Mai Akari (Winter Clothes)

thanks Viruslord for reviewing
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Operation: Valentine
Akari: "Now then... It's time to go do my Valentine's shopping!"
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Akari
Black cocoa in the basket... Unsalted butter in the basket...
I put walnuts and flour in, and wrapping paper to wrap it up...
I got everything I need to make brownies, right?
...But, something seems missing...
Ah-...! The main ingredient, dark chocolate, is missing!

---

Akari
There you are! I almost forgot to buy it.
Everything else will go fine, right...?
.....
(No...just by some small chance I make a mistake and panic,)
(I should probably buy some extra ingredients...)
(This is a gift for my beloved Haruto Onii-san,)
(So it's acceptable to take precautions...!)

---

Akari
And that takes care of that...
(This has gotten really heavy after buying so many things...)
(But, well, it's way better than running out and panicking.)
(All that's left is to make the brownies with Moka-san's guidance.)
(This time I'm going for a more adult look with dark chocolate,)
(so I wonder if Haruto Onii-san will like it...?)
(Or if he'll be surprised at how grown-up I've become...)
Huhu-! Either way, I can't wait for the big day.
Okay, now to pay for this...
...Mm...? That guy looks like someone I...
...Wait, isn't that Haruto Onii-san!?
(This is awful...! If he sees what's in my basket right now,)
(he'll definitely know it's all ingredients for Valentine's...!)
(I wanted this to be a surprise for him...!)
(What do I do... ...My only option is to run...!)
(Ahh - but if run away, I can't buy the ingredients!)
(H-he's coming this way!?)
(Whatever he's doing, I need to move while staying hidden so he doesn't spot me...!)

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Akari
(Huu...somehow I managed to make it through the checkout...)
(But our homes are in the same direction, so I can't let my guard down just yet...!)

[*Thud!*]

Akari
Uu... H-heavy...!
(Maybe it's from all my running and hiding, but my shopping bag feels even heavier...!)
Ah-...
(My body's wobbling...!)

[*BUMP!*]

Akari
I-I'm so sorry-...!

Haruto
No, it's alright...a... Akari...?

Akari
Ha-...! Haruto Onii-san...!?
(Oh...oh nooo!)

Haruto
Are you shopping on your own today?

Akari
Ah, ummm...yeah... Just a few essentials...

Haruto
You bought a lot there. Isn't that heavy?

Akari
I-it's fine! I can handle this...ugh...

Haruto
You don't have to force yourself.
I was just heading home, so I can carry them.

Akari
I told you it's really fine-!

Haruto
No way, you were stumbling around just now, so you could get hurt.
Leave this to me.

Akari
Th-then... I'll take up your offer...
(In the end, he's found me...)
(But no matter what, I can't let what's in the bag be seen...)

---

Akari
Oh no! It's gotten so late.

Haruto
The cold really hits you when the sun goes down, huh.
How about we fast walk it home?

Akari
S-sure...
(I want to be with you as along as possible, but I can't let you find out what's in the bag...)
(I'm so incredibly mixed...)

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Akari
(Uu...so cold... My hands are frozen...)
(I wish I had brought gloves...)
(At a time like this, there's no option but to warm them with my breath...)
Haaa...

Haruto
Akari, your hands cold?

Akari
I'm fine. We're almost there, so I can bear with it.

Haruto
I gotcha, give me your left hand.

Akari
Eh-...!

Haruto
If you stick it in my right pocket like this
it's a little less cold, isn't it?

Akari
Ah-...awawa...!
(We're... We're practically lovers!)

Haruto
Ah-...sorry... This is a little embarrassing, huh?

Akari
No...! Not at all-!

Haruto
Yeah...? That's good, then.

Akari
(Boy...my heart is pounding so much the cold has flown away...)
(This is Haruto Onii-san, so I'm sure he's oblivious, but...)
(But...this is one more winter memory for me,)
(so he's made me as happy as can be!)

Haruto
...So what'd you buy today, anyway?

Akari
Ehh-...!? I-it's a secreeeet!!