The 13th Day of the Tree month. With Valentine’s Day coming up tomorrow, many women are making chocolates today.

  And in a certain kitchen, three women were also making their own chocolates.

  [M- Mnghh……]

  [As expected, Eta is clumsy. Giving such trashy chocolate to master…… That won’t do. Do it again.]

  [K- Kuhh…… D*mn you, Theta. Just because you’re a little better than me at cooking, you’re getting carried away……]

  [No. It’s not a little. I’m “overwhelmingly” better than Eta at cooking. That’s just pure facts.]

  [G- Gununuuuu……]

  In response to Theta’s provoking words, a vein popped out of Eta’s forehead…… but since she’s in the position of the one being taught, she can’t complain much even when her mouth twists to a frown.

  Theta seems to be enjoying the situation where Eta can hardly defy, as a mischievous smile could be seen on her lips.

  [In the first place, it was a mistake to struggle right before the very day you need it. You should have practiced before. You really should plan your schedule well, Eta.]

  [Guhhh…… D*mn it…… I have no words to respond with. Sorry, please teach me how to make it……]

  [……-sensei.]

  [……What?]

  [When you want someone to teach you, you would need a befitting attitude. “Sensei, please teach me”…… Am I right?]

  [Y- You freaking woman…… As if you’re a fish in the waters……]

  Eta glares at grinning Theta, grinding her teeth but…… in fact, if she wasn’t taught by Theta, she alone wouldn’t be able to properly make a chocolate.

  Chocolates to give to her master, Kaito…… Naturally, the more delicious it is, the better.

  [……P- Please teach me…… S- Sensei……]

  [Good.]

  [D*mn it…… You better remember this……]

  [What did you say?]

  [I- I said nothing.]

  Looking at Eta, Theta nodded with satisfaction and resumed cooking.

  Suppressing the humiliation by thinking about Kaito, she embarrassedly asked for her teachings but……. she looks like she’s already on the verge of snapping, and it looks like she won’t be able to last very long…… For the umpteenth time, she warned her with a tone mixed with spite……


  [I- I can’t take this anymore! Just because someone’s not good at something, you’re acting full of yourself…… Let’s bring this outside, Theta!]

  [……Fine with me.]

  A fight immediately broke out, and the both of them respectively took out their spear and shield but…… they forgot that there are “three” people making their chocolates in the kitchen……


  [Let me beat that impudent mouth of yours down your—— Iihhh!?]

  [Gyaaahhnn!?]

  [That’s enough, you big idiots!!!]

  [ [ C- Chief Retainer Anima…… ] ]

  Anima hits Eta and Theta in their head with high-speed knuckle strikes, and releases an angry shout that makes the air shake.

  Overpowered by her anger, the two women kneeled down in front of Anima, holding the part of her head that was hit.

  [Even though we’re making our gifts to master…… The two of you, are you not aware that you’re master’s retainers!?]

  [Y- Yes. My apologies.]

  [I- I’m sorry.]

  [Good grief…… Eta, you know best how poisonous Theta’s tongue is. Stop acting belligerent over every single thing!]

  [Y- Yes.]

  [Theta too, stop provoking her every single moment and teach her properly. If you’re going to teach her, do it properly!]

  [U- Understood.]

  Anima scolds them, and after giving them instructions, she returns to her cooking.

  Seeing that she went back to cooking, Eta and Theta looked at each other…… they averted their gazes once before looking at each other again.

  [……Eta. Ummm, I’m sorry.]

  [No, it was me who had a short temper. Please teach me.]

  [Unnn. Leave it to me.]

  Just as how quick Eta and Theta are to fight, that’s also how quick they make up.

  As they made up with each other with a smile, Anima, who was glancing at them while working on her chocolates, let out a sigh of relief and gently smiled.

  [Speaking of which, is Chief Retainer Anima also good at cooking?]

  [No, I’m rather unskilled at it instead.]

  [Really…… even so…… you look quite skillful.]

  [Well, it’s because Sieg-dono had taught me well. I’ve properly prepared for this event.]

  Anima has been learning to cook for Valentine’s Day from her friend Sieglinde for several months now.

  Anima’s greatest strength is her simple honesty, and she has become quite good at making chocolate by diligently practicing even her least favorite dishes.

  Thereupon, as if she suddenly remembered something, Anima turned to Eta and smiled.

  [Well, in that regard…… there’s some truth about how you should have practiced days before you need it.]

  [Ughhh…… I have no words to respond with.]

  [Fufufu, Theta too. If you are about to become late with your own chocolate, I can take over teaching Eta, so just call out to me.]

  [Yes. Thank you very much.]

  [Eta too, your skills aren’t that bad. You just have to try to do each task a little more carefully.]

  [Yes.]

  It’s been a few years since she became Kaito’s retainer. Anima has shown her firm work ethic and has been his splendid manager. Kaito has been relying upon her and she is truly proud about this.

  That’s why, even now that she is married to Kaito, she still calls him “master” and wants to continue to be his retainer.

  Granted…… Looking at the large heart-shaped chocolate that she’s making, it’s easy to imagine and she herself is aware of it, that the thoughts held in Anima’s heart go far beyond how a retainer feels for her master.

  [Even so, the one receiving this chocolate is my master who would happily receive it with a smile after all…… That’s why I don’t have to hide these overflowing thoughts.]

  [……Eh? Chief Retainer Anima? Did you say something?]

  [No…… We still have our usual jobs to do, so let’s quickly finish this.]

  [ [ Yes! ] ]

  Unintentionally muttering those words, it was fortunate that “these two” didn’t seem to have heard her, and with a slight blush on her cheeks, Anima resumed cooking.

  Just behind the door of the kitchen, near the position where Anima is standing…… Kaito, who was about to enter the kitchen to have something to drink, scratched his face in embarrassment…… and silently turning away from that place, he left.

  His lips, even though he himself didn’t notice it…… have a smile filled with happiness.

  **********