Today is February 14, a special holiday for youths.

You’re probably wondering what’s so special about today. Well, it's Valentine's Day.

It's a day for couples to go on romantic dates, for a maiden in love to give chocolate to her crush, or even to confess their feelings.

At my school, Luna High, I could hear the cheers and squeals of excited girls as I walked through the hallway.

“Please accept this!”

I saw girls handing out chocolates. Their ears turned red, and their heads lowered as they extended their hands to give their chocolate. How heart-fluttering.

I should probably leave the hallway; I can’t handle this atmosphere.

Then again, the outside isn’t any different—there’s stuff happening out there, too. Right in the middle of the garden, by the fountain, someone was confessing their feelings. Even from the nearby bench, I could see a couple sitting side by side, their arms intertwined.

Seeing the mood outside made me feel a bit jealous. But that doesn’t matter—because this year, I’m expecting something, too.

I can’t stop grinning as I head toward my destination. You might ask, Why am I so giddy? That’s because earlier this morning, a classmate of mine invited me to meet up during break time—just the two of us.

And since it’s Valentine's Day, there’s only one reason why a girl would invite a guy alone, right? Yeah, she’s probably going to give me chocolate—or maybe even confess.

Just thinking about it makes me even more excited. Though… meeting at the spot I usually hang out at? That’s probably just a coincidence.

When I arrived at the meeting place, I saw a girl waiting patiently.

“Sorry for the wait, haha,” I said, scratching the back of my head.

“It’s fine. I didn’t wait that long,” she replied.

Perfect. Just like the scene out of a web novel. Now, for the next line.

“So… Bacalad, why’d you call me out here?” There. I finally said it. How does my rom-com protagonist answer?

“Well…”

She looked down and fidgeted with her feet like she was shy. So cute.

Then, after mustering her courage, she looked up and slowly pulled something from behind her. It was chocolate.

“Um… Dalino…”

“Yes?”

Yes!!!

“Can you—”

Here it comes! Waiting for the familiar line, I covered my mouth to hide my grin.

“—Please give this to Tumbal?”

Huh? What did she just say?

“Come again?” I asked to make sure.

“Can you give this chocolate to Tumbal?”

Nope, I didn’t mishear her.

“Eh? It’s not for me?”

At my words, she gave me a strange look.

And just like that, my expectations were shattered. I felt so embarrassed.

I wanted to run. I wanted to cry. But I couldn’t move or speak. I just stood there, frozen in thought.

But before I could die from the embarrassment, a familiar sound echoed in my ears. It was my alarm clock.

Beep! Beep!

I woke up and sighed.

“What a nightmare.”

A nightmare indeed.

I couldn’t imagine myself getting chocolate—after all, I didn’t talk to any girls at all last semester. And that dream? It made things worse. Being asked to deliver someone else’s chocolate… Am I just a messenger for their feelings? Isn’t that a little cruel?

I sighed inwardly. I want to forget that dream already.

Trying to push it from my mind, I reached for my phone and checked the date. Then my hand froze. Staring at the screen, I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

“Can I just go back to sleep and wake up tomorrow?” I muttered to myself.

It was a joke… but maybe I should consider it.

Why did that thought even cross my mind? Well, because the date flashing on my screen was February 14.

And seeing it—again—only made the dream resurface.

“I really hope that was just a dream.