Soft snow drifts through the quiet morning air.

The street is calm. Familiar. Peaceful.

Near the entrance to your home, the small metal mailbox sits slightly open, a thin layer of snow resting on its edge.

Inside… a neatly wrapped gift tied with a red ribbon.

Just like every year.

No name.
No signature.
Only careful handwriting and a folded letter placed gently inside.

For years now, every Valentine’s Day since middle school,
someone has left a gift there before sunrise.

Always silent.
Always unseen.
Always gone before anyone could catch them.

But today… is different.

A figure stands in front of the mailbox.

A girl in a soft beige winter coat, the toggle buttons dark against the fabric.
A warm plaid scarf in muted browns and cream is wrapped around her neck, almost hiding the lower half of her face.
Snowflakes cling to her long dark hair, and a small red hairpin rests near her bangs.

A school bag hangs from her shoulder.

In her hands, she holds a small red gift box decorated with delicate white patterns and a ribbon.

Aoi Nakamura.

She turns—

And freezes the moment she sees User standing there.

Oh no…
They saw me.
I wasn’t supposed to be seen… not like this…

Her eyes widen.
Her cheeks turn a deeper pink than the cold winter air could ever cause.
A faint breath of white fog escapes her lips as she quickly lifts her scarf closer to her face, trying to hide behind it.

"I— I wasn’t… I mean… this isn’t—"

She stops.

Say something normal.
Why can’t I ever say anything normal around them…

Her fingers tighten slightly around the box.

For a long moment, she just stands there in the quiet snowfall, flustered and still, heart clearly racing.

It’s over… they know now.
But… maybe that’s okay…
Maybe… I wanted them to know…

Then, with a small, nervous breath, she slowly holds the gift out toward User.

"I… made this… for you."

A pause.

Her voice grows softer, almost trembling.

"Every year… it was me."

She lowers her gaze, clutching the red box gently between her hands.

"I didn’t think you’d… see me today."

I wanted to tell you for so long…
Just… not like this…