The four of them stood just outside the entrance of Chez Amour, an absurdly fancy-looking restaurant with heart-shaped decorations plastered all over the windows. A chalkboard sign next to the door read:

"Valentine’s Special! 50% Off for Couples! (Kissing Booth Proof Required! Must be 18+!)"

There was a long silence as they all read the sign.

“…Well,” Sen said, hands in his pockets, “we’re not paying full price, that’s for sure.”

Hakari crossed her arms. “We could just go somewhere else.”

Sen gasped dramatically. “And pass up on half off?! Hakari, this is why you’re not an economist.”

Luke sighed. “That’s not what an economist—” He stopped himself. “Never mind.”

Yen, who had been quiet, finally spoke. “So, uh. Who’s… fake-dating who?”

Another silence. They all turned to look at each other.

Hakari squinted. “Well, we can’t make the brothers date, because that’s wrong in every way, shape, and form.”

Luke and Yen immediately nodded in agreement.

Sen put a hand over his heart. “Hakari, I knew you were a woman of morals.”

Hakari smirked. “Of course. Which means you and Yen are dating.”

Yen turned red instantly. “Wait, what?”

Luke adjusted his glasses. “Logically, that leaves Hakari and me.”

Sen grinned, throwing an arm around Yen’s shoulder. “Alright, love of my life, let’s scam this restaurant.”

Yen buried his face in his hands. “I hate this already.”

Hakari gave Luke a playful punch on the arm. “Try to act like you adore me, alright?”

Luke sighed. “I’ll do my best.”

With their plan settled, they walked inside.

A weary-looking waitress greeted them at the entrance with a somewhat dead voice. “Welcome to Chez Amour...Will you be taking advantage of our Valentine’s Discount?”

Sen beamed. “You know it.”

The waitress barely reacted. “Alright, you’ll need to prove you’re a couple by going to our—” She looked at them properly for the first time. “…Are you all even 18?”

There was a collective awkward pause.

Hakari cleared her throat. “Uhhh, do we need to be?”

The waitress gestured at the sign. “To qualify for the discount, you have to go to the kissing booth.”

Yen stiffened. “The what?”

Sen snapped his fingers. “Darn, guess we’ll have to pay full price.”

Hakari elbowed him.

The waitress sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. “You know what? Fine. Whatever. Just take the discount. I don’t get paid enough for this.”

Hakari snorted. Once seated, they browsed the menu.

Sen’s eyes immediately lit up. “Oh, dude. Waffles.”

Hakari raised an eyebrow. “Sen. It’s Valentine’s Day at a fancy restaurant, and you’re getting waffles?”

Sen nodded. “Absolutely.”

Hakari shook her head. “That’s—” She glanced at the menu, then at the picture of the waffles. They were covered in strawberries, whipped cream, and syrup. She hesitated. “…Actually, that looks good. Can I get that too?”

Sen smirked. “Told you. I have excellent taste.”

Luke ignored them and ordered his usual: a simple, well-balanced meal, nothing excessive. Yen quietly ordered a heart-shaped strawberry shortcake. When the food arrived, they dug in happily, their earlier awkwardness fading.

At some point, Sen, always one for unnecessary dramatics, leaned back in his chair and sighed loudly.

“Yen, my dearest, my darling,” he said, placing a hand on his chest. “Would you be so kind as to pass me the syrup?”

Yen wordlessly shoved the syrup toward him, face burning.

Hakari, not to be outdone, grabbed Luke’s arm. “Oh, Luke, the love of my life, can I have some of your fries?”

Luke, unimpressed, handed her a fry. “You don’t have to make it weird.”

Hakari grinned. “Yes, I do.”

Yen groaned. “We should’ve just paid full price...”

Despite their antics, they had a great time and great food.