The mood around the dining table was just right.
Everyone sat on the floor, the table laden with lavish sukiyaki and sushi.
"Wait! So even though it's a Valentine's Day party, everyone here's single?"
Suzuki Sonoko gaped at the group.
"Pretty much. It's really just a friend hangout, but who knows—someone might ditch the single life today," Watanabe Yoshimi replied with a smile.
Minagawa Katsuhiko, the club president across from her, glanced up, a move caught by Sekiya Kaori.
"Oh… now I feel kinda bad for crashing," Sonoko mumbled.
"No worries. Parties are better with more people," Minagawa said smoothly.
He was undeniably handsome.
That day at the café, it was Minagawa and Wakamatsu Toshihide who'd hit on Sonoko and Mouri Ran.
Truth was, Minagawa had zero interest in the high school girls. Wakamatsu, the cocky musclehead, had fallen hard for Ran at first sight, and Minagawa only tagged along to wingman.
But his charm had sparked Sonoko's interest—she'd planned to flirt with him today. Then Hayato Masaki showed up, and Minagawa suddenly seemed dull by comparison.
"When Ran called me, I was shocked, thinking she had a boyfriend and was hitting up a Valentine's party," Hayato said, elbow on the table, cheek propped on his hand, smiling slyly.
"Hayato-nii…" Ran's face flushed visibly.
"Turns out she's just bad at saying no. Big relief."
"…"
Realizing Hayato was covering for her, Ran felt a wave of ease.
She was bad at refusing people.
Especially Wakamatsu—his loud, one-sided chatter left no room for her to decline, and he always seemed to cut her off right when she tried.
With Hayato laying it out like this, Wakamatsu should get the hint, right?
Ran snuck a glance at him. He gripped his chopsticks silently, face sour but holding back.
The other students caught on—Wakamatsu had strong-armed two high school girls into coming.
To avoid a scene, Sekiya Kaori laughed it off, switching topics.
"This sushi's amazing. Did your aunt make it?"
"Hmph, probably bought and plated," Minagawa snorted.
"Then I need to know which restaurant, 'cause it's delicious."
"You two high schoolers, dig in!"
"Speaking of us, what about you, Masaki-san? Single?" Watanabe Yoshimi's question made Sonoko's eyes light up—she'd been dying to ask.
"Yup, single."
"But you don't look like you'd lack for girls," Minagawa said, lighting a cigarette.
"Can't help it. Haven't met the right one yet."
"Then! What kind of girl do you like, Hayato-nii?" Sonoko pounced.
Ran looked over, curious.
"Hm, probably someone mature, considerate, with good fashion sense," Hayato said, smiling. "Charm's a big factor too."
"Mature, huh…"
Sonoko pictured herself and deflated.
Her obvious disappointment drew a tease from Sekiya Kaori. "Focus on your grades for now, kiddo."
"Tch."
Sonoko turned away.
The group laughed and ate, but Wakamatsu, usually loud, stayed quiet, mirroring the sullen Naomichi.
When the food dwindled, Minagawa slammed down his beer mug, eyeing the brooding guy scarfing silently.
"Alright, we're fed. Yo, Naomichi, how 'bout a performance for everyone?"
"…" Naomichi paused, chopsticks midair. "Sorry, I don't know any. I'm not good at that."
"Huh?"
Minagawa's brows shot up, eyes flashing with irritation. "You know what you're saying?"
"Sorry…"
Naomichi dropped his gaze.
Just then, a boy of five or six darted out, clambering onto the sofa behind them.
"Mom, can I play with everyone here?" he called to the young woman emerging from the kitchen with a tray.
His voice instantly shifted Minagawa's ire. "Oi, Akihiro, back to your room! Don't mess things up here."
"…"
The boy shrank back.
His mother, seated at the table, started to calm Minagawa, but he grumbled, grabbing his lighter and smokes, and stormed off.
"Hey, Katsuhiko!"
Sekiya Kaori, his childhood friend, chased after him.
"What's with Minagawa-san all of a sudden?"
"His mood tanked fast."
Sonoko and Ran whispered.
Hayato wasn't fazed—some people got moody with booze.
That Naomichi guy, clearly out of place yet here, might've been dragged along.
Minagawa was the "president," with a rich family. Japan's social hierarchy—superiors and subordinates—was real.
Hayato didn't care for Minagawa's lingering cigarette stink. He stood, heading to the glass door to the yard for fresh air.
As he reached it, he locked eyes with Conan, peeking from the bushes.
"…"
"…"
They stared. Conan slowly ducked back, pretending nothing happened.
Hayato pushed the door open.
"What're you doing here?" he asked, then smirked. "Tailing us?"
"Not tailing!" Conan popped up, shouting.
"…"
Hayato just watched.
Conan's bravado faltered, and he looked down.
Truth was, hearing Ran was going to a Valentine's party with Hayato had sent him into a jealous spiral.
As Conan clammed up, Hayato sighed inwardly for the house's crowd. The grim reaper himself had followed—odds were, someone was about to die for the occasion.
***
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