a cup of coffee. Cupping the warm mug in her hands, she sat at the kitchen table with a contented smile on her face up until her eyes roved to the kitchen counter. The high grade chocolate and its presence continued to haunt her thoughts. She groaned, resting her head on her arms.

"Oi, Fucking Manager… stop crying…"

But tears continued to stream down her face as she bandaged Hiruma's swollen arm. "Idiot… You are such an idiot…" she muttered.

He let out a low cackle, though there was an obvious strain in his voice. "You can call me that all day long, Fucking Manager. It won't change a thing."

Silence settled between them as Mamori continued to work on the bandage. There were distant cries of a crowd, cheering on what could mean another touchdown. Whose touchdown, neither was sure.

"Fucking Manager…"

"I'm almost done, hold on."

"No… I've got to tell you something…"

Mamori stirred, lifting her head up. She blinked as she looked at her surroundings. That was a dream, huh? She glanced at the time and noticed that it was already well into the night. Her giri choco was definitely done by then. But the honmei choco…

The dream lingered in her mind for a moment. When did that dream occur? That was during last year's game, she was sure of it. He had purposely gotten himself injured to help the team score a touchdown. If she remembered correctly, it was partially her fault as well that he had gotten injured. She had been really demoralized during that game, but something he said brought her back stronger… and she'd watched them win that game.

What did he say? Mamori unconsciously placed a hand on her heart, feeling the strange rhythm it was making. Then the next thing she knew, she was at the kitchen, chopping the high grade chocolate, with only one thought in mind…

Releasing those feelings within her.

Valentine's Day came around, and Mamori, equipped with a bag filled with chocolate, was kept busy all day running around giving out all the giri choco she had made. She visited the Takekura Babels football team first and it was funny to see such big, strong men fighting to get more of Mamori's chocolates. As usual, she had an especially hard time with Kuroki, finally fending him off when all the chocolates were given out.

Musashi, too, accepted the chocolates. "Are you giving any to him?" he asked.

"Him…? Oh…" Mamori looked at the bag filled with chocolates. "Well… Maybe…"

Musashi merely nodded, not caring to explain himself. Mamori wondered if there was a reason for his asking, but pushed the silly thought away.

Once she was done, she dropped by Enma and was greeted by even more people who were glad to see her.

"Mamori-san's chocolates are always the best," Riku complimented her as he opened the little package and ate one of the chocolates.

"MUKYA! I COULD DIE HAPPY!" cried Monta as he happily ate his share.

"Thank you, Mamori-nee-chan," said Sena as he took the package from her. Mamori couldn't help but notice that Sena already had a bigger package of chocolates in his left arm.

She smiled. "Did Suzuna make that for you?"

Sena blushed in response. Stuttering, he nodded a yes. Then he held the box closer to him, with a gentle smile on his face and said, "It's always good to know how she feels about me."

Mamori could not help but feel a motherly sense of pride towards Sena and Suzuna. They'd started out feeling so worried, so uncertain. But they were pulling through slowly, until no one could deny the affection between them any longer.

Sena caught her attention once more as he asked, "So did you make one too? A honmei choco?"

Mamori blinked in surprise. "How did you know?"

Sena pointed at the bag of chocolates she was carrying, where one package looked slightly different and larger than the others. Mamori groaned inwardly. She had buried that package deep beneath the other chocolates on purpose, but having given out so many chocolates, there was no way of hiding this one.

"Is there someone you're giving it to?" Sena asked.

Mamori stared at the honmei choco she made, doubts still filling her mind. Then she turned to Sena and said, "Yes, though I'm not sure he'll even take it."

It was a dead giveaway on who the chocolate was for. But Sena smiled in return and said, "I'm sure he'll accept it, Mamori-nee-chan. It's your true feelings after all."

Mamori left Enma, with Sena's words in her mind now. It often seemed as though everyone was quite aware about her feelings for that particular person, even though she herself wasn't sure if they meant anything.

Well, it must mean something if it got her to finish the honmei choco…

She reached Saikyoudai to even more excited cheers. The Wizards, who were at the field, eagerly snapped up all the chocolates, and gushed over how out of all the chocolates they have ever received, Mamori's was the best. Even Ikkyu couldn't help but shiver with joy as he took a bite out of Mamori's chocolate.

Mamori smiled at the scene before her as Yamato approached her, taking a bite out of the chocolates he had received from Mamori. "If you're looking for him, he's in the clubhouse."

Mamori stared at Yamato for a moment, but he merely winked at her and went to join the others. He called out for a huddle, ensuring that Mamori was left alone so she could be on her way.

Knowing there was no avoiding it now, she headed towards the clubhouse.

As she had expected, he sat at the table, legs stretched out and propped on the tabletop, his laptop placed firmly on his lap. He glanced at Mamori as she came in, then his eyes settled on the screen before him once more. "Don't tell me you have one for me, too, Fucking Manager."

Mamori frowned. "Just like the year before and the many years before that… yes, Hiruma-kun. I have one for you, too."

"Does that mean I have to repeat myself like the year before and the many years before that, Fucking Manager?"

"You could, but it will all end the same." Mamori placed the last and final chocolate she had made on top of the table. "But I made this for you and no one else. So take it, and then you can do whatever you want with it. I'll go change, you can start the practice first."

Mamori left the clubhouse with her heart racing. She felt her face getting more flushed, and she scolded herself for it. Stupid, it's just a chocolate! JUST A CHOCOLATE!

When she came back on the field, prepped and ready, it didn't take long for her to notice that there was a slight change in Hiruma as he barked orders and participated in practices. He felt strangely distant, as though he was contemplating over something. During a short break, she checked the clubhouse to see what had happened to the honmei choco… but it had completely disappeared. Not even the package she'd used could be found.

What happened to it?

The thought nagged at the back of Mamori's mind until practice was finally over. Everyone was eager to leave to be with either their girlfriends or join in singles' parties. Soon it was just Mamori and Hiruma who went through today's plays while Mamori cleaned up.

Not a word was spoken about the honmei choco, and Mamori was close to giving up on the matter. It was late, and just like all the years before had proven, making chocolates for Hiruma was useless.

As she reached for her bag that signaled she was getting ready to leave, Hiruma finally spoke up. "That fucking chocolate you gave today…"

Mamori's hand rested on her bag as she held back a gasp. Keeping her eyes averted from him, she clutched her bag and asked, "What about it?"

Hiruma was silent for a few seconds. She could hear his fingers tapping on the keyboard, a strange rhythm echoing through the room. "It's different from the ones you used to make."

Mamori couldn't hide her shock anymore. She turned to look at Hiruma, wide eyed in disbelief. "W-what? Wait… does that mean you…"

"Did you really think I'd let your efforts go to waste, Fucking Manager?" He stopped typing to look at her. "Yes, I fucking ate all those chocolates you used to give me. But you were smart enough to make it dark chocolate and it was bitter. That wasn't the case with today's chocolate."

Like a child caught red handed, Mamori stood there with her head hanging low. Oh no… she panicked. Oh no… she had completely forgotten that she would always buy dark chocolate for Hiruma. All that worrying about honmei choco had flustered Mamori so much that she'd bought high grade MILK chocolate instead.

"I'm sorry…" she muttered, shifting her weight nervously. "I must have been so distracted lately. I'll make another one for you tonight, I promise."

"No need," he quickly said. "Don't need any more of your fucking chocolate slip ups."

Those words felt like a stab through her heart. Her honmei choco… was a slip up?

"Because I'm pretty sure you have your reasons for making this one," he finally added as he put his laptop away.

"Eh?" Mamori blinked as she looked at Hiruma, who was now approaching her. "What do you mean?"

They both looked at each other, eye to eye. "That chocolate had that flavour for a reason. Flavours inspire damn feelings but food shouldn't fucking contain them. As fucking stupid as this sounds, it tasted warm and…" Hiruma hesitated to continue, looking slightly frustrated. "Just what were you trying to do with that chocolate?"

Mamori swallowed, wondering what to do. Is that what he thought about her chocolate? Was it really a failure? But he had been acting strangely lately. Taking a deep breath, she decided that there was no use lying to him if he had already caught on that something was different. "It was honmei choco."

"Honmei choco?" Hiruma was taken aback for once.

"Yes… even though it didn't quite turn out the way I had expected… but I'd like to think what I really felt was in there. When you injured your arm again and I was partly to blame, you told me to believe in the team and in my abilities especially. I didn't want you to go back to that field but… That moment made me realize that you're important to me, and that you mean a lot to me."

Hiruma grinned widely, though Mamori couldn't help but notice that there was definitely a genuine smile at the corner of his lips. "So that's what it was…"

Mamori sighed. "I'm sorry, I won't make the same mistake again."

Hiruma noticed the dejected look on her face. "… I didn't say the slip up was a bad thing, Fucking Manager," he mumbled.

"Hmm?" went Mamori, who didn't catch what he had just said.

But Hiruma didn't repeat himself. Instead, he went to pack his laptop. "Keh, resorting to such a crazy tradition to make your feelings known… on fucking Valentine's Day too!" he cackled.

"It's not funny! But I guess it is kinda of clichéd…" she shrugged, though she couldn't hold back a grin at this point.

"It fucking is! But seeing as you're taking the clichéd route, I might as well return the favour…" Hiruma shrugged picking up his laptop bag.

"Return the favour?" Mamori repeated curiously.

"Of course, it's fucking White Day next month," he said, grinning as he walked past Mamori. "Now, are you going home or not, Fucking Manager?"

Mamori stood dazed for a moment, wondering if Hiruma's words really meant what she thought they meant. Then she rushed after him, and they both walked home together, talking idly about the next game, the honmei choco completely forgotten until next month finally came.

And it was when they finally became truly honest with each other, that Hiruma and Mamori finally become official.