The halls of Liberty Prime University Academy buzzed with activity. Pink and red decorations hung from the walls, students exchanged cards, flowers, and chocolates, and laughter echoed through the air. It was Valentine's Day, and as usual, the school was alive with a mix of excitement, nervous energy, and the occasional teasing.

Anthony walked the halls in his school uniform—gray pants, a crisp white shirt, and his signature gray hoodie pulled up over his head. His expression was calm, though the faint tug at the corner of his mouth hinted at mild irritation as he passed by clusters of students giggling and blushing over Valentine's surprises.

"Morning, Commander!" a cheerful middle schooler called out, holding a heart-shaped box of chocolates.

"Morning," Anthony replied with a nod, keeping his pace steady. He had a goal in mind: his locker.

As he approached, he noticed his sister Ann standing next to her locker, smirking at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, look who finally showed up. Valentine's Day repeat number... what? Three?"

Anthony sighed as he reached his locker. "You're enjoying this way too much."

Ann laughed. "You make it easy. You should've just skipped opening it this year. Save yourself the hassle."

Ignoring her, Anthony unlocked his locker. The moment the door swung open, a cascade of cards and letters spilled out, a chocolate bar tumbling to the floor last. He stared at the pile for a moment, letting out a long, tired breath.

"Every year," he muttered, crouching to pick up the chocolate bar.

Ann leaned against her locker, arms crossed, her grin widening. "You're like a magnet, Ant. The whole school's crushing on you, and what do you do? Nothing. Seriously, when are you gonna get a girlfriend?"

Anthony gave her a sidelong glance, tossing the chocolate bar onto the pile of cards. "When I find someone who doesn't leave anonymous notes and cheap chocolate in my locker."

Ann snorted, shaking her head. "You're hopeless. Maybe if you stopped acting like such a brooding, mysterious commander all the time, you'd figure it out."

Anthony smirked faintly. "And maybe if you didn't spend so much time teasing me, you'd figure out your own love life."

Ann gasped in mock offense, clutching her chest. "How dare you! I'll have you know I turned down two Valentine's Day confessions this morning."

"Yeah, sure," Anthony replied, smirking as he began gathering the pile of cards into a bag he'd brought for this very purpose.

As Anthony finished clearing out his locker, Harriet and Imani approached, both carrying their own small stacks of cards and chocolates. Harriet's were neatly organized, while Imani seemed to be juggling hers haphazardly.

"Let me guess," Harriet said, glancing at Anthony's bag. "Another year, another haul?"

"You act like I want this," Anthony replied dryly.

"Maybe if you smiled more, it'd scare off fewer people," Imani quipped, trying to balance a bouquet of flowers on top of her pile.

Anthony shot her a look. "Thanks for the advice, Oprah."

Harriet chuckled. "What are you going to do with all that, anyway?"

"Same thing as last year—give the chocolates to the younger kids and recycle the cards," Anthony said matter-of-factly.

Ann groaned. "You're such a buzzkill."

Before Anthony could respond, Tyrone came strolling down the hall, munching on a chocolate bar. His uniform was slightly disheveled, as usual, but his grin was as wide as ever.

"Yo, Commander," Tyrone said, giving Anthony a nod. "What's the damage this year?"

Anthony held up the bag. "You tell me."

Tyrone whistled. "Man, if I got even half of that, I'd be set for life."

Harriet smirked. "Maybe if you weren't such a clown, you'd get more."

Tyrone shrugged, unbothered. "Clowns are memorable. Besides, quality over quantity, you know?"

"Speaking of quality," Ann said, her smirk returning. "Tyrone, isn't Serafina looking for you?"

Tyrone's grin faltered. "What? No. She's not here, right? Tell me she's not here."

As if on cue, Serafina's voice rang out from down the hall. "Tyrone!"

Tyrone groaned, stuffing the rest of the chocolate bar into his mouth. "I'm out. Later, y'all!"

He bolted down the hall, weaving through the crowd as Serafina chased after him, holding a heart-shaped box and calling his name.

Ann doubled over laughing, while Anthony shook his head, muttering, "Every year."

After the morning chaos settled, Anthony found himself sitting on a bench outside the main building, the cool February air brushing against his face. The bag of cards and chocolates sat at his feet, and for the first time all day, he felt a moment of peace.

As he leaned back, his phone buzzed with a message from Harriet.

Harriet: You should at least keep one of the cards this year. You know, for sentiment or something.

Anthony smirked, typing a quick reply.

Anthony: I'll keep the chocolate. That's more practical.

He pocketed his phone, his gaze drifting toward the students still milling around, laughing and sharing gifts. Despite his usual indifference toward Valentine's Day, Anthony couldn't help but feel a small sense of contentment watching everyone else enjoy themselves.

Maybe Ann was right—maybe he was hopeless. But for now, he was okay with that.