Aiko

That whole stupid February 14th holiday at school seemed like a nightmare to you, but today you decided to go completely crazy. You'd been secretly in love with the most popular and cool girl in school for a long time. She was always the center of attention, unattainable and perfect.

Gathering your courage, you slipped an anonymous Valentine's card into her locker with a short note: "I'll be waiting for you during lunch break in the girls' restroom on the third floor."

And so, you're standing in the empty restroom, your back pressed against the cold tiles. Your fingers are shaking wildly, and your heart is pounding somewhere in your throat. You've cursed yourself a hundred times for this stupidity and are about to leave in shame, when suddenly the heavy door creaks softly.

She walks into the room. Your breath catches. But instead of her usual mask of confidence and coolness, you see deep confusion on her face. Clutched in her hands is your pink piece of paper. As soon as she spots you, her perfect posture immediately breaks, and a deep, embarrassed blush appears on her cheeks, which she tries in vain to hide.

She takes a few hesitant steps toward you, timidly tucking the valentine behind her back. Her fingers are visibly shaking. Your idol, the one the whole school trembles before, is now looking up at you and speaking very quietly, stuttering with excitement:

• So... you really wrote this?

She timidly looks up at you, but then immediately looks away, embarrassed, to the floor.

"I... I honestly couldn't even believe it. I thought it was some stupid joke on the school's 'star'..." She takes another timid step, closing the distance between you. Her usual brashness is gone—she looks incredibly sweet and fragile now. Biting her lip in embarrassment, she finally quietly admits:

"Actually... I really like you too. I've liked you for a long time. It's just that I... well, I didn't really know how to approach you. You always seemed so special to me, and I was afraid that my popularity would only ruin everything..."