February 22nd, at the Fairy Tail Guild.
The morning sun streamed through the stained-glass windows into the guild hall, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of chocolate.
Lucy pushed open the main door and was met with a sea of pink decorations—heart-shaped balloons hung on the walls, exquisite chocolate gift boxes adorned the tables, and even Makarov's wine glass was tied with a bow.
"W-what's going on?!" Lucy's eyes widened.
Mira peeked out from behind the bar, smiling, "Oh, Lucy, good morning! Today is Valentine's Day!"
"Valentine's Day?!" Lucy suddenly remembered; she had been so busy with training and missions lately that she had completely forgotten.
"Aye! Who is Lucy giving chocolate to?" Happy flapped his wings and flew over, his face full of gossip.
"I-I haven't prepared anything…" Lucy stammered, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Hehe, perfect then!" Cana suddenly appeared from behind, holding a large bag of cocoa powder, "The girls in the guild agreed to make chocolates together, you come too!"
Before Lucy could refuse, she was pulled into the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Erza, Levy, and Yukino were already gathered around the counter, each busy with their tasks.
"First, melt the chocolate." Levy pushed up her glasses, stirring the dark chocolate in a bowl seriously, "The temperature should be controlled at around 50 degrees…"
"Too much trouble!" Erza drew her sword, "Watch me!"
"Wait! Erza, what are you doing— "
"Flame Sword: Melt!"
"Boom!"
The entire pot of chocolate instantly boiled, splashing everywhere.
Lucy: "…"
Yukino asked timidly, "Lucy… is Natsu's personality contagious?"
Levy silently held up a sign: "Erza, no magic allowed for cooking."
Yukino quietly suggested, "How about… we still use a double boiler?"
… "Smells good!" Natsu's nose suddenly poked through the crack in the door, "What delicious things are you making?"
"Natsu! The kitchen is off-limits!" Lucy quickly stopped him.
"I'm just looking!" Natsu squeezed in, full of righteous indignation, his eyes fixed on the newly formed chocolates on the table, "Can I… eat this?"
"No!" Lucy and Levy said in unison.
But it was too late.
Natsu, with lightning speed, grabbed a piece and shoved it into his mouth—
"Crunch!"
"Ugh… so hard…" Natsu's expression froze.
Erza frowned: "That's my 'Sword-shaped Chocolate,' it hasn't been unmolded yet."
Natsu: "…"
Three seconds later.
"My tooth!!!" Natsu clutched his mouth and rolled on the floor.
Happy added insult to injury from the side: "Aye! Natsu's tooth was chipped by Erza's chocolate!"
"Hmph, chocolate is best when chilled." Gray appeared at the kitchen door at some point, holding a box of freshly frozen chocolates.
"Gray? When did you make those?" Lucy asked in surprise.
"Last night." Gray raised an eyebrow proudly, "Chilled with Ice Magic overnight, the texture is absolutely—"
He took a bite.
"Crunch!"
From a taste perspective, Gray thought it was quite good, but he found it difficult to take another bite… because his tongue was stuck to the chocolate.
Everyone: "…"
Levy silently held up a second sign: "Ice Magic is forbidden for food preservation."
At noon, the guild hall was piled high with beautifully wrapped chocolates.
Makarov stood on the bar, tears of emotion streaming down his face: "Children… I didn't expect to receive so many chocolates…"
"Master! This is my 'Respectful Love'!" Levy, blushing, handed over a box of handmade chocolates.
"This is my 'Admiration'!" Cana also presented her gift.
Mira gently placed a box down: "Master, this is everyone's sentiment from the guild~"
The Master's hands trembled as he opened a box; inside, heart-shaped chocolates were neatly arranged, each inscribed with "To the Best Master."
"Waaah… I'm so Happy…" The Master cried profusely, clutching the chocolates.
Natsu leaned over: "Master, can I have a piece?"
"Get out!" The Master's face instantly changed, and he clutched the chocolates to his chest, "These are this old man's treasures!"
Leaving the old man weeping aside, on the other side.
"Lucy, try this~" Cana mysteriously offered a piece of chocolate.
"What is this?" Judging from her sneaky demeanor, it was most likely not a good thing, Lucy asked cautiously.
"Special Soda Chocolate~" Cana winked, "Made with the guild's top-grade high-sweet soda."
Lucy bit into it, half-believing, half-doubting—
"Cough, cough, cough! So sweet!" She was so overwhelmed by the sweetness that tears welled up, "This is basically pure jam?!"
Cana burst into laughter: "You fell for it, didn't you!"
Just then, Erza walked over: "Cana, are you teasing the new member again?"
"Not at all~" Cana swirled her cup, "This is an adult's Valentine's Day gift~"
Erza raised an eyebrow, then suddenly reached out, snatched Cana's juice, and drank it all: "Confiscated."
Cana: "…Erza!"
In the evening, Lucy sat at the guild entrance, staring blankly at the remaining chocolates in her hand.
"What's wrong? Didn't you give them out?" Mira walked over, asking with a smile.
"No…" Lucy shook her head, "I was thinking, do Valentine's Day chocolates absolutely have to be given to 'the person you like'?"
Mira thought for a moment: "You can also give them to important people."
Lucy's eyes lit up: "Then… can I give them to everyone in the guild?"
"Of course~"
Ten minutes later, Lucy stood in the center of the guild, clearing her throat: "Um… these are the chocolates I made. Although they don't look very good, but…"
She opened the box; inside were oddly shaped but carefully wrapped chocolates, each inscribed with a companion's name.
"For Natsu, the 'Fire Dragon Special Edition' (super sweet), for Gray, the 'Chilled Friendly Type,' for Erza, the 'Sword-shaped Improved Version'…"
The guild suddenly fell silent.
Natsu was the first to rush over: "I want to eat it!"
Gray followed closely: "Where's mine?"
Erza picked up her piece, a slight smile gracing her lips: "…Thank you."
The Master watched this scene, wiping the corner of his eye: "Youth is truly wonderful…"
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