Liar, Liar, the Mage's Desire Vol. 4 (The Oumeno Menace)

Secret Admirer (End)

    Later, after school, Himiko, Tenko, Angie, and Tsumugi were walking together back home. Himiko was quiet as her friends chatted away happily. Angie suddenly turned to Himiko.

   "Himiko! You've been very quiet! Is something the matter?" she asked. 

    "Yeah! After all, tomorrow is Valentine's Day," Tsumugi said with a teasing smile. "Aren't you planning something for you-know-who?"

   "No..." Himiko answered quietly. The other three stopped dead in their tracks. 

   "Himiko, what's wrong?" Tenko asked. "Did that degenerate male say something mean and awful to you?!"

    "It doesn't matter," Himiko mumbled. "I just wanna..." She paused as she suddenly realized something. She looked at Angie. "Nyeh?! Angie! I thought you weren't coming home with us after school today!" Angie tilted her head in confusion.

   "Huh? Who told you that?" she asked. 

   "Ko-" Himiko began, then stopped. Did Kokichi lie to her about Angie not being able to walk home from school with her and Tenko? If so, why? Himiko shook her head. She decided not to think about it anymore. "Nobody. Never mind," she muttered. Angie, Tenko, and Tsumugi exchanged confused and concerned glances, but they said nothing more to Himiko on the way home. 

   ***

   The dreaded Valentine's Day had arrived. Himiko trudged to school, surrounded by other students who were already in relationships, like Kaede and Shuichi, and Kaito and Maki. The hallways were decorated with pink and red paper hearts dangling from the ceiling. Himiko sighed in frustration. She felt as if the hearts were reminding her that she was single as a Pringle. Ibuki was handing out heart-shaped lollipops to everyone. Himiko refused a lollipop, too miserable to enjoy something sweet. When she opened her locker, something flew out of it. She saw that it was an envelope with a red heart sticker keeping the flap sealed. She turned the envelope around and gasped at what she saw. Her name was written on the front in fancy handwriting. Her heart pounded in her chest as she opened up the envelope to reveal a folded piece of paper. She unfolded the paper, which emitted a slight scent of cologne. Definitely a boy. Himiko smiled to herself with excitement. She then began reading a poem in the same fancy handwriting her name on the front of the envelope was written in:

   My dear, beloved Himiko, 

   Nothing could prepare me for this longing that I feel

   To tell you how much my love for you is real.

   The day I met you, I was met with a sweet surprise 

   When I first gazed into your caramel brown eyes. 

   The day I'll be happy is when I have you in my arms

    And to be forever enamored by your bewitching charm.

    Forever bound by your enchanting spell

    You lifted me up from the moment I fell.

    I love you, my darling, and that's no trick.