[Chocolate…? Why that?]
[Hear me out. Remember when Manzano rejected your Valentine's chocolate?]
That day is still fresh in my mind because that's when I got dragged into her problem. And for Escuro, that would be a wound she'd rather forget.
[...why bring that up now?]
[It's the reason why you should give him that.]
[I don't understand.]
[What I have in mind is for you to take revenge.]
[Hey! It's a birthday gift I'm giving—why are you suggesting revenge?! And why chocolate, of all things?]
[Relax, not in a literal way. You're still giving him a gift. And why chocolate, generally? Because with that, you can make him feel bad for rejecting your chocolate back on Valentine's.]
I don't know if that would work; however, if it did, it would be a step closer to making Manzano conscious of her.
[Hmm… It's a good plan, but I don't want to seek revenge.]
[Then forget what I said about revenge—just focus on it being a gift.]
[But would that be enough as a gift?]
[I wouldn't say it's the best, but it's the safest option.]
I said that, but I don't think giving chocolate would really be considered safe.
[Nonetheless, it's okay to turn down the idea. We can think of another one.]
[No, it's fine. Let's go with your suggestion.]
Oh? I thought she'd refuse because of her experience, but she accepted it.
[Now that you've decided, let's end the conversation here.]
Her problem was solved. So, it's time for me to rest. That should've been the case; however, just as I was about to type 'Good luck' to end it, Escuro sent another message.
[Wait, there's one more thing.]
There's more? Please end it already! I could only complain in my mind.
[What now?]
[Can you also help me with the chocolate?]
Huh?
***
Saturday has come, and I'm at the park. The reason I'm spending my day off outside is because of Escuro's request. After suggesting that her gift be chocolate, another problem arose—she didn't explain the details, and instead told me to come to her house.
Me, going to her house? On my day off? By no means do I refuse, but since I was the one who suggested the chocolate, part of the blame falls on me.
Sitting on a bench, I waited for Escuro to arrive. Why? Because I don't know where her house is, therefore, she needs to pick me up and guide me.
[I'm already here.]
I messaged her to let her know I'd arrived at the meeting place. After seeing my message, she replied with a thumbs-up emoji. Confirming she was on her way to get me, I put my phone away and watched the people in the park to pass the time.
The first thing that caught my attention was someone jogging. Even though it was already 2:00 p.m., they were still exercising. Aside from them, people were walking their dogs. To my right, a family was having a picnic on the grass. Besides the picnic, some were playing badminton and Frisbee. After observing all these activities, I quickly grew bored.
When will Escuro arrive? I wondered as I took my phone out again. Out of boredom, I decided to read a web novel.
The one I'm currently reading is called 'There's More Heroines?!'. It's about a high school boy who watches his friend's love life unfold while getting tangled up with several girls—hence the title. As the story progresses, the girls around his friend slowly start taking an interest in him. As the plot suggests, it's a romcom, nonetheless.
The latest chapter was getting interesting: one of the heroines was planning to confess to the main character, while the others would attempt to stop her. I had saved a few chapters to read on my day off, but guess what—I'm here instead. Well, I might as well read a few while waiting for her.
But before I could tap on the next chapter, I noticed a familiar silhouette approaching me.
"Sorry for the wait."
Seeing that Escuro had arrived, I put my phone away and let out a heavy sigh.
Noticing it, she asked, "Why the long sigh?"
"Nothing."
Sensing otherwise, she frowned at me, then a realization hit her.
"I'm sorry for calling you out on the weekend."
Her sudden apology surprised me. I'm impressed she's at least aware of what she's done. I wish that were always the case—but it's not. And I'm always at a disadvantage.
"I don't really mind. Plus, I'm not even busy."
Although I had plans to read web novels, that's not important, right? I'll keep that sarcasm to myself.
"So? Why did you call me to your house?"
I deliberately mentioned her house to see if she understood the implication. I already guessed as to why she called me, but as someone who reads romcoms, inviting a guy to your house feels like a cliché.
"I'll explain while we walk."
With that, we started walking. Escuro led the way, guiding me to her house. While doing so, she began to talk.
"The reason I called you here is just like I said in my message."
"Help you with the chocolate? I still don't get what kind of help I can give for that."
If I interpreted her message correctly, she needed help making the chocolate.
"I want your help making the chocolate."
My guess was right—but hearing it directly from her, something felt off.
"Why ask me for help with that? I don't even know how to make chocolate. Also, didn't you already give Manzano homemade chocolate? That means you already know how to make it. So why ask me?"
Escuro went silent for a moment before stuttering her reply.
"F… first of all, my chocolate got rejected—oh come on, you already know that! And secondly, it didn't taste good."
"Hmm?"
Her second statement caught me off guard. Since she was giving it to her crush, I assumed it would at least taste good.
"When you say it didn't taste good… how bad are we talking?"
"Erm… you'll find out later."
What? Is she too embarrassed to say? I wanted to ask more, but before I could, we had already arrived at her house.
Escuro walked up to the doorway and opened the door.
"Come in."
She said it, but I didn't follow her inside. Confused by my hesitation, she repeated herself.
"I said, Come in."
Yet, I still didn't move. There was one thing I had to ask before stepping inside.
"Is there anyone else at your house right now?" I asked.
"It's just me."
"What about your parents?"
"Dad's at work, and Mom's out with my little sister. They'll be back at 6 p.m."
That meant it would be only the two of us in her house. Furthermore, the exact time her mom would return sounded oddly specific.
Growing impatient, Escuro asked in annoyance, "How long are you going to stand there? Just get inside already."
"Are you fine with this?"
"Huh?"
I didn't know if she was unaware or simply pretending not to notice—but I said it anyway.
"Can you really just let me, a guy you barely know, into your house and be alone together?"
"I'm fine with you. Unless you have an intention?"
She looked at me sharply as she said that. Of course, I shook my head.
"No, I wouldn't do anything to you."
"I know. If you were going to, you would've done it from the start."
Can she at least doubt me a little? Some men can play the waiting game. Fortunately for her, I'm not one of them.
"Besides, you're not the first guy I've brought home."
By the first guy, knowing her secret, I could only think of one person.
"And that would be Manzano, am I right?"
Hearing that name, she flinched.
"T-that's right. Though all we did was study for an exam, and Andrea was with us! Enough of this talk, can you come in now? You can only stay until 6 p.m., and we're wasting time."
Oh, right. Her mother would be back at six. We should get started.
"Alright, alright," I said, stepping through the door.
Once inside, a thought crossed my mind about her mother.
While walking down the hallway, I asked, "May I ask—does your mother know you're having a visitor? Or did you not tell her?"
I had my suspicions about the oddly specific time—most likely connected to her mother.
"Of course, I told her."
"Then… did you tell her that Ponce would be the one coming?"
"No. Mom knows Andrea, and she'd definitely ask her for details. Mom's meddlesome, after all. So I told her the truth—that a male friend would be coming over. With that, she didn't mind and even went out so she wouldn't interrupt us."
Hearing that explanation, one thing became clear: her mother had deliberately left us alone. No mother would leave her daughter alone with a guy—unless she misunderstood something. Considering that Manzano had been here before, it didn't take long to put two and two together. Her mother must've thought he was the one visiting today. Being considerate, she probably went out, hoping their relationship would progress.
Unfortunately for her, it wasn't Manzano who came—but me. I felt bad for the mother's effort as the unintended wing woman. I wondered if Escuro even realized what her mother had planned.
"Argh, we're wasting time again! Let's go to the kitchen already—follow me!"
The irritated Escuro walked past me and led the way. I followed behind since I didn't know the layout of her house. There was no time to look around, as she said, we had limited time.
As we got closer, a pungent smell reached my nose—as if something had burned.
Escuro, smelling it, also remembered, "Ah, right. I made one earlier. I want you to taste it."
"... Why not taste it yourself?"
"I want someone else's opinion."
When we entered the kitchen, I was met with a chaotic scene—used utensils scattered everywhere. The source of the smell came from a pot on the stove. Inside was a dark spot and what looked like sludge.
What happened here?
While I stood there in shock, Escuro opened the refrigerator, took out a container, and removed the lid.
"Here, try it," she said, offering what was inside.
Inside the container was something that looked like charcoal. I knew it was chocolate, yet I could've mistaken it for something else.
"Is this supposed to be a heart?"
"... No, I was trying to make it a sphere."
A sphere, she says. How did she fail to shape it like that? Aside from the appearance, what about the taste?
Thinking so, I grabbed a piece and took a bite.
The chocolate had barely melted in my mouth, yet I could already taste the harsh bitterness.
"Too bitter," I remarked.
Hearing my comment and seeing my grimace, Escuro let out a defeated smile and said, "I thought so too."
If this were today's result, then…
"Was this chocolate made the same way as the one you gave to Manzano?"
That couldn't be, right? She wouldn't seriously give something this bad to her crush… right?
Escuro froze at my question. She went quiet and avoided my eyes, as if she didn't want to be judged.
"It's embarrassing to say, but that's right."
Disappointed by her words—and by how accurate my guess was—I let out a sigh.
"I thought Valentine's chocolate was supposed to be something special to give or receive, since it symbolizes your feelings. Then why did you give him something worse? Is that all your feelings could produce?"
Hearing my harsh words, she frowned.
"I tried, okay!? I tried so many times, but I kept failing. There wasn't enough time back then, and I was running out of ingredients. With nothing else I could do, I packed up the last batch I made—and that's what I gave him."
Despite her efforts, she still failed. Why did she even decide to make it homemade in the first place?
"So, he saw what you made, and that's why he rejected it?"
To that, she shook her head. Her gaze dropped to the chocolate she'd made as she quietly said;
"No, that wasn't the case. The one I gave Manzano was inside a box."
Then she smiled weakly and let out a pitiful chuckle.
"I'm glad he didn't accept it. Otherwise, he would've discovered this abomination."
Afterward, she walked over to the trash can and stepped on the foot pedal. As the lid opened, she dumped the contents of the container inside.
"Is it really fine to throw it away like that?" I asked, curious about her action.
She worked hard on that, and yet she just tossed it out. It could've meant she'd given up and was ready to move on—but that wasn't the case. Her feelings remain strong. If she'd moved on, I wouldn't even be here right now.
"It's alright. It's inedible anyway."
Inedible, she said. She already treated it like poison.
"Now, do you understand why I need you here?"
"I do, but I'm just as clueless as you."
"That's fine. As the saying goes, two brains are better than one."
"You have a little sister, right? How old is she?"
As soon as I asked, Escuro looked at me with disgust.
"She's only fourteen. Stop whatever you're planning."
Huh? What kind of nonsense is she spouting now?
I retraced my words and realized the misunderstanding.
"Idiot, I'm asking because I was going to suggest you ask her for advice."
"Wha… Idiot?" she repeated, stunned.
Whoops—got carried away. It was because of what she said that I subconsciously snapped back.
"Ask my sister? I don't want her meddling in my affairs."
Hearing her excuse, I nodded. I could relate to that feeling—since I had an older sister, after all.
"You're the only one I can rely on."
Well now, that's nice to hear.
"So, what can I do to help you?" I asked.
Escuro took out her phone and flashed the screen at me.
"I tried following these procedures, but I can't seem to get it right."
Reading through the steps, everything looked normal—except for two things that stood out to me.
"Cacao? Roasting?" I muttered, but she still heard me.
"Yes, the first step says to roast the cacao beans."
"Beans? Aren't you supposed to use cacao powder? That's the easier and more common way."
I'm no expert, but I knew a little from reading.
"Since I wanted to make it homemade, I thought I should start from scratch."
"You can if you know how—but you're a beginner."
After convincing Escuro to switch to cacao powder, she went to the cabinet and pulled out a pack she'd apparently bought beforehand.
"Alright, alright. Thankfully, I also bought the powder type."
Seriously, this girl. She should've done that from the start.
"Even if the ingredient changes, if I don't know what I'm doing, the result will still be bad."
"No, it'll be better. Using powder skips the hardest part. After the first step, the rest will be easier. And if there's something you're struggling with, I'll help however I can."
"Alright, I'll trust you on that."
"But one thing I should remind you— even if we follow the instructions, the result won't be perfect. What's important is that we don't make it worse."
"Got it."
Since we were using alternative ingredients and lacked proper tools, we couldn't expect the ideal outcome. All we could do was rely on trial and error.
After I showed Escuro the new procedure I'd found on the internet, she smiled and said, "Alright, let's do it."
Once her problem was solved, Escuro's motivation returned. Excited, she poured some cacao powder into a bowl and began the first step.
***
Arriving home, I sat on the couch.
I sighed in relief that our chocolate-making ended with only a few failures; after several attempts, we finally achieved a decent result. Thanks to that, I managed to leave before Escuro's mom got home.
As I rested on the couch, my phone vibrated. Looking at it, I saw a message from Escuro saying: [Thank you very much for today.]
After replying to her, I received another message—not from Escuro, but from Ponce.
Seeing her name pop up, my tired eyes widened. Reading the first word, [Hey!], I hesitated to open it. But if I ignored her, it might lead to another misunderstanding, so I opened the message.
[Hey! You dare go to Camille's house!? If I find out you did something to her, you'll regret it.]
Is this a death threat? Why me?! I wasn't even the one who planned it. I was just there to help. Ponce really lets her delusions run wild.
[What are you talking about?] Of course, I feigned ignorance. It's Escuro's secret—something she doesn't want even her best friend to know. And besides, admitting it might put my life at risk.
[Don't play dumb with me! Someone told me you went to her house.]
Someone told her? Who? The plan today was only known by me and Escuro. How could Ponce know about it? Unless someone—or maybe Ponce herself—saw us walking together toward the house. But if that were the case, why now? If she saw us directly, she could have confronted us. If someone told her, then she should have already called Escuro while I was still there. So the question remains, 'Why only now?'
As I thought through several possibilities, one idea crossed my mind. I remembered my earlier conversation with Escuro—when I asked whether she lied about having visitors, especially when it was a guy. She said she didn't lie because her mother could always confirm it through Ponce.
From that, I could guess what happened. It probably went like this: when Escuro's mother got home, she asked about what had happened today. But knowing Escuro, she likely didn't answer. So her mother asked Ponce instead. After getting that information, Ponce might've questioned Manzano—and that's how she figured it out.
However, that's just speculation. But if my guess is right, that means Escuro's mother indirectly snitched on me.
Not wanting to reply to Ponce anymore, I put my phone down. I couldn't think of a single excuse.